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. Let’s do this.
10. The Tragedy of Macbeth (Apple TV+ film)
Joel Coen adapts the Shakespearean work in a way that’s never been bolder. Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand star with all of the murder, ambition, wrath, and madness that one would expect from this story, and expect a stripped-down take on what matters most to communicate this quintessential power-struggle tale.
9. Peacemaker (HBO Max series)
John Cena’s horribly patriotic The Suicide Squad bro is hellaciously funny in his own show, all because James Gunn got bored during quarantine. That’s why the Cena dance moves (in tighty whities and otherwise) exist, but don’t worry, he’s worthy of contempt as always. There’s no telling whether we’ll see another Squad movie, so soak up as much of this end of the DCEU while it’s hot.
8. The Woman in the House Across the Street From the Girl in the Window (Netflix series)
You’ve probably seen the similarly titled Girl On The Train, which has nothing to do with this film, although the spookiness arrives in a darkly comedic manner here. Kristen Bell plays a heartbroken woman, Anna, who sits with her wine in that window of the title. One day, she notices a handsome neighbor, who moves nearby with his daughter, and a glimmer of light comes into her life. Then comes murder-time.
7. In From The Cold (Netflix series)
Thank god Margarita Levieva (Scandal, The Deuce, Adventureland) finally reeled in the ass-kicking leading role that she was meant to play, and this show has more than a little bit in common with The Americans. Levieva portrays a “boring” single mother who’s informed that she’s a Russian spy, and maybe she is, and maybe she isn’t?
6. The Power of the Dog (Netflix film)
This isn’t exactly a new selection, but this one will be important when the Oscars arrive. Benedict Cumberbatch plays a rancher who’s fueled by toxic masculinity and a sinister streak. He terrorizes his brother and sister in law (Jesse Plemons and Kristen Dunst), and this ain’t the MCU, baby. The entire principal cast here is award-worthy, and this film resonates through cultural lenses of past and present.
5. And Just Like That… (HBO Max series)
Yes, it’s true. One cannot overlook the Che Diaz backlash, but hey, Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte are still around and as vacuous as always. This time around, though, spirits are already crushed, and Miranda’s sure to knock a few others down along the way to kicking poor Steve in the butt. It’s finale time this week, so you can’t ignore it. Sex and the City was once zeitgeistian, and while viewers are disappointed here, they love to loathe this revival, and you might, too.
4. Ozark (Netflix series)
The bad news: Marty Byrde and fam will only be with us for one more season, but it’s a supersized, two-part season, which ain’t so bad. This season, we see what happened after the blood-spattered tarmac happenings. Marty and Wendy were received with opened arms by Navarro after Helen took a gunshot to the head, but don’t expect the stress level to go down for these money launderers. The good news: Julia Garner’s Ruth Langmore once again proves that this is her world, and Marty’s simply living in it.
3. Murderville (Netflix limited series)
Procedural shows have already reached parody height in some instances and been lampooned to death (in a largely enjoyable way), so how about another spin on the procedural crime-comedy drama? This show stars Will Arnett as a senior detective who’s accompanied by celebrity guest stars while investigating murders-of-the-day. However, the twist with this show is that the guest star never receives a script, so they have to think quickly and improvise the heck out of this thing while attempting to figure out the killers. In other words, Annie Murphy, Conan O’Brien, Ken Jeong, Kumail Nanjiani, Marshawn Lynch, and Sharon Stone are your guinea pigs.
2. Pam & Tommy (Hulu series)
Pam & Tommy is a gloriously decadent show that takes viewers back to the days of the fledgling Internet. The show even depicts then-spouses Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee using the Internet for the very first time while they attempt to ascertain how the heck people are watching their stolen sex tape. Jilted home-repair contractor Rand Gauthier did a truly despicable thing while attempting to settle the score with Tommy, and Pamela got caught in the crossfire. It’s emotional, but it’s still a blast to watch.
1. Euphoria (HBO series on HBO Max)
Following a few gut-punch special episodes featuring sad pancakes, the Zendaya-starring, mascara-streaked phenomenon returned with a second full-on season. Naturally, Rue’s not on the straight-and-narrow, and in fact, she’s relapsed in a huge way, although she’s not the only one who’s a mess. The story’s stylized feel takes another turn into fantasy sequences, and there may not be a better show out there that translates emotions and character tension in such a visual way. It’s a difficult (and sometimes triggering) watch but full of rich performances.
