Jake Gyllenhaal in Court: Top Streaming Picks of the Week
In the Apple TV+ series adaptation of the thriller „Presumed Innocent“ (1990), a highly decorated lawyer finds himself in court on suspicion of murder: Jake Gyllenhaal now takes on the role once held by Harrison Ford. What other streaming highlights the upcoming week has in store can be found in the overview.
For Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal), the professional path seems predetermined. As a representative of the current district attorney of Chicago, Raymond Horgan (Bill Camp), a brilliant career awaits him. On top of that, he seems to have a dream family with his wife Barbara (Ruth Negga) and their two children – at least on the surface. However, the meticulously constructed bourgeois illusion dissipates when Rusty’s colleague Carolyn (Renate Reinsve) is found murdered. The investigation of the crime is at the center of the Apple series „Presumed Innocent“ (starting June 14, Apple TV+).
As the serialized version of the 1990 thriller with Harrison Ford quickly reveals, Rusty had a passionate relationship with Carolyn. As dirty details come to light piece by piece, he becomes the prime murder suspect. This lands him in court and on the defendant’s bench of the sleazy chief prosecutor Tommy Molto (Peter Sarsgaard), putting Rusty’s family life to a tough test as well.
With J.J. Abrams („Star Wars“) and David E. Kelley („Big Little Lies“), Apple brought two experienced series producers on board for the adaptation of Scott Turow’s bestseller. Especially the latter stands for complex family constellations full of pain, defamation, and shattered dreams. Intrafamily dysfunctions are also the greatest strength of „Presumed Innocent“. The more that comes to light in the eight episodes, the more strained Rusty’s relationship with his wife Barbara, wonderfully portrayed by Ruth Negga, but also his children becomes.
„The Boys – Season Four,“ Prime Video
The superheroes in the gripping Amazon series „The Boys“ have long gone off the rails. Anyone with superhuman powers doesn’t have to be super or a hero – but sees themselves above the law. It was only a matter of time before the flying psychopath Homelander (Antony Starr) and his super-powered entourage seized political power. In the fourth season (starting June 13 on Amazon Prime), they have reached their goal: And that is not good for America.
In the deeply divided nation, two camps are irreconcilably opposed: some consider it legitimate for their ever-smiling, blow-dried idol to crush critics in the open street and get away with it. Others fight for justice and want to defend the remnants of democracy against the dictatorship of terror from the White House.
„Blackberry,“ Paramount+
The tech company Blackberry is now history, but in the 2000s, the company’s smartphones were indispensable companions for many businessmen and women. With the drama „Blackberry,“ Paramount+ pays tribute to the „meteoric rise and catastrophic fall“ of Blackberry starting on June 8. Based on the 2015 book „Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry“ by journalists Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff, the film tells the story of best friends Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel) and Douglas Fregin (Matt Johnson) who developed the world’s first smartphone in 1996.
While technically brilliant, they were completely inexperienced in business, so they sought help from entrepreneur Jim Balsillie (Glen Howerton). Together, they revolutionized the business world until a competing company suddenly wanted to push them out of the market. „Blackberry“ was directed by lead actor Matt Johnson, who co-wrote the screenplay with producer Matthew Miller.
„Doctor Climax,“ Netflix
In Thailand in the 1970s, in a sexually prudish society, dermatologist Dr. Nat (Ter-Chantavit Dhanasevi) struggles with his everyday life. He feels constrained by his job and his family. An escape from the monotony promises the opportunity to write a newspaper column that addresses readers‘ questions about their sex lives. The column by „Doctor Climax“ makes a big splash: more and more people turn to Nat with their problems. However, criticism is also growing in conservative parts of society. When a public search for the true identity of the columnist is called for, the mood threatens to shift. Meanwhile, Dr. Nat has other problems: he increasingly feels attracted to his colleague Lisa (Goy-Arachaporn Pokinpakorn), even though he is married.
„Doctor Climax“ is a series by Thai director Ekachai Uekrongtham and will be available on Netflix from June 13.