What we're streaming in March 2020
Zombies, dead pets, robots, and hard-hitting social issues make it to our watchlist
After a long day at work, all you want to do is pluck your brain out, put it in a jar and spend the next three hours bingeing on the hot new TV show streaming online — whether it’s just background noise while you battle with your pile of dirty laundry, or a distraction as you sweat over onions simmering in a pan.
The good news is that with a growing number of OTT platforms hitting our screens, there’s a steady stream of new content to gobble up. We sifted through what’s streaming this month, and picked what we’re most excited about.
From a reboot of a classic girl-power favourite, to the life story of a woman entrepreneur who was the first female African-American millionaire in the early 20th century, to one where pets come back to haunt you — a mixed bag awaits.
Here’s what we’re going to be streaming online in March 2020
1. Pet Sematary
The reigning monarch of the horror genre Stephen King is back on the big screen with a second adaptation of Pet Sematary.
Pet Sematary tells the story of the Creed family having newly moved to a small town in Maine. A nearby pet cemetery holds within it more than just the graves of beloved pets. It is set on a burial ground that allegedly brings back the dead — with terrifying results.
Yet again, a film based on King’s novels manages to get underneath our skin, question right from wrong and even reality as we know it. Fair warning: exchanging glances with your neon-eyed cat at midnight will seem just a little scarier. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
2. Guilty
In this film directed by Ruchi Narain, a college heartthrob is accused of rape — setting off a chain of events that test all the relationships in his life. His partner, played by Kiara Advani, is torn between defending her boyfriend and believing (and disbelieving) the victim.
When the news of the case starts to spread, friendships are put to the test and the conundrum of he-said-she-said plunges the group into a crisis.
As contradictory versions of events come to light, Guilty explores themes of consent, class dynamics, victim-blaming and relationship dynamics.
Watch on Netflix on March 6th
3. Charlie’s Angels
A modern-day update on the cult classic, it brings together Kirsten Stewart, Ella Balinska, Naomi Scott, Patrick Stewart and Elizabeth Banks.
One of the few action films written and directed by a woman, it gives Banks the chance to shine both on-screen and off (as director), and Stewart’s having a ball of a time, not pouting her way through a serious role for once. The titular angels have great chemistry, it’s fast-paced, and a powerful reminder of what women can do when we have each other’s backs.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video on March 8
4. Pushpavalli, Season 2
Sumukhi Suresh is back in and as the titular character of Pushpavalli. We’ve seen a lot of shady stalkers on the big screen, with some of us even falling in love with them (Joe Goldberg of You has quite the solid fan base) and this one uses the same stalker trope.
Pushapavalli is obsessed with the ‘man of her dreams’, misreading their interactions as romantic and moves from Bhopal to Bengaluru, in pursuit. She’s lonely, struggles with body image issues, making you empathise with some of her experiences — until her lies and stalker behaviour becomes apparent, and dangerous.
With each episode having a runtime of approximately 20 minutes, you have plenty of time to catch up on the first season before the start of the second.
Watch on Amazon Prime video on March 13
5. Zombieland 2: Double Tap
The Zombieland film took the tired zombie apocalypse storyline and turned it on its head for an action-filled and witty film of an eclectic troupe of characters navigating through desolate land.
Jesse Eisenberg’s awkwardness with Woody Harrelson’s quintessential, well, Woody-ness creates the perfect balance in this to make it a thoroughly enjoyable joyride.
We pick up where the first movie left on, but leave behind the White House to travel to Graceland in Memphis. Through the course of the journey, the gang encounters others like them, and an even a group of ‘peace-loving’ survivors who find refuge in a hippie commune. Naturally, chaos and bloodshed ensues. We’re dying to watch it.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video on March 15
6. Westworld (Season 3)
The universe that Westworld created is a dark one. It is a futuristic Wild West-themed amusement park, well, amusement for the rich and powerful. The robot ‘hosts’ of this theme park, unaware of their automated nature, exist for the sole pleasure of the visitors to do indulge in their craziest desires and fantasies without any repercussions.
All hell breaks loose when some of them begin to remember the atrocities committed upon them before every reboot.
The highly-anticipated return of the show hopes (we hope) to untangle the maze of complexities the second season left us with. Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy will continue to have us questioning the very nature of humanity, with plot twists, turns and timelines that continue to push the limits.
Watch on Hotstar on March 16
7. Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker
Madam CJ Walker’s story has inspired women for years. Pulling herself up by the bootstraps and building a haircare empire against all odds. She became the first female self-made millionaire in the US (Kylie Jenner, who?), creating a hair product to cater to the needs of African American hair.
The limited series focuses on how Walker created an industry for cosmetics for African American women. We see the struggles of being a female businesswoman. That too, a woman of colour, at a time when it was unheard of. At the time of her passing in 1919, she’s believed to have been the wealthiest self-made woman in America.
8. Lost Girls
We’re used to seeing Amy Ryan play the lovable Holly Flax in The Office. In Lost Girls, she plays the role of Mari Gilbert, a bereft mother searching for her missing daughter — based on true events documented in investigative reporter Robert Kolker’s book by the same name.
Gilbert’s pushing of law enforcement agents leads to the discovery to 10 unsolved murders, starting a larger investigation into what’s happening across Long Island.
Watch on Netflix
9. The Test: A New Era For Australia’s Team
You don’t need to be an Aussie supporter to binge watch this comeback tale of redemption. The shocking ball tampering-incident in 2018 tarnished the reputation of the Australian men’s cricket team and forced quick (and high-profile) changes in system — including some bans (of David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft) and a series of new appointments.
This eight-part documentary takes us into the tense dressing room as we journey with the team in their uphill trek to reclaim integrity.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video on March 11