Let’s face it: Netflix is just full, full of crap. But amongst the uninspired and uninspiring low-budget groaners or theatrical releases you saw months ago, there are actually a few unexpected gems. Beyond is one of these.

The basic story: a young couple, already suffering major relationship issues, struggle in the face of an alien invasion that has already disappeared 99% of the population. All that has saved the survivors: the other-worlders, living in a huge ship hanging in the sky (one of many, presumably) can’t stand the sunlight: they only come out at night.

Yeah, it’s sounds pretty lame. But this one sneaks up on you. In fact, it starts as a rather charming relationship movie, more like One than Apocalypse: Earth. It a good fifteen minutes before you abruplty find yourself with the same couple, months later, looking ragged and weary as they wander through the Scottish countryside and rifle the pockets of dead refugees. And another ten minutes before you get your first look at the aliens’ immense sky-ship.

And then things get really weird.

You won’t recognize any of the actors, even if you’re one of those folks who haunt BBC America and the torrents. These are skilled but quite new cast members, especially to Yanks, and that makes the story even more effective: no trying to believe that Tom Cruise in an ineffective schmub in the face of the Martians’ War of the Worlds (yeah, right.). And though everyone here at AN International HQ Central has a deep and abiding hatred of twist endings, the denouement here is actually satisfying even in its ambiguity (there, is that vague enough for you?). Not a lot of explosions or gunfights or face-to-face confrontations with Grubaldian Lizard People but… something different. An apocalypse film for growed-ups with brainses.

You’ll find it on Netflix, right up on the “New” queue. Actually worth a look. And let us know below what you thought…