Good films aren't just in theaters; they're also available on streaming platforms and video. Here's a short program for fans of war films, thrillers, or Succession.
Warfare by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza.
A year after Civil War , Alex Garland teamed up with Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza for an ultra-realistic film about modern warfare. In Warfare , the two directors meticulously recreate a mission Mendoza actually experienced: a surveillance operation in Iraq that goes wrong, resulting in several seriously wounded soldiers requiring evacuation under complex conditions. The majority of the action takes place in an Iraqi house occupied by American soldiers. In the first part of the film, the surveillance is carried out calmly, with a sense of monotony and precision. Then the enemy attacks. They are right there, but invisible. Garland and Mendoza's subject matter is not philosophical. The reasons for the war, its causes and consequences, are not addressed. That is not the point: the aim is to offer the viewer an immersion into the reality of the Navy SEALs – leaving it to each individual to form their own opinion on the value of their commitment. You'll be surprised to see familiar faces (Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, and Kit Connor) looking leaner than ever and perfectly believable as US Marines. The attention to detail and authenticity is ever-present, from the language used to the hierarchical structure. But while striving for accuracy and precision, Mendoza and Garland don't forget to deliver a compelling and captivating film, transforming the operation into a gripping thriller without indulging in overly militaristic glorification. Available on Prime Video.
Mountainhead by Jesse Armstrong.
Four billionaire friends reunite at a remote cabin (or rather, a sprawling, ultramodern mountain villa) to spend quality time together. Jeff (Ramy Youssef) made his fortune in AI; Venis (Cory Michael Smith) owns the world's most popular social network; Hugo (Jason Schwartzman) launched a relaxation app (he's the least wealthy of the group, but he's the one hosting); while Randall (Steve Carell) is the angel investor who helped them all get started. Officially, they're all there to relax, but in reality, they each have their own agenda. Hugo is seeking new funding for his app; Venis, whose generative AI system, offered by his social network, is wreaking havoc worldwide, is looking to partner with Jeff; and Randall, secretly battling terminal cancer, is a big believer in Venis's transhumanist projects. Following Succession , Jesse Armstrong stays on familiar ground with this satire of the ultra-rich, portrayed as vulgar, deeply cynical, and malevolent post-adolescents. Constantly comparing themselves to others (and more specifically, comparing the value of their fortunes), they all crave approval and validation. Armstrong brilliantly sets this story in a confined, Agatha Christie-esque setting, while elsewhere, in the off-screen world of television news and online videos (which the characters relentlessly challenge in this post-truth era), the entire world is collapsing solely through their actions. Available on HBO Max.
Ole Christian Madsen's promise.
The sixth installment in the Department Q series (each film can be watched independently), a Danish saga adapted from Jussi Adler-Olsen's bestselling novels, Ole Christian Madsen's film, as its title suggests, perfectly delivers on its promise. All the ingredients of Nordic noir are there: the mysterious murder of a young woman, a small, remote community, a New Age cult, and a mad artist with morbid tastes. Add to that a trio of charismatic detectives with unresolved inner wounds, and Promise undoubtedly becomes the thriller of the summer. A film that makes no pretense of being anything other than what it promises, but which, with its impeccable writing and direction, perfectly fulfills the expected conventions of the genre. Available on DVD, Blu-ray, and VOD.
