Every night is movie night.
As the days turn into weeks, which turn into months, isolation can get quite repetitive. April has flown by, while March lasted for around 25 years. To spice up your nights in, here’s a list of five films you can check out for free with no hassle of subscriptions or payments, from the comfort of your couch.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
There’s no better way to sink into the couch than with the comedic genius that is Taika Waititi. Before his work on Thor: Ragnarok and the recent Oscar-winning Jojo Rabbit, Waititi gifted us a film filled with adventurous souls and a coming-of-age tale about a boy and his foster father lost in the New Zealand forest. Featuring offbeat one-liners delivered in strong Kiwi accents, as well as introducing fresh faces (Julian Dennison) and old ones (Sam Neil) to the screen, Hunt for the Wilderpeople is funny, sad, and heartwarming all at once.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople is available to stream on SBS on Demand
Her Smell (2018)
For all the music lovers out there, Alex Ross Perry’s 2018 chaotic drama, Her Smell is as intriguing as its title. The brilliant Elisabeth Moss plays Becky Something, an alcoholic punk singer of fictionalized girl band Something She. Her spiral into defeat is a raw, gripping, tumultuous ride which engulfs viewers into the narrative for the film’s two-hour duration. What stands out the most in Perry’s film is its unique soundtrack, originally crafted by Alicia Bognanno, singer of Nashville grunge band Bully. The final product delivers a chaotic mess transformed into a soothing, quiet stillness.
Her Smell is available to stream on Kanopy.
Swiss Army Man (2016)
Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert and fronted by Daniel Radcliffe, the Daniels unite for a story like no other with Swiss Army Man. A hopeless young man, Hank, (Paul Dano) finds himself stranded on an island, where he befriends a dead body, Manny (Radcliffe). They embark on what is certainly a unique adventure as Hank teaches Manny all about the wonders that life has to offer. As weird as it sounds, it examines friendship and love beautifully. It’s warm and melting, leaving you feeling all the feels.
Swiss Army Men is available to stream through SBS on Demand
Amelie (2001)
The perfect viewing for a night in isolation, Amelie is a classic French romcom which brings magic to the screen in every scene. Diving into the life of the imaginative, quirky and creative Amelie, the film brings out our inner child as we take a glimpse into her remarkable journey to find the answers to everyday life. Accompanied by a recognizable score from Yann Tiersen, its piano theme only accentuates the dream-like beauty of the award-winning film.
Amelie is available to stream through SBS on Demand
52 Tuesdays (2013)
One of the best ways to support Australia’s art industry in these trying times is to simply watch fantastic Australian films. Sophie Hyde’s 52 Tuesdays is an important film within the Australian industry as well as the LGBTQIA+ community. It follows along a teenager’s journey into adulthood as well as her mother’s transition. Packed with emotion and hard-hitting performances, its compassionate in the way it develops its characters and narrative, with a wide scope of significantly important representation.
52 Tuesdays is available to stream through SBS on Demand
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