268 Best Binge-Worthy Movies to Watch (Page 15)

The less you try to think about the absurd fantasy premise of this satire on Brazilian telenovelas, the better. Based on the first three episodes watched for this review, Soap Opera (or Novela in Portuguese) doesn't provide an airtight idea of how things work when screenwriter Isabel is sucked into a TV—meaning any sense of urgency or narrative stakes don't feel terribly high. But still, countless possibilities open up the longer that Isabel remains in her own creation. Here she can take full creative control (literally) of how she wants herself and others to be perceived, but Lauro, the producer who's placed his own name on the marquee, also gets to scheme on how best to continue exploiting the success Isabel is inadvertently bringing him. The result is something uniquely funny, creatively designed, and compulsively watchable.

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy

Actor: Herson Capri, Marcello Antony, Miguel Falabella, Monica Iozzi, Suzy Rêgo

Director: Gigi Soares, Renata Pinheiro

It's no fun being plus-sized—or at least, that's the message that we get everywhere, from tragic documentaries to self-help articles to shows that make weight the butt of every joke. Fat people are often perceived as inactive and sad and stubborn when those aren't mutually exclusive with one's size. In fact, there's nothing inherently wrong with being big. 

In Shrill, our plus-sized hero Annie (played by the lovable Aidy Bryant) knocks down all those lazy myths with her sharp wit and buoyant charm. She goes on everyday adventures that prove she can be just as delightful (and exasperating) as any witty millennial writer trying to make it big in her city. Annie isn't perfect, but the fun lies in seeing her grow (not transform) into a better person.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Aidy Bryant, John Cameron Mitchell, Lolly Adefope, Luka Jones

Rating: TV-MA

Ray is a captivating anthology series that pays tribute to the genius of renowned Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray. With four distinct stories, each directed by different acclaimed directors, the series showcases Ray's signature blend of human drama, mystery, and social commentary. The performances by the talented ensemble cast bring Ray's nuanced characters to life. From tales of love and betrayal to stories exploring the complexities of human nature, Ray offers a rich and diverse viewing experience. With its engaging narratives, stunning visuals, and thought-provoking themes, there is bound to be an entry in the series for every mystery lover.

Genre: Drama

Actor: Ali Fazal, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Kharaj Mukherjee, Manoj Bajpayee, Manoj Pahwa, Radhika Madan

Everyone grows up learning about the theatric death of President Lincoln—while enjoying a play with his wife, the actor and Confederate soldier John Wilkes Booth shoots him straight in the head, dashes to the stage, and escapes into the wilderness before eventually getting caught. But most people tend to gloss over that last part when, in fact, Booth’s capture was a wild ride that involved the rabid participation of thousands of troops and civilians. Ironically, it united a nation that was still grappling with the loss brought by war. Through seven episodes, Manhunt zooms in on that moment in American history and closely follows the cat-and-mouse chase between Booth and Secretary of War Edward Stanton. It’s a powerfully performed piece, as one would expect from Emmy-winning actor Menzies, but the surrounding characters are just as colorful and impassioned. They capably bring life to a near-forgotten piece of history and make it feel just as urgent and important as the day it happened.

Genre: Crime, Drama

Actor: Anne Dudek, Anthony Boyle, Brandon Flynn, Hamish Linklater, Lili Taylor, Lovie Simone, Tobias Menzies

Rating: TV-MA

Before, then, and now — these are the three points in time that twisty TV heist thriller Culprits zips between. That remixed chronology (the convergent point of which is an audacious £100 million robbery) is both a strength and a stumbling block for the series. While it helps liven things up, it also takes some getting used to, which means the first episode requires more effort than expected as we work to get our bearings. By the time we’re on Culprits’ wavelength, though, the other attractions of the show reveal themselves: an intrigue-infused plot, charismatic characters, and adrenaline-pumping action.

The one constant in this whirlwind is David (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) — or Joe, or Muscle, all names he goes by depending on the timeline. A London-dwelling bodyguard recruited to undertake a mega-heist by shady mastermind Dianne (Gemma Arterton), we actually meet him long after it’s (seemingly) completed. Now living in Washington and sporting a just-passable American accent, he’s a family man who goes by Joe and bears no signs of his criminal past. Piecing together the puzzle of his transformation — and the threats that have somehow followed him across the globe — is Culprits’ greatest pull, one that wouldn’t be possible without its nonlinear storytelling, an initial hurdle that’s worth jumping over.

Genre: Crime, Drama

Actor: Eddie Izzard, Gemma Arterton, Kamel ElBasha, Kevin Vidal, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Ned Dennehy, Niamh Algar, Tara Abboud

Will Trent is a crime procedural that tackles a new mystery every few episodes. It doesn't differ from other detective shows in that way, but what makes Will Trent interesting is that the intrigue of each case never takes away from the intrigue of the personal lives of the lead characters. 

Will Trent, in particular, remains the biggest mystery in the series. Much like Sherlock Holmes or Monk before him, he's troubled but kindhearted, gifted but hated by all. He's one of the most awkward detectives you'll meet, but what he lacks in social graces he more than makes up for in outstanding smarts. Unraveling Trent, his colleagues, and his subjects is a fun ride, one that makes the 40 minutes or so of watching well worth it.

Genre: Drama, Mystery

Actor: Erika Christensen, Iantha Richardson, Jake McLaughlin, Ramón Rodríguez, Sonja Sohn

Director: Paul McGuigan

Rating: TV-14