488 Movies Like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Page 27)

My Lady Jane reimagines the titular nine-day queen, played by Bader, as a staunch feminist who has a lust for life and, well, men. She’s wise, vocal, and unapologetically sexual, and her demeanor is complemented by an irreverent script, modern pop songs, and fourth-wall-breaking meta-humor. In other words, it’s just like every other modern period drama that came before it, from Dickinson, The Great, and to some extent, Bridgerton. But unlike these shows, My Lady Jane fails to create a distinct atmosphere. If it was released five years ago, maybe it would’ve made a dent in the genre, but as proven by the aforementioned titles (and many more like them), My Lady Jane is trying to do something that’s already been achieved in better ways. That said, the show is still enjoyable, especially if you’re a fan of strong independent women™, magical creatures, raunchy humor, and revisionist history. Just don’t expect anything particularly new or inventive from it.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Actor: Anna Chancellor, Christian Patterson, Dominic Cooper, Edward Bluemel, Emily Bader, Henry Ashton, Isabella Brownson, James Corrigan, Jim Broadbent, Jordan Peters, Kate OFlynn, Oliver Chris, Rob Brydon, Robyn Betteridge

Director: Jamie Babbit

Rating: TV-14

There are two timelines in Monarch, one set in a post-war world where trio Bill (Anders Holm), Shaw (Wyatt Russell), and Keiko (Mari Yamamoto) look for monsters, and another set in 2015, where trio Cate, Kentaro (Ren Watabe), and May (Kiersey Clemons) look for Cate and Kentaro’s missing father. Both timelines are action-packed and mystery-filled, eventually intertwining in a surprising but thrilling way. But for all that’s happening, Monarch is weirdly missing the monsters. Godzilla, along with other creatures old and new, rarely appear, though when they do, they make sure to put on a spectacle you can’t look away from. The show could use a lot more of these monsters, though there’s much to like in the human cast too—especially in Shaw, whose present self is played by Russell’s father, the iconic Kurt Russell. The decision to cast them in this role is more than inspired, it’s downright entertaining. Not only do they look alike, but they have the same mannerisms and charismatic flairs, though both actors make sure to inflect the character with their own specific charms. Seeing their interpretation of Shaw is reason enough to watch this series, but everything else is pretty epic too.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Actor: Anders Holm, Anna Sawai, Elisa Lasowski, Joe Tippett, Kiersey Clemons, Kurt Russell, Mari Yamamoto, Ren Watabe, Wyatt Russell

Rating: TV-14

Based on the 1980 murder trial, Love & Death repeats the facts from witness testimonies, but also contemplates Montgomery’s character in her Methodist community. Through Elizabeth Olsen’s superb acting, Montgomery is a character anyone can easily empathize with. Despite living the suburban dream and living in a tight-knit community, she wants to soothe an emptiness inside of her. The first half shows she initially did so through her affair, but even as the marriages get resolved with support of their community, it still leads to the tragic death. But because of this, the series’ second half feels devastating, as her self-defense alienates her from the people that compose her entire world. Love & Death gives an empathetic portrayal of a regular housewife just trying to find someone who would unconditionally side with her.

Genre: Crime, Drama

Actor: Elizabeth Olsen, Jesse Plemons, Krysten Ritter, Lily Rabe, Patrick Fugit, Tom Pelphrey

Interview with the Vampire is a remarkable remake that takes place in 1910s New Orleans. It centers on Louis (Jacob Anderson), a wealthy Black man who is turned into a vampire by his lover Lestat (Sam Reid). The series is a sprawling gothic tale that explores the relationship between Louis and Lestat, as well as the politics of race and the ethics of being undead. In other words, it's a lofty love story with some bite to it. Watch if you're a fan of the lore, action, and melodrama that comes with addictively ambitious vampire stories such as this.

Genre: Drama

Actor: Assad Zaman, Bailey Bass, Delainey Hayles, Eric Bogosian, Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid

Rating: TV-MA

This show is chock-full of out of pocket lines and all kinds of surprising scenarios. The awkwardness literally never lets up, as it approaches romance with such over the top aggression and discomfort, which makes it difficult for you to just relax your core during the sweet moments. Despite the title, the ensemble comedy is the dominant flavor that brings uneasy confrontations, passive aggressiveness, and dramatic reveals from the couple’s loud and colorful support system. It’s really a well-written show, with family drama to the highest extent, and all the puzzle pieces fitting together nicely to create a lively show with staying power.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Bohang Moeko, Dumisani Mbebe, John Morapama, Noxolo Dlamini, Sandile Mahlangu, Sivenathi Mabuya, Thabo Malema, Thando Thabethe, Tina Jaxa

Rating: TV-14

Many (if not most) recent comedies deal with depression, from Bojack Horseman to The Bear, from Fleabag to Euphoria. What How to Die Alone brings new to the table is that it’s more hopeful than these shows, or at least more hopeful than what the title would have you believe. Melissa (Natasha Rothwell) genuinely wants to get better, and the show follows her as she digs her way out of the self-sabotaging rut she’s been in for the last decade. The show is sympathetic, relatable, and comforting in how it frames Melissa and her developing sense of self, but it’s also a funny workplace comedy and a refreshingly honest look at the rockiness of adult friendships. There’s a lot to love here, in other words, and I do hope Rothwell is given the chance to showcase more of her talent—not everyone can balance vulnerability and joy the way she does—beyond eight episodes.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Conrad Ricamora, Jocko Sims, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Natasha Rothwell

Unabashedly embracing the ridiculous twists, rotating romantic pairings, and other tropes common to young-adult comedy-dramas, Good Trouble offers a massive number of storylines that are always delivered with an easygoing charm and real filmmaking flair. Set in a communal living space in Los Angeles, each character's personal drama often intersects with everyone else's—allowing the show to look at every issue through a wide range of perspectives, and letting the authentic mess of human emotion and miscommunication drive the stories forward. It's undeniably cheesy most of the time, but the energy in the show's filmmaking and the fun chemistry among its actors helps dignify even the smallest everyday occurrence as something meaningful.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Actor: Booboo Stewart, Bryan Craig, Cierra Ramirez, Emma Hunton, Josh Pence, Maia Mitchell, Tommy Martinez, Zuri Adele

It's refreshing being able to satisfy an appetite for mystery without grisly crime stories being the focus all the time (on Netflix no less).  The series does a fine job humanizing and fleshing out these stories, spending ample time on interviewees who speak with conviction and betrayal in their eyes, those who struggle with the toll that skeptical media has had on them. At the same time, when the "logical" perspectives are brought in, it adds intrigue and layers to each episode, leaving viewers to play a social deduction game by themselves with all the information given. With a tone as friendly as eerie stories will allow, and to varying degrees of success, the show delivers on its promise of intrigue.

Genre: Crime, Documentary, Mystery

Actor: Tijuana Ricks

Rating: TV-14

Based on the bestselling book of the same name, Everything I Know About Love follows four roommates fresh out of college making a name for themselves in London, 2012. It's ridiculous how much of the early 2010s this show gets right, from the heavy eyeliner and skinny jeans to the girlboss mindset and the nascent social media boom. The atmosphere alone is addictively nostalgic, but the real draw of the series is the girls themselves, especially lifelong best friends Maggie (Emma Appleton) and Birdy (Bel Powley). 

It’s refreshing to watch their friendship take center stage and be fleshed out and explored this much. Their dalliances are exciting, sure, but they’re also secondary to the relationship at the core of this show. In the end, this is all about bestfriendship—its thrilling highs and its depressing lows, its incomparable joy and tendency for toxicity. It's a blast to watch, especially in the company of your friends.

Genre: Drama

Actor: Emma Appleton

Rating: TV-MA