Our top picks from Netflix, Stan, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.
We could all use a little break from reality right now and with at least another few weeks of hard lockdown to go, one of the best ways to get away from everything is by living vicariously through onscreen characters. In the age of streaming, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to finding something to watch, so we’ve sussed out what’s coming to Netflix, Stan, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video in September and gathered our top picks to help you choose what to binge next, no matter your platform of choice.
Netflix
My Octopus Teacher
Diving in a South African kelp forest, a filmmaker develops an unusual friendship with an octopus which begins to impact his life in unexpected ways, in and out of the water. The synopsis of My Octopus Teacher may sound like the premise of an indie film or cartoon series, however, this real-life tale unravels in the form of a documentary exploring one man’s connection with a wild animal and how it alters his perspective on the world and its inhabitants – human and animal.
It comes to Netflix on Wednesday September 2.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things
Based on Ian Reid’s novel of the same name, I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a total mindfuck. Starring Jessie Buckley, Jesse Plemons and Toni Collette, this independent psychological thriller follows a young woman on a trip to meet her boyfriend’s parents at their farm. After a snowstorm hits, she finds herself trapped and things begin to unravel, causing her to question everything she thought she knew about herself, her boyfriend and the world.
It comes to Netflix on Friday September 4.
The Social Dilemma
The levels of convenience and connection we have become accustomed to through the advent of digital platforms and technology have altered the frameworks of society and how we interact with others, but what are the consequences of our increasing reliance on social media? The Social Dilemma unpacks the ways in which social media is reprogramming civilization through the insights of Silicon Valley insiders to expose the potential threat these platforms, and our dependence on them, pose. It’s like Black Mirror as a documentary.
It comes to Netflix on Wednesday September 9.
Chef’s Table: BBQ
The art of barbeque, we Aussies know it well, but this docuseries looks beyond our humble backyard barbie to the best BBQ pitmasters from around the world, spanning Austalia, Mexico and the United States. Returning for its sixth iteration, the Emmy-nominated series will take you to Texas, Mexico, South Carolina and Sydney to hear from four barbeque pros who harness the forces of fire and smoke in the name of good food.
It hits Netflix on Wednesday September 2.
Stan
Mapplethorpe
A snapshot of New York’s underground music, art and BDSM scenes across the ’70s and ’80s, Mapplethorpe documents the rise of one of the most groundbreaking artists of the 20th century. Starring Matt Smith, the film follows Mapplethorpe’s life from his days living in Chelsea Hotel with Patti Smith (Marianne Rendon) to his tragically untimely death in the late 1980s. If you enjoyed reading Smith’s take on her friendship with the acclaimed photographer as they explored their creativity and sought fame together in Just Kids, this film is worth a watch.
It comes to Stan on Tuesday September 1.
Love Fraud
For two decades, conman Richard Scott Smith tricked countless women who thought they’d found love out of their money and dignity. After the justice system failed to bring him down, they banded together online to take matters into their own hands, with the help of a bounty hunter. Playing out in real-time, Love Fraud follows his victims in their search for the man that wronged them to finally get their revenge. It’s like a suspense-filled trifecta of Dirty John meets Don’t Fuck With Cats meets Catfish. Buckle up, it’s going to be a hell of a ride.
It premieres on Stan on Sunday August 30 with new episodes weekly throughout September.
Natural World: Hippos – Africa’s River Giants
Narrated by David Attenborough, Natural World: Hippos – Africa’s River Giants reveals the true nature of the hippopotamus through observing the aquatic mammals as they face predators and drought. Utterly dependent on water, despite not being able to swim, and hardwired to protect their family, this documentary will give you a soft spot for these precious river giants.
It comes to Stan on Saturday September 5.
The Comey Rule
Based on former FBI Director James Comey’s best selling book A Higher Loyalty, as well as over a year of interviews, The Comey Rule is a behind the headlines look at America’s divisive 2016 election. A deep-dive into everything from the FBI’s inquiry into Hillary Clinton’s emails to the Russia investigation, as well as the aftermath of Trump’s election, this two-part miniseries is a tense tale fuelled by power and lies, amplified by Brendan Gleeson’s uncanny Trump impersonation.
It comes to Stan on Thursday September 27.
Disney+
Mulan
Disney’s live-action remake of its beloved 1998 animated film Mulan, based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, is finally coming to our screens after multiple delays. Instead of premiering in cinemas as originally planned pre-COVID-19, Mulan will drop via Disney+ in September. There is one caveat, however. The streaming service will charge $42 to stream the film – on top of what you pay for your Disney+ subscription – but, bearing in mind what you’d pay at the cinema for tickets and snacks, and the fact that your whole household can gather around the screen to watch for one fixed price, it’s really not that extortionate. Or, at least, that’s what you can tell yourself as you fork out almost $50 to watch a kid’s movie on your laptop…
It comes to Disney+ on Friday September 4.
Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Produced by National Geographic, Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an all-access pass to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Epcot’s SeaBase aquarium. The eight-part docuseries features incredible footage, courtesy of cutting-edge custom-built cameras and technology which allows you to get up close and personal with an array of species. With commentary from biologists, veterinarians and animal-care experts, this is a must-watch for animal-lovers.
It comes to Disney+ on Friday September 25.
Becoming
Becoming is a new docuseries from executive producers LeBron James and Maverick Carter, documenting inspirational stories of some of the world’s favourite actors, comedians, musicians and athletes including Adam Devine, Nick Kroll, Ashley Tisdale and more. Each episode takes viewers to the hometown of a different celebrity for a journey through the places and experiences that got them where they are today. If you like heartfelt true stories that leave you with the warm and fuzzies, Becoming may be your next favourite series.
It’s coming to Disney+ on Friday September 18.
Amazon Prime Video
Little Women
Fronted by an all-star cast featuring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothee Chalamet, Laura Dern and Meryl Streep, Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women puts a twist on the classic tale. Drawing from the classic novel of the same name and the writings of Louisa May Alcott, it’s a coming-of-age tale meets period drama chronicling the lives of the four March sisters as they take charge of the paths of their lives. It may be set in the 19th century, but this story is timeless.
It comes to Amazon Prime Video on Tuesday September 8.
All In: The Fight For Democracy
With The United States’ impending 2020 presidential election on the horizon, All In: The Fight For Democracy delves into the nation’s voting system and the fight against voter suppression. Intertwining personal experiences, activism, historical insight and an insider’s perspective from the former Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives, Stacey Abrams, the documentary unpacks the laws and barriers to voting in America which have corrupted the country’s democracy from its very beginning.
It comes to Amazon Prime Video on Friday September 18.
Utopia
From the best selling author and award-winning screenwriter behind Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn, comes a new conspiracy thriller about saving the world. Utopia follows a group of comic fans who bond online over their mutual obsession of a comic called Utopia. They soon discover that their favourite comic isn’t as fictional as they’d thought and find themselves face-to-face with the comic’s central character, tasked to save the world. If you’re looking for an action-packed escape from reality with underlying themes that’ll still hit close to home, this series is for you.
It comes to Amazon Prime Video on Tuesday September 25.
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