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...

  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...

  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 ...

  G20 , now streaming on Prime Video , is a high-octane action thriller that takes viewers back to the adrenaline-fueled films of the 1990s.  Directed by Patricia Riggen, the movie follows U.S. President Danielle Sutton, portrayed by Viola Davis , as she confronts a terrorist siege during the G20 summit in Cape Town. The antagonist, Edward Rutledge (Antony Starr), a former Australian Special Forces operative turned crypto-anarchist, orchestrates the attack, aiming to destabilize global economies through cyber warfare and deepfake technology. Viola Davis: A Commanding Presence Viola Davis delivers a powerhouse performance as President Sutton, seamlessly blending authority, vulnerability, and physical prowess. Her portrayal of a leader and mother navigating a crisis is both compelling and inspiring. Critics have lauded her for bringing gravitas to the role, with Time noting her "commanding presence" and ability to deliver "powerful speeches and impressive physical perform...

  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...

  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...

  A Nearly Normal Family is a Netflix Swedish drama that explores the complexities of familial bonds and moral dilemmas.  From the first episode, the show captivates with its intricate story and well-crafted characters. It is about this seemingly perfect family whose world is turned upside down when their daughter becomes a murder suspect.  This gripping premise sets the stage for a series that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. It questions the nature of truth, loyalty, and justice. Brilliant Performances of Complex Characters The cast delivers stellar performances. Each actor brings a unique depth to their roles.  The parents are characters with a profound emotional range. They struggle between protecting their daughter and confronting the possibility of her guilt. The daughter is both vulnerable and enigmatic. She adds a layer of suspense that drives the series forward.  The dynamic between the family members reaches tremendous authenticity. You can'...

  What would you think if someone got into your house and told you that you need to sacrifice one member of your family or humanity will end? Wait, what? Yes, that’s the premise of Knock at the Cabin . A little girl and her dads are on vacation in a cabin in the middle of nowhere when four people armed with strange weapons appear and say one of them should be sacrificed.  Is this horror? I’ve seen people rebuking the movie, and I get why, but let’s take a minute to think about it. Why do you feel so… well, nothing. When the story starts, it is promising. It is not something you’ve seen a thousand times in other movies, and you can feel the tension. It is an impossible choice to make. Here, the problem starts: it creates expectations. These expectations are not fulfilled. The movie is supposed to be a psychological thriller, but you never feel your heart race. Instead, it is slow and calm; all you see are four lunatics and one guy screaming at them. I believe the other guy is s...

  Finally, here it is, the first Portuguese show on Netflix ! Did I like it? Yes. Am I impartial? No. Glória tells us an intense story of espionage during the Cold War . It is not the kind of synopsis that would make me watch a show, but I gave it a try since it was our first. I was not disappointed. No one is who they claim to be Typical of any good spies’ movies, no one is who they claim to be or who they seem to be. And most characters are entirely aware of that. As a result, there is no safe place, not even inside the family. It builds a whole environment where everyone mistrusts everyone, creating lots of suspense and... It works! After a couple of episodes, I was slightly nervous. Portuguese history as well The plot is clever, and the writers had to do a lot of research, for sure. Elements of the Cold War were well connected with what was happening in Portugal at the time - the dictatorship, the PIDE (political police), the colonial war in Africa. It had an interesting psyc...

  If you knew that an asteroid was about to collide with Earth and annihilate us all… what would you do?  This is the beginning premise of Salvation . It all starts when a brilliant MIT student finds out that the world is about to end. With this discovery, Liam enters a hallucinating race against time. Yet, to have such knowledge is more complicated than it looks. It is not just about how could he save the planet, but also how could he keep going? How to lie to his loved ones? Do they deserve to know? Is it his right to keep them in ignorance? Is it even his choice? How to pretend everything is okay? How to live your everyday life?  The greater good Liam quickly discovers the ugly face of acting in the “greater good” name - deception and treason.  Would you sacrifice half of the world population to save the other half? Would you choose to save everyone or no one at all? Some decisions are impossible to make. That's explored in this show - the characters' psychologica...

  This is not, usually, “my kind of show”. I started watching when I saw the protagonist was Richard Madden. Then, after - I’d say - 20 minutes, it was impossible to stop. Mystery and suspense The show became very popular in the United Kingdom, and that’s not surprising. It is very good. The story is very well conducted, with the right amount of mystery. You have a fantastic conspiracy, despite the cliches emerging in the second half of the season, and it’s breathtaking sometimes. The protagonist, David Budd, is also a fascinating character. It has depth, and a rich background - you always find out something new about him. His professionalism and personal values, and the way he deals with the conflict between those two things put us to think. How far would you go to fulfill your responsibilities, regardless of how you feel about them? Relate and connect Many people might look at the show from a “political perspective”. We can’t deny the political part of it, obviously, but me… I f...

I first saw San Andreas in theaters, and I remember having a blast with it—so much so that I decided to revisit it recently. Even on a rewatch, it holds up as a solid piece of popcorn entertainment. We Love a Good Disaster Disaster movies have always been a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. They let you shut off real-world worries and get swept up in pure spectacle, with larger-than-life scenarios that keep you glued to the screen. San Andreas fits neatly into that tradition, much like The Day After Tomorrow or 2012 , both of which thrive on jaw-dropping destruction and moments that make you catch your breath. The Simple Plot The story itself is simple but effective: after a massive earthquake devastates California, rescue pilot Ray (Dwayne Johnson) sets out on a desperate mission to save his estranged wife, played by Carla Gugino ( Gerald's Game ), and their daughter.  That family focus gives the movie an emotional core that helps balance out all the crumbling skys...

Quarantine 2: Terminal picks up the infection story from the first film but swaps the claustrophobic apartment building for an airplane and an isolated terminal. A routine flight quickly turns into chaos when a passenger suddenly becomes violently ill.  The crew makes an emergency landing, only to realize they’re now trapped inside a quarantined facility as the mysterious rabies-like virus spreads from person to person. Cast and Characters The film stars Mercedes Mason as Jenny, a flight attendant who steps up as the story’s main heroine. Alongside her is Josh Cooke  (also known for Young Sheldon ) as Henry, a biology teacher who seems to know a little too much about the infection.  Mattie Liptak plays George, a young boy traveling alone, who lends the story emotional weight.  Review Here’s the thing about Quarantine 2: Terminal : it’s one of those movies where the synopsis sounds a lot more exciting than what you actually get on screen . The idea ...

Are the animals going mad? Is nature trying to get rid of us? While not a big fan of conspiracy theories, how could I not fall in love with this plot? Season 1 - Impossible to stop watching The show’s premise is somewhat interesting, and the first season fascinated me. I binge-watched all of its episodes in a row.  Although, as I said before, the big conspiracy theory is a bit too much for me, Zoo was a good show and I had a good time watching it. Season 1 - Going Off Tracks The second season, though, was very different… it actually bored me at some point. It had a lot of twists and turns, which is usually good, but in this case, it was, again, a little too far out there. Balance is everything, and writers need to know when to stop. Take the case of Lost , as seasons went by, it felt out of control. The way that Dr. Oz solved the problem annoyed me; it was as rational as it was cold, and I definitely didn’t like it. And Now What? The end of this 2nd season some...

I just finished watching 13 Reasons Why last night, and I still feel something I’m not quite able to put into words. Suicide is a Heavy Topic I had previously read some criticism about the show regarding how negative it could be, how impactful it could be on teenagers, and how inappropriate it was to romanticize the notion of suicide in this manner. Romanticize?! Well, I had only watched one episode when I read all of this, and I was somewhat in agreement. Yes, romanticizing such a thing could never be a good thing; it would tell the victims that these actions were a suitable response to their feelings. However, after watching the entire show, I must admit that I now understand all the concerns, but I saw it from a different perspective. Are Teens Evil? It’s disturbing, I indeed can’t deny it. In my country, we have this saying that I can’t precisely recall right now, but it’s about how children can be cruel sometimes, but when you’re a teenager, the cruelty you ca...

I really enjoy watching horror movies, even when they’re not great, because you either get a good scare or a good laugh. I just like it. So, based on that facet of myself, I decided to watch this movie with my husband. I thought “Hm, this might not be great, but we’ll at least get a laugh!”. I didn’t laugh at all. Quite the opposite!  Jumpy I’m not sure what I think of It Follows , but it definitely got under my nerves. I jumped a couple of times and was pretty tense for most of it. So, it did a pretty good job for a movie in this genre. Of course, I found some flaws or weaknesses with it, some more severe than others, such as, for example, the ending to the movie. It was so abrupt, it seemed as if the tape had just run out or something…  That particular ending has a purpose, though. However, I can’t quite figure out what it might be. Will we perhaps have a second movie?  Do exactly what you shouldn't Speaking of the things I don’t reall...

This book first caught my eye because of its cover — simple, clever, intriguing. The glowing reviews didn’t hurt either, so I went in with fairly high expectations. Unreliable Narrator(s) At the center of the story is a deeply troubled protagonist — an alcoholic woman prone to memory lapses, who shares the narrative with two other women. All three narrators are unreliable in their own way, which adds layers of complexity but also makes it hard to fully trust or connect with them. A Puzzle or Just a Mess? Like any good thriller, The Girl on the Train keeps you guessing. The plot twists and turns, occasionally to the point of disorientation. But that’s part of its charm — it pulls you in, even when you’re not quite sure what you’re holding on to. The characters are all over the place — flawed, messy, sometimes unlikable — but strangely relatable. You may not root for them, but you understand them, which is a testament to the author ’s skill. More Than It Seems, Yet Less Th...

Javier Marías’ The Infatuations ( Los enamoramientos ) is a thought-provoking novel that transcends its title. Though it suggests a romantic tale, the book is much more—an exploration of grief, love, moral ambiguity, and the inner turmoil of human consciousness.  First published in 2011, this literary gem earned the prestigious European Literary Prize , cementing Marías' status as one of Spain’s most intellectually rich authors. A Psychological Journey, Not Just a Plot While the novel begins with an almost voyeuristic interest in a seemingly perfect couple, it quickly evolves into something far deeper. The narrator, María, becomes entangled in their lives after a violent tragedy. As she uncovers a disturbing truth, she confronts a moral dilemma that forces her to reevaluate everything she believed about right, wrong, and her own desires. Marías masterfully portrays María’s internal conflict , capturing the hesitation, fear, and emotional complexity of someone who stumbles up...

James Hankins’ The Prettiest One is a fast-paced psychological thriller that hooks you from the very first page and keeps you guessing until the end.  Known for his gripping suspense novels, Hankins delivers another twist-laden tale that blends mystery, action, and psychological intrigue. If you enjoy stories that challenge memory, identity, and trust, this might just be the book for you. A Chilling Start The novel opens with a chilling premise: a woman wakes up in a strange house with no memory of where she is or how she got there. Bloodied and disoriented, she soon discovers she’s been missing for months. As she pieces together the fragments of her forgotten past, a darker truth begins to emerge—one that threatens her sanity and her life. Hankins dives straight into the action, giving readers a protagonist grappling with memory loss, trauma, and fear. This setup creates immediate intrigue and raises questions that carry the momentum of the story. The Main Character Fell ...