What to watch
FRIDAY
Jan. 14, 2022
All times Central. Start times can vary based on cable/satellite provider. Confirm times on your on-screen guide.
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Apple TV+ Feature Film Exclusive
Writer/director Joel Coen (sans his brother Ethan, marking the first time that one of the famous filmmaking siblings has directed a movie without the other’s involvement) adapts Shakespeare’s classic tale of murder, madness, ambition and wrathful cunning, Macbeth. Denzel Washington stars as the titular lord, who takes extreme measures to become the king of Scotland after the prophecies of three witches and the urging of his wife, Lady Macbeth (played by Joel’s wife and frequent Coen brothers collaborator Frances McDormand, who is also a producer here). The film debuted to strongly positive reviews at the New York Film Festival in September before its limited theatrical release in late December.
Sex Appeal
Hulu Original Film
Avery Hansen-White doesn’t do things she isn’t excellent at. So when her long-distance boyfriend hints at wanting to take their relationship to the next level, she sets out to master her sexuality, employing her oldest friend, Larson, as a test subject. In this hilarious teen comedy, Avery’s study results in the realization that there’s more to sex and love than mechanics. Relationships require both head and heart. Stars Mika Abdalla, Jake Short, Mason Versaw, Paris Jackson, Margaret Cho, Fortune Feimster, Rebecca Henderson, Tate Hanyok, Hayden Szeto and Artemis Pebdani.
After Life
Netflix Season Premiere
In the third and final season of creator/ writer/director/star Ricky Gervais’ dark comedy/drama, while Tony (Gervais) is no longer quite so aggressively grouchy about life, he continues to struggle to fill the void left behind by his late wife. All episodes are available today.
The House
Netflix Original Film
Some of the leading voices in independent stop-motion animation — Emma de Swaef and Marc Roels, Niki Lindroth von Bahr and Paloma Baeza — direct the trio of surreal tales in this eccentric dark-comedy anthology about a house and the individuals who have made it their home.
The Expanse
Prime Video Series Finale
The sixth and final season (at least on Prime Video) of this sci-fi fan favorite comes to a close. But is this really the end for The Expanse, which has proven its adaptability to exist across various media and in its TV form has already come back from cancellation once when it moved from linear cable to streaming? Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck — authors of the original Expanse novels (under the pen name James S.A. Corey) and writers on the series — told the Polygon.com website in December that they consider Season 6 more of a pause versus a cancellation. “Alcon [Entertainment, the show’s production company] is very committed to [The Expanse],” Franck said. “They have lots of plans. We’ll see what happens after that. But we will have a satisfying story to the TV arc in the sixth season.”
Ray Donovan: The Movie
Showtime, 8 p.m. Original Film
Ray Donovan fans unhappy about the surprising cancellation after Season 7 should get some closure from this movie. It picks up where Season 7 left off. “I let the wolf in,” Ray (Liev Schreiber) tells his therapist after confessing he’s done something bad. Ray is trying to find Mickey (Jon Voight) before he causes more carnage. The present-day fallout from the Donovan/Sullivan feud and Ray and Mickey’s origin story will also be explored. Original cast members reprising their roles include Eddie Marsan, Dash Mihok, Pooch Hall and Kerris Dorsey.
Reno My Rental
HGTV, 9 p.m. New Series
This new series follows reigning Design Star: Next Gen champion, interior designer and social media influencer Carmeon Hamilton as she helps renters make their place feel like home. During the six-episode series, set in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, Carmeon gives renters a major style upgrade that turns their bland backdrops into unforgettable homes — all without compromising the property’s structure.