Multiple times per week, our TV and film experts will list the most important ten streaming selections for you to pop into your queues. We’re not strictly operating upon reviews or accrued streaming clicks (although yes, we’ve scoured the streaming site charts and ratings) but, instead, upon those selections that are really worth noticing amid the churning sea of content. There’s a lot out there, after all, and your time is valuable.
10. (TIE) Fresh (Searchlight Pictures film on Hulu)
The single life will look like complete paradise after you watch this movie, in which Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones) endures multiple dates from hell, including one that ends with her in the far-too-persuasive clutches of Steve (Sebastian Stan). These leads are both riding career highs, and that’s particularly the case with Stan, who’s having a blast with his non-MCU characters, including Tommy Lee and that nude-Vespa riding role in Monday. This film, disgusting as it as times, is still a palatable cautionary tales of dating that will make you sigh with relief at dodged bullets.
10. (TIE) Halo (Paramount+ series)
Gamers, gather ’round to watch the Master Chief in live-action form. He’s portrayed by the ever-morphing Pablo Schreiber, who frequently plays the sinister bad buy or even the goofy baddish guy, as in the infamous Pornstache character of Orange Is The New Black fame. Here, he’s the most valuable weapon in humanity’s arsenal while fighting an alien invasion. Sure, this show’s saddled with some sci-fi tropes, but that’s also part of the requisite makeup. Settle in and watch mankind attempt to ward off “The Covenant.”
9. Slow Horses (Apple TV+ series)
This different kind of spy drama (although not completely bonkers like Killing Eve) will suck you into the world of dysfunctional MI5 agents and their less than agreeable (not to mention gassy) boss, played by Gary Oldman. Together, they’re maneuvering around the smoke and mirrors of England’s espionage realm while trying to keep it together. Kristin Scott Thomas and Jack Lowden co-star, and this chess game airs weekly, so keep that in mind while you watch the story unfold.
8. Taboo (BBC One/FX series on Hulu)
Although this Tom Hardy-starring show surfaced in 2017, it’s currently riding streaming highs as people realize not only that it exists but also will (hopefully soon) have a Season 2. Jessie Buckley’s also on board while Tom portrays the non-prodigal son, or The Devil Delaney, who returns to claim his late father’s empire while also having the hots for a very off-limits woman. Shades of Shakespeare arrive while everyone wants to kill Tom Hardy, which is rude, sure, but this show is actually Hardy’s baby, so his hands are all over the creative cookie jar here.
7. Deep Water (Hulu movie)
If you’ve been longing for a shamelessly sleazy movie, then you’re in luck because Ben Affleck plays the alpha cuck to Ana de Armas’ temptress. Adrian Lyne makes his triumphant directorial return here in a movie that’s not unlike his Unfaithful and Fatal Attraction and Indecent Proposal outings. This film’s not only steamy but, at times, freaking funny to watch, and I have to wonder how these characters have so much time to party. Also, those snails, man.
6. Bad Vegan (Netflix series)
If you haven’t watched this how-can-it-possibly-be-real series, settle in and wonder exactly why a highly successful businesswoman and NYC restaurant darling could fall into the clutches of a terrible man, with whom she ended up a fugitive. That “bad” aspect of the “vegan” label takes a few turns, and let’s just say that subject Sarma Melngailis has pushed back at multiple Netflix moves (i.e., how they’re promoting the show). Ultimately, however, Sarma did stiff her investors and employees (although she says she paid this group back wages) out of $2 million while seeking dog immortality from a dude pretending to be a super-black-ops dude and pretty much being the exact opposite.
5. Atlanta (FX series on Hulu)
Van’s pushing people into pools, which can only mean one thing: Donald Glover’s brainchild is back, and it’s ready to sharply criticize the world we live in while masterfully entertaining at the same time. It’s truly one of the best shows on TV, which is quite an accomplishment with all of the competition these days. The principal four Earn (Glover), Darius (LaKeith Stanfield), Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry), and Van (Zazie Beetz) — are going to Europe, so expect a different twist on the cultural critique here.
4. Better Call Saul (AMC series on Netflix)
Season 5’s available for the streaming ahead of Season 6’s April 18 premiere, so catch up on your Kim Wexler anxiety, which is running high as the spinoff grows ever closer to the Breaking Bad timeline. And since she never surfaces in that flagship series, things feel very ominous, also because those finger guns and Saul Goodmanification do not bode well for her. But maybe she’ll show up in a Cinnabon scene. One can hope!
3. The Girl From Plainville (Hulu series)
Elle Fanning stars in this inspired-by-real-life story about Michelle Carter and the “texting-suicide” case. The series maps itself after Jesse Barron’s Esquire article, which detailed how Carter’s relationship with Conrad Roy III eventually culminated in his death and her involuntary manslaughter conviction. The always fantastic Chloë Sevigny co-stars, and Fanning is riveting in her performance.
2. Moon Knight (Disney+ series)
Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke are in the MCU now as hero and villain, mostly, but those labels receive a lot more texturing in this adventure. The show’s fan-favorite character, so far, happens to be an Egyptian god who tells it as he sees fit. Oscar’s character is plagued by dissociative identity disorder, as well, while going through the paces as both a gift-shop employee and a mercenary. It’s wild and chaotic and unlike anything else in the MCU.
1. Bridgerton (Netflix series)
Step up and enjoy this Shondaland series, which is still going strong without The Duke. This time around, Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) is seeking his own match, which isn’t as clear-cut of an affair as one would expect. Julia Quinn’s books should feed this show for several seasons to come (already, Netflix confirmed third and fourth ones), and it’s almost impossible to resist not binging this confection hard once you start, so plan your time accordingly.
