The weekend is here. If you’re looking for something to watch, we are here to help. We’ve dug through some Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max and Disney+ to find some of the best series and titles on whichever platform you’re subscribed to:
1. “The Last of Us”
Available on HBO Max (2023)
HBO Max just dropped the first episode of the much-awaited video game adaptation from its original game, The Last of Us. The premiere itself became HBO’s second-largest debut after “House of Dragon “with 4.7M viewers.
Just like in the game, The Last of Us begins with Joel and his daughter, Sarah’s snapshot of life. We won’t spoil it, but then the focus of the series then takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel (played by Mandalorian Pedro Pascal) becomes a hardened survivor who crosses paths with 14-year old Ellie (played by Game of Thrones Bella Ramsey) and begins a heart-wrenching journey through America.
Fans were definitely not disappointed. The premiere has received 99% average critic review in Rotten Tomatoes.
2. ‘Wednesday’
Available on Netflix (2022 to present)
Renowned director Tim Burton joins with the “Smallville” producing team of Alfred Gough and Miles Millar for this spinoff of the long-running pop culture phenomenon “The Addams Family”. The coming-of-age series focuses (of course) on the stubbornly deadpan, no-blinking Wednesday starred by Jenna Ortega. She handles the stresses of adolescence such as finding romance, genuine friendships while battling supernatural happenings around her high school, Nevermore. Burton uses elaborate gothic and cartoonish style beloved fans of the franchise’s previous TV shows, movies, stage productions and original cartoons.
It’s also fun to see Christina Ricci, who played Wednesday in the early ’90s films The Addams Family and Addams Family Values, appear in the series, among the star studded series.
New York Times critic wrote of Ortega’s performance, “She gets at the small core of poignancy that’s there among the soap opera machinations and routine scary-creature battles.”
3. ‘The Sandman’
Available on Netflix (2022 to present)
In his signature work, “The Sandman”, the fantasy author Neil Gaiman brings to screen a comic book series that touches on centuries of world folklore and mythology in a story about the Lord of Dreams’s turbulent interactions with the human world. The series follows the Dream King’s quest to repair the damage done to reality after he has endured decades of imprisonment.
“But the thing I love so much about “Sandman” is the way it connects with people. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before: The level of exchange of communication with fans is so rigorously interesting and deep, and I’m excited to continue that dialogue.” Tom Sturridge, who plays Lord Morpheus, said in an interview with Los Angeles Times.
4. “Andor”
Available on Disney+ (2022 to present)
Star Wars fans enjoys the prequel series which takes place before the events of “Rogue One”. If you’re not familiar, Rogue One is a stand-alone movie about the Rebel mission to put-down plans for the ultra-destructive Death Star. The series focuses on spy Cassian Andor (Diego Luna)’s journey of resistance. By far the most compelling spinoff series since “The Mandalorian,” “Andor” succeeds, according to our critic Mike Hale, because its makers “like a lot of things better than they like “Star Wars.”
5. “The Northman”
Available on Amazon Prime (2022)
Based on the Scandinavial legend of Amleth, the epic Viking adventure follows a young prince (Alexander Skarsgard) who is ousted from his kingdom when his uncle (Claes Bang) kills his father (Ethan Hawke). The prince grows into a young man and fierce warrior, vowing to avenge his father and save his mother (Nicole Kidman). Eggers stages the medieval action with thrilling gusto. Robert Eggers, the director of “The Witch” and “The Lighthouse” brings the medieval action to the screen.
6. “Where the Crawdads Sing”
Available on Netflix (2022)
From the best-selling novel comes a drama-thriller mystery. Where the Crawdads Sing follows an abandoned girl, Kya, who emerged from the dangerous marshlands of North Carolina. Kya learns to fend for herself but was rumored to be the “Marsh Girl” who haunts the Barkley Cove.
Our critic, Ron, reviewed “What makes the movie’s theme powerful is its earnest intentions of touching upon important issues such as women empowerment, sexual and physical abuse, abadonment and social injustice which are as relevant today as they were in the 50’s where the movie was set.”
Happy watching!
