Below are the 10 best international series on Netflix:

Ninguém Tá Olhando (Nobody’s Looking)

Country: Brazil

Genre: Supernatural Comedy

WHERE TO WATCH: Netflix

Despite its unfortunate cancellation and unresolved cliffhanger, the Brazilian show Ninguém Tá Olhando (Nobody's Looking) is an enjoyable watch that should not be forgotten. Set in the Angelus System for Human Protection, where Guardian Angels work like office drones to keep humans safe, the series explores the concept of free will through humor. The story follows Ulisses (Victor Lamoglia), the first new Guardian Angel in over 300 years, as he questions the rules and expectations of his job. The first season, which is unfortunately the only one, is full of existential crises, romantic arcs, and quirky plot points such as hamster wheels and tiny baby angel wings. Despite its short run, the show manages to pack in a lot of story and character development. Creator duo Carolina Markowicz and Teodoro Poppovic deserve recognition for their creative and engaging concept, and we can only hope that they will bring more great content to our screens in the future.

 

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

Country: South Korea

Category: Legal Drama

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Extraordinary Attorney Woo is a must-see series, even if it was one of the most-watched TV shows in 2022. The series revolves around Woo Young-woo, a rookie lawyer who has autism and a passion for whales. It's an outstanding blend of procedural elements and character-driven dramedy. Each episode features a different case, and we get to see Woo Young-woo's challenges in working with a team of neurotypical lawyers who are often misinformed about autism. As the characters (including the audience) become more knowledgeable about neurodiversity and whales, we become more invested in Woo Young-woo's cases and relationships. Extraordinary Attorney Woo broke new ground in Korea by focusing on a character with autism, but it's also incredibly enjoyable to watch. —Kayti Burt

 

Dark

Country: Germany Category: Science fiction/Thriller

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Summarizing the complex plot of Dark, co-created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, is a challenging task. The first episode begins with the statement "everything is connected," and it delivers on this promise. The story unfolds in Winden, Germany, in 2019, where Jonas Kahnwald (Louis Hofmann) searches for a missing classmate and tries to unravel a supernatural mystery. The investigation leads him to the events of 1986, shortly after the Chernobyl disaster, and further back to 1953 when the Winden nuclear power plant was under construction and set to be decommissioned in 2020. Although the initial allusions to Einstein, The Matrix, A Clockwork Orange, Goethe, and Back to the Future may seem thin, the series draws the viewer in with its puzzles and riddles. Like other sci-fi, horror, and crime dramas, it immerses us in its universe and invites us to piece together its mysteries.

 Cable Girls

Country: Spain Category: Telenovela

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Cable Girls offers a little something for everyone - from corporate intrigue to romance and family drama. Set in Madrid in the late 1920s, the Spanish series centers around four switchboard operators who are determined to overcome the obstacles that restrict women in a male-dominated society. Lidia (played by Blanca Suárez), posing as Alba, has taken a job at the telephone company with the intention of stealing from it, only to discover that her former lover is now running the business, which complicates things. Meanwhile, Carlota (Ana Fernández) wants to escape her controlling father's clutches, Marga (Nadia de Santiago) is venturing out on her own for the first time, and Ángeles (Maggie Civantos), the company's most experienced operator, is working hard to support her family. Throughout the series, the show skillfully tackles pressing issues such as LGBTQ rights and domestic violence, using the 1920s as a lens to examine the struggles women face to survive in a patriarchal society. However, at its core, Cable Girls is a powerful story about the strength of female friendship and the collective fight for power and independence among women. The fact that the costumes are impressive is just an added bonus. —Kaitlin Thomas

Bordertown

Country: Finland Category: Crime Drama

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Nordic noir dramas are known for their haunting atmosphere, and choosing which one to watch can be difficult. However, Bordertown stands out as a must-watch show. The three-season series is set on the border between Finland and Russia, and each mystery spans two episodes. Kari Sorjonen (Ville Virtanen) is the lead character, a skilled detective who has moved to the border to start a slower life with his wife after her cancer diagnosis. However, he soon realizes that there are heinous crimes to solve, and life on the border is not as peaceful as he had hoped. Despite possessing a photographic memory and a terrifying insight into murderers, Kari joins the Serious Crimes Unit and teams up with Lena, a former FSB agent, to solve the perplexing crimes plaguing the region. —Kaitlin Thomas

Hellbound

 

Country: South Korea Category: Supernatural Thriller

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Hellbound, a South Korean blockbuster, is an adaptation of Yeon Sang-ho’s webcomic. The series explores the consequences of angels appearing on earth and warning humans that they are going to be dragged to hell by violent smoke demons. The show delves into thought-provoking themes of faith, judgment, and redemption, which are further amplified by undeniable evidence. The charismatic cult leader of the New Truth Society, played by Yoo Ah-in, is a central character, as is Yang Ik-june's detective, who initially treats the mysterious deaths as murders. Meanwhile, his daughter, portrayed by Lee Re, becomes entangled with the cult. The pilot episode is particularly compelling, as it raises important questions and sets the stage for a supernatural thriller. —Josh Jackson

All of Us Are Dead

Country: South Korea Category: Zombie Drama

WATCH ON NETFLIX

For a more contemporary take on the zombie genre, you can give All of Us Are Dead a try, one of Netflix's most successful TV shows ever. This 2022 adaptation of a popular webtoon focuses on a group of teenagers who find themselves in the epicenter of a zombie outbreak at Hyosan High School. The show deals with themes of growing up and how adults have failed to protect younger generations, which gives it a timely and rather bleak feel. Keep in mind that, while most Korean dramas only have one season, All of Us Are Dead is currently working on a second installment, possibly due to the influence of streaming platforms like Netflix. —Kayti Burt

Casa de Papel (Money Heist)

Country: Spain Category: Heist Drama

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Casa de Papel (AKA, Money Heist) is a blockbuster ensemble drama that has captured the attention of audiences around the world, ranking in the Top 10 in 92 countries. The show follows a group of strangers brought together by the enigmatic El Profesor (Álvaro Morte) to pull off a daring heist of the Spanish mint. The robbers, including the narrator Tokío (Úrsula Corberó) and the tech genius Río (Miguel Herrán), wear red jumpsuits and masks to anonymize themselves to each other and to the police negotiators outside. Meanwhile, the detective Raquel Murillo (Itziar Ituño) works to infiltrate the building and catch the thieves.

Casa de Papel is not just about the heist; it's also a character study and an exploration of interpersonal relationships. With its love for mystery-box storytelling and cleverness, the show has plenty of surprises and twists to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Despite having a large ensemble cast and spanning four seasons, the show never feels overwhelming or too complex. Whether you're a fan of heist dramas like Lupin or Spanish melodramas like Élite, Casa de Papel is definitely worth checking out. —Alexis Gunderson

 Norsemen

Country: Norway Category: Comedy

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Who says that the tale of the pillaging and bloodthirsty Vikings cannot be funny? Netflix's Norsemen will prove you wrong. The show features a chieftain who forces his warriors to give up the metal from their weapons, so a slave can build a sculpture that leads the clan to get captured by their enemies while the chieftain is dressed in a long dress (it's a long story). What makes Norsemen so amusing is the modern human sensibilities that are applied to these marauders. Along with their brutality, you'll find an insecure warrior like Arvid, who is bullied for not understanding poetry. The funniest character of all is Rufus, the enslaved (bad) actor who refuses to accept his status and manages to create a small sphere of influence for himself, among constant death threats and people who mostly despise him. Despite the omnipresent death, Rufus’ primary concerns are the insults he receives as an artist among the uncivilized people. It’s an outstanding role, full of contradictions, and the highlight of this endlessly hilarious satire. —Shane Ryan

Crash Landing on You

Country: South Korea Category: Romantic Comedy

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A romantic comedy that aired in Korea and on Netflix in 2019-2020, Crash Landing in You is a delightful show that boasts of clever writing, a great cast, and impeccable timing that comes together to create something truly magical. During the pandemic, when people were forced to stay home and away from loved ones, this show became a popular choice for many looking for an escape. It tells the story of a chaebol heiress and entrepreneur (the remarkable Son Ye-jin) who, after a paragliding accident, lands in the DMZ and the life of a North Korean soldier (the iconic Hyun Bin) who decides to hide her. The central romance in the show is undeniably amazing, but like other exceptional K-dramas, Crash Landing on You is more than just a love story. It is a tale about family, community, independence, childhood trauma, severe depression, and the choices we make within our commitments to each other and ourselves. It is a must-watch, without a doubt. —Kayti Burt

Lupin

Set in France, Lupin is a mystery-thriller series that revolves around a young man named Assane who has taken up the profession of thievery. Assane is grappling with an identity crisis where he believes he is a gentleman thief named Arsene Lupin, the protagonist of the stories by the French writer Maurice Leblanc. The show also delves into Assane's family issues, particularly his father's conviction for stealing a valuable necklace when Assane was a child, which triggered a series of events that shape his life.

Similar to BBC's Sherlock, Lupin presents a fast-paced narrative that celebrates ingenuity and wit. However, Lupin leans towards the outlandish, while Sherlock retains a level of groundedness. Regardless, both shows share a fascination with the complexities of unraveling a mystery, driving every plot device.

Although Lupin stretches the bounds of credulity, it remains an entertaining watch, especially given the limitations of the past year. In essence, as long as viewers stay alert, there's nothing wrong with indulging in a little fun.