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) Reacher (Amazon Prime series)
Size matters (unlike with the Tom Cruise film) with this adaptation (starring the 6’2″ Alan Ritchson) of Lee Child’s bestselling novels of the veteran who transitions to civilian life as a drifter. He finds himself wandering the country and ends up in Georgia, where he’s pinned for a homicide that he didn’t commit. Cue a massive conspiracy and plenty of violence and hopefully a healthy dose of leading-man charisma. The real question here is whether Reacher genuinely eschews the cell phone, but you gotta tune in to find out.
10. (TIE) In From The Cold (Netflix series)
The criminally underrated Margarita Levieva (Scandal, The Deuce, Adventureland) portrays a maybe-Russian spy in this role that seems handcrafted for her. She’s fluent in Russian and Soviet-born, after all, and Levieva finally gets to be a leading lady in a project where she can let her no-nonsense and ass-kicking skills fly. There are more than a few gory moments in this one, but the final twist pays off serves as a perfect layup for a second round.
9. Peacemaker (HBO Max series)
John Cena’s horribly patriotic The Suicide Squad character is here in a show that’ll win you over with its sheer campiness and devotion to fun. Remember, we’re receiving this one because James Gunn grew bored during the pandemic and knew that people needed to see Cena dance in his tighty whities and feel some unconditional love from Eagly.
8. Kimi (HBO Max film)
Steven Soderberg can’t stop working at warp speed, even during a pandemic, and now, he’s bringing us Zoe “Catwoman” Kravitz as a digital detective with an A.I. assistant. Together, they’re hoping to dive through Seattle to uncover why all those darn murders are happening, and how they might be tied to her employer. Sounds rough, but a butt-kicking Kravitz is worth the price of admission.
7. Raised By Wolves (HBO Max series)
If you were confused by Westworld and loved it, then good news: you’ll want to give this Ridley Scott show a chance. The Mother character is still doing everything she can to reboot humanity in unfriendly terrain, and the sci-fi-trippiness continues here with (probably) more bloodletting amid a truly intellectual ride. Just let go and let the story sweep you away for this one.
6. The Power of the Dog (Netflix film)
It’s approaching Oscar time, baby, and it sure seems as though this movie will be a big contender. Benedict Cumberbatch’s a whistling rancher who’s running on sheer toxic masculinity. He terrorizes his brother and sister in law (Jesse Plemons and Kristen Dunst). All three received nominations, as well as director Jane Campion. Do yourself a huge favor and catch up on this powerful film before the March ceremony.
5. The Tinder Swindler (Netflix film)
Valentine’s Day will never be the same again for the true crime realm after this documentary about the self-dubbed “Prince of Diamonds,” a faux billionaire playboy who cruised Tinder, leaving women wondering what on earth hit them after handing over too much money to him. It’s a cautionary tale, of course, about Simon Leviev (actual name Shimon Hayu), a conman who’d already done hard time before claiming to be a son of real-life multi-millionaire Lev Leviev in a series of horrible schemes that should set up red flags everywhere. Be careful out there!
4. Pam & Tommy (Hulu series)
Pam & Tommy is a gloriously decadent show that doesn’t shy away from tough issues like consent and double standards and misogyny, but it never forgets that people are always watching this show through sheer voyeuristic tendency of their own. Yep, poor Pamela Anderson gets caught in the crossfire of Tommy Lee and Rand Gauthier’s ridiculous beef, but it’s still undeniably a blast to watch the story unfold.
3. All Of Us Are Dead (Netflix series)
Clearly, there are some Squid Game parallels in this K-drama series that shot to the top of Netflix’s global charts in less than one week. There are zombies, as well, as high school students try to fight their way out of a terminally dire situation where no one is coming to rescue them. It’s stressful to watch but bingeworthy as hell.
2. Inventing Anna (Netflix limited series)
As if Julia Garner didn’t already dominate the screen in Ozark, she’s here to do so in a flurry of wigs and glasses with a brand new accent that’s not quite German, not quite Russian, and not quite right, much like everything else that her character does. She’s portraying a prolific con artist that leaves a trail of bad debts and jilted marks in her wake, all as inspired by Jessica Pressler’s New York Magazine article that will get you primed.
1. Euphoria (HBO series on HBO Max)
Will Rue ever manage to dig her way out of tragedy and addiction? That development may or may not lie in the future, but the good news is this: fans have a lot of theories for everyone to mull over before each Sunday episode arrives. In addition, there should be plenty of musical considerations to mull over as well as hopes for Sydney Sweeney to land an Emmy nod before all is said and done.
