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

The Fundamentals of Caring

Release Year: 2016

Directed By: Rob Burnett

Starring: Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Ehle, Megan Ferguson, Frederick Weller, Bobby Cannavale, Julia Denton

If there’s ever an opening to talk about the underrated Netflix original movie The Fundamentals of Caring, you better believe we’re going to take it. Back in 2016, when original films on the streaming service were still a relatively new concept that had hardly reached its potential, the delightful road trip dramedy arrived to little widespread fanfare, but it remains one of the best titles on the platform.

Based on the novel The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving by Jonathan Evison, Paul Rudd stars as struggling writer Ben Benjamin, whose recent personal tragedy and dissolution of his marriage leads to taking a job as the caregiver for Trevor (Craig Roberts), an 18-year-old with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Ben takes Trevor on a road trip that turns into more than just an adventure to see the world’s largest pit.

The Fundamentals of Caring received mostly positive reception from critics but definitely deserved far more attention than it earned. Obviously, Paul Rudd’s great in his leading role and has excellent buddy chemistry with Craig Roberts. You should come for those two, but stay for the consistently incredible Selena Gomez. We might know her for her Disney past and pop star present, but she’s an on-screen talent to behold. — Reed Gaudens

Verdict: WATCH