Samantha James
Mary & George
A clever, dark and salacious historical drama that brings a much overlooked chapter of European history to vivid life. Mary & George is a richly drawn, rough and raunchy story about the quest for power – and survival – in 16th century England.
Vikings Valhalla S2
An emotionally intense coming-of-age story underlies Vikings Valhalla, which tackles the tumultuous High Middle Ages and power shift across Europe with all the heroics, gore, and sex of its predecessor.
What the Constitution Means to Me
Well-written, heartfelt, and necessary, What the Constitution Means to Me isn’t your typical streaming special, but thanks to Heidi Schreck’s captivating performance and distinctive point of view, it’s a must-see on any platform.
Secreto Bien Guardado (Argentina)
This Argentinian watercooler drama has sparked debate all around the world. Our Buenos Aires-based correspondent explains why.
The Queen’s Gambit
Between the terrific performances, the fantastic period details, and the way it approaches chess as a thrilling, tension-filled competitive sport, this series makes braininess cool.
The Haunting of Bly Manor
Though it’s only had two installments so far, the “Haunting” series is shaping up to be a superb showcase for long-form supernatural storytelling. If you like your horror more gothic than gory, Bly Manor absolutely fits the bill.
What Lovecraft Country Can Tell Us About Our History
My husband and I first bonded over science-fiction and fantasy. He learned on our first date that I was a Star Wars fan and gave me a Millennium Falcon replica on our second. He had me at “I know.” We still watch sci-fi and fantasy movies and binge TV shows together. From the MCU to
The Forty-Year-Old Version
Blank’s storytelling style embraces the part of everyone that deals with the issues of feeling old, over, but not done yet. It’s a hopeful look at how to persevere in a culture that ignores you.
Agents of Chaos
This documentary leaves no room for reasonable doubt that our democracy fell under attack in 2016, and that it could happen again.
The Good Lord Bird
What can seem like a wild-ride Coen brothers adventure-comedy on one level is actually a stirring exploration of history: a peeling away of the layers of religion, identity, and race that have intertwined to drive some of the biggest events that collectively shaped us.
Holiday Movies to Watch with Each Generation
Deciding what to watch with your family over the holidays is akin to playing Mario Kart. You can be in first place, cruising along when BAM! One of those pesky red shells hit you and now you’re in last place. One minute, you’re sitting down for dinner and everything’s running smoothly, then someone turns on
Transport Me: Holiday Movies from Around the World
If you and your family are getting tired of the same old Christmas stories year after year, why not dig a little deeper and try these picks from around the world?
What to Watch (and Skip) with Thanksgiving Guests
What to watch – and what to skip – if you’re spending Thanksgiving with kids, teenagers, older generations, or all of them under one roof? Your 2022 Watercooler Guide to holiday movies.
Universal Language
An absurdist dramedy about the clash of two worlds, Universal Language entertains as much as it motivates. Beyond the madness lies an urgent plea for unity, an appeal that resonates with people hoping for a better, more harmonious future.
Industry S1
Industry is a series fueled by greed, drugs, sex, and money, and provides all of these ingredients in Federal Reserve-sized quantities. There’s never a dull moment.
Minx
The streaming series about the intersection between feminism and smut could endear even the most skeptical. And what it might lack in delicacy, it certainly makes up for in swagger.
The Sympathizer
Told through the perspective of a conflicted hero with contradicting loyalties, The Sympathizer is an ambitious examination of a spy who can’t help but sympathize — hence, the title of the series — with the enemy. It might make you rethink everything you were taught about the Vietnam War too.
Robert Redford’s Impact: Four Films to Watch
He was “one of the lions,” as Meryl Streep put it, an American touchstone who changed filmmaking and opened the gates for new generations of storytellers, becoming a central force in independent cinema. To understand the impact his films have had – on previous generations, on our culture, on so many other films – we’ve
Itaewon Class (Itaewon Keullasseu)
A colorful, ultimately inspiring tale for budding entrepreneurs, restauranteurs, and empire-builders. It also works as a vicarious adventure in Seoul.