Streaming Wars is a weekly opinion column by IGN’s Streaming Editor, Amelia Emberwing. Check out the previous entry, I Hope Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender Gets A Chance To Be Better.
I spent a lot of time this week trying to think of what this column entry should be about. Then, after a bit, that shifted to wondering what the barrier was. There’s no shortage of distractions so far as world events are concerned, and another eight months of political buffoonery was on the forefront of my mind. But, I eventually realized that it was less about the state of things and more about choice overload bias. (The freeze that comes with too many options.)
And so, with that in mind, I’m going to give you a little watchlist. It’s not curated in the sense that any of the individual pieces make up a whole, it’s just what I’m watching right now and think you should too. Some of it’s currently airing! Other entries are connected to the looming Oscar ceremony. Join me on my little mini-adventure of recommendations.
Shōgun on Hulu
What a beautifully intricate series Shōgun has been. I know historical dramas can be a tough sell for some, but Shōgun is rich in a way that many other shows — historical dramas or otherwise — could only dream of being. The absolute legend that is Hiroyuki Sanada stars in and produces the series, and fought to illustrate a truly authentic Japan, include Japanese crew, and showcase Japanese actors.
So far, the show has been rooted not just in the domestic issues daimyo Yoshii Toranaga and his loyalists face, but the threat posed to all of Japan by Christian colonialism. Somehow, throughout all of that, pirate-turned-hostage John Blackthorn (Cosmo Jarvis) may be the key to saving Toranaga and his camp. (Though some of that camp may not be as loyal as they appear…)
Abbott Elementary on Hulu
No judgment if you’re not on the Abbott Elementary train yet, but I also highly recommend that you get on board with the best sitcom currently on the air. Season 3 hasn’t missed a step, and the supersized 2024 premiere basically gave us an extra episode on the front end. We’re still early on in the season, but shaking up the show’s traditional pairings has worked well for the Abbott crew — a sentiment many sitcoms fail to earn when they try the same. Jacob (Chris Perfetti) and Gregory’s (Tyler James Williams) growing bromance is of particular note this season, and Josh Segarra’s Manny has been a wonderful new addition to the series.
Poor Things on Hulu (March 7)
Both Oscar-nominated films on this list are in contention for my favorite movie of 2023, but Poor Things just happens to be first. A contemporary Frankenstein riff that would make Mary Shelley proud in a million different ways, Poor Things is constantly stunning and endlessly charming. Emma Stone is both thrilling and relatable as Bella Baxter challenges her way through the men in her life. And, not for nothing, the movie is hilarious. “I must go punch that baby” never fails to make me cackle.
Not Dead Yet on Hulu
Not Dead Yet is the only series in Hulu’s history to make me glad for the fact that the streaming platform just starts playing something else after the show you actually chose to watch ends. Gina Rodriguez stars as Nell, a journalist-turned-obituary writer who sees dead people. Somehow, the “sees dead people” bit isn’t even the most interesting part of the show. Instead, it’s used to elevate — and often complicate — Nell’s relationships with those around her. It’s a silly and often thoughtful sitcom that I’m always happy to find a new episode of.
American Fiction (Rent or buy on digital)
I rarely get to go into films completely blind, so American Fiction started off as a treat from the beginning. The movie is Jeffrey Wright at his absolute best — a high bar for an already incredible actor. I don’t want to give you too many plot details, because while it isn’t a film that necessitates going in blind, my experience was better for it and I hope yours will be too. But American Fiction hits the perfect balance between funny and real as it challenges stereotypes, niceties, and misconceptions about how we consume and what we expect from Black art and the artists that create it.
Hazbin Hotel on Prime Video
I’m going to be real with you right now, I literally have no idea how many times I’ve rewatched Hazbin Hotel at this point, and the number of times I have listened to the soundtrack is probably alarming to people who might label themselves as “normal.” But, thankfully, I’m utterly shameless about the things that bring me joy and I will continue to write about this show until my boss forces me to stop. (Hi Scott, please don’t delete this entry! Ok, thank you, byeee!)
I could tell you what Hazbin Hotel is about, or I could tell you that there’s only one season so far, it’s only eight episodes, and they’re all less than 25 minutes long. It’s the easiest binge ever! Ok, I’ll also tell you that it’s about Charlie, the Princess of Hell, trying to help demons be better so they can ascend to heaven and not be slaughtered by the angels’ annual purge. And it’s a musical. And it’s great. Go turn it on now. Do it for Niffty.
