November streaming highlights: the films and series you just can’t miss

Music By John Williams (documentary)

Music – as director Chris Sanders said recently about his masterpiece The Wild Robot – only gets you half way there. Literally. As a director, he can control the script, story, acting and animation. But that’s only half the job. The rest, according to the expert, is taken care of by the music. That’s how important it is.

I couldn’t agree more. After all, I was fascinated by film music even before I knew cinema would become part of my profession one day. It all started with John Williams’ compositions. In fact, it was his melodies for Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones, E.T., Jurassic Park and Home Alone that touched me so much as a teenager that I began to take a close look at film music – and shortly later at the art of film itself. In other words, if it weren’t for John Williams, I wouldn’t be writing about films and series today.

And thanks to him, I’m passionate about cinema. His music isn’t just mere background music that creates atmosphere; it tells the story. This is because music isn’t only the soul of a movie – it’s the most direct way to our emotions. And now there’s a documentary recognising the master and his work: «Music By John Williams». A must-watch for me. But also a must for all film music fans.

When: 1 November
Where: Disney+

The Old Man – Season 2 (series)

Sometimes, you have to be patient to enjoy the really good stories. The Old Man is one of those series. No fast-paced action, but an intense thriller that takes its time to develop its characters and build up a complex plot. Plus two absolute acting legends, Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow, who play a cat-and-mouse game. Bridges plays an ex-CIA agent who has gone into hiding. When a contract killer finally tracks him down, he’s forced to realise that his past will follow him even in his old age. Sounds promising!

Long story short, give it watch.

When: 6 November
Where: Disney+

The Day of the Jackal (series)

Ha! I knew when I watched the trailer that something was familiar for a reason. The Day of the Jackal, the ten-part Sky series, is based on the 1971 novel of the same name. The novel’s already been made into a movie twice. One of which was in 1997 with Bruce Willis and Richard Gere in the leading roles. Back then, the movie was only called The Jackal. And seeing Bruce Willis, one of the action heroes of my childhood, suddenly ice-cold shooting Jack Black’s arm off, left...an impression.

What’s it about? An unbeatable and extremely versatile assassin whose true face is probably only known to his victims – if at all. The exact reason it’s so difficult to catch him. Some even think he’s a myth. His name? The Jackal (Eddie Redmayne). But then something unexpected happens. After committing his last murder, he finally meets an equal opponent: British intelligence officer Bianca (Lashana Lynch). A thrilling chase across Europe begins, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

When: 7 November
Where: Sky Show

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson (live sport)

Jake Paul. The last time I googled his name, he was still a controversial YouTube star who made tasteless videos, was accused of sexual harassment several times and was constantly in the headlines for alcohol abuse and acts of violence. I didn’t even realise that he’s now a cruiserweight boxing pro.

However, his provocative and tasteless attitude seems to have continued in the boxing ring. In fact, Netflix already made a documentary about the «problem child» last year. And Paul still doesn’t seem to have learned when to keep his mouth shut. Paul has been accused of only fighting opponents who aren’t professional boxers in order to bolster his own record. Though he’s not just challenging anyone now, but one of the most dangerous boxing legends of all time: Mike Tyson. He said he wants to «teach him how to box».

To start the countdown to the fight, Netflix has released a mini-series showing both boxers during their training. This should spark some tension. Paul is already encouraging negative headlines and bad publicity with his usual disrespectful videos of him knocking out his sparring partner. I’m excitedto see what Tyson has to say back to him.

When? Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson, Part 1&2: 7 November
When? Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson, Part 3: 12 November
When? The match: 16 November, 2 a.m. (CET)
Where: Netflix

Arcane – Season 2 (series)

Finally, Arcane returns. Let’s rewind to the first season which came out in autumn 2021, in the middle of the coronavirus crisis. I remember it so vividly. No idea why. Perhaps because the movie industry was still suffering from the aftermath and many blockbusters were postponed until the following year. Arcane was one of the few series that was new and really good.

So good, in fact, that the series, which is set in the League of Legends gaming universe, has brought the game many new fans. I was one of those fans for a while. I knew hardly anything about the game before. But Arcane wasn’t just one of the best animated series or movies I’d ever seen. Its sensational characters and fantastic cyber-punk fantasy world were impressive, and I really fell in love with them. That’s why I can hardly wait for the start of the second season, which is told in three acts of three episodes each.

When? Act 1: 9 November
When? Act 2: 16 November
When? Act 3: 23 November
Where: Netflix

Deadpool & Wolverine (movie)

«Good old toilet humour,» said no-one ever. But here we are. Anyway, Deadpool & Wolverine isn’t just one of the best MCU films of all time. Or the most barbaric when it comes to depicting violence. But also the much-needed triumph that Marvel has needed since Avengers: Endgame. Especially in the context of the increasingly confused multiverse.

Still, hope remains. The hope that we’re finally past the dark days of not really knowing where Marvel is going with the multiverse saga. After all, Deadpool is now available for Disney+ subscription holders. Or should I say the «Marvel Jesus» is. And hopefully he’ll be back soon.

When: 12 November
Where: Disney+

Cross (series)

Another series that rang a bell. Then it came flooding back to me. There was a movie in 2012 about a character with the same name in a thriller novel by James Patterson. Lost star Matthew Fox and Jean Reno played supporting roles in the film, which was directed by The Fast and the Furious director Rob Cohen. Alex Cross, on the other hand, was played by Tyler Perry.

Well, this new edition comes in series format. And that’s not a bad idea because there are now over 30 Alex Cross books. Enough material for a series like Jack Ryan or Jack Reacher.

When: 15 November
Where: Prime Video

Silo – Season 2 (series)

In a dystopian future in which the earth has become uninhabitable, the last humans live in a gigantic silo deep underground. But this supposedly safe home harbours dark secrets and deadly dangers. Juliette, a young engineer played by Rebecca Ferguson, begins to ask questions after a loved one mysteriously dies. Her search for the truth leads her deep into the hidden machinations of the silo and confronts her with a conspiracy that threatens the lives of all its inhabitants.

Sound interesting? That’s because it is. The first season was already one of the most-watched series on Apple TV+ last year. And after that cliff-hanger ending, I’m glad it’s finally returning to our screens. If you haven’t seen the first season yet, you should definitely watch it! You’ll be glad you can binge the second season right away.

When: 15 November
Where: Netflix

Landman (series)

Attention fans of Yellowstone: Taylor Sheridan, creator of the Montana cowboy series, has something new up his sleeve. And when Sheridan makes a series, it’s not one to miss. Sheridan is one of a kind in the series business. He’s a showrunner who writes almost all the episodes himself. For Mayor of Kingstown, for example, he wrote the entire first season and the first two episodes of the second. For Yellowstone, he even wrote all episodes of the five seasons as well as all episodes of 1883 and 1923. Usually series are developed by teams of writers, while the showrunner «only» oversees the show.

Sheridan’s latest work is Landman. It’s about the Norris cowboy family, led by the head of the family Tommy (Billy Bob Thornton), who live in West Texas and deal with the challenges of the oil industry. The series itself is based on the podcast Boomtown and focuses on the environmental problems associated with the oil boom in Texas. Yellowstone meets oil? Sounds promising.

When: 18 November
Where: Paramount+

Dune: Prophecy (series)

Yep, since Dune: Part Two at the latest, it’s been clear that the Dune franchise is to science fiction what Lord of the Rings is to fantasy: a complex, fascinating and multi-layered world full of mystical powers and breath-taking locations that’s second to none.

So it comes as no surprise that behind the Dune saga are the six books written by genius Frank Herbert. He wrote the first book in 1965. The last in 1985. At its core are ambitious themes such as colonisation, oppression, revolution and religious redemption. The film adaptation by master director Denis Villeneuve was a gamble. An epic promise. One that he’s redeemed in two «parts». But also one he now intends to continue to fulfil with the Dune: Prophecy series.

The reason being that Dune: Prophecy takes us 10,000 years into the past, long before the events of the films. In the chaos of a destroyed world, the powerful Bene Gesserit sisterhood is born. Valya and Tula Harkonnen, played by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams, carry the hope of humanity with their extraordinary ability to preserve memories and personality across generations. But their power also harbours a dark side ... It’s an absolute must-watch for Dune fans!

When: 18 November, 8:15 p.m.
Where: Sky Show

Senna (series)

Ayrton Senna. His passion and tireless fighting spirit made him an icon. His driving skills made him a legend. Senna always drove with an intensity that kept the audience on the edge of their seats – a constant dance with death, on the verge of control, yet full of elegance and precision. His tragic death in 1994 at the Imola Grand Prix, Italy, changed motorsport forever, caused shockwaves and lead to extensive safety reforms. Yet his spirit lives on. For many, he’s still the face of motorsport today but above all, a story they won’t forget.

Netflix, please don’t screw this up.

When: 29 November
Where: Netflix

The Agency (series)

Undercover agents. They lie. Every day. Live a life that’s not theirs. Love people who they don’t love. There’s no glamour. No exploding watches. Or stirred or shaken martinis. Instead, they risk their lives for a clammy handshake – that’s if it goes well. What kind of people do this voluntarily? «The insane,» says Michael Fassbender in the trailer.

I like this premise. The total opposite to a Bond film. Fassbender plays an agent who’s ordered to give up his undercover life and return to the London Station. But when the love he left behind reappears, the romance reignites. His career, his true identity and his mission are at stake. It could all end fatally in the midst of international intrigue and espionage.

If that’s not enough to entice you, Richard Gere and Jeffrey Wright are also in the series.

When: 30 November
Where: Paramount+

Did I forget a film or series we should definitely watch this month? Let me know in the comments.