This Week’s Best Streaming Picks
From a surprising sports comedy that riffs on Hollywood legends to intimate dramas and sharp Swedish satire, this week’s streaming line-up has something for every mood. Nicholas Wennö curates a cross‑platform slate that blends bold original series with thoughtful standouts, ensuring that your evenings are filled with both entertainment and conversation starters. Here are the highlights, with quick takes to help you decide what to watch first.
Chad Powers (Disney+)
A surprisingly charming sport comedy that flirts with the energy of Ted Lasso and the warmth of Mrs. Doubtfire. Hollywood’s rising star Glen Powell plays Russ Holliday, a scandal-plagued American football star who must rebuild his career under a disguise. To break back into the game, he poses as the fictional Chad Powers to join a struggling college squad, South Georgia Catfish. What begins as a playful costume party gradually unfolds into a humane tale of reconciliation and personal growth, with a buoyant ensemble and crisp banter that will please fans of feel‑good sports sagas.
Solsidan 9 (TV4 Play)
Sweden’s beloved villa-life satire returns for another round of status angst and social misfires. In this installment, Fredde and Mickan argue about life choices, while Alex and Anna explore new bourgeois paths. If you’ve ever recognized your own block of suburbia in a miscommunication or a petty conflict, Solsidan 9 delivers the kind of tightly written humor that lands with satisfying, rueful honesty. The show’s signature mix of cringe and warmth makes it a reliable weekly comfort watch for Swedish audiences and curious internationals alike.
Mister Books Mysterier (SVT Play)
Mark Gatiss—known for his keen eye for period detail—offers a post‑war London mystery that blends noir mood with refined humor. Gabriel Book, a bookish detective (and part-time sleuth), navigates a city scarred by rationing and shadowy networks, aided by a network of characters who mirror the era’s anxieties. The series balances wit with tension, making it a perfect pick for viewers who enjoy sly, character-driven mysteries with a dash of literary flavor.
Nails (SkyShowtime)
In this Spanish‑language comedy, a nail salon becomes the unlikely epicenter of female solidarity and rebellion. A colorful cast of women — each with their own ambitions and insecurities — bands together to resist beauty standards and societal pressures. The show uses humor to explore empowerment, friendship, and the courage to redefine femininity on one salon chair at a time. It’s a warm, timely reminder that strength often hides in plain sight in the most everyday places.
Monster. The Ed Gein Story (Netflix)
Ryan Murphy continues his provocative, horror‑adjacent anthology approach with a focus on one of America’s darkest figures. Eddie Gein’s chilling biography unfolds with meticulous period detail and a psychological lens, while other cast members (including actors portraying Hitchcock and Alma Gein) anchor the story in a broader cultural horror. If you’re drawn to true‑crime‑tinged drama with high craftsmanship and social context, this installment adds a haunting layer to Murphy’s repertoire.
Friendship (SF Anytime)
Tim Robinson (a standout SNL alumnus) and Paul Rudd deliver a quirky, awkward friendship tale that spirals into something darkly comic and unexpectedly tender. The film thrives on social awkwardness, miscommunication, and a mounting obsession between two men navigating neighborhood life and a shared crush. It’s a smart, offbeat comedy for viewers who enjoy character quirks as much as laugh-out-loud moments.
Steve (Netflix)
A gripping drama that questions the uplifting conventions of the school‑drama genre. Cillian Murphy stars as an exhausted headteacher trying to preserve the integrity of a troubled boarding school while the documentary lens exposes the inner battles of students and staff. This intimate narrative, inspired by Max Porter’s novel Shy, uses restrained storytelling to pack a powerful emotional punch.
Hacking Hate (SVT Play)
From the director of TPB AFK, this dystopian thriller dives into online extremism and its real‑world consequences. Focusing on investigative journalist My Vingren, the film follows a perilous undercover journey into extremist networks. It’s a tense, timely examination of how the internet reshapes democracy, power, and personal safety in the 2020s.
Holdovers (2023) (Netflix)
Alexander Payne’s moody ensemble piece centers on a mismatched group staying behind at a New England boarding school during Christmas break. A crabby classics teacher, a wayward student, and a few other misfits form a holographic chorus of humanity—blending melancholy with humor in a way that lingers long after the credits. It’s a quietly devastating, deeply humane drama with a warm winter glow.
12 Years a Slave (SVT Play)
Steve McQueen’s Oscar‑winning historical drama offers an unflinching, devastating look at slavery in 19th‑century America. The film’s restrained, unflinching energy—anchored by Chiwetel Ejiofor’s restrained performance and Fassbender’s unsettling antagonist—creates a painful, necessary cinematic experience. This is a film to watch with time for reflection and discussion afterward.
Hjärter dam (Heart of the Queen) (SVT Play)
This Danish drama (often translated as Heart of the Queen) blends dangerous desire with power dynamics within a blended family. A sharp, immersive narrative explores erotic tension and ethical boundaries, delivering a tense, stylish thriller that leaves you pondering the costs of passion and ambition.
Veckans klassiker: In the Mood for Love (2000)
A timeless Wong Kar‑wai classic, featuring exquisite color palettes, delicate choreography, and a restrained score. Two married neighbors in 1960s Hong Kong navigate a growing, unspoken attraction amid a world of social propriety. The film’s quiet intensity and visual poetry make it a narcotic kind of classic that deserves revisiting or discovering for the first time.
Bonus read: Slow Horses and the MI5 Galaxy
For spy‑thriller fans craving more, Nicholas Wennö also shares insights into Slow Horses—the quick, sharp series that keeps you on your toes. It’s a complementary read to this week’s picks and a reminder that the best streaming week often includes both new gems and trusted favorites.
Whether you’re seeking light, laugh‑along entertainment, or a deeper, more challenging drama, this week’s streaming tips offer a balanced menu across platforms. Happy watching!
