This week, we are sharing a short selection of TV shows that will help brighten up your weekend and help you relax and unwind after a working week.
1. Criminal: United Kingdom
Genre: Crime police drama
Platform: Netflix
Showrunner: Jim Field Smith
Starring: Katherine Kelly, Lee Ingleby, Rochenda Sandall
Duration: 4 episodes of 41-47 minutes
The plot: The Criminal anthology first appeared on the streaming platform in 2019. It includes four separate series filmed in the UK, Germany, Spain and France. They all talk about police officers who interrogate suspects, trying to make criminals admit their wrongdoings.
In 2020, the sequel to the British version – Criminal: United Kingdom – was released, consisting of four episodes. In the second season of the Criminal, the roles of the suspects went to Sophie Okonedo, Game of Thrones star Kit Harington and other popular British actors.
What the critics say: Ready Steady Cut writes that the show is quite simple, nothing distracts the viewer from dialogues and acting, and that's great. Decider calls the Criminal the best example of British acting on Netflix.
2. The Third Day
Genre: Drama mini-series
Platform: HBO
Showrunner: Felix Barrett
Starring: Katherine Waterston, Emily Watson, Jude Law, Naomie Harris
Duration: 6 episodes of 59 minutes
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 74%
The plot: The Third Day is divided into several parts: “Summer”, “Autumn” and “Winter”. In the first episode of “Summer,” Briton Sam (Jude Law) saves a girl from the cruel play of children and takes her to her parents, who live in a mysterious community on the island of Osea. There is almost no connection there, and the only way to get out of the island is along the road, which is continuously flooded.
Due to the next high tide, the road is flooded, and Sam is forced to stay on the island. Meanwhile, the residents of the community begin to prepare for Midsummer, a pagan holiday.
What the critics say: The Independent describes the first part of the series as exciting, but not living up to expectations. On the other hand, Time says that The Third Day is a gripping psychological thriller, featuring yet another great work by Jude Law.
3. The Devil All The Time
Genre: Psychological thriller
Platform: Netflix
Directed by: Antonio Campos
Starring: Tom Holland, Bill Skarsgård, Riley Keough, Robert Pattinson
Duration: 2 hours 18 minutes
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 66%
The plot: The film is based on the novel of the same name by Donald Ray Pollock, which was released in 2011. Soldier Willard Russell returns home from World War II with post-traumatic stress disorder and cannot recover from an incident when he stumbled upon a man crucified alive on a cross. It is hard for the hero to cope with the trauma, and he teaches his son to fight violence with violence, thus he “fights the devil”. Other characters include a pair of assassins, a corrupt sheriff, and a deceitful preacher.
What the critics say: The Wall Street Journal writes that the wonderful cast simply hypnotizes and leaves no chance to get enough of the plot. CNN predicts that the star cast will take the film to the top of Netflix feeds. However, Time believes that the film is boring and shows all human vices by chanting that all people are bad.
