This August, as always, Netflix has more unique and innovative original material than we can keep up with. This month, there’s everything from anticipated returns to foreign language genre fare and Kickstarter rescues, and lots of Geena Davis.
To keep out of the summer heat, check out these Netflix originals to watch this August!
Ad Vitam – August 2
Ad Vitam is a French-language science fiction series set in a future where death has been cured and – despite what should be an unsustainable population increase as a result – the quality of life has been drastically improved. But when a number of teens mysteriously commit suicide, a cop and a young woman team up to find out why. Based on the trailer, the series looks twisted, sexy, violent, and action-packed. It looks to examine the political and emotional implications in a society that now values age over everything and where children don’t really matter.
I mean, if you can live forever, would most people have any reason to have children? It would erase the biological imperative and the irrational impulse to continue the family line. After all, if you never die, there’s no reason to have children to continue your legacy. Ad Vitam is comprised of six hour-long episodes and is written and directed by filmmaker Thomas Cailley.
She-Ra and the Princess of Power (Season Three) – August 2
If it seems like only yesterday season two of She-ra and the Princess of Power was released on Netflix, you’re not imagining the ultra-quick turn around of season three. Season two was released just this April, and given the positive and popular response, it’s no wonder that Netflix wants to keep the series rolling. Word is that the series is planned to run basically indefinitely.
Part of the popularity might have something to do with the feminist and gender-fluid tones of the series, with the power of the story’s rebellion coming from a league of young women and with no character seeming to have a specific sexuality. Season three has added Academy Award winner Geena Davis to the cast as Huntara, who is a formidable addition to this amazing cast of women.
Dear White People (Season Three) – August 2
Dear White People has historically been a somewhat controversial series, but only because it is a show that stars and focuses on a predominantly black cast and openly examines issues of racism, gender, cultural appropriation, and white privilege. Many white people would probably prefer to ignore these issues, or else stubbornly try to deny their existence, hence the label of “controversial.” The series follows a group of black students at a fictional ivy league school with a primarily white population.
Season two ended on a cliffhanger when it was revealed that the show’s narrator, played by Giancarlo Esposito, is a member of a mysterious organization called the Order of X. If you had trouble with the first two seasons, the series creator Justin Simien is not shy in letting you know that season three will be somewhat of an undertaking: “The third season is a bit of a gauntlet. It’s when people are either in or out.” While that may deter some people, I find that caveat not just intriguing, but enticing. It’s rare to find a series that is both entertaining and challenging, so this sounds like pretty exciting stuff.
Derry Girls (Season Two) – August 2
This is a coming of age comedy series about a group of teenage girls who grow up during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, where military checkpoints and armored police are a normal part of life. Despite the overall comedic tone of the series, the action is basically set in a war zone, with a violent and unpredictable conflict taking place in the background.
But life goes on, girls grow up, children go to school, and parents go to work, despite the constant threat of bombings and riots as part of the conflict between Protestant unionists and Catholic nationalists. The first season premiered to good reviews with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Naked Director – August 8
This Japanese language series profiles adult filmmaker Toru Muranishi and how he revolutionized the Japanese porn industry. By the look of the trailer, the series has an upbeat tone, with plenty of humor, sex, and violence to keep you hooked and entertained. Actually, it looks downright fun and set in a fascinating period of Japan’s political history.
As with pornography almost everywhere, there is a social stigma and a lot of governmental pushback to regulate the industry, so when Muranishi set out to do something different with porn, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. In fact, he’s been convicted of criminal violations seven times and lost his empire at least twice. If you’re looking for something a little different but still super bingeable, this looks like the place to start.
Wu Assassins – August 8
This supernatural crime series features an all-Asian cast in an American, English language production – a rare and pleasant surprise as American productions continue to increase in diversity. Wu Assassins follows a San Francisco chef who is chosen as the Wu Assasin, a warrior who must keep the powers of the Wu out of the wrong hands and bring balance to Chinatown. The trailer looks awesome, full of action-packed fight scenes and mystical plot points, with a style and tone that would not feel out of place in the now-defunct Netflix based Marvel universe.
It is also cool to see a lot of familiar faces in the series, actors who are well known in American cinema but are often relegated to the role of ethnic villain or sidekick, and are now getting a chance to play the leads. The cast includes named like Byron Mann (Altered Carbon), Li Jun Li (Quantico), Lawrence Kao (The Originals), JuJu Chan (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny), Lewis Tan (Deadpool 2), and Celia Au (Iron Fist).
GLOW (Season Three) – August 9
The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling are back for season three and this time they’re taking the show to Las Vegas. Based on the real-life historical move of the female wrestling league, the series will follow the team’s momentous transition as the ladies find their place in a new location. The move will inspire many characters to examine their lives and relationships, changing their plans for the future and discovering what they really want in life.
Geena Davis must have had a full schedule last year, because not only does she lend her voice to She-ra and the Princess of Power, but she will also appear in this season of GLOW as Fan-Tan Casino entertainment director Sandy Devereaux St. Clair. Something about seeing Davis in a very 80s setting with a glitzy team of female wrestlers feels absolutely perfect. Plus, her hair can get back to doing what it does best.
Cannon Busters – August 15
Netflix is known for supporting some pretty innovative content – anything from saving deserving network shows from extinction to producing groundbreaking audience participatory entertainment. With Cannon Busters, Netflix takes to Kickstarter and a smalltime artist to produce a new animated television series. The series is based on a popular comic book written by LeSean Thomas, who took to Kickstarter to fund a feature film adaptation. Netflix picked it up and announced it as a series, but this was back in 2017.
The series has been continuously pushed back until it was ultimately shelved, but now its finally here. The story follows a friendship robot who teams up with a maintenance droid and deadly fugitive to find his best friend, who is the heir to their kingdom. It sounds like a neat premise and the trailer looks silly, lighthearted, and fun while still being full of action.
Sacred Games (Season Two) – August 15
Sacred Games made a huge splash when it was first released on Netflix last year. Netflix’s first Indian original series debuted to both popular and critical acclaim as the complex crime series pulled viewers into the twisted politics of Mumbai’s criminal underground. A notorious crime lord comes out of hiding after sixteen years to issue a mysterious warning or challenge to a jaded police officer: he must save the city in 25 days.
As season one progresses, there are hints of a potential nuclear attack as the policeman burrows deep into the shady underworld to investigate. Netflix’s description for season two ominously reads, “Ganesh Gaitonde’s story has only just begun. Thirteen days gone, Bombay has twelve left. This game isn’t quite over.” The trailer for season two looks even more intense than season one, full of action, tension, and violence and hints of dark rituals. It looks so juicy.
Mindhunter (Season Two) – August 16
I am really excited about this one. Mindhunter brings together so many elements that I find fascinating and satisfying along with a talented cast and crew. The series follows the development of the FBI’s behavioral crime unit, including the terms and methods used to catch and classify serial killers. The series is directed by David Fincher and stars Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, and – my favorite – the incredible Anna Torv. I will literally watch anything if Anna Torv is in it, but she’s definitely not the only reason to get into this series.
Season two will focus on the investigation into the Atlanta Child Murders and will feature Charles Manson as a new character. It seems the behavioral science team is continuing their psychological research into killers, continuing their conversations with Edmund Kemper (Cameron Britton) and adding Manson (Damon Herriman, who weirdly also plays Manson in Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood).
The Dark Crystal: The Age of Resistance (Season One) – August 30
The much-anticipated prequel series to the Jim Henson classic is finally getting its premiere and it looks perfect. With The Jim Henson Company and Lisa Henson acting as producers, the tone and style of the series should be in perfect keeping with the original film and a wonderful expansion of the universe of the story. Not only does the art and action looks great, but the voice cast is out-of-this-world phenomenal.
The list is long, but my highlights include Mark Hamill, Eddie Izzard, Simon Pegg, Andy Samberg, Sigourney Weaver, Helena Bonham Carter, Keegan-Michael Key, Benedict Wong, Taron Egerton, and Mark Strong. The 10-episode series is directed by Louis Leterrier and follows three Gelfling heroes as they discover the terrible truth behind the power of the Skeksis and join together to start a rebellion to save their world.
What Netflix series are you excited to watch this August? Be sure to tell us in the comment section below!