Netflix’s 15 most controversial films, shows and documentaries

While streaming giant Netflix has amassed a huge following across the globe for the variety of content it offers, the OTT platform has also managed to ruffle a few feathers along the way. From US web series 13 Reasons Why to the Indian series Delhi Crime, a section of the audience has time and again protested against its various titles. Here are a few of them.

Sacred Games Season 1

One of the first Indian original web series, Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane's show Sacred Games had irked quite a few people with its semi-nude scenes, violence and politics.

Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness

A true-crime documentary miniseries on zoo-keeper Joe Exotic, Tiger King released in March this year and almost instantly caused an uproar. After the show reached peak success, multiple animal rights organisations, including PETA, accused the makers of glamourising the serious issue of animal abuse. (Photo: Netflix)

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl

This recent Netflix India release, starring Janhvi Kapoor in the titular role of air force officer Gunjan Saxena, attracted severe backlash due to negative portrayal of the Indian Armed Forces (IAF). The film features a few sequences which show its protagonist facing gender bias during her time at the academy.

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

The American biographical drama based on the life of convicted serial killer Ted Bundy was slammed for its 'almost charming' portrayal of Bundy. It didn't help matters that they had chosen American heartthrob Zac Efron to play the lead, as he was considered too handsome for the role of a murderer.

Delhi Crime

Based on the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape, the Shefali Shah and Rasika Dugal show landed in some legal trouble when the SHO of Vasant Vihar claimed that a character based on him in the show was shown as lazy and irresponsible.

The Crown

While the BBC show based on Queen Elizabeth II and her reign recently released a trailer for the fourth season, it is not without its share of a few sour grapes. Of course, that is to be expected when you make an epic series based on your reigning queen. Multiple loyal royal supporters raised some eyebrows with regard to the depiction of the queen and some of her close family members.

13 Reasons Why Season 1

No one can forget the protests against the graphic suicide sequence shown in the first part of the American show 13 Reasons Why. Hannah, the narrator, dies by suicide after struggling with months of several forms of bullying.

The First Temptation of Christ

A huge brouhaha was created over the Brazilian film The First Temptation of Christ which showed Jesus as gay. Around two million people signed a petition to ban the movie. However, the apex court of Brazil finally allowed Netflix to go ahead with the film, stating that freedom of speech and expression is a democratic right.(Photo: Netflix)

Wild Wild Country

The documentary series was at the receiving end of all sorts of backlash post its release. Based on the exploits of cult leader Bhagwaan Shree Rajneesh, also known as Osho, the documentary received criticism for leaving out key aspects of Osho's exploits, including sexual abuse of women and children alike. The Osho International Foundation opined that Wild Wild Country inaccurately depicted what went down in the ashram during Osho's time in the US. (Photo: Netflix)

365 Days

Based on the novel written by Blanka Lipinska, polish erotic drama 365 days became the cynosure of all eyes for its bold and graphic sex scenes.

Bird Box

The Sandra Bullock and Sarah Paulson-starrer drew criticism for its inclusion of actual footage of a train wreckage. Apart from this, the film grabbed eyeballs when it inspired a 'Bird Box challenge' wherein people attempted to do everyday activities while being blindfolded. This prompted Netflix to issue several statements, requesting audience members to not participate in such events.

Messiah

The show, which focused on the alleged mysterious return of Isa ('Islamic Jesus'), was not received well by a section of the Muslim audience. In fact, Jordan asked Netflix to refrain from streaming the series in the country. Messiah was cancelled after the first season.

The Devil Next Door

Based on the alleged Nazi extermination camp guard John Demjanjuk, the documentary was criticised by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki for inaccurate depiction of nazi camps, which showed them to be marked in the map of present-day Poland.(Photo: Netflix)

Insatiable

The Netflix comedy series has been accused of propagating the idea of fat-shaming via its protagonist.

Jinn

The Arabic web show was panned by a good chunk of Jordan who weren't too impressed with the fact that the main cast indulged in amoral behaviour, which included being openly intimate and using bad language.