There is something for everyone this month, from action dramas and holiday cheer to serious thought-provoking documentaries. Another reason to stay in is Max, a new streaming service that replaces HBO GO starting Nov 19.
Apple TV+:
Silo Season 2
The series premiered to rave reviews last year so it’s no surprise that it’s back. Adapted from Hugh Howey’s novels, Silo tells the story of the last 10,000 people on Earth who live inside a mile-deep shelter to escape the toxic world outside. Since the existence of the silo is shrouded in mystery, those who seek the truth often pay the ultimate price – death.
Rebecca Ferguson serves as an executive producer and stars in Season 2 (10 episodes). Her character Juliette finally makes it out of the shelter but things aren’t what they seem.
While Steve Zahn is a newcomer, other returning stars include Common, Harriet Walter, Chinaza Uche, Avi Nash, Remmie Milner, Billy Postlethwaite, Caitlin Zoz, and Iain Glen. Premieres Nov 15
Bread & Roses
If you support women’s rights, watch this acclaimed documentary feature, which received its world premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. It was directed by Afghan documentary filmmaker Sahra Mani and executive produced by Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning advocate for girls’ education as well as Iranian composer Farhad Khosravi. Actress Jennifer Lawrence and filmmaker Justine Ciarrocchi, both women’ rights activists, were credited as producers.
Mani reveals in detail how the Taliban fall of Kabul in 2021 impacted women’s livelihoods and rights by capturing the spirit and resilience of three courageous Afghan women in their harrowing plight as they resisted attempts to strip them of their freedom gained in recent decades. Premieres Nov 22
Disney+:
Deadpool & Wolverine
Marvel Studio’s Deadpool & Wolverine – the highest grossing R-rated film of all time – makes its streaming debut on Disney+ this month. As for the plot, the official film synopsis says “oh hell, just watch the movie. Synopses are stupid.” But…if you really want to know, Wade Wilson (aka Deadpool) must team up with a reluctant Wolverine when his home world faces an existential threat. Premieres Nov 12
Interior Chinatown
This surreal series is based on Charles Yu’s award-winning novel of the same title. Jimmy O. Yang, who appeared in Crazy Rich Asians and Love Hard, describes the show as “The Twilight Zone meets Law & Order” with its combination of kung fu, noir, police procedural, and hint of romance.
He plays Willis Wu, a waiter at a seedy Chinese restaurant that doubles as the shooting location for Black & White, a police procedural. When Chloe Bennet’s detective Lana Li enlists him to solve a case, he sees it as a chance to ditch his “generic Asian Man” image. Interior Chinatown also stars Ronnie Chieng, Tzi Ma, Archie Kao, and Lisa Gilroy. Premieres Nov 19
An Almost Christmas Story
Producer Alfonso Cuarón’s An Almost Christmas Story is a 21-minute stop-motion style animated short, and tells the story of Moon, a curious young owl trapped in a tree destined for Rockefeller Plaza. It is based on an actual rescue of a tiny owl from the Rockefeller’s Christmas tree in 2020.
In real life, little Rocky was examined in a rehab centre before being released back into the wild. In reel life, Moon befriends a lost girl named Luna and winds up on a heartwarming adventure with her that embodies the spirit of the holiday season and friendship as they journey back home to their parents.
The voice cast includes Cary Christopher as Moon, Estella Madrigal as Luna, Jim Gaffigan as Papa Owl, Mamoudou Athie as Pelly, and John C. Reilly as The Folk Singer, who performs four songs, two of which are originals. Premieres Nov 15
Max (HBO GO):
Dune: Prophecy
An adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel of the same name, Dune: Prophecy is a prequel to the film Dune (2021). It follows two sisters who establish Bene Gesserit, a powerful sisterhood that undergoes intense physical training and mental conditioning to gain superhuman powers to fight threats to humankind’s future. The action in this series takes place over 10,000 years before the film’s events. Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, and Mark Strong star. Premieres Nov 19
Sweethearts
Written and directed by Jordan Weiss, this is about two besties and college freshmen, played by Kiernan Shipka and Nico Hiraga, who make a pact to break up with their high school sweethearts on Thanksgiving eve. Then, they’re thrown into a chaotic night that tests their friendship even as they grow closer to each other. It’s obvious where this is going, isn’t it? Sweethearts also stars comedian Caleb Heron and Jake Bongiovi. Premieres Nov 28
Netflix:
Spellbound
There’s nothing like an animated fairy-tale musical and adventure fantasy with surprising wit to leave one spellbound. Directed by Vicky Jenson, Spellbound chronicles the adventures of Ellian, the tenacious teenage daughter of the rulers of Lumbria.
Before it’s too late, she must journey into the wild to reverse the curse that has turned her parents into giant monsters and save her family and kingdom. This movie features the voices of Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, as well as Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman. Premieres Nov 22
The Merry Gentlemen
Here’s a rom-com chick flick that should heat things up this holiday season. Directed by Peter Sullivan and written by Marla Sokoloff, The Merry Gentlemen is the story of a steamy musical revue that just might save Christmas.
To rescue the Rhythm Room, her parents’ small-town performing arts venue, Ashley (Britt Robertson), a former Broadway dancer, uses her skills as a dancer and choreographer and persuades a bunch of hot guys at the bar to stage an all-male, Christmas-themed revue. Of course, there’s a love interest with all the right moves (Chad Michael Murray). Time to get your dance on. Premieres Nov 20
Prime Video:
Blind
Blind is a 16-part crime thriller about a past and a present case. Ryu Sung-joon (Ok Taec-Yeon), a detective with keen instincts and a commitment to solving complex cases, finds himself caught in the middle. After a series of murders involving jury members that seem to be connected, his life changes drastically.
As the investigation into the serial murder continues, he teams up with his older brother Ryu Sung-Hoon (Ha Seok-jin), who is a judge, and social worker Jo Eun-Ki (Jung Eun-ji) to uncover the truth. In the process, Ryu discovers a huge conspiracy and a dark secret hidden behind the murders. Premieres Nov 5
Cross
The crime-thriller series Cross by creator and executive producer Ben Watkins centres on Alex Cross (Aldis Hodge), a decorated Washington D.C. police officer and forensic psychologist caught up in the investigation of a sadistic serial killer who leaves a trail of bodies around the city.
A mysterious threat from Cross’ past returns to destroy all he’s done to keep his grieving family, career, and life together as he and his partner, John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa), track the killer. Juanita Jennings, Alona Tal, Samantha Walkes, Caleb Elijah, Melody Hurd, Jennifer Wigmore, Eloise Mumford, and Ryan Eggold also star. Premieres Nov 14
