A New Wave of Streaming Content
This week’s reviews highlight a mix of familiar and fresh content, from a box-ticking reboot of a Denzel Washington film to a delightfully deadpan Japanese action-comedy. Alongside these, there’s a long-awaited Saoirse Ronan film and the reappearance of a cult Australian comedy.
Man on Fire
Man on Fire is a Netflix series that reboots a 2004 Denzel Washington movie. It follows John Creasy, a former elite American soldier and CIA operative played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. After a mission gone wrong, he spirals into self-destruction until an old friend brings him to Brazil as a consultant for a government fearing terrorist attacks during an election. Creasy finds a new purpose in protecting Rayburn’s teenage daughter, Poe.
While the show ticks many boxes, it often falls short of delivering something truly compelling. The action set-pieces lack vitality and are executed with little inspiration. One particularly implausible episode involves Creasy and his crew infiltrating a Brazilian jail to reach a target, which defies logic. The show’s reliance on clichés and its failure to deliver on its foundation make it a disappointing watch.
Baby Assassins Everyday!
Baby Assassins Everyday! is a delightful Japanese action-comedy on HBO Max. It follows two best friends, Chisato Sugimoto and Mahiro Fukugawa, who are contract killers navigating the gig economy. Their work involves taking out targets while discussing their favorite dishes and complaining about covering a colleague’s shift.
The show is a Gen Z update of Two Broke Girls, infused with elements of Killing Eve and La Femme Nikita. It balances job-of-the-week problem-solving with an overarching narrative about the duo getting entangled with a shadowy organization. The series offers commentary on generational inequality, especially when the characters struggle in conventional workplaces and come home to lament their financial struggles over bowls of pork miso soup.
The Outrun
The Outrun is a flinty drama on Netflix that was one of the best films of 2024. It stars Saoirse Ronan as Rona, a biology student felled by alcoholism. After a rehab stint, she leaves London for her home and separated parents in Scotland’s remote Orkney Islands. German filmmaker Nora Fingscheidt captures the harsh beauty of the landscape, which mirrors Rona’s recovery journey. The film sidesteps addiction story clichés, offering a profound and deeply personal experience.
Criminal Record
Criminal Record is a London policing thriller on Apple TV. The second season shifts focus between its two Metropolitan Police protagonists, June Lenker and Daniel Hegarty. Their interactions are marked by differences in age, rank, and background. The show is a great showcase for both leads, who navigate the murky point where far-right political groups embrace politically motivated violence. This kind of gritty specificity is rare for Apple TV, and more such content would be welcome.
Watson
Watson is a procedural on Paramount+ that combines Sherlock Holmes lore with the medical mysteries of House. The show followed Dr John Watson, played by Morris Chestnut, who runs a diagnostic clinic in Pittsburgh after the mysterious death of his friend Holmes. While it was a mess and lacked House’s sense of mischief, it occasionally showcased ambition in its smash-it-together approach.
Wilfred
Wilfred is an Australian comedy on Binge that has found a new streaming home. The show, created by Jason Gann and Adam Zwar, explores flawed behavior becoming the comfortable norm. It features Gann in an animal suit playing the titular role, a larrikin dog living with owner Sarah and her underemployed boyfriend Adam. The show’s earthy inventiveness remains strong, making it a cult classic.
Additional Highlights
There are several other shows and series worth mentioning:
- Bad Company: A theatre satire by Anne Edmonds, with advice from Kitty Flanagan.
- Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee: Features Sam Campbell, the new sidekick on the ABC’s popular quiz show.
- Beef: The creator of the Netflix hit reveals the real event that inspired season two.
- Taskmaster Australia: Rove McManus shares why Anisa Nandaula “will become one of the biggest names in Australian comedy.”
For more TV recommendations, check out the weekly and monthly streaming guides.
