Netflix has taken over all of our lives and we've sat back and welcomed it. "Netflix and chill" is now meant in the literal sense rather than being used as a euphemism back in the day i.e. a year or so ago. With the recent boom of the streaming service, it's no surprise that they show no signs of stopping. Having released a huge amount of new content this year, they also announced exciting releases for 2019 at the "What's Next" event at Singapore recently, with series from Thailand, too.
TWO ORIGINAL THAI SERIES
Original content from Thailand, exclusively released on the streaming service, will be The Stranded, which tells the story of a group of students who are -- well, stranded on an island and must learn how to survive by themselves. The next is Shimmers, which is touted as a "supernatural eco-thriller" set in Chiang Mai. No word yet on the release date but we're excited to hear and see more.
KINGDOM
Korean dramas have taken Southeast Asia by storm, but Kingdom, Netflix's second original Korean series, is unique. It's a period drama set in the Joseon period and of course, Korean period dramas are nothing new, but Kingdom has something other Korean series don't: zombies. Think Train To Busan but in the medieval era. The series stars Ju Ji-hoon, is directed by Kim Seong-hun and written by Kim Eun-hee. It premieres next month and has already been greenlit for a second season.
THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY
Based on the graphic novel by My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way, the series follows a superpowered group of siblings who reunite to discover the true reason for their father's death. Two of the series' stars, Robert Sheehan and David Castañeda, were at Netflix's "What's Next" event in Singapore and both were not only excited for people to see how fun the show is but also how complex the relationship of the siblings are with each other and with their late father. The series premieres in February.
Films
ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE
Asian romcoms might be a thing thanks to the success of Crazy Rich Asians. Always Be My Maybe will star Randall Park and Ali Wong as childhood friends who grow up to lead two very different lives but eventually fall in love.
THE LAST SUMMER
If coming of age films are your thing or perhaps you just have the hots for KJ Apa, then this movie is for you. It follows a group of graduating high schoolers (and for some reason the high schoolers on Netflix are really good looking) as they go deal with friendships and romance. The cast also includes Maia Mitchell and Tyler Posey.
BIRD BOX
Based on the novel of the same name and a cast that includes John Malkovich and Sarah Paulsen, headlined by Sandra Bullock, the film follows the journey of a mother trying to guide her children to safety in a post-apocalyptic world where most people have mysteriously killed themselves due to a "problem". Unlike the last two films, the release of Bird Box is actually soon: Dec 21.
Anime
ULTRAMAN
It's been a while since we've seen the gigantic hero battle it out with equally gigantic aliens but he's set to make a comeback in anime form. Set years after the original Ultraman, the series will follow the son of the Shin Hayata, the very first person who took on the form of the alien being, now follows in his father's footsteps and takes on the mantle of Ultraman. No definite release date.
PACIFIC RIM
Yes, you read that right. Guillermo del Toro's masterpiece that gave us Jaegers and Kaiju are coming to your TVs and devices in anime form. No word yet on release date but it's definitely in development.
ALTERED CARBON
Continuing on the theme of already established titles, Netflix is also developing an anime based on their hit show Altered Carbon. Fret not, this is separate from the second season that's already in development. Instead, this anime will serve us a companion of sorts for the main series. Keep your eyes peeled for a release date.
Stuff to watch right now
Titles that were showcased back in their “What Next” event was Narcos: Mexico and the movie Mowgli. The talent and producers were present to talk a little bit about them but the good news is that they stream now.
NARCOS: MEXICO
Narcos: Mexico is an offshoot of the popular series Narcos (duh) and features an all new cast and location. Producer Eric Newman said that it's always been the plan to move the series to Mexico, and stars Diego Luna and Michael Peña also said that the story is not as clean-cut as it may seem. More importantly, they are also keen on making the story, the setting and the language as authentic as possible. If you've already binged the series then look out because the show has already been renewed for a second season.
MOWGLI: LEGEND OF THE JUNGLE
Directed by motion capture actor Andy Serkis, who plays the role of Baloo, the film is a darker retelling of the The Jungle Book and stars a stellar cast that includes the likes of Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett and Benedict Cumberbatch. The cast, Serkis said, was very keen on playing characters that are unlike themselves -- because after all, this is what actors do. As a director, he also said he wanted to focus on the emotional journey that Mowgli takes, which was something, he claimed, has never been done before. Streaming now. g
