They call February the month of love, but while some think of the perfect date as dining al fresco beneath a moonlit sky, others would argue that an uncapped internet connection, a large screen, and the bevy of content available on Netflix and Showmax this month is all they really need.
Here’s what to watch on South Africa’s streaming services this month.
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Showmax
2 Dope Queens
If you’ve ever wondered what your favourite podcast would be like as a live-action talk show, 2 Dope Queens is your answer.
Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson tackle race, gender dynamics and sex under the veil of comedy, only this time, they’ve recorded more than just the audio.
2 Dope Queens is available on Showmax right now.
The Girl From St Agnes
Image: supplied, Showmax
A complex story set in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands explores racial tensions, family heritage, toxic masculinity, forbidden love, and loneliness in a gripping eight-part miniseries surrounding a school girl’s suspicious death.
It’s Showmax’s second Original series, and first debuted at the end of January, so we are cheating with its inclusion in this month’s list. But honestly, it’s worth a second viewing.
Siren
The fishing village of Bristol Cove is forced to deal with reality when its legends come true, all thanks to the military. Now, two marine biologists are employed to lend empathy to the monster of the deep (who happens to be a really pissed off mermaid).
The show received rave reviews on Rotten Tomatoes thus far, and stars Zimbabwe’s Sibongile Mlambo.
Siren is available on Showmax right now.
The Magicians
Mr. Coldwater returns in season four of the Syfy-supported fantasy series. The series is based on the eponymous works of Lev Grossman and is filmed predominantly in Canada (appropriate name for the protagonist then).
While the first three seasons don’t boast positive reviews, season four is described as “mind-bending” by Rotten Tomatoes.
We’re not sure if the magic pun was deliberate, but bravo either way.
The Magicians is available on Showmax right now.
Sharp Objects
Need another miniseries fix after The Girl From St Agnes? Amy Adams stars once again as a journalist who covers the murder of two girls in her small hometown.
It’s Adam’s first starring role in a small-screen series, supported by Patricia Clarkson (Maze Runner: The Death Cure) and Chris Messina (Argo).
Sharp Objects is available on Showmax right now.
Netflix
The Umbrella Academy
Aren’t you glad that some novels and comics are rather crafted into television series than a gaggle of movies? That’s exactly what’s happening with Gerard Way’s The Umbrella Academy.
The comic-cum-Netflix Original, written by the My Chemical Romance frontman, tells the story of superpower siblings set in an alternate reality.
The Umbrella Academy will scratch that comic superhero itch from 15 February.
Russian Doll
Image: supplied Netflix
Picture a Groundhog Day-inspired flick but if the protagonist was a “young woman named Nadia” and if it was set “at a seemingly inescapable party one night in New York City”. If you can, you have the general premise of Russian Doll.
Amy Poehler (Parks And Recreation) waves her creative wand alongside protagonist Natasha Lyonne (Orange Is The New Black), and director Leslye Headland in this intelligently-titled eight part comedy.
Russian Doll is available on Netflix right now.
Nightflyers
Oh right. It’s February. The month of love and all. So what we really, really need more of is… George R. R. Martin right? Right.
Psychological horror Nightflyers comes from the Game of Thrones creator’s pen and is set in 2093 when humans can travel into deep space, and aliens seemingly hate that idea.
Nightflyers is available on Netflix right now.
Isn’t It Romantic
Netflix’s fourth and final Original for the month of February is probably the most February of all the content on this list.
Isn’t It Romantic stars Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect) whose character ironically hates romantic comedies but wakes up one morning to find herself in… guess what…? A romantic comedy.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to terrorise boo with this particular flick on 14 February, because it’ll release on the 28th instead.
Feature image: Showmax
