Ten Pound Poms, Tracker and everything else to watch this week

The Netflix drama that is a harrowing must-watch

This week, Kayleigh Dray dives deep into two new Netflix releases, while Helen Bownass reveals her pick of what to watch over the next seven days…

This Netflix drama is a harrowing must-watch

"When I first heard about Adolescence, I expected another pulpy thriller. Instead, Stephen Graham's new miniseries delivers a gut-wrenching look at modern society's darkest realities," says Kayleigh.

"It opens with a scene that's every parent's nightmare: 13-year-old Jamie Miller is arrested at dawn, dragged from his bed by armed officers and stands accused of murdering a classmate. His parents (Graham and Christine Tremarco) are blindsided; how could their quiet, ordinary son – still sleeping in a bedroom painted with stars and space paraphernalia and calling for his dad when he's scared – ever be capable of such a thing?

"Filmed in a single, unflinching shot, the technically brilliant crime drama drags us into the Millers' world as they grapple with mounting evidence and a legal system that's already made up its mind. And, with standout performances across the board from Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters and Erin Doherty, the series explores a chillingly relevant question: could radicalisation really ever happen under a parent's nose?

"As Jamie's trial looms, the story shifts, revealing troubling details about the little boy we met in that first episode – his social media habits, his attitudes toward women and the unsettling label one classmate gave him: incel. And, against the backdrop of a UK grappling with rising violence against women, Adolescence forces us to confront uncomfortable truths… resulting in the kind of show that lingers in our minds long after the credits roll." All four episodes land on Netflix on 13 March. Read the full review here.

... the three things that have us excited for The Electric State (and two that make us a little nervous)

"The Electric State has been making headlines left, right and centre of late – not least because of all the awful comments that have been made about Millie Bobby Brown's appearance during the press tour and her impassioned, now-viral response to her critics," says Kayleigh.

"If you've only heard of the film in this unfortunate context, though, it's well worth brushing up on what the Stranger Things star's new project is all about… "

THE PREMISE SOUNDS GREAT (ON PAPER)
"Described by creators as something like a sci-fi fairytale, The Electric State tells the story of a young woman, who – along with her mysterious robot pal – is forced to join forces with an eccentric drifter. Together, they will make their way across a 200-mile treacherous wasteland (one which humans are banned from entering) so they can track down our hero's missing brother.

THE CAST IS STELLAR
"Brown – who has already proven her acting talents a thousand times over as Eleven in Stranger Things – leads this one as Michelle. She's joined by an all-star cast, including Chris Pratt, Stanley Tucci, Jenny Slate and Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan. Phew!

THE VIBE IS FUN
"The world outside feels bleak and perilous right about now, so it's nice to have a technicoloured fantasy that deals with themes of family and hope, as well as the dangers of technology and consumerism, right?

… BUT THE SOURCE MATERIAL SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN LOST
"The film is based on a haunting and dystopian graphic novel by Simon Stålenhag… one which looks and feels incredibly different to the zany Hollywood blockbuster coming to Netflix. Is it any wonder that fans of the source material are worried?

… AND THE RUSSO BROTHERS HAVE RAISED EYEBROWS
"They've helmed some of the biggest cinematic releases to date, including Avengers: Endgame and Infinity War, so there's no denying these guys know their way around a film. Still, many diehard fans of The Electric State are worried they're a mismatch for what should be a cautionary tale about a robotic uprising, but looks to be something far less introspective. Especially as they've gone on record to state that they used the OG story as 'inspiration' for an entirely new story, rather than create a true adaptation. But we can't wait to see what Millie Bobby Brown brings to this new role." The Electric State hits Netflix on 14 March.

In partnership with Lionsgate

Get a pair of tickets for a free screening of Steve Coogan's new movie

If you're currently in need of some feel-good entertainment (and, truly, who isn't at this point?), the release of Steve Coogan's sweet-natured new film The Penguin Lessons will come as welcome news indeed. From the director of The Full Monty and the writer of Philomena, the new film co-stars Jonathan Pryce and tells the story of an Englishman's personal and political awakening after he adopts a penguin (as you do) during a cataclysmic period in Argentine history. It's an incredibly moving slice of comedy-drama, featuring possibly the most adorable flightless bird in cinematic history.

Better still, we've got over 1,000 free tickets to give away to screenings of the film at 6.30pm on 31 March at seven Cineworld locations up and down the country. Want to get hold of a pair for yourself? Just hit the button below to secure yours now.

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Ten Pound Poms

Michelle Keegan picks up the lead again in this 1950s-set series in which she plays a British immigrant who escapes to Australia in the hope of a better life. As nurse Kate Thorne, she's reeling from the discovery that her son has been adopted by an Australian family and we follow her fight to expose their separation against her wishes. Sunday 9 March, 8pm, BBC One

Tracker S2

Series one of this wildly popular American drama was described by The Guardian as "a daft Sherlock, but with more topless scenes", and who could fail to be enticed by that? Justin Hartley plays a survivalist and expert tracker, and his new set of adventures begin with the hunt for a family missing from their minivan. Wednesday 12 April on Disney+

Dope Thief

Two friends posing as Drug Enforcement Administration officers rob an isolated house, accidentally unravelling a huge drug ring that could take down everyone they love. Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura play the two grifters in this gritty new eight-part thriller. Friday 14 April on Apple TV+