Words: Jonathan Wells
There’s a grimy, crime-y feel to Netflix’s April offerings. From Jake Gyllenhaal’s uneasily-acted neo-noir Nightcrawler to the heroin-dusted dealings of Ozark’s final episodes, the streaming service has gone for the gutter; and delivered a pack of agitated, anxiety-inducing — and truly tremendous titles.
There’s a Dutch drama about sex lines, a soapy British scandal series and a vintage-tinged horror that harks back to the technicolour 1980s. But the grimmest grime comes smeared across the Oscar-winning face of Joaquin Phoenix, whose gong-getting, off-putting Joker will come cackling onto Netflix later this month. Here’s what to add to your watch list…
Inception, April 1st
Everyone’s already spun the top with Inception — but it’s the sort of film that benefits greatly from a rewatch. 12 years after its release, dive back into the dreamscape and follow Leonardo DiCaprio’s wily thief as he plans to plant an idea into the mind of Cillian Murphy’s smartly-suited CEO. There’s much you probably missed the first few times.
The Goldfinch, April 4th
Starring recent West Side Story lead and former Gentleman’s Journal cover star Ansel Elgort, The Goldfinch flew under the radar when it was released in 2019. An adaptation of Donna Tartt’s gripping novel, it tells the tale of a terrorist bombing, an artwork theft and an adolescence steeped in grief. Look out for strong support from Aneurin Barnard.
Return to Space, April 7th
If you’ve been captivated by the space-racing efforts of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, tune into Return to Space on April 7th. Chronicling the star-reaching ‘Demo-2’ mission for NASA, the film follows astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on a four-month trip to the International Space Station.
Dirty Lines, April 8th
Here’s a fun one; a six-episode Netflix original from the Netherlands, Dirty Lines whisks viewers back to 1980s Amsterdam, where brothers Frank and Ramon Stigter decide to start-up a company that records audio for erotic sex lines. As thoughtful as it is rib-tickling, expect supercars, champagnes, hot tubs and lots of drama.
Nightcrawler, April 10th
Perhaps Jake Gyllenhaal’s finest acting hour, this neo-noir psychological thriller will chill you and grip you in equal measure. Chasing Gyllenhaal’s Louis Bloom, a petty thief, as he begins to make money by capturing video of crime scenes, we watch as the leery lost soul resorts to increasingly extreme tactics to get his scoop.
Joker, April 11th
While Robert Pattinson’s recent reboot, The Batman, may have introduced us to yet another big screen Joker, Barry Keoghan’s take on the character will have some big (literally, in this case) shoes to fill. Like Heath Ledger before him, Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for his emaciated portrayal of a Scorsese-infused ‘Clown Prince of Crime’.
Anatomy of a Scandal, April 15th
Starring Rupert Friend, Michelle Dockery and Sienna Miller, this Netflix original stars the latter as the wife of a privileged and powerful politician — whose life begins to unravel when her husband, played by Friend, is accused of a shocking crime.
Choose or Die, April 15th
Last year, when Gentleman’s Journal met Sex Education star Asa Butterfield, he sang the praises of homegrown British filmmaking. His latest project, Choose or Die, is a top-drawer homespun horror; which tells the twisty tale of a student who decides to play an obscure 1980s survival computer game in pursuit of an unclaimed $100,000 prize.
Russian Doll Season 2, April 20th
Finally, it’s the first of two returning Netflix originals. First up is Russian Doll, the time-turning comedy-drama starring Natasha Lyonne. As Nadia, Lyonne saw herself trapped in a mysterious New York City time loop last time around. For the show’s second outing, we catch up with Nadia for more hijinks — four years later.
Ozark Season 4: Part 2, April 29th
A lot has happened since Ozark debuted back in 2017. But still, the Netflix original holds its own — and has made it to a rare fourth series for the streaming service. This last clutch of episodes marks the final chapter in the Byrde family’s journey from suburban Chicago life to their criminal enterprise in the Ozarks.
Want more Netflix recommendations? Here’s the best new titles to land on the streaming service in March 2022…
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