This November, Netflix is giving us several things to be thankful for: Orson Welless final film, a Kevin Spacey-free House of Cards, a new version of Outlaw King that doesnt cut out the best part(s). Come, gather round the turkey and read on to learn what the streaming service is bringing to the screen next month—as well as what to catch now, before it fades into the black hole of the Internet. (Although, one note: with the Netflix catalogue continually growing and re-inventing itself, the service is less and less in the business of licensing TV shows from other sources—which is why there are no shows of note leaving the platform at the end of this month.)
Movies
Whats Arriving . . .
Fair Game – Directors Cut (Nov. 1)
Heres a curious story. Director Doug Liman has apparently long been unhappy with his little-seen 2010 film about the Valerie Plame affair (in which a C.I.A. agent was outed as reprisal for her husbands public statements on the invasion of Iraq). Particularly, he had issues with Sean Penns performance. So hes gone back and re-edited the movie, and now, here it is. Something that . . . no one was clamoring for? The perfectly competent and engaging original version, starring Naomi Watts as Plame, was not exactly a box-office smash. It had looked a little Oscar-y at first, but then the whole thing sorta faded from cultural memory. Will there be a big appetite for this recut, then? Who knows. But the weirdness of its existence has made me curious to watch it, so I guess its got at least one person interested. Well done, Liman.
The Other Side of the Wind (Nov. 2)
This isnt a recut. Instead it is, at long last, a first cut. Thirty-three years after his death, Orson Welles has a new film! The celebrated auteur-turned-wine salesman wrote and directed a Hollywood mockumentary from 1970 to 1976, but never finished it. He edited about 40 minutes of footage, but left 100 hours raw. The film became mired in legal issues and unsavory ties to the Shah of Iran, and so it languished. But now its been completed by another editor, has premiered at festivals, and will soon be on Netflix—a strange thing of the past on the platform of the future. Who ever would have guessed that John Huston would join the ranks of Bella Thorne and Noah Centineo as the star of his very own Netflix original?
Outlaw King (Nov. 9)
The buzz out of this Netflix movies premiere in Toronto was all about star Chris Pines, uh, little pine. Which, yes, you do see in David Mackenzies burly Scottish rebellion film. But theres other worthy stuff in this bloody, muddy movie. Pine commands as Robert the Bruce, brutally battling English rule after an uneasy peace crumbles. Florence Pugh turns in yet another striking performance as Elizabeth de Burgh, Roberts fiercely devoted wife. And the intricately staged battle scenes, hellish crunches of men and metal, are ugly in the right way. Watch this with the history buff in y—oh, who am I kidding. Watch with whoever also wants to see the captains Kirk.
Happy as Lazzaro (Nov. 30)
A dreamy, strange fairy-tale fable sort of thing, Alice Rohrwachers Cannes hit is mysterious and thought-provoking. Those up on their Italian politics and socio-economics will especially appreciate all the allegory in the film, which follows a beautiful simpleton and his fellow peasants living a life frozen in time, bucolic but oppressive, until the contemporary world intrudes. Filled with religious allusion but not in any sort of dogmatic way, Happy as Lazzaro is a bewitching curio, both airy and, I think, really deep. Deep about what, exactly, Im not quite sure—but Im eager to watch it again to figure it all out. Impress an arty date with this odd and lovely film, before flipping over to look at Chris Pines penis again.
Whats Leaving . . .
Paddington (Nov. 16)
Paddington is a good little bear, and you should watch him do good little things before he puts on his little hat and leaves. Then seek out Paddington 2, another good little movie about a good little bear.
TV
Whats Arriving . . .
House of Cards: Season 6 (Nov. 2)
For all you House of Cards completists, here comes the latest and final chapter in the Underwood family political saga. After behind-the-scenes allegations against series star Kevin Spacey prompted production to scrap the season and start from scratch, Spaceys scheming power-player Frank Underwood was killed off—leaving wife Claire (Robin Wright) to take over as president of the United States. For this final installment of its flagship show, Netflix also brought on an influx of supporting talent, including Oscar-nominated actors Diane Lane and Greg Kinnear, as well as Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story breakout Cody Fern. They play the Shepherd family—an ambitious dynasty in its own right. While the ascendence of Claire as president gave House of Cards the perfect opportunity to explore an alternative, Hillary Clinton-run America, this season of television winds up being as obsessed with the Donald Trump model of power as anything else these days.
The Great British Baking Show: Collection 6 (Nov. 9)
The lag between the U.K. premiere and the American release of The Great British Baking Show (known across the pond as The Great British Bake Off) is getting shorter and shorter. The latest season of the beloved cooking competition is due to wrap up at the end of October in the U.K., and will appear in full on Netflix just a little over one week later. This is the second installment of the new iteration of the series, with beloved figures Mary Berry, Sue Perkins, and Mel Giedroyc all replaced by judge Prue Leith and co-hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig. Though the new, non-BBC version went rather better than expected in its first season, some of the worst instincts of reality TV have crept in for the second. The show seems intent on cranking up the drama, the tears, and the disasters, all in some misguided attempt to keep viewers on the edge of their seats—when actually, what made Bake Off great in the first place was its gentle, low-stakes vibe. Still, some of the challenges are unquestionably complex this season. Come for the shimmering chocolate domes; stay for the utter shambles that is Vegan Week.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power: Season 1 (Nov. 16)
Fans of brilliantly inventive comic-book creator Noelle Stevenson (Nimona, Lumberjanes) have been eagerly awaiting her take on the 80s cartoon classic She-Ra, which means this new kids show from Netflix will appeal to plenty of adults as well. The mild online controversy over She-Ras sensible new outfit (shorts under that iconic white skirt? Yes, thank you!) is likely only the tip of the boundary-pushing places Stevenson intends to take this story, with help from Steven Universe alum Chuck Austen. The premise is simple: an orphan named Adora leaves behind her former life and discovers a sword that transforms her into the mythical warrior princess She-Ra. But as the title of the show might indicate, there is more than one heroine in this tale. She-Ra will unite a group of magical princesses in the ultimate fight against evil—which means, as with Stevensons work on Lumberjanes and Austens on Steven Universe, there will be plenty of room in this story for multiple definitions of what it means to be both a warrior and a princess.
The Kominsky Method: Season 1 (Nov. 16)
For those interested in more stereotypically mature and male fare, Netflix has a new series from TV producer extraordinaire Chuck Lorre. The eight-episode season sees former star Sandy Kominsky (Michael Douglas) and his longtime agent, Norman Newlander (Alan Arkin), grappling with those end-of-life blues that have given rise to bucket lists, grumpy old men, and Netflixs own Grace and Frankie. In fact, the shows setting in the acting classes of modern Hollywood gives it a Grace and Frankie-meets-Barry vibe. The star power of Douglas and Arkin, combined with an incredibly short running time (eight half-hour episodes!), further blurs the line between film and TV. In another world, The Kominsky Method would have been a sweet, autumnal, mid-level comedy film. But in this brave new world, its a Netflix show.
Narcos: Mexico (Nov. 16)
One of the original Netflix originals is getting a significant creative overhaul this season, and a soft reboot as Narcos: Mexico. After three seasons diving into Colombia-based Pablo Escobar and the Medellín cartel, the show is headed north and jumping forward in time to 1980s Mexico. In a tremendous show of faith in the series, Netflix spared no expense in recruiting names like Michael Peña as D.E.A. agent Kiki Camarena and Diego Luna as Félix Gallardo, the leader of the Guadalajara cartel. Dont Google any of these real-life names if you want to be surprised at how this next chapter in the ongoing drug wars unfolds, but suffice it to say that this is a notoriously brutal and seismic moment in the history of the D.E.A.—so this season may not be for the squeamish.
FULL LIST OF WHATS ARRIVING
Nov. 1
Angelas Christmas
Bram Stokers Dracula
Bring It On: In It to Win It
Cape Fear
Children of Men
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Cloverfield
Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo
Doctor Strange
Fair Game – Directors Cut
Follow This: Part 3
From Dusk Till Dawn
Good Will Hunting
Jet Lis Fearless
Julie & Julia
Katt Williams: The Pimp Chronicles Pt. 1
National Lampoons Animal House
Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow
Planet Hulk
Scary Movie 2
Scary Movie 3
Sex and the City: The Movie
Sixteen Candles
Stink!
The English Patient
The Judgement
The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
Transcendence
Vaya
Nov. 2
Brainchild
House of Cards: Season 6
ReMastered: Tricky Dick & the Man in Black
The Holiday Calendar
The Other Side of the Wind
Theyll Love Me When Im Dead
Trolls: The Beat Goes On!: Season 4
Nov. 3
Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil
Nov. 4
Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End
Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj (streaming every Sunday)
Nov. 5
Homecoming: Season 1
John Leguizamos Latin History for Morons
Nov. 7
Into the Forest
Nov. 8
The Sea of Trees
Nov. 9
Beat Bugs: Season 3
La Reina del Flow
Medal of Honor
Outlaw King
Spirit Riding Free: Season 7
Super Drags
The Great British Baking Show: Collection 6
Treehouse Detectives: Season 2
Westside
Nov. 12
Green Room
Nov. 13
Loudon Wainwright III: Surviving Twin
Oh My Ghost
Warrior
Nov. 15
May the Devil Take You
The Crew
Nov. 16
Cam
Narcos: Mexico
Ponysitters Club: Season 2
Prince of Peoria
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
The Break-Up
The Kominsky Method
The Princess Switch
Nov. 18
The Pixar Story
Nov. 19
The Last Kingdom: Season 3
Nov. 20
Kulipari: Dream Walker
Motown Magic
Sabrina
The Final Table
Trevor Noah: Son of Patricia
Nov. 21
The Tribe
Nov. 22
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Gauntlet
The Christmas Chronicles
Nov. 23
Frontier: Season 3
Fugitiva
Sick Note: Seasons 1-2
To Build or Not to Build: Season 2
Nov. 25
My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: Best Gift Ever
Nov. 27
Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attel
_Nov. 29
Pocoyo: Season 4
Nov. 30
1983
A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding
Baby
Death by Magic
F Is for Family: Season 3
Happy as Lazzaro
Rajma Chawal
Spy Kids: Mission Critical: Season 2
The World Is Yours
Tiempo compartido
FULL LIST OF WHATS LEAVING
Nov. 1
Amelie
Crossfire
Cruel Intentions
Cruel Intentions 2
Cruel Intentions 3
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park III
Oculus
Phenomenon
Run to Me
Smokin Aces 2: Assassins Ball
Steel Magnolias
The Invasion
The Land Before Time
The Land Before Time II: The Great Valley Adventure
The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving
The Lazarus Effect
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
The Reader
Up in the Air
Nov. 12
Anna Karenina
Nov. 16
Paddington
Nov. 17
Undercover Boss: Seasons 1-5
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Uzo Aduba
Although she was little-known when she started on Orange Is the New Black, Aduba quickly became one of the dramas most beloved critical darlings—with good reason. Her empathetic and at times delightfully zany portrayal of Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren has been one of the shows most consistent highlights. And the Emmy winner has found places to shine outside of Orange as well—including a well-received turn as Glinda the Good Witch of the South in The Wiz Live! and a voice-acting gig as Bismuth on Steven Universe.Photo: By JoJo Whilden/Netflix.
Finn Wolfhard
Millie Bobby Brown might be Stranger Things biggest breakout star, but Wolfhards doing pretty well for himself, too. He quickly landed a role in last years mega-successful It remake, and his band, Calpurnia, just released its first recorded E.P. earlier this summer. Plus, things are looking up for his character in the world of the show as well, now that hes been reunited with Eleven. You go, Mike Wheeler.Photo: By Curtis Baker/Netflix.
Claire Foy
What can we say? Shes royalty. Foy had already made a name for herself in the U.K. when she was cast as Queen Elizabeth, but it was The Crown that offered her the chance to assume the throne—and global recognition—she always deserved.Photo: By Deswillie/Netflix.
John Early
Although it may be hard to remember much from before his days on Search Party, one of Earlys earliest breakout roles was on Netflixs Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp. When the series came back to Netflix for Ten Years Later, so did Earlys Logan. Now, this actor and comedian is all over the place—Difficult People, The Disaster Artist, and Animals, to name a few. Without Wet Hot, we might never have gotten Elliott Goss—and that would have been a terrible loss.Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.
Corey Stoll
Yes, Stoll had been around for a while before he starred as Peter Russo on the very first season of House of Cards—but it was that role that made Hollywood sit up and take notice. Since his one-season-and-done arc, hes found plenty of other prominent roles in both TV and film—including as the main villain of Ant-Man.Photo: By Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix/Everett Collection.
Asia Kate Dillon
Fun fact: Dillon actually appeared on Master of None before their breakout role as Brandy Epps on Orange Is the New Black. And now, as Showtime viewers know, theyve moved on to a starring role—as Taylor Mason on Billions. That role is an exciting development not only for Dillon but for TV history as well: its the first time a North American television series has starred a gender non-binary character.Photo: By JoJo Whildren/Netflix.
Ruby Rose
As the Internet well knows, Rose recently shared some big news: shes been cast as the CWs Batwoman—a historic decision that will give TV its first openly gay superhero. But before that, many of us knew her as Stella Carlin from Orange Is the New Black—a particularly devious inmate at Litchfield who shared a brief romance with Piper. Since then, shes gone on to star in blockbusters including Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, xXx: Return of Xander Cage, John Wick: Chapter 2, Pitch Perfect 3, and, most recently, The Meg. Not bad for one of Pipers rejects!Photo: By JoJo Whildren/Netflix.PreviousNext
Joanna RobinsonJoanna Robinson is a Hollywood writer covering TV and film for VanityFair.com.Richard LawsonRichard Lawson is the chief critic for Vanity Fair, reviewing film, television, and theatre. He lives in New York City.
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