Pick of the week
Painkiller
The US opioid catastrophe has proved irresistible to makers of drama and documentary alike – it’s such a hellishly perfect metaphor for capitalism at its most predatory. This latest telling stars Matthew Broderick as Richard Sackler, the man behind OxyContin, arguably the most dangerous substance ever to be presented as a solution to the problems of vulnerable people. Broderick plays Sackler with dead-eyed detachment; equally impressive is Uzo Aduba as Edie Flowers, an uncompromising investigator probing Sackler’s company Purdue Pharma. The series is at its best when it pinpoints that the true evil of OxyContin lies in its blurring of what should be a sacrosanct line between public health and marketing.
Netflix, from Thursday 10 August
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Only Murders in the Building
As this gleefully meta true crime podcast satire returns, we’re back in the theatre where, as season two concluded, Paul Rudd’s actor Ben Glenroy was having a terrible first night. Who wanted him dead? Clearly a job for Charles, Mabel and Oliver, who must dig into the backstage dynamics of a Broadway show. In truth, the concept is starting to drag a touch, but it’s still full of fun performances from the likes of Selena Gomez and Steve Martin. This season also boasts a guest turn from Meryl Streep who plays, rather charmingly, a struggling and nervous auditioning actor desperate for a big break.
Disney+, from Tuesday 8 August
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Zombieverse
A barmy “reality” series involving South Korean celebrities tangling with the undead. The construct is slippery – the show is simultaneously performed and unscripted while the absurd premise is treated, as it must be, with the utmost seriousness. After a zombie outbreak, celebrity “survivors” must work together to locate food, water and shelter. All the while, zombies circle (the art team behind coming-of-age zombiefest All of Us Are Dead are involved) and anyone who is bitten is eliminated. As ludicrous as it sounds.
Netflix, from Tuesday 8 August
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Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop
As this documentary points out straight away, “women are crushing it in hip-hop right now”. But this hasn’t always been the case – in fact, when the likes of Queen Latifah and Roxanne Shanté first arrived on the scene, they were seen as outliers at best and novelty acts at worst. Latifah is front and centre in this documentary which sees her feature alongside MC Lyte, Da Brat, Tierra Whack and many more. There’ll be misgivings about absentees however – with no sign of, among others, Missy Elliott and Nicki Minaj, how definitive can this claim to be?
Netflix, from Wednesday 9 August
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Strange Planet
“The bad moments will pass. Even the good moments will pass. That’s what our existence is all about.” This quirky, slightly melancholic adult animation (from the makers of Rick and Morty) promises some existential wisdom alongside its cartoonish comedy. It’s based on the graphic novel by Nathan W Pyle and features blue-ish, shapeless yet oddly expressive blob-humanoids having a range of alternately mundane and exciting adventures on a planet not completely unlike our own. An excellent voice cast includes Tunde Adebimpe and Hacks star Hannah Einbinder.
Apple TV+, from Wednesday 9 August
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The Case Against Cosby
This powerful two-parter explores the crimes of Bill Cosby, mainly via the perspectives of the women he abused. Importantly, it also explores their subsequent recoveries, often while working with trauma specialist Gabor Maté. Cosby was as dedicated to his grooming as he was to his career development: he spent months insinuating himself into the lives of his targets, using his fame, charisma and influence to court both women and their families. The perspectives of the likes of survivor Andrea Constand are an incredibly valuable testament to the value of speaking out.
ITVX, from Wednesday 9 August
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Down for Love
One of the more heartening TV trends of recent years has been the increasing willingness to acknowledge the emotional needs of people with disabilities. C4’s The Undateables arguably started this trend while Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum followed a group of people with autism as they looked for love. This series tracks the escapades of a group of New Zealanders with Down’s syndrome. It’s a feelgood affair, with friends, family members and dating experts offering advice to excited candidates who in some cases are going on their very first dates.
Netflix, from Friday 11 August
