Watercooler Picks
We tapped Oscar winners, bestselling novelists, Golden Globe jurors, political scientists, and contributors to outlets ranging from Rolling Stone to The Washington Post to IGN and asked them to recommend films and shows that you’ll want to talk about afterward. Here are their latest picks.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Stories about pre-teen girls find a natural rhythm with the hero’s journey. The call to adventure, facing allies and enemies, crossing the threshold of the mortal world—an eleven-year-old girl can experience all of this during one lunch period. When Margaret moves from Manhattan to suburban New Jersey, it begins her harrowing journey through the messiness, questioning, and excitement of becoming a teenager. An essential story.
Beau is Afraid
A film for armchair psychologists and cult film fans, Beau is Afraid is a true original, a genre and mind-bending movie that will leave you trying to decipher fantasy from reality — much like our protagonist.
American Born Chinese
A surprising and often captivating take on the high school comedy, American Born Chinese blends the playful with the profound in a rare family watch that embraces Asian culture and heritage.
Conversations with Friends
A captivating adaptation of Sally Rooney’s bestseller, Conversations with Friends takes you deep into in the agony and ecstasy of a secretive affair as well as an open relationship, and forces you to ask the big questions.
Wave Makers
The first Taiwan-based political drama available to a worldwide audience, Wave Makers is a groundbreaking political drama populated with relatable characters, timely issues, teachable moments, and engaging plots. A thoroughly engaging and positive wave of change in a sea of predictability and male-skewing political dramas.
Angel City
A goose-bump inspiring docuseries that takes us on to the field and into the surprising back story of how LA’s new professional women’s soccer team came to be, upending the model behind pro sports teams and finally, truly, changing the game.
