Bite-Sized Reviews

'The Mosquito Coast', 'The Vow': Five brand new things to stream now

Worth binge-watching or a waste of time? We weigh in on the latest series and movies

09 May 2021 - 00:01 By tymon smith
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The cast of 'The Mosquito Coast'.
The cast of 'The Mosquito Coast'.
Image: Supplied

THE MOSQUITO COAST

Justin Theroux stars in this series adaptation of the bestselling novel by his uncle Paul. Early indications are that in spite of its fine cast, there's a little too much going on and some unfortunate cultural tone deafness that does no favours to either the series or its source material. Whether or not it will, like the family at its centre, manage to save itself remains to be seen, with the first three episodes now available and new episodes added every Friday. 

Where to stream it: Apple TV

How much time you'll need to binge it: 3 hours

WATCH | 'The Mosquito Coast' trailer.

WITHOUT REMORSE

Michael B Jordan does his best to breathe some new life into this origins story of John Clark, one of author Tom Clancy's most popular flag-and-country defenders. It's all solid enough espionage-, intrigue- and action-filled entertainment, though a little too by-the-numbers to stand out from the crowd of Clancy adaptations already out there.

Where to stream it: Amazon Prime Video

How much time you'll need to binge it: 2 hours

WATCH | 'Without Remorse' trailer.

THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES

This is a hugely entertaining piece of energetic and original animated glee that delivers plenty for family members of all ages. Featuring the voice talents of Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Olivia Colman, it's a smart, funny, fast-paced action adventure that has at its heart some good, old-fashioned and some new and nicely inclusive ideas about family.

Where to stream it: Netflix

How much time you'll need to binge it: 2 hours

WATCH | 'The Mitchells vs The Machines' trailer.

THE SONS OF SAM

A fascinating twist on the true crime docuseries in which the infamous terror wreaked by David Berkowitz - the man convicted of the Son of Sam killings that plagued New York in the grimy 1970s - is only the beginning of the story.

The series follows the decades-long obsession of journalist Maury Terry to prove that Berkowitz was only the tip of a very nefarious and chilling iceberg of a series of murders that he believed pointed to more than one man and a web of darkness that stretched its tentacles far beyond the Big Apple in the late 1970s.

Where to stream it: Netflix

How much time you'll need to binge it: 4 hours

WATCH | 'The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness' trailer.

THE VOW

The chilling ruthlessness and terrible actions of the notorious NXIVM cult, which was revealed to be involved in a host of heinous crimes from sex trafficking to forced labour and racketeering, is painstakingly revealed through interviews with former members. They paint a depressing but relatable picture of an organisation that exploited the desire of so many people for personal improvement to the detriment of members and victims alike.

Where to stream it: Showmax

How much time you'll need to binge it: 9 hours

WATCH | 'The Vow' trailer.


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