1: The Undoing:
The Undoing is an intriguing thriller miniseries on HBO Max. This show follows Grace Fraser and her son Henry as her husband, Jonathan, is suspected of the murder of Elena Alves, a mother from Henry’s private school. The scandals of upper-class New Yorkers featured in The Undoing cast a gloom over the entire city as the case gains attention. This show has the common “who did it?” plot but with a modern twist. It reminds me of the 2019 movie Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile about Ted Bundy, so any fan of that movie is sure to enjoy The Undoing.
2: The Queen’s Gambit:
The Queen’s Gambit, based on Walter Tevis’ 1983 novel, hit Netflix in mid-October and has since taken off. In its first month alone, the show gained over 62 million views, making it one of Netflix’s most popular miniseries. This coming of age story, set during the Cold War, follows Beth Harmon, an orphan turned chess prodigy, through her journey to becoming the world’s best chess player. The show features themes of feminism, alcoholism, and drug dependence all compiled into a compelling narrative that makes you want to finish it all in one sitting.
3: Clouds:
The name Zach Sobiech probably rings a bell for many Minnesotans. Zach was a singer/songwriter from Lakeland, Minnesota who suffered from Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. His story was recently turned into a movie for Disney Plus. Clouds is based on the book, Fly a Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom’s Small Prayer in a Big Way, written by Laura Sobiech, Zach’s mom. This movie displays the intimacies of Zach’s life during his final months as he struggles with cancer. Zach is an avid singer/songwriter so when he is facing his impending death, Zach sets on a mission to write an album. His song “Clouds” went viral and gained him a lot of popularity not only in Minnesota but nationwide. This inspiring story is definitely a tear-jerker but is worth the watch.
4: Dash and Lily:
This show, a charming romance story between two teenagers, is set during Christmas time in New York City. The story follows Dash and Lily as they correspond through a notebook that was left inside a bookstore. Without ever meeting, they lead each other on different challenges throughout the city, which push them out of their comfort zones. The Christmas setting isn’t integral to the plot, but rather, is a subtle detail that will get you in the holiday spirit. So, I would recommend this show to anyone who is excited about the holidays. With only eight short episodes, Dash and Lily is a quick and fun watch!
5: Shawn Mendes in Wonder:
Netflix’s latest documentary tells the story of Shawn Mendes’ touring life as well as the creation of his most recent album, Wonder. It offers behind the scenes footage of what going on an international tour is really like and explores Shawn’s personal life and struggles. Fans of Mendes will enjoy how this documentary dives into the album making process and shows some of the earlier versions of the songs in Wonder. Shawn Mendes in Wonder has some amazing shots of Mendes’ concerts that make you feel like you are there in the stadium. This is a documentary that all music lovers will enjoy.
