This week’s entertainment highlights offer a diverse array of storytelling, from a heartfelt dramedy featuring Mark Ruffalo to a poignant documentary by Mariska Hargitay. Additionally, Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney captivate in a new thriller, while the Predator franchise takes an animated turn.
Hal and Harper: A Quicksilver Dramedy
Hal and Harper, streaming on Stan, is a US dramedy that blurs the line between casual life and crisis. Starring Lili Reinhart and Cooper Raiff, the show delves into the emotional upheavals of two siblings, Harper and Hal, navigating the precipice of adulthood. Harper, feeling like a “fragile sculpture,” is metaphorically on the verge of collapse, reflecting the show’s theme of emotional turbulence overwhelming the everyday.
Created by Cooper Raiff, known for his work on Cha Cha Real Smooth, the series is an exploration of unspoken familial dynamics. Hal, played by Raiff, is finishing university but remains emotionally tethered to Harper. Their father, Michael, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, is a novelist whose lack of emotional support has left lasting impacts on his children. The plot thickens when Michael’s announcement of a new child with his girlfriend Kate, played by Betty Gilpin, forces the family to confront their past traumas.
“I feel like a fragile sculpture,” Harper (Lili Reinhart) says, encapsulating the show’s delicate balance of humor and heartache.
My Mom Jayne: A Daughter’s Reconciliation
My Mom Jayne, available on Max, is a deeply personal documentary by Mariska Hargitay about her mother, Jayne Mansfield. The film seeks to reconcile the public image of Mansfield, a 1950s Hollywood icon, with the private figure Hargitay never truly knew, as she was only three when Mansfield died in a car accident.
Hargitay’s journey is one of understanding and longing, as she pieces together her mother’s life through interviews with family and Mansfield’s former publicist, “Rusty” Strait. The documentary offers an intimate look at Mansfield’s life, from her glamorous public persona to her role as a loving mother.
“She was always on display,” recalls Rusty Strait, highlighting the duality of Mansfield’s life.
Echo Valley: A Familial Thriller
Echo Valley, streaming on Apple TV+, is a thriller set in rural Pennsylvania, featuring Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney as an estranged mother-daughter duo. Written by Brad Ingelsby and directed by Michael Pearce, the film explores themes of familial obligation and betrayal. The plot is driven by the daughter’s return home after a misdeed, sparking a series of twists and double-crosses.
While the narrative lacks a visceral edge, the performances of Moore and Sweeney provide depth to an otherwise familiar storyline. The film’s exploration of maternal bonds and the debts of familial duty resonates throughout.
Countdown and Predator: New Takes on Familiar Themes
Countdown, on Amazon Prime Video, follows LAPD detective Mark Meachum, played by Jensen Ackles, as he uncovers a conspiracy during a murder investigation. The series taps into Amazon’s penchant for “Dad action” but struggles to rise above its procedural roots.
Meanwhile, Predator: Killer of Killers on Disney+ revives the classic franchise with an animated anthology. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the series explores Predator encounters across different historical eras, blending ultra-violence with comic book flair.
The Predator franchise “may well be having the most interesting second act,” with its innovative approach to storytelling.
These diverse offerings highlight the evolving landscape of entertainment, where traditional narratives are reimagined through new lenses, providing audiences with fresh perspectives on familiar themes.
