Stuck on what to stream this month? Unlike other lists, we’re on hand to recommend a variety of films for every mood, from tear-jerkers to trailblazers. Here are our picks for the best films to stream in the UK this month.
The Silver Screen Classic
The 39 Steps (1935) dir. Alfred Hitchcock
Directed by the Master of Suspense himself, The 39 Steps is a thriller that is shrouded in mystery and tension. Loosely based around John Buchan’s 1915 novel, The Thirty-Nine Steps, the film stars Robert Donat as Richard Hannay; a Canadian man who is swept up in the exploits of the mysterious spy ring: the “39 Steps.” Over 100 years since Buchan’s novel debuted, Hitchcock’s adaptation has cemented The 39 Steps as a classic for fans of the silver screen and has left a strong legacy for modern spy-thrillers. As can be expected from such a beloved director, Hitchcock utilises masterful cinematography and strong dialogue to build an atmosphere of intrigue and intensity, resulting in a fast-paced mystery that certainly will not disappoint.
Available to stream on Amazon Prime
The Underrated
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005) dir. Garth Jennings
Garth Jennings’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy dares to adapt Douglas Adams’ beloved comedy science fiction series. Supported by a star-studded cast of comedic juggernauts, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a perfect storm of chaotic comedy. The chemistry between Martin Freeman as Arthur Dent and Zooey Deschanel as Trillian is effortless, and the fantastical appearances of Sam Rockwell as Zaphod Beeblebrox and Mos Def as Ford Prefect compliment their dynamic perfectly. Although hardcore fans of Adams’ series may be upset to find the film is not a direct adaptation and skips over several prominent plotlines, Jennings’ version takes on its own life as a separate entity. The dialogue is witty and fun, and thrives in the environment of silliness that the source material provides.
Available to stream on Amazon Prime
The Underseen
The Ritual (2017) dir. David Bruckner
The Ritual, directed by David Bruckner, is a British horror film that may appear formulaic at first glance. However, it unfolds into a unique work of suspense and the supernatural that is entirely unexpected. Although The Ritual was not too successful at the box office, it is certainly worth a watch. Seemingly taking inspiration from The Blair Witch Project (1999), The Ritual follows a group of friends that journey through the Swedish wilderness on a memorial trip for their deceased friend. Rafe Spall confidently leads the cast as Luke, a man consumed by guilt surrounding the circumstances of their friend’s passing. As their journey continues, the men become very aware that they may not be alone. The Ritual draws on Norse Mythology and the fear of the unknown, successfully creating an atmosphere of insignificance about the men in comparison to the grand, supernatural horror that has befallen them.
Available to stream on Shudder via Amazon Prime
The Foreign Language Gem
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) dir. Guillermo del Toro
Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Pan’s Labyrinth, or El Laberinto del Fauno, follows Ivana Baquero as Ofelia, a young girl who enters a magical world beyond anything that she could have dreamed of: Pan’s Labyrinth. The story takes place before the backdrop of a troubled Europe, and acts as a form of modern fairy tale that challenges personal morals and behaviours. Del Toro won the Academy Award for Best Director with Pan’s Labyrinth, and it is easy to see why. His magical touch serves to emphasise the vast grandeur of the cinematography making up one of the best European films of recent years. His signature mystical creatures are both mesmerising and terrifying. The film builds a world that is entirely unlike our own, and does so beautifully.
Available to stream on NOW TV
The Tearjerker
Titanic (1997) dir. James Cameron
Titanic is timeless. James Cameron’s romantic drama is a fictionalised telling of the 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic, following two young people falling in love in the face of tragedy. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet play Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater, two star crossed lovers from different societal classes that crave nothing but the affections of one another. The fact that audiences already know the outcome of the Titanic’s voyage makes the couple’s romance all the more tragic, knowing that they are fated for torment and suffering once they depart from Southampton’s White Star Dock. Although retelling such a well-known story, Titanic manages to create a sense of intimacy that connects audiences to the plight of Jack and Rose. We are constantly rooting for them, and the fact that we know how short-lived their happiness will be only heightens the grief that comes with their struggle.
Available to stream on Disney+
The Feel Good
Warm Bodies (2013) dir. Jonathan Levine
At first glance, a zombie movie might not be your first choice for a feel good flick. Jonathan Levine’s Warm Bodies, however, may surprise you. Very loosely based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, we are introduced to a post-apocalyptic world that has been destroyed by an unknown plague. The surviving humans are at war with the zombies that now walk the Earth. Nicholas Hoult plays R, a zombie that is not quite like the rest of his kind. R empathises with Julie, played by Theresa Palmer, a human who slowly forms a bond with him. The two must find a way to exist together in a world that wants to see them apart. Warm Bodies is the perfect blend of romance and comedy that keeps you charmed by the leads at all times.
Available to stream on Netflix
The Trailblazing
Everything, Everywhere, All At Once (2022) dir. Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Following the recent cinematic trend of featuring plot lines that surround multiversal travel, Everything, Everywhere, All At Once follows an unlikely hero who is thrown into a world of chaos across universes. Tasked with bringing balance to every possible reality, Michelle Yeoh plays Evelyn Wang, a laundrette owner who struggles to express affection towards her daughter Joy. Their relationship is strained, and Evelyn’s multiversal plight is wrapped up in her familial difficulties. Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, and produced by A24, the film features an almost entirely Asian cast whose performances are second to none. It is witty and sharp, yet tender at its core. This Science fiction feature finds meaning through its authentic portrayals of how to choose love in a chaotically lonely world.
Available to stream on Amazon Prime
The Transgressive
Cannibal Holocaust (1985) dir. Ruggero Deodato
Before you consider watching Cannibal Holocaust, it is important to be aware of its sensitive content; sex, sexual violence, bloody violence, and animal slaughter. The cult horror feature (which was outlawed in many countries and continues to be banned by some) is framed around a rescue team venturing into the Amazon, uncovering a lost film shot by a documentary team. This documentary crew visited the area to study its indigenous communities, but are unprepared for the tribe’s unusual appetites. So controversial was Cannibal Holocaust that director Ruggero Deodato was charged with murder, as many believed it to be a snuff film due to its found footage structure. It is a cruel piece of cinema, however, it is incredibly important within the cinematic and pop culture cannons. Believed to be one of the first examples of found footage cinema, Cannibal Holocaust is, to this day, as controversial as you may imagine.
Available to stream on Amazon Prime
Read More:
- Films To Stream In The UK In September 2022
- Films To Stream In The UK In August 2022
- Films To Stream In The UK In June 2022
- Films To Stream In The UK In May 2022
Words by Jess Parker
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