AUDIENCE REVIEWS: It Ends With Us + some hidden gems for the weekend!

what i’m watching this week

Your Honor (2020-2023): This is originally a Showtime show but it’s now available on Netflix. I think this series is really heavy and high stress, albeit, still good. There are two seasons, I’m currently halfway through the first. I find myself needing a break after 1-2 episodes, which is very unlike me lol. Bryan Cranston is the lead and he, of course, always delivers. On Netflix.

what to watch hidden gems

All movies and tv shows that I recommend in this section are included with a subscription. I have also viewed and approved every recommendation personally. It’s my goal to make recommendations that will satisfy what you’re in the mood for so none of your precious downtime is wasted!

Drama/Thriller: Locke (2013): Watch to be surprised at how a movie with one actor in one confined space can keep you hooked. This movie is the bare bones of all movies. It has the most basic premise with one actor in one setting the entire movie. It sounds boring, I know. But I think it’s anything but that. It gave me Phone Booth vibes but in Locke, don’t expect to anywhere outside of the car. On Prime Video.

Horror/Thriller: The Invitation (2015): Watch for a top-tier horror film that will raise your suspicions right from the start, with a lingering dread from beginning to its bloody end. This was a film that after watching it, we just stared at the screen and said “whoa”. It’s an exceptional horror film that takes place at a dinner party with friends (yes, people who know each other). Right from the start, you know there’s something off about this dinner party and as it progresses, more violence ensues and more is revealed about why the guests are there. You definitely feel a sense of claustrophobia in this movie as well. I think it’s safe to say that this is one of my favorite horror films I’ve ever seen. On Prime Video and Peacock.

Rom/Com: About Time (2013): Watch for another great rom/com featuring the beloved Rachel McAdams. It’s no secret Rachel McAdams is a romance queen and while this film doesn’t hold a candle to The Notebook, it’s still such a heartwarming watch. It follows Domnhall Gleeson’s character, Tim, who learns that the men in his family can travel in time and change their own lives. Sounds a bit silly, right? Well, I promise it’s not executed that way. Plus, it’s one of my girl Margot Robbie’s earlier films. This is one of my comfort movies, perfectly paired with a bowl of soup on a rainy day. On Netflix.

Drama: American Honey (2016): Watch for an indie film where the vision was beautifully executed. This movie is definitely more indie vibes so if you love that, then you’ll likely love this one about a group of young, nomadic door-to-door salespeople who travel the Midwest finding adventure, trouble, self-discovery, and love. It’s a unique take on a coming-of-age story and it feels so real to me that I almost felt like I was a member of this crew while watching the movie. Shia Labeouf, who you may know I love, is the male lead. And Riley Keough appears in a supporting role before she was ever Daisy Jones. She knocks it out of the park too. On Max.

Docu-Drama: Reality (2023): Watch for a gripping true story about authority and whistleblowing. I think this is one of Sydney Sweeney’s best performances, which seemingly gets overlooked by her mainstream projects. This story is a similar one of Edward Snowden’s, where classified government information gets leaked to the public. In this case, it’s information about Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election (recent!!!). These stories always mess with my psyche because I go back and forth between what is right. This is a good weeknight watch. On Max.

Action/International: RRR (2022): Watch for an action-packed Indian film with some incredible action scenes. I need to say right now that India produces some of the best films! (Like The White Tiger). Don’t sleep on their creativity. RRR stands for Rise, Roar, Revolt and it’s the highest grossing Indian-made film to date. Set in pre-independent India, the film is about two best friends who reconnect to rise up against the country’s autocratic rulers. It’s ridiculous, outlandish, comical, and outright entertaining. There is nonstop action and in my opinion, it’s home to some of the best action sequences and choreography ever. It’s truly a joy to watch. Oh, there’s a musical number too, lol. On Netflix.

Drama/Coming-of-Age: Boy Erased (2018): Watch for a heartbreaking true story about family and acceptance. Ugh this movie really tugs at my heartstrings!! Especially as a mom. Here’s a synopsis from Netflix: Sent to conversion therapy by his faith-based parents, a young man struggles to reconcile his sexual identity with his family's Christian beliefs. The entire time I just wanted to give Lucas Hedges a giant hug! This movie is riddled with award-winning actors and cutie Troye Sivan makes an appearance! On Netflix.

Drama: Lupin (2018): Watch for action, heist, mystery, and adventure. Lupin is a Netflix original, French-made series that’s a retelling of the classic French story about Arsène Lupin, the world-famous gentleman thief and master of disguise. Thor absolutely loves this show and while I made fun of him for it at first, I have to admit, it got a bit of a chokehold on me as well. It’s brings light to immigration and racism but this theme doesn’t overtake the overarching story. It’s really well done. Great action series that’s an endless chase. I’m always wondering what he’s going to do next. On Netflix.

Suspense/Thriller: Run (2020): Watch for a suspenseful, intense nail-biter. This was a COVID watch for us and I really like it. It’s an escape movie where you’re always trying to help the protagonist find a way to get out of their situation, so naturally, it kept me on the edge of my seat. Thought it’s not a docu-drama, it draws a lot of parallels to the real-life Gypsy Rose Blanchard story, where a child falls victim to Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder in which a caretaker makes someone ill in order to receive attention. In what’s supposed to be the most safe and trusting relationship in the world, between a mother and a child, this film takes you to a place where a mother’s love is so dominant that it’s dangerous. If you love a good thriller, this movie is for you. On Hulu.

Sci-Fi/Horror: The Platform (2019): Watch for an insane concept that’s hard to wrap your head around but so intriguing. This Spanish-made movie takes place in a dystopian future and follows a man sentenced to The Hole, a vertical prison with an unknown number of levels. There is one cell per level, shared between two inmates. A platform of food moves through the prison from top to bottom each day. Prisoners can only eat while the platform is stopped on their level, and are subjected to fatal temperatures if they keep any food. The lower the level, the less food left on the platform. Interesting, right? Thor and I loved this movie but I won’t lie, it left me feeling weird inside after. And not in a good way. But I also interpret that as an achievement for the filmmakers because if a movie doesn’t move you, then was it even good? A second movie is coming October 4th! 💣 On Netflix.