Eli

If you want a drama that takes its characters as seriously as its plot, Eli is available in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix right now. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Charlie Shotwell anchors it with a performance that rewards close attention. Available now on Netflix — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Eli is worth clearing space for. Eli takes its time building the world its characters inhabit, and the patience pays off. A boy named Eli with a rare autoimmune disorder is confined to a special experimental clinic for his treatment. He soon begins experiencing supernatural forces, turning the supposedly safe facility into a haunted prison for him and his fellow patients. Charlie Shotwell and Sadie Sink lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2019. What elevates Eli is a refusal to let any character off the hook too easily. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Viewers drawn to character-driven storytelling will find plenty to sit with in Eli. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Charlie Shotwell carries the material with a performance that rewards close attention. Worth starting sooner rather than later.