A mystery lover’s guide to what’s new to streaming this weekend.
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New and Returning Mystery and Thriller Series
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Murder 101
(Prime)
So I’ll just admit right up front I have no intention of watching this show. First of all, there’s no Dick Van Dyke; that’s nobody’s fault, exactly, it’s just a fact. But in case you’re inclined, I did want to let you know what’s out there, and this is a true c rime docu-series that follows a high school class investigating cold case murders. There, that’s it. Make your own decisions, live with the consequences.
The Westies
(MGM+/Prime)
Starring J,K. Simmons and set in 1980s NYC, this might be the urban crime saga you’ve been waiting for that’s not quite a British show but obviously is trying to scratch some of that Peaky Blinders/Gangs of London itch you’ve been feeling. There’s a cop and a gangster and a lot of shifting allegiances and blurred lines to sort through, and some really nice, atmospheric drama playing out here.
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Movie Night
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So for new movies streaming in the crime and thriller space this weekend, the pickings are somewhat slim, but the prime choice is probably leaning toward The Long Walk (HBO Max), based on the Stephen King story and starring Cooper Hoffman, who I’d say is one of the more promising screen talents in the under-25 crowd these days. If you’re searching your memory for which Stephen King terror this is, a quick refresher: it’s the one where they have to walk and walk and walk. It has sort of a Hunger Games feeling to the setup, and sure enough, they went out and got the Hunger Games director for it, Francis Lawrence. Don’t fool yourself going on. This one’s bleak, it’s going to stay bleak, it’s going to keep staying bleak. But Hoffman really is someone you can’t take your eyes off; he makes consistently surprising choices, and his characters always feel more human than you expect.
Plus 5 new additions to the streaming libraries…
Thelma & Louise (1991) (Tubi)
Easy Rider (1969) (Tubi)
Lions for Lambs (2007) (Prime)
Miami Vice (2006) (Prime)
Ex Machina (2014) (Pluto)
