“What underappreciated Netflix show completely changed your perspective on a particular topic or genre? How did it challenge your preconceptions?”
The Social Dilemma
One underappreciated Netflix show that changed my perspective is The Social Dilemma. It delves deep into how social media and tech companies manipulate user behavior for profit. It made me reconsider my own social media habits and understand the broader impact of digital platforms on society. Before watching it, I didn’t fully grasp the extent of the manipulation behind every scroll and click. It challenged my preconceptions about how much control users have over the content they see and made me more mindful of the time I spend online.
Georgi Petrov, CMO, Entrepreneur, and Content Creator, AIG MARKETER
The Art of Design
One Netflix show that really shifted my perspective in a way I didn’t expect was Abstract: The Art of Design. It’s a documentary series that dives into the minds of designers across very different fields—from architecture and graphic design to footwear and automotive design. What struck me wasn’t just the beauty of their work, but how deeply creative problem-solving connects to every industry, including tech and marketing, which I’m very involved with.
Before watching, I saw design mostly as an aesthetic add-on—something to make a product or brand look good. But this series challenged that narrow view. It showed me that design is fundamentally about understanding people, their behaviors, and needs. It’s a strategic discipline that influences how users interact with products and even shapes entire cultures and industries.
That realization has had a ripple effect on how I approach our work at Zapiy.com. It made me think harder about user experience, brand storytelling, and the power of intentional, human-centered design in everything we do—especially in digital marketing and product development. It pushed me to value creativity not just as a means of decoration but as a core driver of innovation and connection.
The show also broadened my appreciation for diverse forms of creativity, inspiring me to be more open to ideas from unexpected places. It made me rethink how we approach challenges, encouraging a more interdisciplinary mindset that blends art, technology, and strategy.
So, what Abstract taught me is that under the surface, design is a powerful language that shapes perception and behavior—whether you’re creating a product, building a brand, or even leading a team. It pushed me to see creativity as an essential business tool rather than a luxury, which has made a big difference in how I lead and innovate. If you haven’t watched it yet, I’d highly recommend it—especially if you want to challenge how you think about creativity and its role in your work.
Max Shak, Founder/CEO, Zapiy
Atypical
Beyond the Clinical: How “Atypical” Humanized Autism for Me
While perhaps not entirely “underappreciated,” the Netflix show “Atypical” significantly reshaped my perspective on how neurodiversity, specifically Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), can be portrayed and understood by a wider audience. As a psychiatrist, I’m deeply familiar with the clinical presentations of ASD, but media often struggles to capture the nuance.
My preconception, largely shaped by other media, was often of more caricatured or extreme representations of autism – either focusing solely on savant-like abilities or profound, non-verbal disability. “Atypical” challenged this by presenting its protagonist, Sam Gardner, as a teenager navigating the universal desires for independence, love, and purpose, albeit through the unique lens of his autism.
The show masterfully illustrated the “spectrum” aspect of ASD. Sam wasn’t a stereotype; he was an individual with his own specific interests (like penguins), anxieties, and ways of processing the world. It highlighted his literal thinking and social communication challenges authentically, without making them the entirety of his character. His internal monologues provided valuable insight into his experiences, fostering empathy rather than just observation.
Furthermore, “Atypical” didn’t just focus on Sam. It delved into the family dynamics, showing the profound impact on his parents and sister. It portrayed their exhaustion, their fierce love, their mistakes, and their growth. This resonated deeply with what I see in my psychiatry practice: that a diagnosis impacts the entire family system, and support must be holistic. It challenged the notion of a family simply “coping” and instead showed them adapting, evolving, and finding new strengths, which is an incredibly empowering message.
The series wasn’t perfect, and some critiques from the autistic community about its initial seasons are valid. However, its willingness to engage with the everyday complexities and the emotional lives of an individual with ASD and his family was a significant step forward. It helped reinforce for me, beyond clinical texts, the profound importance of seeing the person first, their aspirations and their struggles, before the diagnosis. It underscored how much more effective and compassionate our approaches can be when we truly strive to understand the lived experience behind the label.
Ishdeep Narang, Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatrist, ACES Psychiatry, Orlando, Florida
Russian Doll
One underappreciated Netflix show that completely shifted my perspective is Russian Doll. Before watching, I expected a typical dark comedy, but it challenged my assumptions by blending sharp humor with profound existential themes about life, death, and personal growth. The show’s nonlinear storytelling and the protagonist’s repeated time loops pushed me to rethink how narrative structures can deepen emotional impact. It made me realize that comedy and philosophy aren’t mutually exclusive—they can coexist powerfully. The way it tackled trauma and self-awareness through a surreal lens expanded my understanding of what the genre can achieve. This series taught me to appreciate more experimental storytelling and to look beyond surface-level genre labels when choosing what to watch. It’s a reminder that some shows deserve a closer look for the depth they bring to familiar themes.
Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen
Midnight Gospel
Midnight Gospel completely reframed how I think about animation and deep conversations. At first, I expected silly, stoner humor because of the chaotic visuals, but the show blends surreal animation with raw, philosophical dialogue about death, addiction, mindfulness, and existence. The contrast forced me to listen more closely and actually absorb the conversations. It challenged my assumption that cartoons are for light entertainment. This show used animation to soften the delivery of complex, emotional truths. It made me rethink how storytelling works and how different mediums can carry unexpected emotional weight.
Chris Brewer, Managing Director, Best Retreats