With one month left of summer, it’s time to enjoy the best of Netflix’s abundant options. The relaxing of Phase 2 HA rules means cinemas are going back into business, and you can finally make the trek to see what’s on offer: Scarlett Johansson bids a farewell to her iconic character of more than a decade, in Black Widow. Meanwhile Henry Golding makes his action debut in Snake Eyes, of G.I. Joe fame. But for some, it’s still indoors with Netflix as the source for films and entertainment.
Fortunately, Netflix has been gearing up for just this, and their new titles launching in August will keep you hooked; from K-dramas and action thrillers to Singaporean films and documentaries. Tread carefully into the one on Bob Ross, Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed. Focusing on the handling of his estate and the behind-the-scenes of the beloved TV show, the documentary imparts a new insight into one of television’s most iconic figures. Delve deeper into the fight after his death for his painting empire, and the corporate greed that attempted to bank on his love of painting.
However, if you’re looking to cheer yourself up with some practical self-care and a desire to rejuvenate your room or office, Marie Kondo and her magnificent approach to cleaning and tidying in Sparking Joy is here to help. If you hadn’t heard of her ground-breaking Tidying Up, you may well have been living under a rock. Coming back with her Kon Mari method, Kondo aims to bring joy through organising, though this time focusing it on communities, businesses and relationships (and houses!). The series also incorporates Kondo’s home life and family, giving a little glimpse at just what it’s like to live with the method in everyday life.
If you’re hoping to have a thrilling last few weeks of freedom, check out the action-packed Sweet Girl, starring the ever-charming Jason Mamoa. This Pittsburgh-filmed flick will have you on the edge of your seat as he goes from a mourning widower to determined hero—pushing to hold the company that caused his wife’s death responsible.
1 / 8
D.P
An Joon-Ho (Jung Hae-in) is an unremarkable soldier—quiet, serving national service and single-minded. He catches the eye of Sergeant Park Beom-Goo (Kim Sung-Kyun), who is impressed by his observation skills and ability to focus on a mission and transfers him to D.P, also known as Deserter Pursuers. Now tasked with hunting down deserters, An finds his morality tested as he starts to uncover reasons as to why some of them left—and how much the weight of loyalty to service can weigh someone down.
Watch D.P from 5 August
2 / 8
Beckett
What should have been a relaxing holiday in balmy Greece slowly turns into a nightmare for American tourist Beckett. Starring John David Washington, Beckett is accused of causing an accident and finds himself to be the victim of a major manhunt. As authorities close in and political unrest escalates, Beckett falls deeper into the cracks of a conspiracy he might never be able to crawl out of. Also starring Alicia Vikander as Beckett’s girlfriend, April, and filmed on location in Athens, Beckett is a gripping thriller that will leave you relieved for not being able to go on holiday.
Watch Beckett on 13 August
3 / 8
The Chair
Starring the ever wonderful Sandra Oh, The Chair follows Oh as Dr Ji-Yoon Kim, the new head of English at the prestigious Pembroke University. The challenge: she is the first woman to ever do so, and one of few people of colour at the university. As she tries to navigate the difficulties of her position while juggling her home life, she begins to suspect that she was being made into a scapegoat for a failing department. Also starring Jay Duplass, Holland Taylor, Nana Mensah and Everly Carginillia, The Chair promises to be an entertaining, nuanced watch.
Watch The Chair on 20 August
4 / 8
Sweet Girl
There’s no such thing as too much Jason Momoa, is there? Here, he stars as family man Ray Cooper, who swears vengeance against a pharmaceutical company that pulled a life-saving cancer drug from the market just before his wife (Adria Arjona) died from cancer. But as he pursues his quest, a deadly encounter puts Ray and his daughter Rachel (Isabella Merced) in harm’s way, and he must change track to protect the only person he has left. Directed by Brian Andrew Mendoza, Sweet Girl sees Momoa bring his action chops back into the forefront in this suspenseful action flick.
Watch Sweet Girl on 20 August
5 / 8
Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed
A legendary painter, a television show that inspired joy and love for millions, and a behind-the-scenes chasm of betrayal and greed. Bob Ross’ The Joy of Painting was aimed at teaching people of all walks of life how to paint, and has been iconicised in history as one of the most heart-warming shows available. Ross himself has been memorialised in the halls of Internet history for his positive affirmations. (‘We don’t make mistakes; just happy little accidents.’, anyone?) This documentary reveals the darker side of the empire that he spawned, and the greed of the company that took hold of his estate and brand.
Watch Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed on 25 August
6 / 8
He's All That
First, there was Pygmalion; then, there was She’s All That; and finally, we’ve reached He’s All That, starring TikToker Addison Rae as Padgett Sawyer and Tanner Buchanan (of Cobra Kai fame) as Cameron Kweller. Following a humiliating fallout with her boyfriend, Padgett accepts a challenge to transform the school’s least popular boy, Cameron, into the prom king. Whilst there are gender-swapped cliches abound, there are also a few exciting new adjustments. Rachel Leigh Cook, who was Laney Boggs in the original 1999 film, joined as the part of Padgett’s mother. Also look forward to a special cameo appearance by Kourtney Kardashian.
Watch He’s All That on 27 August
7 / 8
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
At a crossroads in her life, dentist Yoon Hye-Jin (Shin Min-A) decides to break away from the rat race and move to a quiet seaside town. There, she encounters Hong Du-Sik (Kim Sun-Ho), a man with a strange position in the town. Other residents call him Chief Hong, yet he is officially unemployed, and whenever anyone needs any help around town, he is the first person to appear and provide it. With writer Sha Ha Eun (the brains behind Oh My Ghost and The Crowned Clown) behind the wheel of this project, and the striking chemistry between Shin and Kim, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha looks to be the perfect summer romance.
Watch Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha on 28 August
8 / 8
Sparking Joy
Marie Kondo is back and better than ever before. When she’s not helping people transform their lives and homes with her books and talks, she’s back with Netflix for an all new season of Sparking Joy. This time, however, she’s not just tidying people’s homes; in this new season, she takes her work a step further. Kondo helps three businesses organise their workplace, alongside transforming the personal lives of their employees. In addition, viewers will be able to step into Kondo’s home to meet her family. With plenty of tips and advice abound, if you’ve been meaning to figure out how to sort through your belongings, this is the show to watch.
Watch Sparking Joy on 31st August
