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New Movies On Netflix This Month - February 2026
- Chris Olson
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
Film Feature by Chris Olson
This February, Netflix is offering a slate that ranges from the grim reality of British true crime to the delicate nuances of South Korean romantic drama. Having already promoted several other New Movies on Netflix 2026, I was thrilled to see a few more added to their lineup.
These additional offerings are a mixed bag of emotional weights and cultural perspectives. We have a documentary that has already sparked a firestorm of ethical debate, a historical biopic from Sweden that aims to rewrite a chapter of the Second World War, and two Asian features that explore identity and connection with remarkable tenderness. It is a month for viewers who like their entertainment with a side of introspection.
The Investigation of Lucy Letby
Released on the 4th of February, The Investigation of Lucy Letby is perhaps the most high-profile and controversial addition to the platform this year. Produced by ITN Productions, this ninety-minute documentary arrives amidst a chorus of disapproval from Letby’s own parents, who have publicly condemned the film as an "invasion of privacy."
From a filmmaking perspective, the documentary employs the kind of "unprecedented access" that has become a Netflix hallmark. It features previously unreleased footage of Letby’s arrest at her home in Chester, alongside interviews with the police officers and legal minds who navigated the complexities of Britain’s most prolific child serial killer case.
What is most striking here is the shift in tone. While earlier coverage of the trial focused heavily on the horrific nature of the crimes, this film attempts to pull back the curtain on the procedural mechanics. However, one cannot ignore the ethical discomfort. By including footage of Letby in her domestic setting—the "dressing gown arrest" that has become a focal point of the family's criticism—the filmmakers tread a very thin line between public interest and sensationalism. As a critic, I find the craft of the documentary impressive, but as a viewer, there is a lingering question about whether some stones are best left unturned for the sake of the victims’ and families' dignity.
This Is I
Moving from the dark realities of the UK to the vibrant, neon-lit streets of Japan, This Is I (premiering on the 10th of February) offers a much-needed emotional counterpoint. Directed by Yusaku Matsumoto, this is a biographical drama centered on Ai Haruna, a beloved Japanese transgender icon.
The film is a beautiful exploration of the human spirit. It follows Kenji, a young boy with dreams of becoming an idol like Seiko Matsuda, who eventually undergoes the first gender confirmation surgery in Japan performed by the pioneering Dr. Wada. Haruki Mochizuki, an eighteen-year-old newcomer, delivers a performance of incredible vulnerability and strength as Ai. Opposite her, the esteemed Takumi Saitoh brings a grounded, compassionate energy to the role of Dr. Wada.
What makes This Is I stand out is its musicality. The film is peppered with hits from the Showa and Heisei eras, using J-pop as a narrative tool to express the protagonist’s inner joy and longing. There is a sequence where Ai steps out into the city in a red dress for the first time, choreographed by Akane, that is pure cinematic bliss. It reminds us why we watch films: to see the world through someone else’s eyes and feel their triumph as if it were our own.
The Swedish Connection
On the 19th of February, Netflix takes us back to the 1940s with The Swedish Connection. In the tradition of Schindler’s List or The Imitation Game, this film seeks to illuminate the life of a forgotten hero. That hero is Gösta Engzell, a bureaucrat within the Swedish Foreign Ministry during the Second World War.
Sweden’s "neutrality" during the war has long been a subject of historical scrutiny, often painted with a brush of moral ambiguity. This film challenges that narrative by focusing on Engzell’s quiet rebellion. Through bureaucratic manoeuvring and sheer moral fortitude, Engzell helped save thousands of lives from Nazi persecution.
The film is a taut, intellectual thriller. It doesn’t rely on explosive set pieces but rather on the tension of the "paper war." It explores how one man, working within a rigid and often indifferent system, can become a "moral superpower." For fans of historical dramas that value nuance over melodrama, this is essential viewing. It is a sombre, well-constructed piece of cinema that asks what we owe to our fellow man when the world is falling into darkness.
Pavane
Finally, on the 20th of February, we have Pavane, a South Korean romantic drama directed by Lee Jong-pil. Based on the novel Pavane for a Dead Princess by Park Min-gyu, the film is a delicate, melancholic study of beauty and perception.
The story follows three individuals who have, for various reasons, retreated from the world. Mi-jung (played by Go Ah-sung) lives under the weight of society’s judgmental gaze regarding her appearance; Yo-han (Byun Yo-han) is a rock-loving free spirit; and Gyeong-rok (Moon Sang-min) is a man who has traded his dreams for the daily grind. Their lives intersect in the subterranean world of a department store car park.
Lee Jong-pil has a knack for finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. Pavane is a film of small moments—shared laughter, quiet observations, and the slow thawing of guarded hearts. It is a "melodrama" in the best sense of the word, focusing on the internal landscapes of its characters. The chemistry between the lead trio is palpable, making the central question of the film—whether one can truly love again after being hardened by life—feel deeply resonant. It is a poetic conclusion to a month of heavy hitters.
February 2026 on Netflix feels like a month of confrontation. Whether it is confronting the ghosts of a criminal investigation in the UK, the rigid social structures of mid-century Europe, or the personal barriers we build around ourselves in modern-day Asia, these films demand something of the audience.
As always, I encourage you to seek out the stories that challenge you. While the Letby documentary may be a difficult watch for many, the bravery shown in the narratives of This Is I and Pavane offers a hopeful balance.
