From a shocking tabloid story told from different perspectives to the trending murder-in-the-White-House comedy … to a probe into the psyche of an authoritarian leader, our writers picked five of this week’s new releases across streaming to help break your decision paralysis.
A Riveting Historical Drama: Quisling: The Final Days
A provocative historical drama that went under radars when it was released in theaters last year, the Norwegian film delves into the final days of Vidkun Quisling, Norway’s infamous wartime leader who collaborated with the Nazis. It’s a film that examines the psychological underpinnings of authoritarianism and the aftermath of occupation, and it’s based on the diaries of a pastor who met with Quisling in prison on a mission to lead him to contrition. Directed by Eric Poppe (The King’s Choice), the film is in Norwegian with English subtitles. Where to stream Quisling: The Final Days: Apple TV
The Oscar Upset: Anora
If you’ve been waiting for this year’s surprising Academy Awards darling to arrive on one of your streaming services – this is your weekend to finally see Anora. The comedic indie drama follows a Brooklyn sex worker’s whirlwind romance with a Russian oligarch’s son, and the Watercooler’s Sarah Mina Osman described it as “a critique of the American dream that adds a layer by pairing its protagonist with a man from America’s archnemesis.” Its madcap humor and goofy criminals will remind you of the Cohen Brothers films, she adds, but pay attention to see why it won so many Oscars. Where to stream Anora: Hulu
The Trending Binge-Watch Comedy: The Residence
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue becomes the scene of a murder after a state dinner in this comedic whodunnit from Shonda Rhimes that boasts a cast that will make you love the White House again — at least for a few hours. Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black) plays an eccentric detective on the case along with an FBI agent played by Randall Park, and they’re joined by SNL icon Jane Curtin, Giancarlo Esposito, Al Franken (as a senator), Ken Marino, Jason Lee, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and Mel Rodriguez. It’s light, sharply written, colorful, and suspenseful — if a bit of a familiar plot. Binge away all eight episodes this weekend. Where to stream The Residence: Netflix
A Clever BBC Breakout: Ludwig
A breakout hit for the BBC last year, the British mystery series follows a puzzle creator who investigates the disappearance of his identical twin brother—a police detective—by pretending to be him, gaining access to the police station and key clues. But once everyone thinks he’s a cop, he gets pulled into a series of unrelated murder cases in this clever and witty serialized take on the crime procedural that’s lighter than American fare — or American news. Where to stream Ludwig: BritBox
A Thought-Provoking Tabloid Story: Good American Family
The ripped-from-the-headlines drama about the Midwestern couple who adopted an 8-year-old girl they believed to have a rare form of dwarfism, only to question her story, her age and her identity. The eight-episode series unfolds from different perspectives and culminates in a courtroom battle with several twists, it’s worth the watch for its complicated look at how competing narratives influence justice – and our own personal views of guilt and innocence. Stick around until the end. Ellen Pompeo, Mark Duplass, Christina Hendricks, Dulé Hill, Sarayu Blue, and Jenny O’Hara star. The first two episodes arrived this week. Where to stream Good American Family: Hulu
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