Streaming Debuts: John Carpenter, Edward Yang, Time in Limbo, Twinless, and More

      Each week, we spotlight the remarkable titles that have recently become available on streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s picks below and previous round-ups here.

      Caught Stealing (Darren Aronofsky)

      Aronofsky’s latest film offers an often-thrilling interpretation of a well-worn genre, though it sometimes succumbs to clichés. It ascends to the upper tier of lonely-man-with-cat(s) cinema, joining the ranks of The Long Goodbye, Inside Llewyn Davis, and Children of Men. While it doesn't quite reach the same heights as the more populated upper tier of crime cinema, that's a significant challenge to surpass. Ultimately, it turns out that the cat and sobriety are disguised blessings, whereas the web of unhinged killers presents a different story. – Luke H. (full review)

      Where to Stream: VOD

      A Confucian Confusion and Mahjong (Edward Yang)

      A Confucian Confusion complicates its straightforward narrative, opting for a “little comedy” rather than the grand recollection seen in A Brighter Summer Day (1991). Its sequel, Mahjong, is even more incisive, sharp, and elusive, posing challenges and discomfort. Just as Yang uncovers unlikely desires in the aftermath of A Confucian Confusion, Mahjong thwarts any expectations of a happy resolution. To hope for a kiss is to ignore the weight of anxieties regarding a world evolving with modernity, the implications of that evolution, and the concurrent struggles under Western capitalism and the shadow of AIDS. “Kissing gives a man bad luck,” states the beautiful yet doomed character Hong Kong (Chang Chen). The film embodies bad luck. – Frank F. (read full feature)

      Where to Stream: The Criterion Channel

      Directed by John Carpenter, 2000s Horror, and Body Horror

      October has arrived, signaling the time to start that horror movie queue you’ve been compiling. The Criterion Channel presents a rich array of genre films, including a fantastic retrospective of 14 John Carpenter films, from Starman to In the Mouth of Madness and Ghosts of Mars. They are also showcasing 2000s horror with titles like What Lies Beneath, Trouble Every Day, [•REC], Lake Mungo, and Triangle, in addition to a Body Horror series featuring Altered States, Possession, Bug, Teeth, and more.

      Where to Stream: The Criterion Channel

      The Lost Bus (Paul Greengrass)

      In The Lost Bus, the latest intense disaster thriller from Paul Greengrass, an electrical spark from a major power line ignites dry weeds, leading to an uncontrollable wildfire that ravages Paradise, California. The town's name carries a tragic irony, as the devastating 2018 Camp Fire transformed the arid, hilly landscape into a nearly unimaginable hell, claiming 85 lives and inflicting $13.5 billion in damages. Based on narratives that emerged from the aftermath, some derived from Lizzie Johnson’s account Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire, the film seeks to counterbalance the destruction by highlighting a heroic act within an underdog story that serves as a temporary reprieve from the grim reality of the scorched earth. – Jake K. (full review)

      Where to Stream: Apple TV+

      Milisuthando (Milisuthando Bongela)

      Through a deeply personal lens, Milisuthando Bongela’s debut feature addresses complex political and social issues while attempting to dissect the oppressive hold of apartheid in South Africa. Spanning five chapters, some reflect on history with a renewed understanding of colonial impacts, while others adopt a minimalist, avant-garde style to confront present and future realities through substantial dialogues. Milisuthando is a documentary that should be critical viewing—not only in American history classes, where apartheid is often relegated to a footnote, but also in film education, demonstrating how powerful narratives can be conveyed through a uniquely individual perspective. – Jordan R.

      Where to Stream: The Criterion Channel

      Play Dirty (Shane Black)

      Shane Black, known for Lethal Weapon, returns to the director's chair with this new adaptation of the Parker novels by Donald E. Westlake. Mark Wahlberg stars as Parker, a thief with a plan. When he and his crew are betrayed, he seeks revenge while trying to strike it rich. This film offers a gritty and humorous experience, aligning with Black’s strengths. – Dan M.

      Where to Stream: Prime Video

      Rabbit Trap (Bryn Chainey)

      It’s always exciting when a horror film delves into the potential of sound. Much contemporary horror tends to be too quiet, lacking the immersive soundscapes that draw viewers into its world. Writer-director Bryn Chainey’s debut feature, Rabbit Trap, presents a fully immersive horror experience that uses sound to transport audiences across time and space, into different realms. – Jourdain S. (full review)

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