All Forms of Art

  What happens when society’s most terrifying vulnerability—our digital infrastructure—suddenly collapses?  Netflix ’s political thriller Zero Day dares to explore exactly that. Starring Robert De Niro as former U.S. President George Mullen, alongside Angela Bassett , Lizzy Caplan , Jesse Plemons , and Dan Stevens , this six-part miniseries blends conspiracy, paranoia, and deeply human drama into a story that feels both timely and unsettling. A Premise That Feels Too Possible The series kicks off with a catastrophic cyberattack that leaves the nation in chaos. It’s not just thrilling entertainment—it’s frighteningly plausible. Watching events spiral out of control, you can’t help but ask yourself: could this actually happen? Twists That Keep You Guessing From backroom deals to sudden betrayals, Zero Day is packed with sharp turns. You might think you know where it’s going, but the finale delivers a conclusion that’s both surprising and thought-provoking. Jesse Plemo...

  While I found the pacing of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story slow and, at times, even boring, the show shines in one particular area: its psychological depth.  What kept me engaged wasn’t the storytelling rhythm, but the way it explored two very distinct and haunting personalities under the same roof. Two Sides of the Same Violence The series captures the sharp contrast between Lyle and Erik brilliantly. On one side, we see the volatile, angry, and violent brother—unpredictable but outwardly dominant, always ready to explode. On the other side, there is the insecure, fragile “mouse” of the family—timid, hesitant, almost paralyzed by fear.  Yet, what makes Erik compelling is that under the right conditions, even he can lash out violently, especially when pulled into the orbit of his more aggressive brother. The dynamic between them feels like a nightmare recipe: one commanding, the other submissive, but both carrying destructive potential. The Many Shape...

  When I sat down to watch Bombshell , I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy film. Not because it’s shocking or disturbing in a graphic way, but because it tackles a real-life story that’s deeply uncomfortable: the sexual harassment scandal at Fox News that brought down powerful CEO Roger Ailes. An Amazing Cast Directed by Jay Roach and written by Charles Randolph, Bombshell stars Charlize Theron (executive producer of Mindhunter ) as Megyn Kelly , Nicole Kidman as Gretchen Carlson , and Margot Robbie as Kayla Pospisil (a fictional composite character meant to represent the experiences of many women at Fox). John Lithgow  (Churchill in The Crown ) plays Roger Ailes with unsettling conviction. The cast is stacked with talent, and the performances—especially Theron’s near-transformation into Kelly—are what keep the movie engaging. That said, I personally found the film kind of boring . It’s not a thriller, it’s not flashy, and it doesn’t always dig as deeply into the tox...

  Netflix’s Untamed (2025) is one of the streamer’s most striking original thrillers this year. Combining the intensity of a murder mystery with the breathtaking scenery of Yosemite National Park , the series delivers suspense, atmosphere, and a surprising sense of justice. What Is Untamed About? The story begins with a mysterious death on El Capitan, pulling National Park investigator Kyle Turner,  played by Eric Bana ( Dirty John ), into a complex web of secrets. Alongside fellow investigator Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago), Turner must untangle lies, crimes, and personal demons while navigating the dangers of both nature and human corruption. Performances That Stand Out Eric Bana anchors Untamed with a raw, haunted performance, while Lily Santiago adds empathy and sharpness as Vasquez.  Veteran actor  Sam Neill (you may remember him from Jurassic Park ) brings warmth as Turner’s mentor.  Together, this cast gives the series both gravitas and emotiona...

  If a TV show can be both mesmerizing and agonizing to watch, The Handmaid’s Tale fits that description perfectly. Season 1 is a masterclass in storytelling, production quality, and emotional impact — but it’s not entertainment you consume lightly. It’s the kind of show that leaves you shaken, thinking about the world we live in long after the credits roll. An Uncomfortable Reflection of Today Set in the dystopian society of Gilead, The Handmaid’s Tale, based on Margaret Atwood's novel , imagines a theocratic dictatorship where women’s rights are stripped away in the name of morality and survival.  The frightening part is not just the fiction — it’s how familiar some of the themes feel. Watching, you can’t help but wonder: Are we heading toward a future like this? The show draws parallels to real-world issues: Public executions  are reminiscent of the hangings in countries like Iraq. Female genital mutilation , as seen in the storyline of Emily, played by...

  In Netflix’s Raising Voices , there's a raw, emotionally charged moment when Alma confesses to her mom that something happened the night she disappeared — she was drunk, she had sex, and something didn’t feel right. It’s the kind of moment that many parents dread. But Alma’s mom handled it in a way that deserves attention. She didn’t panic. She didn’t judge. She didn’t lose control. Instead, she met her daughter halfway, which made all the difference. What Happened in the Scene? When Alma opened up to her mom, she wasn’t just confessing — she was testing the waters for safety. Could she trust her mom with the truth? Would she still be loved after saying something shameful, scary, or confusing? Her mom’s response wasn’t perfect — but it was real. She was concerned, but didn’t explode. She asked questions. She listened. She let the moment breathe. Why That Reaction Matters Technically, what Alma described can be considered sexual assault , given her level of intoxication. Bu...

  Punto Nemo , available on Amazon Prime, tries to be a suspenseful, thought-provoking series about environmental urgency. It wants to be deep. But instead of pulling viewers in, it leaves them stranded in shallow waters. The First Question: Is It Really That Bad? At first, I wasn’t sure. The opening episode was messy, yes — confusing timelines, a poorly explained plot, and a tone that couldn’t quite decide if it was thriller, sci-fi, or something else entirely. Still, something about it made me keep watching. It wasn’t good , but it wasn’t unwatchable . So what exactly was wrong? From Confused to Completely Absurd As the episodes progressed, the cracks widened. Once they arrive at a supposedly deserted island, you might recall Lost , but get ready to be disappointed. Storylines started to collapse under their own weight. Characters made strange decisions with no explanation. The plot, already unstable, spiraled into the realm of the ridiculous. By the final episodes, it becam...

  Coralie Fargeat's The Substance is a cinematic tour de force that melds grotesque body horror with a poignant exploration of identity, aging, and self-worth.  Anchored by Demi Moore's fearless performance , the film challenges viewers to confront society's obsession with youth and the lengths to which one might go to reclaim it. A Tale of Duality and Desperation Demi Moore portrays Elisabeth Sparkle, a former Hollywood star turned aerobics host, who faces obsolescence upon being dismissed on her 50th birthday.   In a desperate bid to regain her former glory, she turns to a mysterious substance that allows her to generate a younger, more "perfect" version of herself named Sue, played by Margaret Qualley ( Maid ).   This transformation sets off a harrowing cycle of identity swapping, with each woman allotted seven days in the real world before yielding to the other—a balance that becomes increasingly unsustainable.   Moore's Career-Defining Performance Moo...

  Raising Voices (original title: Ni Una Más ) is the kind of show that initially made me want to stop watching — and then made me glad I didn’t.  Based on the novel by Miguel Sáez Carral , this Spanish Netflix series explores teen life, sexual violence, and the power of speaking out. It's not always subtle, but it's effective.  At First, It Felt Like Too Much The first couple of episodes? Honestly, I didn’t love them. It felt like the writers were trying to cram every possible issue related to sexual assault into one high school. Revenge porn, harassment, grooming, slut-shaming, rape culture — all at once. It was overwhelming. I wasn’t sure where to focus. Instead of building empathy, it felt like the show was going for pure shock value. It was hard to care when everything was dialed up to 100. But then something clicked. Maybe That Chaos Was the Point That disorientation — not knowing exactly what’s wrong, just feeling that something is — turns out to be inten...

  Some movies entertain. Some movies challenge. And then there are movies like The Whale , that just wreck you . Directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Brendan Fraser in what is probably the most heartbreaking performance of his career, The Whale is not easy to watch—but it’s impossible to forget. Based on a play by Samuel D. Hunter (who also wrote the screenplay), the film tells the story of Charlie, a reclusive English teacher who is slowly eating himself to death. Fraser’s performance won him a long-overdue Academy Award for Best Actor, and honestly, it’s no mystery why. His portrayal of Charlie is raw, compassionate, and almost unbearably human. You don’t just watch him—you feel every second of his pain, his hope, his denial, and his deep, desperate love for a daughter he hasn’t seen in years. A Story That Hurts to Watch This might be one of the saddest films I’ve ever seen. It’s not simply sad in a sentimental, tearjerker kind of way—it’s sad in a profoundly existenti...

  There are TV shows, and then there are TV events . Lost , which premiered in 2004, was both — a bold leap into serialized storytelling that changed how we watch, discuss, and even expect television to be. Before Lost , most network shows played it safe. You could tune into an episode of CSI or ER mid-season and still follow the story. Lost didn’t play that game. It demanded attention, loyalty, rewatches, and — perhaps most of all — obsession. The Before and After In many ways, there’s a “before Lost ” and an “after Lost ” when it comes to TV storytelling. Before: mostly procedural, episodic, with mythologies relegated to sci-fi outliers like The X-Files . After: Heroes , Fringe , FlashForward , The Leftovers , Westworld — all shows that owe something to Lost 's serialized DNA. It wasn’t just the story — a plane crash, a mysterious island, and a group of strangers bound by fate — it was how Lost told it. Flashbacks (and later flash-forwards and flash-sideways), philosophical ...

  How Can a 13-Year-Old Commit Murder? What was once an absurd, unthinkable question is the central premise of Adolescence , Netflix ’s latest British drama.  From the first episode, the show grips you with its raw portrayal of youth violence. It pushes us to confront an unsettling reality—children, barely teenagers, are capable of unimaginable acts. But Adolescence does not sensationalize crime; rather, it dissects it , laying bare the complex web of factors that lead to such a moment. It’s Not About the Victim Unlike many crime dramas, Adolescence does not dwell on the victim. Instead, it forces us to ask: Who is the perpetrator? Who is his family? Who are his friends? What kind of environment produces a child capable of killing?  The show wrestles with these haunting questions, exposing the uncomfortable truth that the killer does not come from an easily identifiable “dangerous” background. His family is normal—too normal. This leads us to the most disturbing though...

  Shrinking is a heartfelt comedy-drama series on Apple TV+. It masterfully blends humor with great storytelling.  The show stars Jason Segel as Jimmy Laird, a Los Angeles therapist dealing with the recent loss of his wife. While trying to cope, Jimmy adopts unconventional therapeutic methods. They lead to both humorous and touching outcomes. Harrison Ford delivers a standout performance as Paul Rhoades, Jimmy's mentor. A serious man trying to cope with Parkinson’s disease. The ensemble cast, including Jessica Williams as colleague Gaby Evans, contributes to the show's rich dynamic. They were able to create a "found family" atmosphere that resonates with viewers. Going Deeper The second season delves deeper into the characters' personal and professional lives, exploring the consequences of Jimmy's unorthodox therapy approaches.  The writing is sharp, and the character development is authentic and engaging. The series has been well-received. Its first season ...

  NBC's Timeless blends history, action, and character-driven storytelling into a thrilling time-travel adventure. Despite its premature cancellation, the show delivers an emotionally satisfying conclusion. It proves that even an unfinished journey can leave a lasting impact. Mystery Through Time The story follows historian Lucy Preston (Abigail Spencer), soldier Wyatt Logan (Matt Lanter), and engineer Rufus Carlin (Malcolm Barrett). They chase a mysterious organization, Rittenhouse , through time.  Their mission? To prevent history from being rewritten. They add the moral dilemmas of altering the past to an already difficult task. The show brilliantly balances historical events with sci-fi elements. Its fast-paced, high-stakes storytelling keeps viewers engaged. Great Characters make Great Stories One of Timeless ' greatest strengths lies in its characters. Rufus, in particular, stands out as the relatable everyman. His humor, intelligence, and real fear of the dangers ahead...

  Netflix 's American Primeval is profoundly moving. It immerses viewers in the brutality and beauty of the American frontierving.  The show vividly portrays how harrowing and unforgiving life was during the period when survival was a daily battle against nature, violence, and injustice. Bravery To survive, you couldn't be ordinary. You must be brave, strong, and resourceful. And that's Abish. Her courage and determination were incredibly inspiring, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. She's a testament to the strength it took to endure such a harsh world, and her journey is one of the most memorable aspects of the series. Justice is a strange word The series doesn't shy away from showing the injustice of the era, and while that made it hard to watch at times, it also added a layer of emotional depth that kept me hooked.  Isaac's death hit me especially hard. After all he endured, to see him go like that was heartbreaking. Sara remains a my...

  Arcane is an animated series that has captivated audiences, even those who typically don't gravitate towards animation.  Set in the League of Legends universe, the show delves into the complex relationship between two sisters, Vi and Jinx, amidst the tension between the affluent city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun. The compelling narrative offers a blend of action, political intrigue, and emotional depth that resonates with a broad audience. Simply Art The animation in Arcane is genuinely remarkable. The series employs a unique art style that combines 2D and 3D techniques, resulting in stunning and immersive visuals.  Each frame is meticulously crafted, bringing the world and its characters to life with exceptional detail. This visual artistry enhances the storytelling, making the viewing experience engaging and memorable.  Forget League of Legends and Enjoy Beyond its visual appeal, Arcane excels in character development and writing. The seri...

  10 Inch Hero is a charming mix of comedy and drama that celebrates the value of friendship, love, and being unapologetically yourself. Set in a cozy sandwich shop, the film introduces us to a quirky cast of characters, each navigating their own challenges and desires.  From romantic pursuits to personal growth, every storyline is woven with warmth and humor, creating a delightful viewing experience.  It’s not just a movie about relationships; it’s about finding where you belong. Discovering Gems I stumbled across this film while exploring Jensen Ackles' work, and his role as Priestly is a standout. His comic timing and quirky persona bring both hilarity and heart to the film.  Whenever I appreciate an actor, writer, or director, I love diving into their other projects, and this movie was an absolute treat. The Beauty in Simplicity What makes 10 Inch Hero truly special is its simplicity. It doesn't try to be overly dramatic or groundbreaking but excels in deliveri...

  Mad Men is a masterpiece of television that blends sharp storytelling with striking period detail, offering a reflective glimpse into the 1960s.  The series follows Don Draper and the high-stakes world of Madison Avenue advertising, all while painting a vivid picture of the era's societal norms, especially the rampant sexism and rigid gender roles.  It's both mesmerizing and infuriating, particularly in its honest depiction of how women were treated. Strong Emotions The show’s brilliance lies in its ability to evoke strong emotions—its subtlety, exceptional writing, and rich characters draw you into a world that feels both foreign and disturbingly recent.  The meticulously crafted period aesthetics are complemented by historical undercurrents, from civil rights to cultural shifts, which remain integral yet never overshadow the deeply personal dramas of the characters. Wait For the Impact Mad Men doesn’t rely on flashy plot twists; instead, it uses nuanced storyte...

  Netflix 's Kaos is one of those shows that grabs your attention from the start and keeps you hooked until the very end.  What makes it stand out is how different it feels compared to other series. The show dives into mythology, but not the kind we're used to seeing — no angels, demons, or anything from the usual Christian narratives. Instead, Kaos taps into ancient Greek myths, giving it a fresh and unique vibe we rarely see on TV. That's what I loved the most: it felt like something new and exciting in a world of often predictable shows. You’ll not be waiting for it The best part is that the story is unpredictable. It is full of twists and turns, and the ending leaves you on the edge of your seat.  It wraps up well but still keeps you wondering what's next. It does a great job of teasing a possible second season, which makes me really excited for more. Although it's unclear if there will be a next season just yet, the ending definitely opens the door for one, an...

  After being thoroughly impressed by Antony Starr's performance as the villain Homelander in The Boys , I decided to dive into his earlier work in Banshee . To say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. This show is nothing short of a hidden gem that grips you from the very first episode and refuses to let go. The “Good” Villain At the heart of Banshee is Antony Starr, whose portrayal of the mysterious ex-con posing as the town's sheriff is nothing short of mesmerizing. Starr brings an incredible depth to his character, Lucas Hood, who is as complex as he is captivating.  On the surface, Hood is a rough, violent man with a past steeped in crime, but as the series unfolds, we see the many layers that make up his character. He's haunted by his past and driven by a sense of justice that often puts him at odds with the law. Yet, despite his flaws, he has a surprising capacity for loyalty and love. Mesmerizing Performances Starr's performance is the linchp...