With the advent of streaming, the line between TV shows and movies is becoming blurrier. Particularly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, movie studios are reevaluating what is worth a theatrical release and what can go straight to streaming. Prestigious movies, such as Best Picture Oscar-winner Nomadland and David Fincher’s Mank, are often released directly onto a streaming service with limited-to-no theatrical runs. Limited series are often packed with movie stars — if you look at Big Little Lies, you’ll see Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, and Reese Witherspoon sharing the screen. The idea that movies are to be taken seriously and TV shows are not is falling away.
Beyond the visual gaps between the two mediums, another reason for the divide in attitude towards TV and film is the differences in power between the two. Writing for The Guardian, Edward Helmore points out that “typically in TV, directors are subservient to writers and producers.” Perhaps the rise in equity between television and movies is due to directors taking the reins in more TV productions. Once again, Jean-Marc Valée’s Big Little Lies may have been part of this catalyst, or Cary Fukanaga’s True Detective. Whatever the reason may be, there are plenty of TV shows that have an abundance of cinematic qualities that you should check out.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
8 Chernobyl (2019)
HBO
The miniseries Chernobyl recounts the explosion in April 1986 at the nuclear power plant in Chernobyl. We see the stories of those who worked to minimize the damage of the event and others who tried to cover up the reason behind it. This disaster was one of history’s worst human-made catastrophes, so the series is hard to watch. However, it is told so compellingly that it is also hard to look away. Bold and reliable actors Jessie Buckley, Jared Harris, and Stellan Skarsgård lead the piece to success.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
7 Twin Peaks (1990-1991)
ABC
David Lynch’s quirky series Twin Peaks is an earlier example of cinematic television. It follows FBI agent Dale Cooper trying to solve the murder of a teenager in the titular town. Kyle MacLachlan stars as agent Cooper, with Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn, and Dana Ashbrook alongside him. Lynch’s impermeable style gives the show such a strong atmosphere that it gives the same impression as watching a movie on the big screen. Its cult status in pop culture also raises it to a cinematic standing.
6 Sharp Objects (2018)
From the director of Big Little Lies comes Sharp Objects. Amy Adams plays Camille Preaker, a journalist who returns to her southern hometown to report on a murder case. The series also stars Chris Messina as the main detective on the case, Patricia Clarkson as her mother, and Eliza Scanlen as her sister. By the time he made this show, director Jean-Marc Valée had precisely honed his style, making it look effortless. His direction is supported by expert performances from the cast, with Scanlen really standing out. The setting of the US south is made to be incredibly immersive, adding to the feeling of watching a movie.
5 Planet Earth II (2016)
BBC
In this iconic documentary series, David Attenborough narrates a variety of animal habitats. With a score by iconic movie composer Hans Zimmer to accompany the stunning footage the series would not be out of place in theaters. Variety writer Sonia Saraiya says it “combines our expanding technologies and cinematic skills with the remote wildness of habitats without humans.” Evidently, the scale of this program impressed viewers at the time, and the technology continues to hold up. Planet Earth II easily matches up to cinematic documentaries such as March of the Penguins.
4 My Brilliant Friend (2018-present)
Rai 1/HBO
My Brilliant Friend is a series based on a set of novels by Elena Ferrante. The story covers a lifelong friendship between two women in Naples, beginning in the 1950s. Margherita Mazzucco and Gaia Girace play the central friends, Elena and Lila. Themes such as family, corruption, feminism, poverty, and more are packed into this rich series. By covering the entire lifetimes of these women there is so much room for nuance in the way they portray these issues. Times change, as do the characters and we can see how these things affect their opinions and behavior. The detail layered into this show makes for a truly filmic experience.
3 Run (2020)
From long-time collaborator with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Vicky Jones, we have Run. The premise is that two exes had a plan that if one of them were ever to text the other “RUN” they would meet at Grand Central Station and disappear together on a train. Having the two main characters played by Merritt Wever and Domhnall Gleeson means the central performances are expertly acted. With such a thrilling premise, the pace of the show is quick and engaging, and you won’t want to turn it off.
2 Pride and Prejudice (1995)
In contrast, the BBC miniseries adaptation of Pride and Prejudice has a much gentler rhythm. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s any less cinematic. This version of Pride and Prejudice was one of the first period dramas with so much able to be filmed outdoors. Therefore, on airing it felt completely fresh and new and this feeling carries through to today with its beautiful scenery. Beyond the aesthetics, the story of Pride and Prejudice is so timeless that every version is instantly classic, and this one is no outlier.
1 Mindhunter (2017-2019)
Netflix
David Fincher’s Mindhunter is set in the late-70s and is based on the events that changed our modern understanding of serial killers. Similarly to Twin Peaks, having such a renowned and iconic director at the helm of this show instantly adds to its cinematic qualities. Jonathan Groff plays the main role with Holt McCallany and Anna Torv rounding out the cast. It’s precisely shot and constructed. The fact that Fincher chose to collaborate with frequent crew members of his like editor Kirk Baxter and cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt perpetuates the feeling that you are watching a Fincher movie.
