Weekend Streaming Guide: Dystopian Thrills and Acclaimed Returns April 12-13

As the weekend of April 12-13 approaches, viewers seeking compelling narratives and intense drama will find a robust selection across various streaming platforms and cinemas. Highlighted by People.com, the theme for this particular viewing period leans towards the “spookiest, most dystopian projects”, offering a mix of highly anticipated season premieres, continuing critically acclaimed series, new films, and insightful documentaries.

Anticipated Returns and Final Chapters

Among the most significant events is the return of the acclaimed post-apocalyptic drama, The Last of Us. Its second season is set to premiere on Sunday, April 13, at 9 p.m. ET, available on both HBO and Max. The new season promises to delve deeper into the adaptation of the popular video game source material, with considerable attention on the casting of Kaitlyn Dever, who joins the ensemble as Abby, a character pivotal to the unfolding narrative.

For those immersed in the grim reality of Gilead, the final season of The Handmaid’s Tale commenced just ahead of the weekend. Season 6 released its first three episodes on April 8 on Hulu. This concluding chapter focuses squarely on the escalating revolution against the fundamentalist society, led by the indefatigable June, portrayed by the Emmy-winning actress Elisabeth Moss. Viewers can catch up on these initial episodes over the weekend as the series builds towards its conclusion.

Comedy enthusiasts with a penchant for sharp wit and complex character dynamics will welcome the return of Hacks. The fourth season of the celebrated series returned on April 10, airing on Max every Thursday for a total of 10 episodes. The new season continues to explore the evolving, often tumultuous, relationship between legendary comedian Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, and her young writer Ava Daniels, portrayed by Hannah Einbinder, promising more insightful and humorous exchanges.

New Dimensions of Sci-Fi and Thriller

Venturing further into the dystopian and speculative realm, Black Mirror Season 7 is now streaming on Netflix. The new season offers six fresh episodes, continuing its tradition of standalone stories exploring the dark side of technology and society. Notably, the season includes a sequel episode titled ‘USS Callister: Into Infinity’, which follows up on the acclaimed ‘Common People’ episode, revisiting its themes and characters.

Switching gears to interpersonal drama and suspense, the series Your Friends & Neighbors provides a different kind of tension. Available on AppleTV+, the show features Jon Hamm in a leading role as Andrew ‘Coop’ Cooper, alongside Olivia Munn as Sam. The series delves into the complexities of modern relationships and community dynamics.

The action genre is robustly represented by the new film G20, available on Prime Video. This action thriller stars the formidable Viola Davis as President Danielle Sutton. The plot centers on a high-stakes scenario where President Sutton must simultaneously save her family and foil a major global plot when terrorists launch an attack during the G20 summit being held in South Africa. The film promises intense action and political intrigue.

Examining Contemporary Society

Beyond fictional narratives, the documentary Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing provides a sobering and critical look at the world of child content creators. The film examines the rapidly growing, often controversial, industry surrounding young online personalities and their management. It specifically covers figures like Piper Rockelle and her mother Tiffany Smith, shedding light on the ethical and practical challenges of this unique form of digital fame.

This weekend, April 12-13, offers a diverse slate ranging from intense post-apocalyptic survival and chilling technological cautionary tales to political thrillers and insightful documentaries. Viewers across various platforms can choose from these acclaimed series, films, and documentaries, ensuring a compelling and thought-provoking viewing experience tailored to a variety of tastes.