Hulu's new limited series "Under The Bridge" stars Lily Gladstone and is based on the true story of the 1997 murder of a 14-year-old girl in a small Canadian town. The first episode sets the stage for a complex and compelling drama, intertwining the investigation into the girl's disappearance with the backstories of the characters involved. With enough intrigue and mystery to hook viewers, the show promises to deliver a gripping portrayal of the real-life case.
Guy Ritchie's 2019 film "The Gentlemen" has inspired an eight-episode Netflix series, following the story of a reluctant inheritor of an aristocratic title and estate, which conceals a major cannabis grow op. The series features a mix of family drama and criminal intrigue, with a cast including Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, and Giancarlo Esposito. With Ritchie's signature style of colorful dialogue and crime-centric storytelling, "The Gentlemen" offers a romp that is binge-watch encouraging.
"Death And Other Details" on Hulu follows a young woman, Imogene, and an old detective, Cotesworth, as they solve a murder on a luxury cruise ship. The show attempts to capture the essence of classic whodunits but falls short in creating an engaging mystery, instead focusing on distracting details and an overstuffed plot. While the potential for entertainment exists, the series feels too preoccupied with toying with viewers and lacks the necessary intrigue to sustain its complex storyline.
"Criminal Record" on Apple TV+ follows DS June Lenker (Cush Jumbo) and DCI Daniel Hegarty (Peter Capaldi) as they clash over a 13-year-old murder case. While the show has the potential for an intriguing face-off between the characters, the first episode leaves viewers more interested in Lenker's perspective than Hegarty's, making her the reason to keep watching. With themes of institutional racism and a cold case at its core, the series has promise, but may need to balance its characters more effectively.
"Kaala Paani" is the first survival series created in India and follows the story of a mysterious illness that traps residents and visitors to two remote islands. As the virus spreads, the tension rises as officials try to contain the outbreak and thousands of people are threatened. The show introduces multiple storylines and characters, including a power-seeking politician, a doctor investigating the source of the illness, and a family caught in the midst of the chaos. While the first episode may lose momentum due to the number of story threads, "Kaala Paani" has the potential to keep viewers on the edge of their seats as they witness the survival and escape attempts of the characters.
"Love in the Great Smoky Mountains: A National Park Romance" on Hallmark combines a love story with a history lesson as archaeologist Haley (Arielle Kebbel) and her ex-boyfriend Rob (Zach Roerig) join a dig in the Great Smoky Mountains. The film explores Native American history and addresses the Trail of Tears, while still maintaining a lighthearted romance. While not groundbreaking, the movie is worth a watch for fans of Hallmark movies or those looking for a Saturday night flick.
"Hijack" is a new thriller series on Apple TV+ that follows Sam Nelson (Idris Elba) as he tries to save a plane full of passengers after it gets hijacked. The show is tense and fast-moving, with a real-time aspect that takes place over the 7-hour flight from Dubai to London. Elba delivers a strong performance, and the writing keeps the tension high without sacrificing logic. Overall, "Hijack" is a compelling show that keeps viewers engaged and leaning forward in their chairs.
"The Diplomat" is a new Netflix series starring Keri Russell as a war zone diplomat who becomes the reluctant ambassador to the UK. The show has a broadcast network feel and focuses on interpersonal relationships rather than geopolitical issues. While Russell delivers a solid lead performance, the show doesn't feel like a must-watch and would have worked better on NBC in 2003 than on Netflix in 2023.
