Hard to believe it’s September already — but here we are! Because it’s not time to trade in pool days for pumpkin spice just yet, though, I’m back with one final edition of Netflix & Chill, Literally (until next year, at least), bringing you five fresh picks to chill out to as this mercifully mild summer winds to a close. Think twisty thrillers, an Aussie comedy that’ll have you laughing out loud, and a few surprises in between.
Happy streaming!
XO, Lindsay
UNTAMED
A confounding murder mystery unfolds against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Yosemite National Park in this gripping new series. Easily one of the best crime dramas to hit the small screen in a long time (not to mention one of the most stunning!), the show is worth a watch for the scenery alone – though you’ll certainly want to stick around for the taut story line, sharp dialogue and rich cast of characters, led by a spectacular Eric Bana and Lily Santiago.
Where to watch: Free on Netflix
BALLARD
Cold case mysteries seem to be my procedural obsession du jour. Last month, it was Dept. Q; this month, it’s Ballard, the new Bosch spin-off based on Michael Connelly’s Renée Ballard novels. Starring the impeccableMaggie Q as a taciturn LAPD detective relegated to an underfunded basement cold case unit alongside a quirky team of unpaid reserves and interns (all impeccably cast), the series packs a serious punch. Not familiar with Bosch? Not to worry – Ballard stands firmly on its own.
Where to watch: Free on Prime
FISK
Hands-down one of the funniest comedies streaming right now, all three seasons of this Office-esque Australian series (the latest of which just dropped) are wildly bingeable. Kitty Flanagan shines as Helen Tudor-Fisk, a deliciously awkward, down-on-her-luck contracts lawyer, supported by a stellar ensemble cast so pitch-perfect, watching almost feels like a masterclass in comedy. Each episode is sheer hilarity all the way through.
Where to watch: Free on Netflix
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY & POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY
Tongue twister of a title aside, this historical drama is wholly heartwarming and poignant. Adapted from a bestselling novel, it chronicles a British author’s journey to the Channel Islands to uncover the story of an unlikely book club formed there during World War II. Told via a dynamic timeline that flashes back and forth between the Nazi occupation and its aftermath, the film is by turns compelling, uplifting, and devastating – and the real-life talebehind the book’s publication is just as bittersweet.
Where to watch: Free on Netflix
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB
Based on another bestselling novel, this charming comedy follows four true-crime-obsessed septuagenarians who stumble onto – and set out to solve – a murder mystery in their plush Kent community of Coopers Chase, aka “Britain’s First Luxury Retirement Village.” (The Valley may have some fab senior living complexes, but this place is seriously next level!) Boasting an all-star cast (all bringing their A-game!), the flick is as sweet as it is funny, with the perfect amount of intrigue tossed in.
Where to watch: Free on Netflix
Thanks for reading!
I hope these picks help you stay cool and entertained as we ride out these last waves of summer. If you or someone you know is thinking about buying or selling in the Coachella Valley, I’d love to be your local resource — and of course, chat about the best shows to binge while doing it!