After a few abysmal years of original film content, Netflix has actually gotten off to a strong start for this year. Aside from the terrible Take the 10, both the other Netflix releases Imperial Dreams and I Don’t Want to Live in This World Anymore were actually quite good, with Netflix wisely beginning to pick up films from the festival circuit.

Premiering at this year’s Sundance Film Festival is the latest Netflix release Burning Sands. The film follows Zurich, a fraternity pledge who is going through Hell Week. During this week, he questions his role in the frat as he is subjected to constant violence and harassment.

While there have been quite a few films made about the frat life (most notably last year’s Goat), Burning Sands is able to distinguish itself from the pack with its hard-hitting look into Hell Week.

Making his theatrical writing and directorial debut is Gerard McMurray, who is most known for producing Fruitvale Station. McMurray’s debut is an assured one, depicting the brutal institution at hand. His use of perspective shots put us in the mind of Zurich, as McMurray doesn’t shy away from showing the brutality these pledges go through. There are quite a few effective moments that will shock audiences.

Elevating this material even further is its cast. Trevor Jackson, who some may know more for his career in music, gives a breakout performance as Zurich. The audience feels his anguish throughout, trying to balance his complicated college lifestyle while keep his sanity. Alfre Woodard, Christian Robinson, and Moonlight’s Trevante Rhodes are give solid performances as well.

Burning Sands also has a lot more on its mind than previous movies about fraternity life. McMurray’s script tackles the challenges of manhood, the need to prove that one can endure great mental and psychical trauma in order to prove themselves as a man. This, along with themes of race and male relationships are all tackled with thoughtfulness and balance.

However, Burning Sands does lack a certain level of personality. McMurray’s effort may be assured, but lacks the distinction to make it stand out from other films that tackle frat life. Also, there are some side characters that feel like wasted potential, not having the role or impact they could have had.

Burning Sands is another fine addition to the Netflix library, delivering an unflinching and complex look at the trials and tribulations of frat life.

Grade: B