Antony Starr in The Boys (Photo: Amazon Studios); Charlotte Hope in The Spanish Princess (Photo: Starz); T’Nia Miller in The Haunting Of Bly Manor (Photo: Eike Schroter)
Not long after quarantine began, The A.V. Club shared the music, films, and TV shows that were getting us through the pandemic-prompted lockdowns in the hopes of helping our readers weather the new socially distanced normal. Eight months, a new president-elect, and a couple new streaming services later, we’re all especially adept at group-watches with family and friends. That’s why, for this edition of the Thanksgiving streaming guide, The A.V. Club is serving up the shows that are best when shared with others. You’ll find familiar titles, self-propagating franchises, and something to take the edge off your recent Crown binge.
The Haunting Of Bly Manor
What’s a more satisfying communal experience than getting scared together? is the second season of Netflix’s now-anthology series (following 2018’s hit ), and the brand-new story has created even more opportunities for anxious viewers to watch the screen through the cracks in their fingers. Taking place in 1987 just outside London, The Haunting Of Bly Manor follows a young au pair named Dani (You’s Victoria Pedretti) as she takes a post at the titular location, watching over two young children who have recently suffered the loss of both their parents and the previous nanny (Tahirah Sharif). Very soon, things start to go bump in the night—none more so than the mysterious man (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) who Dani catches glimpses of just outside the manor. The series is loosely based on the works of Henry James (especially his classic novel The Turn Of The Screw), and there’s much here that goes beyond a typical jump-scare delivery system, with old-school plotting that examines loss, trauma, and repressed desire—all the classic hallmarks of a good, psychologically based ghost story. [Alex McLevy]You can stream The Haunting Of Bly Manor on Netflix.
I know they ain’t related, but every time I see it, The Boys, I’m like:The boys, the boys! A dog from the house of Capulet moves me. What can I say? I’m a sucker for love.
While I like the Boys as well, when you’re talking about family get togethers ,I’d include the show I just binged 2 seasons of, The Umbrella Academy. All about family .
I haven’t watched it in several years but that Sopranos clip makes me miss James Gandolfini as an actor in that series, and also for all his talent gone too soon.
This year watching festive favourites while I cannot see any of my family members is hurting a lot, so I will be avoiding them all and watching films from directors that fit the current mood better, as Antonioni, Wenders or Fassbinder.
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I know they ain’t related, but every time I see it, The Boys, I’m like:The boys, the boys! A dog from the house of Capulet moves me. What can I say? I’m a sucker for love.
I am inclined to think of volleyball in Top Gun and ‘Playing with the Boys”.
Wolf Hall instead of the Spanish Princess.
Mo MST3K turkey marathon???? Freakin Communists.
While I like the Boys as well, when you’re talking about family get togethers ,I’d include the show I just binged 2 seasons of, The Umbrella Academy. All about family .
I haven’t watched it in several years but that Sopranos clip makes me miss James Gandolfini as an actor in that series, and also for all his talent gone too soon.
This year watching festive favourites while I cannot see any of my family members is hurting a lot, so I will be avoiding them all and watching films from directors that fit the current mood better, as Antonioni, Wenders or Fassbinder.
I like “The Boys” but that is definitely NOT a family watch show.