White Lines
Escape your living-room iso prison and live out your 20-something-year-old self’s fantasy of partying in Ibiza. Part murder mystery part unexpected rom-com, White Lines the latest from Álex Pina (creator of Money Heist) so you know you’re in for a wild ride, and friends it does not disappoint. The story follows the journey of the slightly uptight Zoe Walker, who travels to the island paradise to uncover details of her brother’s mysterious murder 20 years earlier and in the process finds herself in a very un-Eat Pray Love kind of way. There’s sex (a lot of it), intrigue, Romanian drug-dealers getting gutted on gigantic fish hooks (spoiler alert) and a dirty synth-soaked soundtrack – what more could you want from a television show? White Lines is streaming now on Netflix.
High Fidelity
Based on the novel by Nick Hornby, this Brooklyn-based incarnation sees the effortlessly cool Zoë Kravitz take on the role of John Cusack as a slightly self-absorbed record store owner who delves into her back catalogue of relationships to pinpoint exactly where, when and how things went awry. Just know that by watching it you will feel strangely compelled to quit your job so you can sit around sipping whisky neat, listening to vinyl and getting into obnoxious debates about music with strangers. It’s a hard yes from us. High Fidelity is available to stream now via ABC iview.
The Great
The world is pretty serious right now so if you are looking for something lighthearted, check out The Great on Stan. It’s the latest comedy series from Oscar-nominated writer Tony McNamara (The Favourite) and offers an anti-historical ride through 18th Century Russia following the rise of Catherine the Nothing to Catherine the Great. The series stars Elle Fanning as Catherine, Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox, Adam Godley and more, and is streaming now on Stan.
Little Fires Everywhere
Inspired by Celeste Ng’s 2017 bestseller, Little Fires Everywhere follows the intertwined fates of the Stepford-esque Richardson family and the enigmatic single mother and teenage daughter who bring chaos into their lives. Starring America’s darling Reese Witherspoon as a highly ordered (read: schedules sex with her husband on the family calendar kind of ordered) mum of four who is struggling to deal with her rebellious and angsty daughter Izzy. Little Fires Everywhere delves into unexpectedly deep topics such as parenting, race and privilege. Watch it now on Amazon Prime Video.
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
If you still have a calendar, go ahead and mark June 26 because that’s when Will Ferrell’s latest film is set to drop on Netflix. Inspired by the universally adored Eurovision Song Contest, the anticipated musical masterpiece features a star-studded cast including Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan, Dan Stevens and Demi Lovato. If you are busting for a glimpse of the sequin-encrusted glory, check out the first official track for the film ‘Volcano Man‘ – it’s every bit as extra as you would expect. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga releases June 26 on Netflix.
Irresistible
The latest in the long list of films to skip theatres and go straight to video-on-demand due to COVID-19 is political comedy Irresistible starring Steve Carell. Originally planned to hit theatres on May 29, just in time for the presidential election race to start heating up in America, Irresistible will make its way to television screens on June 26. Written by Jon Stewart, the clever comedy follows a democratic political consultant (Steve Carell) and his rival (Rose Byrne) during a small-town race for mayor. If you love politics with a side of sass, this one is definitely your jam. Irresistible is coming to Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
Dispatches From Elsewhere
Let’s be honest, 2020 is already pretty weird so perhaps Dispatches From Elsewhere starring Jason Segel actually makes perfect sense? The series, set in Philadelphia, follows a group of ordinary people who stumble onto a puzzle hiding behind the veil of everyday life. They will come to find that the mystery winds far deeper than they ever imagined. Intrigued? Same! Check it out on Amazon Prime Video now.
Honourable mentions: Whether you’re an avid NBA fan or you’ve never watched a game in your life, The Last Dance on Netflix is another must-see. The show follows the incredible career of Michael Jordan through the highs and lows of professional basketball, interviewing friends and foes along the way. If you are a sucker for romance, check out Love Life starring Anna Kendrick and Normal People on Stan. It’s faced some heavy criticism from critics, but if you’re keen to make up your own mind, Space Force starring Steve Carell is coming to Netflix on May 29.
Image credit: IMDb
