Have you ever opened a streaming service and spent so long looking for something to watch that you eventually gave up and watched the same film again? Yeah, I guess it’s happened more than once right? Well, November has arrived with another enormous pile of choices. So naturally, we have gone through some of the biggest releases to make the decision slightly less painful.
From Anthony Bourdain and John Madden to a Cinderella story that has gone completely off the rails, here are some of the films worth keeping an eye on this month. One thing to remember, though, availability can differ between regions, so check your local platform before planning the snacks to avoid disapointment.
Possible Love – Netflix, 6 November
Let’s start with something serious. Possible Love follows two married couples in South Korea. One is wealthy and the other is struggling. Their lives become connected through a documentary, which brings hidden desires and uncomfortable differences to the surface. Sounds like a delicious drama.
The film comes from Lee Chang-dong, the director behind Burning. It also won the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, so this may be the one you watch when you’re in the mood for some sophisticated cinema. According to Netflix, the film explores two marriages moving along very different paths.
Basically, prepare for several conversations where nobody says what they are actually thinking.
Misty Green – Netflix, 9 November
Chris Rock directs Misty Green, which stars Rosalind Eleazar as a self-destructive Hollywood actor who receives one final opportunity to revive her career. Now, if Hollywood has taught us anything, it is that one final opportunity usually arrives with several people waiting for you to fail. The film received attention following its Toronto International Film Festival premiere, with Eleazar’s performance earning particular praise. Rock also appears alongside Adam Driver, Daniel Kaluuya and Anna Kendrick. Why do I get the feeling that this one may offer something sharper than the usual story about an actor making a comeback. Could it be because wanting another chance is one thing, but being emotionally prepared for it can become very dramatic?
Being Heumann – Apple TV, 13 November
Being Heumann tells the story of disability-rights activist Judy Heumann, who helped lead more than 100 disabled people during a 28-day protest demanding that the American government enforce accessibility protections. Sian Heder directs after winning the Best Picture Oscar for CODA. This is not simply a film about one activist overcoming difficulty. It looks at people forcing a system to change after polite requests failed to work. Sometimes progress begins with an inspiring speech. At other times, you occupy a government building until somebody finally listens. I find that to be a good lesson.
Gentle Monster – Netflix, 18 November
Léa Seydoux plays Lucy, a concert pianist who moves her family to the countryside because her husband is suffering from severe burnout. Sounds very safe and peaceful, right? But there’s always something brewing underneath. The police arrive early one morning, and Lucy must consider whether the man she loves has done something terrible. Gentle Monster comes from writer-director Marie Kreutzer and earned strong attention at Cannes. It also places Lucy in the uncomfortable position of wanting to trust someone while becoming increasingly frightened of what that trust may require her to ignore. So unfortunately the countryside may not be the perfect getaway.
Madden – Prime Video, 18 November
Nicolas Cage plays American football coach and commentator John Madden. Honestly, that sentence may already be enough. David O. Russell directs the film, with Christian Bale playing Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis. Kathryn Hahn appears as Madden’s wife, Virginia, while John Mulaney, Sienna Miller and Shane Gillis complete the cast.
The film explores Madden’s coaching career, his move into broadcasting and the partnership that shaped his life. Of course, many younger viewers may know his name mainly from the video-game series. Now they can discover that the man existed before somebody placed his surname on a game box.
Tony – HBO Max, 20 November
Dominic Sessa plays a 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain during the summer that introduced him to restaurant life. Tony does not attempt to squeeze Bourdain’s entire life into two hours. Instead, it follows him to Provincetown in 1975, where he begins washing dishes and discovers that restaurant kitchens contain exactly the kind of chaos he understands. Antonio Banderas plays the chef who becomes his mentor, while Emilia Jones appears as Nancy. Sessa’s performance and the film’s decision to concentrate on one important period have been immensely praised. At least it avoids giving audiences another biopic that races from childhood to fame before everyone begins checking their watches. So this could be the one that does it for you.
Steps – Netflix, 20 November
Now if all of this drama becomes exhausting, there is also an animated musical about Cinderella’s stepsisters that could be fun. Steps follows Lilith, voiced by Ali Wong, who becomes tired of living in Cinderella’s shadow. She steals the Fairy Godmother’s wand and breaks the story everyone knows, allowing another villain to take control of the kingdom.
Bette Midler voices the Fairy Godmother, Amanda Seyfried plays Cinderella and Stephanie Hsu voices Lilith’s sister Margot. There will also be biker trolls and something called the Screaming Woods. So yes, somebody appears to have taken the traditional Cinderella story and shaken it until several pieces fell out.
The Magic Faraway Tree – HBO Max, 27 November
And if you looking for adventure, this could be the one. Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield play parents who move their family to the English countryside. Their children soon discover a magical tree filled with unusual residents and entrances to other worlds. The film adapts Enid Blyton’s beloved books, which means it arrives carrying quite a bit of childhood nostalgia. It also offers families something to watch together after everyone has finished arguing over which Christmas film counts as the official first one of the season.
November’s streaming selection has award contenders, biographical dramas, family adventures and Nicolas Cage playing John Madden.
Finding something to watch should be easy.
Although we all know that you may still scroll for 40 minutes first.
