While 2022 has not slowed down one bit in terms of *waves around at dystopian nightmare we find ourselves in* ALL OF THIS, the year has gotten off to a rather tepid start in terms of streaming entertainment. Things are starting to pick up… slooooowly though, which means there aren’t any big headline-grabbing releases this week. There is an overlooked horror movie gem in The Night House, another potential horror series hit in Archive 81, the return of video game adaptation DOTA: Dragon’s Blood, and the end of a modern sci-fi classic, among others.
MOVIES
The Night House
Apple TV/Google Play Movies – 14 January 2022
Thanks to the pandemic screwing up film release schedules, The Night House flew under most people’s radar when it hit a select few cinemas last year, despite drawing really good reviews. Well, now you can see what all the hype was about – especially Rebecca Hall’s performance as a widow who uncovers her recently deceased husband’s disturbing secret – as it’s available for rental on Apple TV and Google Play Movies.
The House
Netflix – 14 January 2022
Apparently this is a week for disturbing houses. And although at first glance Netflix’s The House looks like a charming animated kids tale, it’s anything but looking some kind of trippy, mind-bending nightmare involving talking animals and some really creep-looking humans. I am very intrigued though!
A Mouthful of Air
Apple TV/Google Play Movies – 14 January 2022
If you want your movie choices a bit less nerve-shredding or freaky, then A Mouthful of Air – another 2021 theatrical release that got limited visibility – is perhaps for you. Just be warned though: You may not be scared, but this Amanda Seyfried-led drama will work a bunch of your other emotions. Out now for rental on Apple TV and Google Play Movies.
The Royal Treatment
Netflix – 20 January 2022
Mena Massoud charmed us all as titular Aladdin in Disney’s live-action reboot, but since then the actor has somehow struggled to land more roles (thanks typically prejudiced Hollywood!). But now he’s back and playing opposite Laura Marano in cheesy romantic comedy The Royal Treatment. This time he’s on the opposite side of the old “Royalty falls in love with a commoner” trope though. Which I’m sure will just be one of MANY tropes in this film, but hey, people really love this type of thing!
SERIES
Archive 81 S1
Netflix – 14 January 2022
2021 was a great year for horror series on Netflix, and the streamer is throwing up another potentially great contender pretty early this year. Archive 81 sees a young archivist working on a videotape restoration project drawn into a dangerous mystery involving demonic cults and a missing woman.
DOTA: Dragon’s Blood S2
Netflix – 18 January 2022
Despite its massive popularity, I’ve never been a fan of best-selling video game DOTA. That being said, I did actually enjoy the first season of DOTA: Dragon’s Blood, Netflix’s star-studded animated series adaptation of DOTA 2. And now it’s back to continue the tale of Davion the Dragon Knight.
The Expanse S6
Amazon Prime Video – 14 January
Usually these posts are about movies or shows making their debut, but this last entry is different. Today marks the release of the final episode of The Expanse, the adaptation of the best-selling book series and arguably the best damn sci-fi show on air for the last few years. After six seasons, it’s a bit of a premature end as there’s still about four books worth of story to bring to the screen. The show has managed to miraculously come back from the dead once before, so maybe it can pull that trick off a second time?