The weekend is a good time to finally put aside the endless scrolling through streaming services and choose something specific. This week’s new releases include a sci-fi thriller, a true-crime documentary, crime stories and new seasons of TV series. And for those who aren’t solely chasing the latest releases, we’ve added a few tried-and-tested options to suit every mood.
The main new release on Netflix this weekend was a sci-fi thriller The Last House starring Greta Lee and Wagner Moura. HBO Max, meanwhile, has released a documentary series Monsters of God, which focuses on the illegal trade in exotic animals. Other recent releases include — The Strangers: Chapter 2 and the second series of the Korean Flex X Cop.
The Last House — a sci-fi thriller perfect for a single evening
One of Netflix’s most notable new releases this week is — The Last House, which was released on 7 August. The sci-fi thriller was directed by Louis Leterrier, with Greta Lee and Wagner Moura in the lead roles.
The premise is simple yet intriguing: a family of four suddenly finds itself trapped inside its own home, with no way of getting out. Their supplies are gradually running out, and the characters must not only find a way out, but also work out what exactly is keeping them trapped inside.
This is a good choice for those who enjoy intimate sci-fi thrillers, where the tension is built not on large-scale special effects, but on the unknown and how people behave in extreme situations.
Who should watch it: for fans of science fiction, thrillers and survival stories.
Mood: A tense evening watching a film that’s best enjoyed without spoilers.
Monsters of God — for fans of investigative documentaries
If you’re not in the mood for a feature film this evening, you might want to check out Monsters of God.
The documentary series made its debut on HBO Max on 6 August. Its creator, Eric Good, had previously worked on the phenomenon Tiger King, whilst the new series delves into the world of the exotic animal trade.
This isn’t the sort of programme you can just watch in the background. The series will appeal to those who enjoy documentary-style stories, journalistic investigations and stories about hidden worlds – worlds whose very existence most viewers hardly ever give a second thought to.
Who should watch it: for fans of true crime and documentaries.
Mood: serious and, at times, sombre.
The Strangers: Chapter 2 — if you’re in the mood for a horror film
For those who feel their weekend isn’t complete without a horror film, the latest releases include The Strangers: Chapter 2.
The film was released on HBO Max on 7 August.
This is the next instalment in the contemporary series The Strangers, centred on the pursuit of the hero or heroes by mysterious masked assailants.
Don’t expect intellectual science fiction or a complex, multi-layered drama here. This is the perfect choice for an evening when you’re in the mood for a proper horror film: danger, chases, darkness and the constant anticipation of the next attack.
Who should watch it: for fans of slasher films and survival horror.
Mood: switch off the lights and get a bit nervous.
Flex X Cop is back for a second series
Fans of Korean TV series also have plenty to watch this weekend. The second series premiered on Disney+ on 8 August Flex X Cop.
According to Disney’s official description, Isu returns to work as a fully-fledged police officer following a gruelling training programme at the academy. Things get complicated when his former instructor, Ju Hye-ra, becomes the new head of the serious crimes unit — and, at the same time, his partner.
The series combines a police investigation, comedy and the dynamic between the main characters that is characteristic of Korean shows.
Who should watch it: for fans of Korean crime dramas and lighter crime series.
Mood: several episodes in a row instead of one feature-length film.
What if you don’t fancy watching the latest releases?
A premiere isn’t necessarily a sign of a good film. If none of the latest releases have caught your eye, the weekend is a brilliant opportunity to revisit films that are easy to miss amidst the constant stream of new releases.
On HBO Max in August, for example, new additions to the catalogue include Sicario, Murder on the Orient Express, Stand by Me, Orphan, It Comes at Night and other well-known paintings.
So you can choose based on your mood rather than the year of manufacture.
If you’re in the mood for a gripping thriller — *Sicario*
Sicario Denis Villeneuve is a virtually sure-fire choice for anyone who enjoys dark crime thrillers.
An FBI agent joins an operation against Mexican drug cartels and gradually realises that the game is far dirtier than it first appeared.
This is a heavy, atmospheric film starring Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin.
Who should watch it: if you like them Prisoners, Traffic and serious crime dramas.
If you fancy a crime novel — *Murder on the Orient Express*
A classic Agatha Christie mystery in a modern Hollywood adaptation.
A murder takes place during a journey on the famous «Orient Express». The train comes to a halt due to bad weather; the culprit cannot escape, which means the murderer is one of the passengers.
Hercule Poirot will have to work out who is lying.
This is a much more low-key option for the evening: beautiful sets, well-known actors and the classic «whodunit» plot.
If you’re in the mood for a truly spine-chilling film — *It Comes at Night*
This isn’t your typical horror film with monsters jumping out of the dark.
An unknown disaster forced a family to take refuge in a house in the middle of the forest. When other people turn up nearby, the main threat gradually ceases to be what lies outside.
The film is driven by paranoia, mistrust and a sense of constant danger.
Who should watch it: for those who enjoy slow-burn psychological horror films.
Things to see as a couple
You don’t necessarily have to choose a romantic comedy for an evening in together.
A film that both of you enjoy and that gives you something to talk about afterwards works best.
If you fancy a riddle — Murder on the Orient Express.
If you need voltage — The Last House.
If you both love horror films — The Strangers: Chapter 2.
And if you fancy spending a few hours in front of the screen, you can get started Flex X Cop and turn Saturday evening into a little TV series marathon.
Things to see as a family
It’s best to put horror films and crime thrillers to one side for now. The Disney+ catalogue traditionally features far more family-friendly content, and on 8 August the platform is also releasing new episodes Chibiverse, Disney Jr. Play Break and short films Locker Diaries: Descendants.
If the children are older, a good option is to choose a tried-and-tested feature-length animated film instead of yet another TV series. The main thing is to check the age rating of the film in question before watching it.
Our picks for this weekend
If you had to choose just one three Here are the options; the selection looks like this:
For one evening — *The Last House*. A brand-new release, an intriguing concept, and no need to commit to a multi-season series. Netflix officially released the film on 7 August.
For a TV series binge-watch — Flex X Cop. A good choice if you fancy a crime drama without an overly gloomy atmosphere. The second series starts on 8 August.
For a tried-and-tested film — *Sicario*. If the new releases aren’t particularly noteworthy, Denis Villeneuve’s thriller remains a better choice than many random new releases.
What to watch this weekend
Streaming platforms So much content is being released that choosing a film sometimes takes longer than watching the first episode. That’s why the best selection isn’t the longest one, but the one that helps you quickly answer the question: «What should I watch today?»
There’s plenty of choice this weekend. There’s a new Netflix sci-fi film, documentaries, horror, a Korean crime thriller and some tried-and-tested classics from years gone by. So instead of endlessly scrolling through the catalogue, just decide what you’re in the mood for — and press Play.
