Sit back, relax, and enjoy, no matter wherever you are. This week’s new releases from streaming platforms such as Netflix and HBO are full of surprises and will sure get you all hooked up.
From historical romance, to mystery to action horror, be brave and venture into uncharted territories. Check out the list for this week’s Hype Streams below and have fun!
EDITOR’S PICK
“Persuasion”
Release date: 15th July
Where to watch: Netflix
Dakota Johnson’s (“Fifty Shades of Grey”, “A Bigger Splash”) Anne Elliot was persuaded by her circle not to marry Captain Frederick Wentworth, played by Cosmo Jarvis (“Lady Macbeth”, “Calm with Horses”), and broke off their engagement as a result. She meets him again after eight years and struggles with the dilemma of just moving on or following her heart in this slightly modernised adaptation of Jane Austen’s last novel, “Persuasion”.
Fun fact: Dakota Johnson is actually American – the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, and was born in Texas. She worked with a dialect coach for this movie, and apparently, fans and audience will get to hear her speak Italian too!
SERIES
1. “What We Do in the Shadows” Season 4
https://youtu.be/CuYcR8SgSKk
Release date: 12th July
Where to watch: FX Hulu
The Emmy-nominated series based on the 2014 film of the same name written by Jermaine Clement and Taika Waititi is premiering its fourth season this 12th of July. The series, in its latest season, documents vampire roommates Nandor (Kavyan Novak), Laszlo (Matt Berry), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) interacting with the modern world and other supernatural things with the help of their human familiar, Guillermo (Harvey Guilen).
2. “Hurts Like Hell”
Release date: 13th July
Where to watch: Netflix
Inspired by actual events, delve into the seedy underworld behind the once-revered sport of Muay Thai in this martial arts drama directed by Kittichai Wanprasert (กิตติชัย วรรณ์ประเสริฐ). It stars Nat Kitcharit (ณัฏฐ์ กิจจริต) of “Me Always You” and “I Promised You to the Moon” in the leading role.
3. “Everything’s Trash”
https://youtu.be/E4GPEkTyGQY
Release date: 13th July
Where to watch: Freeform
In this upcoming comedy series, Phoebe Robinson (“2 Dope Queens”) plays a fictionalised version of herself trying to make a mark in her career. When her older brother emerges with a political campaign, she starts to navigate her life with the help of her family and friends.
4. “Good Madam”
Release date: 14th July
Where to watch: Shudder
Set in an affluent Cape Town suburb, single mother Tsidi is forced to move in with her estranged mother Mavis, a live-in domestic worker. While Mavis obsessively cares for her catatonic white ‘Madam’, a sinister spectre begins to haunt them as Tsidi tries to heal her family.
5. “Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight”
Release date: 14th July
Where to watch: Netflix
The once-celebrated warrior of China, Po, must embark on a new adventure to save the world and redeem his lost reputation. He teams up with an English knight named Wandering Blade to defeat a pair of weasels who already set their sight on a collection of four powerful weapons.
6. “Resident Evil”
https://youtu.be/uIdjcDTc9Vk
Release date: 14th July
Where to watch: Netflix
Jade Wesker fights for survival in a world overrun by infected creatures fourteen years after a deadly virus caused a global apocalypse, while haunted by her past, her father, and what happened to her sister. Ella Balinska (“Charlie’s Angels”, “Run Sweetheart Run”) stars as Jade Wesker, Lance Riddick (“John Wick”, “Godzilla vs. Kong”) as Albert Wesker, and Siena Agudong (“Fast & Furious 9”, “Let Us In”) as Billie Wesker.
7. “Farzar”
Release date: 15th July
Where to watch: Netflix
“Farzar” is an adult animated sci-fi comedy series created by Roger Black and Waco O’Guin, the creators of “Paradise PD”. The series revolves around Renzo (Lance Riddick), an egotistical warrior who frees the planet Farzar from the evil alien Bazarack (Dana Snyder).
8. “Country Queen”
Release date: 15th July
Where to watch: Netflix
A Nairobi event planner returns to her village in Kenya after 10 years. It focuses on the issues of land grabbing and exploitation, and how these factors impact the lives and relationships of the main characters, their families, and communities. Check out this very first Kenyan series by Netflix starring Melissa Kiplagat (“News Just In”, “”This Is Life”), Melvin Alusa (“Mission to Rescue”, “Crime and Justice”), and Nini Wacera (“Sense8”, “Rafiki”).
9. “Mom, Don’t Do That!”
Release date: 15th July
Where to watch: Netflix
This romantic comedy series follows Billie Wang (as Rose, a sixty-year-old widower who decides to find love again. It also revolves around her daughters Rong (Alyssa Chia) and Min (Alice Ke), which viewers may appreciate the concept of a mother-daughter dynamic throughout the Taiwanese series.
10. “Remarriage & Desires”
Release date: 15th July
Where to watch: Netflix
“Remarriage & Desires”, also known as “The Bride of Black” ( 블랙의 신부), sees Kim Hee-sun (김희선) as Seo Hye-sung as a middle-class housewife who lost everything. She seeks to get even by signing up with a matchmaking company Rex that serves the wealthiest high-class individuals. Lee Hyun-wook (이현욱) and Jung Eugene (정유진) also star in this South Korean television series.
11. “The Rehearsal”
Release date: 15th July
Where to watch: HBO
After five years since the series “Nathan For You”, Nathan Fielder returns to the small scene. Also directed, written, and executive produced by Nathan himself, he analyses the lengths to which one man will go to reduce the unpredictability of everyday life. With the help of artists and professionals, he constructs a ‘life’ in order to rehearse the unexpected vital moments.
MOVIES
1. “The Bob’s Burgers Movie”
Release date: 11th July
Where to watch: HBO Max
Initially released to the big screen in May, “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” finds its way to streaming platforms and will be released digitally on 12th July. The musical comedy film, based on the animated television series, follows Bob and his family as they struggle to repay their loan after a sinkhole forms in front of their restaurant, threatening their business.
2. “Under the Amalfi Sun”
Release date: 13th July
Where to watch: Netflix
The film is a sequel to Netflix’s “Under the Riccione Sun,” and it follows Camilla and Vincenzo as they reunite for a fun-filled summer vacation on the Amalfi Coast. The two navigate their romantic relationship while learning more about themselves in the presence of family and friends.
The stunning Italian scenery, lighthearted plot, and stellar performances by Lorenzo Zurzolo (Netflix’s “Baby”) and Ludovica Martino (“SKAM Italia”) make “Under the Amalfi Sun” an ideal summertime film.
3. “Don’t Make Me Go”
Release date: 15th July
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
A single father, Max Park (John Cho), takes his reluctant teenage daughter Wally (Mia Isaac) on a cross-country road trip to find her estranged mother after discovering he has a terminal disease while attempting to teach her everything she might need to know for the rest of her life along the way. Kaya Scodelario (“Maze Runner”, “Spinning Out”) and Josh Thomson (“The New Legends of Monkey”, “Wellington Paranormal”) also star in this adventure-dramedy.
4. “Love Accidentally”
Release date: 15th July
Where to watch: Amazon Freevee
Directed by Peter Sullivan (“The Sandman”, “Fatal Affair”), “Love Accidentally” is about two people whose significant others each break up with them. Alexa (Brenda Song) accidentally sends Jason (Aaron O’Connell) a ‘broken heart’ text, thinking she’s texting her friend.
5. “Love Goals”
Release date: 15th July
Where to watch: Netflix
Meenu, who has no athletic inclination, must win a football trophy to marry his love interest. The problem is his team hasn’t won a single game since the past couple of years. Set in the town of Neemuch in Madhya Pradesh, the film features Jitendra Kumar (“Panchayat”, “Chaman Bahaar”) as Meenu alongside Arushi Sharma (“Tamasha”, “Love Aaj Kal 2”) and Jaaved Jaffrey (“Salaam Namaste”, “Sooryavanshi”).
DOCUMENTARIES & REALITY
1. “Edge of the Earth”
Release date: 12th July
Where to watch: HBO
In this docuseries directed by Steve and Todd Jones, four groups of athletes embark on four never-before-attempted missions. The adventurers venture into the wilderness to test their physical prowess and mental fortitude as they climb and descend mountains, navigate rivers, and sail across oceans.
2. “How to Change Your Mind”
Release date: 12th July
Where to watch: Netflix
“How to Change Your Mind” is a four-part Netflix Original docu-series inspired by Michael Pollan’s 2018 book. It focuses on the history and uses of psychedelics including LSD, psilocybin, MDMA and mescaline. Directed by Alison Ellwood and Lucy Walker, Michael Pollan also set to present the documentary series.
3. “D.B. Cooper: Where Are You?!”
Release date: 13th July
Where to watch: Netflix
Behind award-winning documentary filmmaker Marina Zenovich (“Roman Polanski: Wanted & Desired”), this true crime documentary miniseries focuses on the mysterious identity of a skyjacker. In 1971, he parachuted off a plane with a bag of cash and got away with it. But unfortunately, his identity remains a mystery, and even the FBI cannot figure it out until today.
Anis Sharina contributed to this article.
