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January is traditional A slower month for movies and TV, but January this year He is A little sleepy compared to the December rush, there is still a lot that looks promising in the month ahead.
For starters, the usual stream of horror movies includes a new killer doll movie that sounds like a lot of fun; HBO has a major new series that adapts a classic video game; And Netflix is experimenting with a series that invites viewers to shape the order of the story they watch. In the spirit of the show we’ll choose that as a starting point.
kaleidoscope (Netflix, January 1)
A few years ago, Netflix put out some projects, such as Black Mirror: Bandersnatch And the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the ReverendAnd the Designed to allow viewers to interact and direct the story themselves via a file Choose your own adventure– Branching narrative style. right Now kaleidoscope It offers a different kind of interaction via a heist story starring Giancarlo Esposito and Rufus Sewell that can be watched in (almost) any order. One episode was designed as a finale but it’s an accessible finale through any set of episodes that combine to tell a decades-spanning story. Watch it on Netflix here.
Paul T. Goldman (Peacock, January 1)
It takes a little preparation: A few years ago, director Jason Woolner (The next Borat movie) by a guy named Paul T. Goldman is about a screenplay Goldman wrote about his failed marriage and his attempts to fight crime linked to his ex-wife. Captured with Goldman, Woolner decided to turn his life into a series that blends documentary film with dramatization of Goldman’s screenplay that includes appearances from Rosanna Arquette, Denise Haysbert, and others. (Three episodes air today and then the show begins weekly.) Watch it on Peacock here.
The false life of adults (Netflix, January 4)
After completing her quartet of Neapolitan novels, Elena Ferrante launched The false life of adults, a 2019 novel about Giovanna, a 12-year-old girl who searches for her Aunt Vittoria and uncovers some family secrets in the process. Ferrante’s books have already been fodder for rich adaptations – the quartet is currently being adapted via an HBO series My brilliant friend Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal missing daughter It was one of the best films of 2021– And these Italian soap operas, co-starring Valeria Golino (Rain ManAnd the Portrait of a woman on fireLike Vittoria, it looks likely to continue the trend. Watch on Netflix here.
Will Trent (ABC, Jan. 3)
Adapted from the popular series by Karen Slaughter, this new crime series stars Ramon Rodriguez as Will Trent, a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent who becomes a top detective despite his struggles with a rough childhood and dyslexia. Erika Christensen stars as Angie, Will’s partner and a woman with a troubled past of her own. Watch ABC online with Vidgo.
Copenhagen Cowboy (Netflix, January 5)
Director Nicolas Winding Refn (Leadership) extends its journey to television after its completion Too old to die young With a return to his native Denmark. Will this new series show a gentler side of Refn? Don’t Count On It: Angela Bondalovic plays Mio, a woman who gets into the bad side of the Danish capital on a mission for revenge. Watch on Netflix here.
M3GAN (Theaters, Jan. 6)
What could go wrong when Gemma (Allison Williams) develops a lifelike doll for a high-end toy company and decides to beta test it with her orphaned niece Cady (Violet McGraw)? Given that this is a new horror movie from Blumhouse directed by Akela Cooper, co-writer of malignantwe’ll guess a lot.
koala man (Hulu, Jan. 9)
Big name superheroes are sure to take care of big cities like Gotham and Metropolis. But who will protect the streets of Dapto, a seemingly sleepy Australian suburb? In this new animated series, those duties fall to middle-aged Kevin (Michael Cusack), aka the Koala Man. The show’s first season lined up an impressive cast of guest stars, including Hugh Jackman (as host of Australia’s most popular third-party fishing show) and Jemaine Clement. watch with Hulu free trial here.
My place: Cooking for Maiko’s house (Netflix, January 12)
The great Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda (thieves) a new movie named mediator It will hit North American theaters a little later this year after a very limited release in December. Fans of his work (and curious newcomers) won’t have to wait long to catch up on Kore-eda’s new TV project, which follows two teens whose paths diverge after entering a strict school for aspiring geishas. Watch on Netflix here.
film (HBO Max, Jan. 12)
This new animated series from Mindy Ealing, a Don Scooby series centering on bespectacled Velma, revisits the origins of Mystery Inc. before Scoob joined the gang. Kaling voices Velma, a teenager caught in a web of complicated relationships with Fred (Glenn Howerton), Daphne (Constance Wu) and Shaggy (Sam Richardson). Expect mystery, understatement, and hustle and bustle (but no Great Danes). Watch on HBO Max here.
Droplet (Hulu, Jan. 13)
In a new dark comedy directed by Sarah Adena Smith, Anna Kunkel (pen 15) and Jermaine Fowler (Coming 2 America) Play a couple about to start a family. But when they drop their friend’s baby at a wedding, they’re forced to confront their choices and tackle some long-simmering tensions. Rounding out the cast are Aparna Nancherla, Joshua Leonard, and Jillian Bell. watch with Hulu free trial here.
house party (Theaters, Jan. 13)
1990 hit song starring rap duo Kid ‘n Play, house party Use a simple premise to create comic mayhem: What if a pair of teens gets out of control? Could a remake work as well? Veteran Calmatic’s music video Atlanta Writers Jamal Laurie and Stephen Glover seem to think so. This new version casts Tosin Cole (doctor who) and Jacob Latimore (Chi) as teens in a film that includes many of their films from the worlds of music and sports, an appearance by producer LeBron James.
Skinamarink (Theaters, Jan. 13)
From Canada, this low-budget horror flick from first-time director Kyle Edward Peel comes with a chilling premise: Two boys wake up alone in their home to find that all the windows and doors are gone. If that sounds like a nightmare, there’s a reason: The ball in the movie was based at least in part on common nightmares that were given to YouTube channel Where he recreated other people’s nightmares.
The last of us (HBO, January 15)
One of the most revered titles in gaming history gets a sprawling adaptation via this new post-apocalyptic series starring Pedro Pascal as Joel, a seasoned survivor, and Bella Rasmi (game of thrones) as Ellie, a teenage girl who may hold the secret to defeating a plague of zombie-like creatures ravaging the Earth. Video game adaptations don’t have a solid track record, but the source material does have a strong narrative, a solid cast that also includes Anna Torv and Nick Offerman, and the presence of original writer Neil Druckerman, who serves as co-creator alongside Craig Mazin (Chernobyl), all indicate a high probability that this is an exception. Watch on HBO Max here.
night court (Peacock, Jan. 17)
The classic ’80s sitcom returns with a series that brings a new generation of characters alongside a veteran of the old series. Melissa Rauch (How can I meet your mother) plays Abby Stone, the daughter of Harry Stone (originally played by the late Harry Anderson) who takes his old job as a judge at an after-hours court full of criminal eccentrics. John Larroquette reprises the role that won him several Emmys on the original series, assistant DA Dan Fielding. Watch it on Peacock here.
Project 1619 (Hulu, Jan. 26)
Launched in 2019 to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the first African slaves to arrive in what is now the United States, the 1619 Project has morphed into an ongoing effort to revisit American history with a new focus on the institution of slavery, its lasting impact on the country, and the contributions of Declared for Black Americans. Coordinated by historian Nicole Hannah Jones, the project has now been adapted into a six-part series focusing on everything from the justice system to American music. watch with Hulu free trial here.
poker face (Peacock, Jan. 26)
Apparently not content with reviving addicts Take out the knivesNow director Rian Johnson seeks to breathe new life into the eccentric, case-solving TV series made popular in the past decades by shows like Colombo. Natasha Lyonne stars as Charlie Cale, a cross-country woman whose gift of being able to tell when someone is lying has made her an occasional detective. Watch it on Peacock here.
gun wedding (Prime Video, Jan. 27).
It arrived just months after its scheduled theatrical release last summer, This Action/rom-com mixed Stars Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel as a couple about to get married who consider calling it off before their families are kidnapped. watch with Free 30-day Amazon Prime trial here.
infinity pool (Theatres, Video on Demand, Jan. 27).
It was hard to sniff out so many plot details about the latest movie from Brandon Cronenberg (Owner of), which will hit theaters shortly after its premiere at Sundance. But we do know that it stars Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgård as a couple whose trip to an all-inclusive resort goes awry, and based on Cronenberg’s previous work, will be unforgettably disturbing.
You people (Netflix, January 27)
black–ish Creator Kenya Paris made his directorial debut with this comedy starring Jonah Hill (who wrote the film with Paris) as Ezra, a Los Angelino Jew who wants to marry a woman named Amira (Lauren London). Likely to stand in the way: Their parents, played by Eddie Murphy, Nia Long, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and David Duchovny. Watch on Netflix here.
shrank (Apple TV+, January 27)
In the new comedy co-created by Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein, and Jason Segel, Segel plays a therapist whose grief drives him to stop spamming words with his patients. Behind the scenes talent, including director James Ponsoldt (The end of the round) is impressive, as is the cast that includes Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams. watch with Apple TV+ free trial here.