Guide
April streaming highlights
by Luca Fontana
April streaming highlights: the films and series you just can’t miss
1.4.2023
Translation: Katherine Martin
New month, new streaming highlights. Here’s what you can stream on Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+ and Sky Show this April.
What does earth say to make fun of other planets? «You guys have no life!» Probably because any life forms that may be out there are busy checking out my latest recommendations of series and films appearing on Netflix and other platforms this month.
The Good Mothers (mini-series)
Sometimes even I’m surprised that Disney+ isn’t just all about Star Wars and Marvel content. I should really know better – after all, I’ve just caught up on Dopesick, which is also a true crime series based on a book. The Good Mothers is based on Alex Perry’s novel of the same name, which uses real-life events as a backdrop. Sounds good to me. As does the fact that the show took home the Berlinale Series Award at the 73rd Berlinale.
In Italy, no name inspires more terror than that of the ’Ndrangheta mafia family, who’re active throughout Europe, North and South America, Russia and Australia. Belonging to ’Ndrangheta means belonging to the organisation forever, as the power structures of the Calabrian mafia are absolute. Denise (Gaia Girace) learns this firsthand when her mother dares to rebel against the family by testifying against her husband. Shortly afterwards, she’s snatched away before Denise’s very eyes, never to be seen again.
Denise, however, won’t be silenced. When she meets young lawyer Anna Colace (Barbara Chichiarelli), she develops a burgeoning hope of escaping the never-ending vicious cycle of violence and silence. Will their fight to topple the invincible organisation using inside information succeed?
**Release date:**5 April
Where: Disney+ (Star)
Black Adam
It’s been almost half a year since I reviewed Black Adam. While the film didn’t exactly disappoint me (due to my low expectations), it was still «incredibly monotonous» and «simply an action one-size-fits-all». Nothing’s changed since then. Besides the fact that the sequel announced during the film – Black Adam vs. Superman – isn’t going to happen after all, much to the disappointment of Henry Cavill fans.
So what’s Black Adam doing on this list? Well, if your Sky Show subscription includes the Cinema Pass, you’ll be able to watch the film «for free». That way, you’ll be able to decide whether my review hit the nail on the head or whether it’s just the «boring, generic opinion of a mainstream critic» that’s «utterly cheap and in bad taste». Forgive me, 123groba, I couldn’t resist 😇.
**Release date:**5 April
Where: Sky Show with Cinema Pass
BEEF (season 1)
You know when you’re fizzing mad about something and you take it out on people or things that are absolutely nothing to do with why you’re upset? That idiot in the car in front of you who doesn’t hit the gas when the lights turn orange, for instance. As if you had all the time in the world to accommodate their pitiful reaction times. Most likely an Aargau driver (and I’m from Aargau, so I’m allowed to say that).
That’s exactly what happens to failed entrepreneur Danny Cho (Steven Yeun), when, in a blind rage, he picks a fight with successful businesswoman Amy Lau (Ali Wong). This ultimately gets them both involved in a car accident – and that’s just the beginning. In fact, the accident goes on to cause chaos in their lives, careers and relationships, as if life itself turns into an enemy.
Side note: the dramedy series is produced by A24, the independent film studio behind box office hits such as Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Whale (both contenders at this year’s Academy Awards), The Lighthouse and The Green Knight. This considered, BEEF is likely to be worth a watch.
Release date: 6 April
Where: Netflix
HUNGER
«The poor eat to end their hunger. But when you have more than enough to eat, your hunger doesn’t end» says the trailer for Netflix’ latest social issues-based drama. HUNGER follows the story of young Aoy (Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying), who runs her family’s local noodle restaurant. One day, however, she’s invited to leave the family business and join HUNGER, Thailand’s top team of high-end chefs, led by the famously brilliant and notoriously mean head chef Paul (Nopachai Jayanama).
First The Bear, then The Menu, now HUNGER. Seems as though movies and series about the brutally tough restaurant business are popping up like mushrooms right now (no pun intended). But if HUNGER is even remotely as good as the other two Disney+ offerings, we’re in for a real treat.
Release date: 8 April
Where: Netflix
Triangle of Sadness
Three Oscar nominations and a Palme d’Or isn’t a bad haul for a cinematic attack on the rich and beautiful, as the online magazine Filmstarts.de (article in German) so nicely puts it. But the film has clearly left audiences and film critics scratching their heads in bewilderment too. In fact, I’ve heard mixed opinions among the people I know. Time to come to my own conclusions.
So what’s the film about? Carl (Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (Charlbi Dean) are models and influencers, invited on a cruise for the super-rich. When a storm hits, the constantly drunk captain (Woody Harrelson) is out of action, so the ship sinks. The survivors are stranded on a remote island, where the models, crew and billionaire passengers clash once again. In their new surroundings, however, the old hierarchies no longer apply – and the fight for survival can truly begin.
Release date: 13 April
Where: Sky Show with Cinema Pass
Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Once + Always
«It’s morphin’ time!»
And no, not as a Morbius meme this time. The Power Rangers are actually making a comeback – with almost the entire original cast from the 1990s, in fact. That’s David Yost as Blue Ranger Billy, Walter Jones as Black Ranger Zack, Steve Cardenas as Red Ranger Rocky and Catherine Sutherland as Pink Ranger Kat. They’re joined by Karan Ashley, who once played Yellow Ranger Aisha, and Johnny Yong Bosch, who once succeeded Zack as Black Ranger Adam. Painfully absent from the movie is Jason David Frank, who played Green Ranger then White Ranger Tommy Oliver before taking his own life last year.
Nevertheless, Once + Always is the reunion episode the world has been waiting 30 years for. That is, the world that went through childhood between 1993 and 1997. People like me, for example. Seeing my childhood heroes reunited as Power Rangers is bound to bring a tear to my eye.
Release date: 19 April
Where: Netflix
Poker Face (series 1)
Looper, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Knives Out director Rian Johnson isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But I’m a fan. Especially since Johnson is one of Hollywood’s few remaining auteurs i.e. directors who only shoot movies they’ve written themselves. This tends to produce better movies, as writer-directors create a mental picture of the film during the writing process.
His latest project is Poker Face, a classic thriller with a new case every week. Each episode follows a short, self-contained story, with the series as a whole loosely threaded together in the background. In it, Natasha Lyonne plays an amateur detective who can immediately tell when someone’s lying. It’s almost like she has a superpower. Perhaps she does. Or maybe she doesn’t. Either way, she uses her gift to solve numerous crimes.
Release date: 24 April
Where: Sky Show with Entertainment Pass
The Afterparty (series 2)
New series, new afterparty. This time, Detective Danner (Tiffany Haddish) is tasked with solving the murder of a groom-to-be. Other than that, we don’t know a whole lot about the second season’s plot. There isn’t even a trailer yet, which is why I’ve «only» linked the season one trailer here.
What makes this murder mystery series so special? Let me explain with the help of the first season. In series one, pop star, actor and Hollywood star Xavier (Dave Franco) is murdered at a high school reunion. Everyone at the party is a suspect – and it’s up to Detective Danner to discover the culprit. Quite the murder mystery. The appeal of the series is that each episode is told from the perspective of a different character, who remembers things very differently. This change in perspective is reflected stylistically, with each character’s point of view depicted according to a genre that suits them. These range from romantic comedy, to fast-paced action, to dark psychological thriller, to squeaky-clean high school musical à la Glee.
It’s rare to get so many «different» series for the price of one. Apple says this variety will continue, with numerous new genres to come. So I’ve already added season two to my watch list.
Release date: 28 April
Where: Apple TV+
Luca Fontana
Senior Editor
Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.chI'm an outdoorsy guy and enjoy sports that push me to the limit – now that’s what I call comfort zone! But I'm also about curling up in an armchair with books about ugly intrigue and sinister kingkillers. Being an avid cinema-goer, I’ve been known to rave about film scores for hours on end. I’ve always wanted to say: «I am Groot.»
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