Words by Chanelle Goddard
With the British summer at its rainy, windy best, we detail the best things to watch on Netflix this month.
Given the ease of restrictions, the promise of summer and a return of the social calendar, you may well have given up your Netflix subscription – but in typical fashion, the British summer had other plans. So, with the rain and winds keeping inside a little longer, it’s time to admit our days of binging on shows and films are not over. Good thing, then, that there’s a lot to be entertained by this August.
Whether a fan of action or sucker for romance, we’ve rounded up the best things to watch on Netflix this month:
Sexy Beasts
Yes, it might be unusual, lighthearted and just plain weird – but there’s more to this show than meets the eye. Dating shows, you see, are everywhere. Blind date this, Island romance that. For some audiences, it’s all a bit tiring and repetitive. The solution? Something out of the ordinary, of course.
For this one, love-hungry candidates are covered in makeup, giving an opportunity to display their personality, to offer up themselves – not their looks. In all honesty, this may well be a situation of Netflix being flush with cash, but if it means trying new things – why not?
Plus, it’s not meant to replace your favourite dating show, merely to offer a more entertaining alternative. It’s made to make you look – and look, you will.
Beckett
In our eyes, John David Washington can do no wrong. So, when we heard about the release of Beckett, we were naturally very excited. For his latest showing, he’s very much the action man – but in true 2021 style, it’s action with a story, emotions and an actual plot. None of that getting the family together stuff, then (cough, cough, Vin Diesel).
The film follows the journey of an American tourist who, whilst on holiday, finds himself the subject of a dangerous political conspiracy and manhunt. To clear his name, he’s going to have to risk it all.
Untold – The Malice Story of the Palace
It’s the NBA’s most famous and discussed incident: the Pacers vs Pistons on-court brawl in 2003. In this, Netflix tells the tale of the incident – from start to finish – in satisfying detail. Did Ben Wallance shove Ron? If so, why? How did it spiral into a full-blown fight, leaving fans bewildered?
In addition, the series takes a deep dive into the stories of other famous athletes, exploring themes of unfairness and privilege in elite sport. A must-watch for any sports fan.
Clickbait
If you enjoy semi-dark but compelling series’ such as Black Mirror, Clickbait is one you’ll like even if it weighs more on the techy side of things. The story follows a guy called Nick Brewer. From the looks of it, he’s an ordinary family man. As with all films, ‘ordinary ‘family’ ‘man’ is a codeword for something’s about to go wrong.
And so it does with Nick. He’s abducted and captured, with a dark, sinister online twist at play. It’s tech vs man, emotions vs algorithms in this entertaining thriller.
The Chair
Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh, most known for her role as Christina in Greys Anatomy, takes the lead role in Netflix’s new Comedy-Drama, The Chair. The series follows Ji-Yoon Kim, the first ‘woman of colour’ to be appointed as chair of a university’s council, in hopes of improving the school’s English department. With tribulations, setbacks and huge moments of change, The Chair takes you on a chaotic journey of discovery and mishap. Perfect for a lighthearted but meaningful watch.
Speaking of things to watch, here’s why after 30 years, Boyz n the Hood is still relevant.