Q Wave’s Watchlist: January 2024
"There's nothing to watch" is not a phrase that should exist in a world drowning in content. Join us every month to get curated content - from the latest and greatest to revisiting oldies - we'll help you avoid the dreaded “Netflix Block” and find something to watch!
The Brothers Sun (Netflix)
Michelle Yeoh returns to the screen, packing a punch in Netflix’s upcoming series, The Brothers Sun. Fresh off her Oscar-winning multiverse adventure in Everything Everywhere All at Once, Yeoh takes center stage in this comedic drama that serves up a twist of family tensions.
The Brothers Sun trails a family split across continents, torn apart by their ties to Taipei’s underworld. In Taiwan, Charles Sun, the eldest son and a feared assassin, partners with his father. When tragedy strikes and their patriarch falls, Charles faces a daunting choice - relocating to Los Angeles to safeguard his mother, Eileen (portrayed by Michelle Yeoh), and younger brother, Bruce. While Eileen navigates the family’s business with her own hidden truths, Bruce remains oblivious to their criminal ties. With skilled assassins closing in, the family must confront their conflicts to survive.
This series blends humour and familial dynamics and marks the latest collaboration between Brad Falchuk and Byron Wu. Known for his work alongside Ryan Murphy on hits like American Horror Story and Glee, Falchuk ventures into solo territory with Netflix for the first time.
The Brothers Sun premieres on Netflix on January 4th.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: Rogue One, Dune
Runtime: 134 minutes
Genre: Science fiction
Role Play (Amazon Prime)
Kaley Cuoco, known for her comedic roles in shows like The Big Bang Theory, has shifted gears towards darker humour with recent projects such as The Flight Attendant and the satirical Based on a True Story. Her newest venture, Role Play, continues this trend.
The film follows Emma (played by Cuoco), seemingly living an ideal life in suburban New Jersey with her husband David (David Oyelowo) and their two children. Unbeknownst to her family, Emma leads a secret double life as a lethal international assassin.
Emma’s carefully constructed facade starts to unravel when she and David decide to inject some excitement into their marriage through role-playing – pretending to be strangers meeting at an upscale bar. Their evening takes a dangerous turn when they encounter a mysterious stranger (Bill Nighy) who possesses unsettling knowledge about Emma. Soon, her covert identity is exposed, attracting criminals and law enforcement, including the determined Gwen Carver (Connie Nielsen). Despite the scary situation, David is unwavering in his mission to save his wife and salvage their marriage, even if it means risking his life.
Cuoco pulls double duty as she produces the film in addition to starring.
Role Play will be available on Prime Video on January 12th.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: Killing Eve, Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Runtime: 100 minutes
Genre: Action, thriller
True Detective: Night Country (Crave)
A decade after its gripping debut, True Detective returns with Season 4: Night Country. This crime anthology series, renowned for its unconventional storytelling and rich character tapestries, has earned a trove of awards and heaps of critical praise. With each season introducing a fresh cast and plot, anticipation brews over what mysteries this new chapter will unveil.
Ennis, Alaska, trapped in perpetual darkness for weeks during “the long night,” forms the backdrop for this season’s chilling saga. When a group of men vanishes from the Tsalal Arctic Research Station, leaving only their shoes, Detective Liz Danvers (portrayed by the iconic Jodie Foster) insists on treating it as a crime scene. Teaming up with Detective Evangeline Navarro, they plunge into the puzzle of the missing men.
Echoing the mystique of Sherlock Holmes tales, True Detective challenges the boundaries between the natural and supernatural, forcing us to question the practical explanations for its enigmatic cases.
Ennis, Alaska’s “long night” sets the stage, blurring the lines between reality and the unexplained, promising a season of True Detective that delves deeper into the eerie unknown.
The new season of True Detective debuts on January 14th.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: The Night Of, The Outsider
Runtime: 6 episodes
Genre: Crime, drama
Echo (Disney Plus)
Marvel Studios introduces Marvel Spotlight, a new banner dedicated to launching select TV series and movies set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Departing from the cosmic and multiversal scope, these shows delve into character-driven, gritty tales set in the MCU’s realistic realm.
Kicking off under the Spotlight is “Echo,” spun from the acclaimed “Hawkeye” limited series. Alaqua Cox takes center stage as Maya Lopez, entangled in the aftermath of her association with the infamous Wilson Fisk (played by Vincent D’Onofrio). As Kingpin pursues his vendetta, Maya confronts her past, reconnects with her Native American heritage, and embraces family and community values to forge a path forward.
Drawing inspiration from the 1971 anthology comic series “Spotlight,” Marvel Spotlight pays tribute to Marvel’s iconic characters like Ghost Rider and Spider-Woman. Marvel Studios’ Head of Streaming, Brad Winterbaum, emphasizes its departure from grandiose storytelling, offering a more grounded, “street level” narrative.
Alaqua Cox, a newcomer from the Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin, captivates as Maya Lopez/Echo. Her groundbreaking casting and remarkable performance in “Hawkeye” generated widespread acclaim, propelling anticipation for her pioneering lead role in the Echo series.
Echo premieres January 10th on Disney Plus.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: Daredevil, The Punisher
Runtime: 5 episodes
Genre: Superhero
Masters of the Air (Apple TV+)
While the silver screen has seen its fair share of remarkable World War II stories, television hasn’t often ventured into that era. Now, Austin Butler, fresh off his Oscar win for Elvis, steps out of his blue suede shoes to soar through the wartime skies in Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air.
Adapted from Donald L. Miller’s book, Masters of the Air chronicles the real-life saga of the 100th Bomb Group, famously known as the “Bloody Hundredth.” This series delves into their perilous bombing missions over Nazi Germany, braving chilling altitudes, oxygen scarcity, and the harrowing realities of aerial combat at 25,000 feet.
The show delves into the mental and emotional trials faced by these young men, pivotal in dismantling Hitler’s Third Reich. Some were captured or downed, others wounded or lost their lives, and a fortunate few returned home. Each paid a profound personal price, regardless of their fate.
Even though television rarely treads on World War II territory, the notable exception is Band of Brothers, the esteemed 2001 miniseries crafted by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks - a genre classic. The involvement of this duo as executive producers bodes well for Masters of the Air’s potential.
Masters of the Air premieres on Apple TV+ on January 26 with two episodes, followed by new episodes every Friday.
You'd like this if you enjoyed: Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers
Runtime: 9 episodes
Genre: War, drama