If you’ve been scrolling Netflix with no plan, consider this your shortlist. This week’s new releases hit a variety of tones — from grim horror to twisted comedy to stylish animation. Here’s what’s worth your time.
Love, Death + Robots Volume 4 continues the streak of bold storytelling
Netflix’s adult animated anthology returns with its fourth volume, and it’s nothing short of spectacular. Created by David Fincher and Tim Miller, Love, Death + Robots serves up ten new shorts that range from violent to emotional, and often both. Directors like Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2) make a comeback, and the results feel tight and purposeful.
One episode features dinosaur gladiators fighting for survival, another stars a messianic feline with a flair for chaos. There’s a string-puppet rock band, and of course, plenty of gore and sci-fi tropes smashed together in creative ways. This isn’t just genre work — it’s genre work with a lot of heart and style. If you’ve never watched the series, now’s the time. Just don’t expect kid-friendly content.
Bad Thoughts turns Tom Segura’s dark humor into a surreal series
Netflix is flipping the script on Tom Segura’s usual stand-up format with Bad Thoughts, a six-episode dark comedy series where Segura plays multiple roles across twisted storylines. Think Black Mirror meets Mr. Meehan — but messier and more personal.
The trailer teases episodes about toxic masculinity, failed relationships, and one particularly cringe-worthy fantasy involving an exorcism. It’s the kind of show that makes you laugh while wondering what it says about your own brain. Segura fans will find this especially resonant, and anyone who’s ever lived through a “large iced coffee with just a splash of milk” order will relate on a deep level.
Smile delivers psychological horror with a chilling twist
If you missed Smile when it hit theaters, Netflix has brought the creepy grin back to life. Starring Sosie Bacon, the film follows a therapist who spirals into a nightmare after witnessing a patient commit a violent suicide — with a smile.
The movie smartly uses hallucinations and emotional trauma to build its atmosphere. It borrows a bit from the cursed-entity playbook but manages to stay grounded thanks to Bacon’s performance. The tension ramps up in predictable but effective ways, making this one a solid watch for fans of The Ring-style horror.
Bet adapts the gambling anime trope into a slick live-action drama
Netflix’s new series Bet takes inspiration from the popular manga Kakegurui and throws it into an English-language live-action setting. Miku Martineau stars as Yumeko, a transfer student at an elite boarding school where social status is determined by high-stakes gambling.
It’s flashy, manipulative, and just chaotic enough to keep you hooked. The show leans into the psychological games and moral gray areas, though it stumbles a bit trying to balance stylized drama with believable character motivation. Still, if you like smart, risky plays and zero-shame protagonist energy, Bet delivers.
American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden revisits a defining moment with sharp focus
Netflix’s three-part docuseries American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden doesn’t aim to shock with new info, but it does provide a clear, concise look at the intelligence work behind the raid that changed modern warfare. Emmy-nominated directors Mor Loushy and Daniel Sivan craft the series around key conversations and decisions, giving weight to moments that felt distant only two decades ago.
It’s a reminder of how messy, uncertain, and human these operations are. For anyone who remembers where they were when the news broke, this series hits with quiet intensity rather than spectacle.
Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story uncovers chilling new evidence
Not for the faint of heart, Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story digs into the minds and crimes of one of the UK’s most notorious murderous couples. The true-crime Netflix exclusive features previously unseen police footage and audio recordings that add a grim layer to an already horrific tale.
It doesn’t sensationalize, but it doesn’t shy away either. If you’re drawn to crime documentaries that explore how evil hides behind normalcy, this one delivers in a grim, unflinching way.
Final thoughts: This week’s Netflix slate mixes genre, grit, and glam
Whether you’re in the mood for animated violence, psychological horror, dark comedy, or real-world manhunts, Netflix has you covered. Love, Death + Robots remains the most creatively free series on the platform, while Bad Thoughts gives a beloved comedian a new playground for his worst ideas. Smile and Fred and Rose West scratch different kinds of creepy itches, and Bet offers a stylish gamble on a popular genre.
This isn’t filler content. These are the shows and movies that say something — even if that something is just “don’t smile like that.”