What to Watch on Netflix and Stan this Month – August

Winter is well and truly here! But not to worry, the colder months are made much more enjoyable with plenty of quality TV shows and movies streaming on Netflix and Stan. So grab a cup of hot chocolate and your favourite snacks and settle in for some binge-worthy shows to see you through to Spring.

Here are our top picks to enjoy on TCL Smart TVs for the rest of August.

Stranger Things – Netflix (3 Seasons, approx. 8 episodes each)

You’d have to be living under a rock to escape the (well deserved) hype of this Netflix TV series set in the 80s in Hawkins, Indiana. If you haven’t seen seasons 1 and 2, then you’re in for a treat. If you have why not watch them again in anticipation of the newly aired season 3?

The first season opens in 1983 with an investigation into the disappearance of Will, the son of Joyce Byers (played by Winona Ryder). As the mystery deepens, Will’s friends join forces to try and find out what’s happened to him, and uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces at play in the town. The supernatural theme is continued in season 2, the sequel, and developed further into season 3 as the kids continue to grow and mature . For those who lived in the 80s, Stranger Things is full of fun, nostalgic references but it also appeals to the geeky cohort of the younger generation.

You vs Wild – Netflix (8 Episodes)

Kids (and adults too) will love this new interactive, action Netflix series starring Bear Grylls. You get to help Bear make decisions that will help him complete his missions. The survivalist is dropped into 8 different scenarios set in various terrains; scorching desert, a frigid mountain pass, dense jungle, a rocky coastline.

From there you get to choose what he should do to safely make it home, find an object or missing person, or deliver medicine. Season 1 of the show first screened in 2019 and recently earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Original Interactive Program, so no doubt there will be a Season 2 in the pipeline.

Dead to Me – Netflix (1 Season, 10 episodes)

The first season of Dead to Me screened in 2019, and gained enough acclaim for the green light to be given to a second season, due to air in 2020. This fast-paced Netflix series builds the tension in the pilot episode and doesn’t let up until the final cliffhanger.

Without giving too much away, the basic premise is a LA real estate agent Jen (Christina Applegate) who’s husband is killed one night in a hit and run. To deal with the aftermath of grief she joins a therapy group where she meets Judy (Linda Cardellini) also a grieving widow, or so it seems. With each episode more and more about the characters, and their situations are cleverly revealed. It’s very much designed to hook you in so you’re dying to know what happens next.

Russian Doll – Netflix (1 Season, 8 episodes)

When it first aired in early 2019 everyone was talking about this Netflix comedy-drama. The simple yet intriguing story involves cynical trash talking Nadia Vulvokov who lives in NYC’s East Village. Her friend throws her a 36th birthday party which Nadia can’t seem to get past. She keeps dying and coming back to the bathroom in her friend’s flat.

Although the repetitiveness of the storyline could get tedious, the action is varied each time as Nadia tries valiantly to get out of the time loop. With punchy narrative and a stellar cast, this is TV watching at its best.

Bloom – Stan (6 Episodes)

Bloom is the winner of several Logie awards for 2019 including, Most Outstanding Miniseries, Most Outstanding Supporting Actress (Jackie Weaver), Most Outstanding Actor (Bryan Brown). Understandably it is one of the hot Australian dramas you don’t want to leave off your watchlist this winter.

Streaming exclusively on Stan, Bloom is an original 6 part psychological thriller set in the idyllic, but fictional, country town of Mullan. One year after a devastating flood the town is still grieving the loss of five residents. A strange new plant appears giving the power to restore youth to some people and their pets. The series looks at how far people will go to regain lost youth, and centres around the fractious relationships, lost loves and outlaws of the small town.

Catch-22 – Stan (6 Episodes)

Not your usual WWII drama, Catch-22 exposes the futility and frustration of war as seen through the eyes of Yossarian, a US Air Force bombardier. Yoyo, as he’s known affectionately by his comrades, wants to go home. Unfortunately his commander has the bit between his teeth and keeps increasing the amount of missions his team has to fly. Each time he goes up in the bomber, it’s a nail biting experience. Will he make it? Will he get shot down?

Finally Yoyo decides to take matters into his own hands with hilarious and sobering results. Featuring a distinguished cast, including acting veterans George Clooney and Hugh Laurie, this miniseries (an adaptation of the book by Joseph Heller) is available on Stan and Netflix.