Five things for you to watch this weekend
ZERO —
A short, sharp but effective addition to the teen superhero genre that’s focused on the alltoo-ignored Italian-African immigrant experience and culture. When a young dreamer in Milan discovers that he has the ability to make himself invisible, he’s forced to put aside his dreams of becoming an artist and use his powers to protect his fragile but vibrant community.
NETFLIX NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS SHOWMAX
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Director Eliza Hittman’s carefully and empathetically observed drama examines the big hot potato issue of the right to choose through a small, relatable story of a pair of Pennsylvania teenage girls who take a trip to New York to look for an abortion. It’s a small, thoughtful gem of an indie film that features excellent performances and offers a keen sense of the reality of life for many women in the US, where this is still such a divisive and delicate subject.
DAMSEL — SHOWMAX
Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska star in this slow-paced but gently humorous and often smart reinvigoration of the traditional western. It’s a decidedly feminist-centred adventure following the trials and tribulations of one young affluent pioneer’s journey across the frontier to get back and marry the woman he loves.
SYNCHRONIC — NETFLIX From cult sci-fi directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead comes this B-movie mindbender starring Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan as a pair of New Orleans paramedics whose lives are upended after they begin to investigate a series of mysterious cases involving a drug that gives its users the power to time-travel. It’s sometimes a little preposterous and heavily daubed with the influence of Philip K Dick but it’s engaging and just smart enough to keep you guessing for the duration.
MY LOVE NETFLIX
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A six-part docuseries that tells the stories of enduring relationships between couples from around the world. Its characters are hard to resist and, while it may occasionally slip into schmaltzy sentimentalism, overall it’ sa heart-warming and endearing testament to the nice enough idea that true love does exist.