Art & Lifestyle 7 Sep 2020

What to Watch on Netflix In September

From blockbuster films to didactic documentaries, here's what to watch this month

by Marco Lee

Chef’s Table: BBQ

The Netflix original documentary Chef’s Table now shifts its focus to the realm of barbecue. Featuring pitmasters from all over the world including Tootsie Tomanetz and Rosalia Chay Chua, the show reveals the stories behind their success as well as their secret culinary techniques. The show reflects how barbecuing is not only a medium through which chefs share a passion, but it’s also an activity that can bring family, friends and even strangers together.

Available now

The Social Dilemma

Directed by Emmy award-winning American filmmaker Jeff Orlowski, The Social Dilemma looks into the dark side of social media. Through interviews with creators of Facebook’s Like button, Twitter, Instagram and more, the documentary points out our misconception that these online platforms are only here to connect us with others. It explores its potential to do the opposite by manipulative fake news and stripping away the need for human interactions. Tech experts also share their views on how to ameliorate social media platforms so as to create a more harmonious community.

Airing on 9 September

The Devil All the Time

Based on the Donald Ray Pollock novel of the same name, The Devil All the Time boasts a star-studded cast, including our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, Tom Holland, and Robert Pattinson who is best known for his role in the Twilight series. Set in Knockemstiff, Ohio, the psychological thriller narrates the fierce battle between Arwin Russell (Tom Holland) and the antagonists who harm the young protagonist and his family, such as the wicked preacher (Robert Pattinson), the mischievous sheriff (Sebastian Stan) and the crooked couple (Jason Clarke and Riley Keough).

Releasing on 16 September

Challenger: The Final Flight

Netflix’s upcoming docu-series Challenger: The Final Flight recounts one of the most heartbreaking incidents in American history. Being at the cutting edge of spatial technology, NASA launched Space Shuttle Challenger on 28 January 1986, carrying seven astronauts of different genders and ethnicities. 73 seconds after taking off, the space shuttle fragmented, taking the lives of all crew members aboard. Aside from exploring the lives and backgrounds of the astronauts, the show examines the Americans’ transition from being optimistic about the future of space travel to suffering from loss.

Releasing on 16 September

Ratched

Ratched is the original story of the tyrannical asylum nurse Mildred Ratched from renowned novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, written by Ken Kesey in 1962. Named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, Sarah Paulson takes up the role of Mildred who moved to North California to seek employment at a top psychiatric hospital in 1947. During an illicit investigation, she infiltrated the mental healthcare system and confronted those within it, gradually unveiling the darkness that has long resided within her.

Releasing on 18 September

Back to the Future

Back to the Future is now on Netflix! This long-time favourite film has won the hearts of many science fiction fans since its debut in 1985. Starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, the story depicts the adventure of teenager Marty McFly who accidentally time travels to 1955 using Doctor Emmet Brown’s DeLorean automobile. The protagonist meets his future parents and unintentionally becomes his mother’s romantic interest. To prevent making further changes to the past, Marty make his parents fall in love, while Doctor Brown fixes the time machine to bring him back to where he belongs. The two exhilarating sequels to Back to the Future are also available on Netflix!