57 best Netflix movies to watch (and 24 to skip)

The Pale Blue Eye

Release Year: 2023

Directed By: Scott Cooper

Starring: Christian Bale, Henry Melling, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Gillian Anderson, Lucy Boynton, Toby Jones, Harry Lawtney, and more

Netflix’s first big movie of 2023 was The Pale Blue Eye, based on the 2003 book of the same name written by Louis Bayard. The period drama takes place in 1830 New York, following a murder case at a military academy. Academy Award winner Christian Bale stars as retired detective Augustus Landor, who’s recruited to come help solve the crime. Along the way, he befriends a fictionalized version of Edgar Allan Poe, played by Harry Potter’s Henry Melling.

The Pale Blue Eye is pretty slow at times, but the acting is fantastic and the ending is very satisfying. As a streaming release, it’s an easy watch to check out if you’re looking for a well-made movie. If you want fast-paced action, however, this one probably isn’t for you.

But if you’re a murder mystery fan like we are, we’d recommend trying The Pale Blue Eye. And that’s why we’re calling it a watch!

Verdict: WATCH