20 Hidden Drama Movie Gems You Can Watch On Netflix

9. Secretary

A true indie hit, Secretary boasts the Maggie Gyllenhaal performance which brought the actress to a wider attention. Starring as Lee Holloway, Gyllenhaal is the fragile secretary of the film's title, the one who begins a sadomasochistic relationship with her peculiar boss, Mr. Grey (James Spader, perfect in these types of roles). Again (like Jeune and Jolie) much more titillating, erotic, sensual, and truly understanding about sex and sexual desire than 50 Shades of Grey (the "Grey" of which the only thing these two films really have in common) could ever be, Secretary is also blackly comic, with a subversive sense of humour fitting of the bizarre nature of the central relationship (Gyllenhaal placing a worm on Spader's paper so he can circle it as a mistake is the film's best moment.) Bolstered immeasurably by the genuine chemistry between its two stars, Secretary is a refreshing anecdote to the vapourless fare of most of Hollywood's attempts at depicting sex and fetishism.