WHAT TO WATCH ON TV, STREAMING AND IN THEATERS.
BLACK BAG
Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender
Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender
In theaters Fri ., March 14 R
In this globe-trotting spy film directed by Steven Soderbergh ( Ocean’s 11 ), two-time Oscar winner Blanchett plays Kathryn Woodhouse, a respected British intelligence officer suspected of leaking important security information that could endanger the lives of thousands of innocent people. When authorities discover the breach, her husband, George Woodhouse (Fassbender), another legendary agent, is tasked with investigating the betrayal. But the mission pits his allegiance to his country against his loyalty to his wife. Bridgerton ’s Regé-Jean Page and James Bond himself, Pierce Brosnan , are in on the action as other colleagues in the intelligence agency.
While spy films are a dime a dozen on streaming services — and often end up being super lame or full of plot holes (exhibit A: the Cameron Diaz – Jamie Foxx flop Back in Action ) — Black Bag ’s stellar cast and renowned director make it worth a trip to the movie house.
OPUS
Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich
In theaters Fri ., March 14 R
Ariel, a young music journalist ( The Bear ’s Edebiri), is one of a select few invited to the remote compound of a legendary but reclusive pop star (Malkovich), who’s about to release his first album in 30 years. It quickly becomes clear he’s surrounded himself with cultish sycophants. Ariel struggles to find her angle on the story… but then some of the guests start disappearing, and her priorities must shift to survival. As always, Malkovich is masterful at playing a creep, and it’s great to see Edebiri out of the kitchen.
THE ELECTRIC STATE
THE ELECTRIC STATE
Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt
In a futuristic version of the 1990s , robots who once lived among humans have been exiled following a failed uprising . Michelle ( Brown ), an orphaned teen , is visited by a bot named Cosmo that ’ s seemingly controlled by her genius — but dead — younger brother , Christopher . The pair set out to find him , even venturing into the robots ’ desert refuge , where they meet a smuggler named Keats ( Pratt ). It quickly becomes apparent Christopher ’ s disappearance is part of a larger , more sinister plot . With so many parallels to the rise of AI , this film is terrifyingly timely .
HAPPY FACE
Dennis Quaid, Annaleigh Ashford
Premieres Thurs ., March 20 , on Paramount +
Most true-crime stories end when the killer is convicted , but this one starts three decades after the prison doors have slammed shut . Ashford is Melissa , the daughter of the Happy Face Killer ( Quaid ), who murdered eight — or maybe more — women . Despite trying to erase her father from her life , she still can ’ t escape his crimes . Based on the autobiography of Melissa G . Moore , the twisty series is a heartbreaking look at how many victims a serial killer really has .
THE RESIDENCE
Uzo Aduba, Randall Park
Premieres Thurs ., March 20 , on Netflix
Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes returns to the White House , this time with a screwball comedy / murder mystery mashup . After a homicide during a state dinner , Det . Cordelia Cupp ( the sardonic Aduba ) arrives to investigate . But with 157 suspects , from political bigwigs to cooks — many of whom had grudges against the victim — and an unhelpful FBI agent ( Park ) tagging along , she has her work cut out for her . Clear your calendar for March 20 — this series is definitely binge-worthy !
GOOD AMERICAN FAMILY
Ellen Pompeo, Mark Duplass, Imogen Faith Reid
Premieres Weds ., March 19 , on Hulu
This series was inspired by the real-life saga of Natalia Grace ( Reid ), a Ukrainian orphan with a rare form of dwarfism . She ’ s adopted by an Indiana couple ( Pompeo and Duplass ) who quickly begin to suspect the supposed 7-year-old is actually an adult . When her violent behavior becomes a threat to their family ,
they kick her out of the house . Told from multiple points of view , the story , which has garnered lots of media coverage , continues to fascinate .
