Welcome to What to Watch Right Now, our weekly rundown of the best things to watch right now. The constant stream of shows, videos, and films to watch online can become a sludge to wade through, so here are a few things you can watch courtesy of the Rolling Stone Philippines team. Whether it’s a new film, a video essay, or even a home video release you should own (physical media is now available!), we hope it can ease the burden of choosing which streaming platform to use or of discovering a new cinematic odyssey.
This week, the incendiary new film from Kathryn Bigelow had us at the edge of our seats. We’re also thanking the Halloween gods for giving us the prequel series to Andy Muschietti’s It adaptation, which drops its second episode on November 1. The Perfect Neighbor is a different kind of scary: one rooted in racism and social conventions. Spooky season is also the perfect time to revisit the Dolly de Leon-led episode of HBO Asia’s Folklore, “Seven Days in Hell.” Lastly, if you’re not up to the season’s spirit (pun not intended), we’re summoning the ghost of Christmas past with The Holdovers.
‘A House of Dynamite’
A pulse-pounding nuclear war scenario with questionable undertones
“Give me a shout out if the world’s going to end,” Jason Clarke’s character says to Rebecca Ferguson’s White House situation room officer in A House of Dynamite. Little did he know he would face an actual situation minutes later.
In this new Netflix film, Academy Award winning director Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty, The Hurt Locker) gives us a pulse-pounding scenario on what would happen if a nuclear war begins. A House of Dynamite locates this question in the U.S. — of course, the center of the universe (*eyeroll emoji*). We witness this unfold in a three-part act brought to life by some of the best actors working right now: Clarke, Ferguson, Tracy Letts, Idris Elba, Anthony Ramos, Greta Lee, and Jared Harris, to name a few.
A harrowing score by Volker Bertelmann (though a bit close to his Conclave score) propels a script by Bigelow and Noah Oppenheim (Zero Day, Jackie). Expect no character development or narrative arcs — just a straightforward depiction of a missile heading to the United States, and what their government can or cannot do about it. —Don Jaucian
‘It: Welcome to Derry’
Uncovering the evil at the heart of Derry, one episode at a time
It: Welcome to Derry is insane. What seems to be a replacement for Stranger Things rips that pretense right out of the gate in just the first 10 minutes.
Directed and co-developed by Andy Muschietti, who helmed the 2017 and 2019 adaptations of Stephen King’s novel, the show serves as a prequel to the films. It: Welcome to Derry is set in 1962, where the disappearances in the seemingly sleepy town begin with the (literal) birth of a mutant baby demon that terrorizes the town’s children. Fans of the Stephen King universe will also enjoy the easter eggs baked into the story. But if you’re ticked off by the children, don’t worry, they’ll, uh… well, it’s better to see for yourself. —Don Jaucian
‘The Perfect Neighbor’
One community’s nightmare caught in police bodycams and surveillance footage
“Are you hurt?” “No, but my heart is broken” is probably one of the most heartwrenching exchanges in film this year. This happens in the wake of 35-year-old Ajike Owens’ murder, which is the central plot of the documentary The Perfect Stranger.
In the film, one of her neighbors checks on her son, who hasn’t even gotten the news that her mother has died. Owens’ family receives the news minutes later, and it’s all shown in the dim footage from a policeman’s bodycam. Director Geeta Gandbhir pieces these together with 911 calls, courtroom recordings, and interrogation room footage to capture how Owens’s cold-blooded murder was carried out by her racist neighbor, Susan Lorincz, who has been in dispute with their community because she doesn’t want children playing around her supposed property.
The novelty of “a film mostly comprised of bodycam footage” wears off early in the film as soon as you realize that this isn’t just some found footage documentary. The Perfect Neighbor is a demonstration of a documentary film’s raw power, one that removes stirring music and talking heads (though the film uses voice-overs) to appeal to the viewer’s emotions. —Don Jaucian
‘Folklore: Seven Days of Hell’
A harrowing descent into madness starring Dolly de Leon
Halloween is the perfect time to revisit Erik Matti’s contribution to the second season of HBO Max’s Asian horror anthology series Folklore, “Seven Days of Hell.” Lourdes, played by Dolly de Leon in her first lead role, is besieged by dark forces threatening her son, who has committed a crime. Lourdes is a by-the-book police officer who demonstrates her purist beliefs in the first scene. Throughout the episode, we will see her break, all because she wants to protect her son, Eugene (Roshson Barman), who is suffering from kulam as revenge for what he has done. Folk beliefs and the terrors of modern life commingle in this episode, expertly done by one of the Philippines’ masters of horror. —Don Jaucian
‘The Holdovers’
A holiday movie for those who desperately need comfort
When you’re done with the horror flicks and ready to get into the Christmas spirit, but you don’t want something overly jolly and cloying, The Holdovers should be your next watch. Set in 1970, the comedy drama follows classics teacher Paul Hunham, troubled student Angus Tully, and grieving cafeteria manager Mary Lamb as they navigate the winter break at their all-male boarding school, each abandoned by or distancing themselves from loved ones.
The 2023 film, recently made available on Netflix, features an Oscar-winning performance from Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary; Paul Giamatti as the strict, stubborn, but fatherly Mr. Hunham; and Dominic Sessa in an excellent acting debut as Tully. —Pie Gonzaga
