Melissa Young and Patricia Karounos Share their picks of must-see TV shows and movies that have them texting up a storm. Trust, you will be too.
We have done it. We’ve reached the end of 2024. And that means pretty much everything and everyone is shutting down until the new year — except the world of film and television. Whether you prefer to spend the holiday season watching back-to-back holiday movies, or prefer to dive into the latest releases hitting our screens, there’s plenty to fill your viewing schedule.
For those who love to go to the theater, there is Baby girl — a Nicole Kidman-led romantic thriller about a CEO who risks everything for a relationship with the scheming intern — and A complete strangerthe musical biopic of Bob Dylan starring Timothée Chalamet. And if you prefer to relax at home, you can check it out Black Pigeonsa British spy thriller starring Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw, or No good deeda new black comedy set in the world of LA real estate from its creator Dead to Me. And perhaps most notable of all? Emmy-winning South Korean series Squid game is finally back with a second season of thrilling edge-of-your-seat storytelling to ring in the year on a strong note. So whether you’re looking for something to watch with the family or an escape from the busy social season, we wish you happy viewing.
Black Pigeons
What’s better than a spy thriller? How about a spy thriller set in London during the holidays starring Keira Knightley? Enter Black Pigeonsa six-episode series that checks all those boxes. Knightley stars as Helen Webb, a devoted mother and wife of a prominent politician. But Helen was actually stealing secrets from her husband throughout their relationship on behalf of the apolitical spy organization Black Doves. Things get even more complicated when the man Helen was having an affair with is murdered, setting off a conspiracy-fueled investigation that puts her job and cover in jeopardy.
All of this makes for a fun, cool house flow, but what really takes the show off the ground is the unique and compelling dynamic between Helen and her longtime boyfriend/hitman Sam (Skyfall‘s Ben Whishaw), who returns to London after a long absence to help keep Helen alive during her research. Whishaw and Knightley have great chemistry, and it’s fascinating to watch them navigate an authentic, true friendship while working very different jobs that don’t exactly value interpersonal relationships. If you like spy stories, this one offers the best of both worlds: a suspenseful mystery and characters you’ll end up caring about.
Where to watch: Netflix
When: December 5th
Watch if you like: Slow horses, Bodyguard
No good deed
No good deed combines a quirky sense of humor, the drama of the real estate industry and the suspense of a whodunit — which is what makes the show perfect for a cozy food watch. The dark comedy is from Liz Feldman, known for the Emmy-nominated series Dead To Meand this latest outing has her trademark sharp wit embedded in every scene. Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow star as empty-nester couple Paul and Lydia, who have decided to sell their family home. To make sure it goes to the right people, they set up a hidden camera to watch her as potential buyers — an all-star cast consisting of actors like Abbi Jacobson (Broad City), Teyonah Parris (WandaVision), OT Fagbenle (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Linda Cardellini (reunited with her Dead to me creator) — browse their home. But, in doing so, Paul and Lydia unknowingly start a chain that results in long-standing secrets and lies being revealed, both their own and those of the people who come to their home.
If No good deed will live up to its astonishingly moving emotional heights Dead To Me (IYKYK) remains to be seen, but fans of the latter will be sure to love this regardless. It’s a hilarious satire of the frustratingly unforgiving real estate market, while also managing to be a heartfelt examination of what “home” really means.
Where to watch: Netflix
When: December 12
Watch if you like: Dead Like Me, The woman at home opposite the girl at the window, Sunset for sale
Smooth
I firmly believe that there should be more rom-coms on TV at all times, hence new streaming series Smooth it immediately shot to the top of my watch list. Starring Stephanie Hsu (known for her role in Everything Everywhere Simultaneouslybut which is always excellent), the series follows Ruby, a woman who discovers that the people she had sex with have started dying in mysterious and unexpected ways. So with the help of AJ’s real life bestie (GirlsZosia Mamet), Ruby sets out to find each of her past relationships to warn them of potential impending danger – and hopefully find a way to move on from the life she currently feels stuck in.
Neither has made it to the screen Smooth yet, but I feel confident that it is in good hands. In addition to Hsu and Mamet, Ruby’s line-up of exes also includes a larger supporting cast that includes Michael Angarano (Wagtail), Finneas O’Connell (yes, as in superstar musician/Billie Eilish’s brother), John Early (Search party), and Chloe Fineman (SNL). It was also created by Nahnatchka Khan, the professional who has worked on acclaimed titles like Don’t trust the B—- in Apartment 23, Fresh off the boatand Always be my Maybewhich I implicitly trust will make another worthy entry into the rom-com genre.
Where to watch: Peacock
When: December 19
Watch if you like: Love, Girls, High fidelity
Baby girl
Yes, the holidays are all about wholesome feasts and families getting together, but honestly, don’t we want a little spice with our ghee? Enter Baby girla gripping thriller from A24 that will make you wonder if being on the naughty list is really where the fun is.
Romi (Nicole Kidman) is a high-profile CEO who has it all—the job, the money, a deadbeat husband (Antonio Banderas), and two kids—but it’s all wrapped up in a tightly controlled, repressive package. So when she begins a cat and mouse relationship with a much younger and definitely hot intern named Samuel (Harris Dickinson), the place of power and peace in the house begins to unravel — all by her choice (or is it?). It is not often that we explore the inner consciousness of a powerful woman who is excited by the idea of it not calling the shots and at a time when we constantly doubt whether the dream of having it all is not only possible but worth pursuing, Baby girl touches on these concerns with a steamy story that will make even Rudolph’s nose blush brighter. Directed by Halina Reijn, the film is the perfect anti-Christmas movie to watch with girlfriends looking for a little extra thrill this holiday season.
Where to watch: Theaters
When: December 25
Watch if you like: 50 Shades of Grey, Fatal attraction
A complete stranger
I love a good biopic, but it’s not always easy to portray a faithful portrayal of a celebrity, especially one who’s still alive and maintains the kind of living legacy that Bob Dylan has. But A complete stranger it does just that with a skilled hand and flawless casting. Directed by James Mangold (who also directed the 2005 Academy Award-winning film Walk The Line), the film celebrates the early part of the singer-songwriter’s journey, from breaking into the industry to disrupting the popular music genre with his then-controversial use of the electric guitar. Dylan’s impact on music history is undeniable and fans will be welcomed A complete strangerundertakes this important period of his life.
What also doesn’t hurt is the stacked cast: Timothée Chalamet stars as Dylan and is joined by Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning, Edward Norton, Boyd Holbrook and Scoot McNairy. Chalamet’s take on Dylan is committed and his own, and it’s even more impressive that the actor sings Dylan classics in the film, which means you’ll have a solid soundtrack to chill out in the New Year.
Where to watch: Theaters
When: December 25
Watch if you like: Walk The Line, Radius, Elvis, Bohemian Rhapsody
Squid game Season 2
It has been more than three years since South Korea’s survival streak Squid game became an international phenomenon. Now, it’s finally time to return to the vicious world of the series.
Honestly, it’s hard to know what to expect from it Squid game Season 2. We know the story picks up about three years after the events of the first season, which chronicled Gi-hun’s (Lee Jung-jae) hard-fought battle through a series of gruesome, deadly contests against hundreds of other people in desperate need of money to win a huge cash prize. Since then, Gi-hun’s entire world has been irrevocably changed by the games, and he has become determined to hunt down the organizers behind the monstrous event. When we rebuild him, his determination has reached new heights and he decides to re-enter the games despite barely surviving the first time. That means a new batch of contestants and, likely, new and familiar spins on children’s games. But what can Gi-hun achieve from the inside? And is it still possible to find “victory” in such a hyper-capitalist world? Let’s find out, shall we?
Where to watch: Netflix
When: December 26
Watch if you like: Squid game season 1, Alice in the Borderlands
Cheesy holiday movies and classic movies
Between the latest streaming series and buzzy box office entries, we’ll also fit in as many holiday movies as possible. Personally, I like to mix my festive looks with classic classics (think Bridget Jones’s Diary and Little Women) and newer, delightfully cheaper fare (see Netflix’s latest additions to the canon, such as Hot Frostyabout a sexy snowman come to life (yeah, we know) and new rom-com Lindsay Lohan covered in sequins Our Little Secret), but there’s definitely something for every mood. It wouldn’t be December without them.
Looking for even more to add to your watchlist? Depart our picks from last month.
Do you like what you see? How about something more R29, here?
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