What’s Streaming This Week (8/6 - 8/13)
August 8th, 2023
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE - $19.99 (Sale Only)
Hitting digital after a robust 75-day theatrical exclusive window, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is positioned to be one of the biggest VOD titles of the month. The film has grossed ~$380M domestically and $303M internationally since opening June 2nd in the US. Audiences anxious to see how the film’s cliffhanger ending is resolved will have to wait. The next installment in the trilogy, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, has been delayed indefinitely.
SCARLET - $12.99 (Sale) / $4.99 (Rental)
Pietro Marcello follows up his breakthrough film Martin Eden with this period fable, which weaves together music and fantasy, history and folklore, realist drama and ethereal romance. Starring Juliette Jouan, Raphaël Thiéry, Noémie Lvovsky, and Louis Garrel, the film performed modestly (less than $300k domestic) for Kino Lorber when it released in theaters in June. But it’s well worth seeking out.
THE LAST RIDER - $12.99 (Sale) / $6.99 (Rental)
Another film, this one a documentary, that underperformed in theaters. The Last Rider tells the story of the greatest cycling race in history, the 1989 Tour de France, and how American Greg LeMond faced down betrayal, childhood sexual abuse and death to complete one of the most inspiring comebacks in sports history.
SQUARING THE CIRCLE (THE STORY OF HIPGNOSIS) - $14.99 (Sale) / $6.99 (Rental)
Utopia’s fascinating documentary Squaring the Circle tells the story of the album art design studio, Hipgnosis, who created some of the most iconic album covers of all time. It features interviews with rock legends Paul McCartney, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Noel Gallagher, and many more. A must for music lovers.
THE YOUTUBE EFFECT - $12.99 (Sale) / TBD (Rental)
Directed by Alex Winter (Bill from Bill & Ted) and produced by Gale Anne Hurd, The YouTube Effect is a doc that examines the media sharing platform’s humble beginnings and eventual ubiquity. Distributed by Drafthouse Films, it premiered at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival and has received mostly positive reviews.
August 9th, 2023
ENYS MEN - Hulu
NEON’s Enys Men didn’t break out the way Skinamarink did earlier this year, but it was similarly daring in its anti-narrative boldness. Summing up the film nicely, Adam Scovell, writing for BBC Culture, said that the film was "a perfect, anti-romantic expression of Cornish eeriness." We can’t wait to see what filmmaker Mark Jenkin does next.
August 11th, 2023
ASTEROID CITY - Peacock
Universal/Focus Features continues to fast-track their films to SVOD. This week, it’s Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City, which debuted in theaters less than two months ago. Whatever they’re doing, it must be working for them. Interesting that this film arrives on Peacock before Fast X, which launched in theaters nearly a month earlier.
BEAUTIFUL DISASTER - Hulu
Released in the United States for two nights only, April 12–13, as part of Fathom Events, Beautiful Disaster arrives on Hulu this week. It’s adapted from a novel by Jamie McGuire, who received some considerable criticism and backlash for her far-right statements on social media. Roger Krumble, who brought the world Cruel Intentions, directs.
COBWEB - $14.99 (Sale) / TBD (Rental)
Cobweb comes to PVOD a mere three weeks after its theatrical launch. The answer to future trivia question: ‘Which film dared to open against Barbenheimer?’, Cobweb was so overshadowed, Lionsgate didn’t even report any theatrical grosses. Mixed reviews didn’t help, but here’s hoping audiences give it a shot at home. And it’ll surely be on Starz by Halloween.
THE COMMUNION GIRL - Shudder, AMC+
This Spanish-language (original title: La niña de la comunión) horror film comes directly to Shudder and AMC+ after a brief theatrical run in Spain last year. The plot is described as follows: ‘May, 1987. While returning from a nightclub and after having taken drugs, new girl in town Sara and her friend Rebe find a doll wearing a communion dress. From that moment, their lives will become a living hell.’ We’re SOLD!
HEART OF STONE - Netflix
A Netflix movie starring Gal Gadot…from the director of The Aeronauts (yikes)…does not inspire a ton of confidence. But we’ll watch with open minds and hearts. Every movie is a potential masterpiece!
MEDUSA DELUXE - PVOD (Price TBD)
A24’s Medusa Deluxe has been announced as launching ‘Everywhere’ on August 11th. It is assumed that means digital/VOD, though it’s not yet available for pre-order. We’re hearing initial launch may be for-sale only, with a rental option one week later. Either way, the trailer looks incredibly intriguing. We’re excited for it.
RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE - Prime Video
Red, White & Royal Blue is based on the popular 2019 novel of the same name by Casey McQuiston, and stars Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine as the son of the President of the United States and a British prince, respectively, who fall in love. It’s the feature directorial debut of playwright Matthew Lopez, whose play The Inheritance made a big splash on broadway in 2019. Amazon is promoting the hell out of this one, so we’re hoping it’s a sign of confidence.
Happy streaming everyone!