Words by Charlotte Davies
In times like these, when you may need a bit of extra comfort - whether it’s escapism, reflection, inspiration, or just some darn good company - there is something for everyone on our various devices these days to steer your mind from a world that is currently very complicated. To help you find some viewing treasures, and perhaps cut short any endless scrolling for what to put on next, we thought we’d share our favourite watches that are currently occupying our screens. You’re welcome.
For a bite-sized punch, Sophia turns to Netflix’s I Am Not Okay With This, a coming-of-age tale with attitude. Catch Wyatt Oleff and Richard Ellis amongst the talented young cast as the show twists in ways you couldn’t predict. For something with a slower pace and Italian flair, Cecilie’s pick, My Brilliant Friend, is an eight-part adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novel. As the story-telling unfolds, so does the beautiful friendship between protagonists Elena and Lila.
With a little focus on travel and a lot of focus on food, Nathan is loving Somebody Feed Phil, where Everybody Loves Raymond producer and creator Phillip Rosenthal travels the world devouring much-loved cuisines from different countries. Nicky has also been obsessing over virtual culinary delights. Jamie Oliver’s Keep Cooking and Carry On and Chef’s Table have inspired her passion in the kitchen as well as her belief that, like everyone else during lockdown, she has morphed into a Michelin star chef over the last month.
And whilst we would jump at the chance for a summer trip to rural Sweden for a once-in-a-lifetime festival right now, Ari Aster’s Midsommar will very quickly make you happy to be at home. This is a powerful and emotionally devastating horror film that feels like a nightmare that started off as a dream. Horror mingles with humour as we meet the different characters, from Archie Madekwe’s Simon - to Mark, played by Will Poulter – who will be joining us for a feature during Mental Health Week. Midsommar is now available to watch on Amazon Prime, so buckle up for the ride.
Following on with our foreign faves, Hedvig has been enjoying Terrace House, a Japanese Reality show on Netflix where six strangers move in together for the summer. If you like your reality TV just that little bit ‘extra’, though, there’s only show for the occasion. Whether it’s watched in isolation, in the bath, or on a hangover, Drag Race is always the answer.
Riverdale is still top of our watch list. Cole Sprouse’s Jughead is the only kind of narrator we want in our lives, and with Season 5 expected to air in October, it seems there’s hope for 2020 yet. If you haven’t yet fancied Sex Education, we can’t recommend this awkward, hilarious show enough. Filled with love and loveable characters, it’s a guarantee to brighten your day. Catch both seasons, led by Asa Butterfield as the charming protagonist, Otis, now on Netflix.
A dark coming-of-age story that is also completely binge worthy is the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Expect horror, power and a whole lot of witchcraft in this reimagination of the origin and adventures of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. In last week’s feature we also spoke to Gavin Leatherwood, who plays Nick, about masculinity, love and his trip to hell. Obviously.
Following the release of the sixth and final season of Vikings, we thought we’d take this ripe opportunity to re-watch the historical drama from the beginning. We were lucky enough to catch up with the dreaded Ivar the Boneless (also known as Alex Høgh Andersen) in our fifteenth ‘Glede’ issue. Alex’s impressive portrayal left us more than a little confused as to whether we pitied or loathed Ivar – you’ll have to catch up on Amazon Prime yourself to make up your mind!
Seasons 1-3 of Animal Kingdom are also now available to stream online. Following the death of his mother, Finn Cole stars as a boy who is forced to move in with his estranged, criminal relatives and challenge the deadly matriarch, played by Ellen Barkin. Start now and you’ll be up to speed by the time season 5 releases, which is currently in the pipeline.
With emotions high right now and many of us working from home, it’s easy to lose structure from usual routine. But we do not have to be on the grind 100% of the time (this is a pandemic, after all) so remember to sit back and take some time for yourself to get lost in stories.
