Bite-Sized Reviews

'Physical', 'Penguin Town': Five new things to stream now

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

27 June 2021 - 00:02 By tymon smith
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Rose Byrne in 'Physical'.
Rose Byrne in 'Physical'.
Image: Apple TV

PHYSICAL

Rose Byrne shines in this dark comedy about one woman's discovery of the power of aerobics in sunny 1980s California to overcome her body issues and self-loathing. It's peppered with some of the most unlikeable people you're likely to see on screen this year but Byrne's performance manages to mostly carry you through a world that's full of surface shine that can't conceal the nastiness and anguish bubbling beneath it. The first four episodes are available now. New episodes on Fridays.

Where to stream it: Apple TV

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

WATCH | 'Physical' trailer.

RICK AND MORTY SEASON 5

Mad scientist and misanthrope Rick and his sweet-natured but not-too-sharp nephew Morty return for a new set of off-the-wall adventures into the darkest reaches of the universe, where things get even weirder than you thought they could, with suitably gross and hilarious results.

Where to stream it: Showmax

How much time you'll need to binge it: 20 minutes

WATCH | 'Rick and Morty' season five trailer.

SEPTEMBER MORNINGS

Amazon's original Brazilian drama series follows the difficult journey of trans woman Cassandra after she leaves her home town and arrives in São Paulo looking to get her life on track. Fate, as it always must, has other plans but there's far more to Cassandra than appears at first glance.

Where to stream it: Amazon Prime Video

How much time you'll need to binge it: 2.5 hours

WATCH | 'September Mornings' trailer.

PENGUIN TOWN

Patton Oswalt narrates this charming series about the life, loves and struggles to survive mating season that make up the very busy day-to-day existence of the beloved African penguin colony of Simon's Town in Cape Town.

Where to stream it: Netflix

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

WATCH | 'Penguin Town' trailer.

THIS IS POP

Jumping between time periods in the history of popular music, each episode of this docuseries features interviews with stars from the world of pop to examine different aspects of the genre. From the songwriters of the Brill Building in New York in the early days of pop to the rise of Autotune in recent years, there's plenty to renew your interest in what makes pop music tick and what goes into creating the sounds that keep us tapping our feet and smiling from generation to generation.

Where to stream it: Netflix

How much time you'll need to binge it: 7 hours

WATCH | 'This Is Pop' trailer.


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.