Words: Jonathan Wells
On Netflix: Moonage Daydream, April 5th
At last year’s Cannes Film Festival, this barnstorming Bowie documentary had its well-received premiere. The first film to have the official backing and endorsement of the late singer’s estate, it features clips of the works that inspired Bowie, previously unreleased footage from the artist’s personal life and unseen concert footage.
On Netflix: Beef, April 6th
‘Revenge is best served raw’, claims the pun-tastic tagline of Netflix’s newest original series. Pairing Nope’s Steven Yeun and Big Mouth’s Ali Wong, Beef pitches the two actors against each other — seeing a spot of road rage escalate into a full-blown, full-blooded fight. Yeun is Danny, a failing contractor, while Wong is Amy, a self-made entrepreneur.
On Prime Video: Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre, April 7th
Guy Ritchie’s latest hasn’t had the smoothest ride to the screen. Originally slated to hit cinemas in January 2022, the film — which stars Statham as the flamboyantly named ‘Orson Fortune’ — has a typically far-fetched story, following a spy tasked with recovering a stolen high-tech device before a notorious arms dealer (Hugh Grant, dialling up the sleaze) can sell it to the highest bidder.
On Netflix: Florida Man, April 13th
Seemingly based on the popular, viral headline trend, Florida Man looks considerably better than its meme-y namesake. Swirling a swampy noir-ish story into an action thriller — with a shot of comedy fired into the mix — the seven-parter sees Édgar Ramírez’s ex-cop, Mike Valentine, forced to return to his home state of Florida to track down a mobster’s girlfriend. Produced by the team behind Ozark, it might just be the hit of the month.
On Netflix: Nobody, April 13th
If you’ve been left feeling bruised and browbeaten now Keanu has finished punching, kicking and John-Wicking for a fourth time, Netflix has just the hot-tempered tonic for you. Released in 2021, Nobody follows Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk as, to protect the ones he loves, he transforms from family man to family maniac. Look out for his particularly resourceful use of a fire extinguisher, a pane of bulletproof glass, and a Claymore mine.
On Apple TV+: The Last Thing He Told Me, April 14th
The latest book adaptation from Reese Witherspoon’s ‘Hello Sunshine’ production company (which has already given us Big Little Lies, Little Fires Everywhere and Daisy Jones & The Six), this new mystery series stars Jennifer Garner as Hannah Hall, a woman whose husband of one year suddenly disappears — but not before he hands her a confusing, clandestine note: “Protect her”.
On Netflix: The Diplomat, April 20th
Not to be confused with the BBC show of the same name — which debuted just two months ago — Netflix’s The Diplomat stars The Americans’ Keri Russell as the titular, newly appointed ambassador, who must juggle her new job with her turbulent marriage to a rising political star, played by Rufus Sewell. Created by Debora Cahn (she of The West Wing and Homeland), expect great, weighty things.
On Apple TV+: Ghosted, April 21st
Director Dexter Fletcher has been hit-and-miss. His big screen biopics, including Rocketman and Eddie the Eagle, were fun viewing. But his first foray into television (with last year’s disastrous Godfather series, The Offer) less so. This romantic comedy, starring Hollywood big-hitters Chris Evans, Ana de Armas and Adrien Brody, brings both mediums together, and looks set to bring wit, warring — and give de Armas a chance to further the fighting, spying skills she showed off in No Time To Die.
On Prime Video: Dead Ringers, April 21st
If gender-flipping and long-form adaptations are two of the hottest trends in modern storytelling, then Dead Ringers has it all. Rachel Weisz takes on the dual leading roles (initially played, in David Cronenberg’s 1988 film, by Jeremy Irons) of twins Elliot and Beverly Mantle, successful gynaecologists who get trapped in a cycle of deceit, lust and jealousy. Look forward to six parts rammed and ramped up with eye-widening, teeth-grinding tension.
On Prime Video: Citadel, April 28th
Could Richard Madden be the next James Bond? We wouldn’t bet against it. But his latest role — as spy Mason Kane — will see the Scottish actor scratch that espionage itch. Developed by the Russo brothers (they of Netflix’s The Gray Man), this central series will act as a backbone to a franchise, with local language spin-offs set in the Italian Alps, India, Spain and Mexico also hitting screens soon.
Want more viewing recommendations? Here’s what to watch on Netflix in March 2023…
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