2022 is looking to be a great year for TV series and movies. We’re still marinating in the wonders of Squid Game, Hellbound, You (just a few of the hits from 2021), but we’re ready to move on with Netflix’s January lineup. Whether you’re into exciting thrillers, sappy love stories, heartwarming narratives, or anything else in between, these releases will surely satisfy your need for fresh feels fit for the new year.
TV Show: Attack On Titan: The Final Season
Dubbed one of the best manga-turned-anime-series of the decade, Attack On Titan (Japanese title: Shingeki No Kyojin) reaches its final arc this January. This will conclude its original 34 manga volumes in four TV show seasons.
This season's plot revolves around humanity’s fight for survival against the titular Titans of unknown origin. This instalment is the second half of the final season, where protagonist Eren Jaeger becomes the anti-hero and leads an all-out war to end the Titan curse once and for all by obliterating the Eldian race, which he is also part of.
Why you should watch it: Whether or not you’re a huge anime fan, Attack On Titan will surely hook you with its gripping storyline, impressive animation and score, and all-too-relatable themes of love, loss, and strength. The final season is truly a bittersweet experience for those who have followed this series from the beginning, but trust us when we say that the binge is worth it.
TV Show: All Of Us Are Dead
This new action-thriller from Netflix starring Yoon Chan-young (Juvenile Delinquency 1 & 2), Park Ji-hoo (Little Women), Cho Yi-hyun (School 2021), Park Solomon (Lookism), and Yoo In-soo (Flying Butterflies) is yet another hit in the making. It follows the story of high school students trapped in their school after a zombie virus outbreak, forcing them to fight their way out to escape.
Why you should watch it: Even if zombie stories are getting kind of cliche now, there’s still something about them that’s exciting. Plus, it would be interesting to see the fresh-faced cast navigate through such an emotionally challenging storyline; it also makes us wonder if we’ll find our new favourite star in this mix soon.
TV Show: My Love Mix-Up
My Love Mix-Up (Japanese title: Keita Hatsukoi) is a boys’ love (BL) drama starring Japanese idols Ren Meguro (from J-pop group Snow Man) and Shunsuke Michieda (from J-pop group Naniwa Danshi). As the title suggests, the story starts off with a misunderstanding when Aoki (Michieda) thought Mio (Fukumoto Riko), the girl he likes, has a crush on their classmate Ida (Meguro) because Ida’s name was scribbled on Mio’s eraser. However, when Ida saw Aoki using Mio’s eraser with his name on it, Ida thought it was Aoki’s and made her think it was Aoki who likes him. This leads to the coming-of-age story of the two main characters where they learn that love isn’t as simple as they think it is.
Why you should watch it: This wholesome character-driven story isn’t here just to deliver heart-fluttering moments, it also covers themes about friendship, self-acceptance, and navigating through the challenges of first loves. Plus, fun fact: the opening and ending songs of the series were sung by the two leads’ respective idol groups.
TV Show: The Journalist
This drama (which is an adaptation of a 2019 Japanese movie of the same name) follows the story of Anna Matsuda (Ryoko Yonekura), a Toto newspaper journalist who eagerly seeks the truth about government scandals and corruption. This gives her many powerful enemies, from politicians to businessmen, who do not want their secrets uncovered and make Anna’s pursuit for the truth harder than it already is.
Why you should watch it: The Journalist has every element of a must-watch drama with its depiction of passion and dedication matched with a thrilling pace that will put you at the edge of your seat. It also features a strong female lead who never backs down from even the most vicious enemies — what’s not to love?
TV Series: The Woman In The House Across The Street From The Girl In The Window
Kristen Bell (The Good Place) stars in this dark comedy thriller series about Anna, a woman whose monotonous life driven by intoxication changes after a handsome neighbour (Tom Riley) moves in next door. He becomes the object of her fascination until she thinks she witnessed him commit a murder. But did she?
Why you should watch it: Other than its amusing mouthful title, this series also delivers amazing twists and turns that will keep you engrossed and entertained at the most unexpected moments. Kristen Bell also proves her versatility once more in her role as the ditzy yet pitiful Anna.
Movie: The Royal Treatment
Laura Marano (The Perfect Date) and Mena Massoud (Aladdin) star in this heartfelt rom-com about New York hairdresser Izzy (Marano) who accidentally falls in love with Prince Thomas (Massoud) while working at an event for the royal family. But it's not just their different backgrounds posing an issue for their love affair — Prince Thomas is also about to wed someone else.
Why you should watch it: If you’re in need of an easy watch, this is definitely the one to click on. While it is every bit a typical rom-com, it’s still fun and exciting and a good flick to put on whether you’re watching it alone or with your besties.
Movie: Through My Window
Looking for a steamy romance that will make your heart race? Check out this Spanish flick that follows the story of Raquel (Clara Galle) and her secret crush, neighbour Ares (Julio Pena). After years of pining and pretending that she’s indifferent towards him, Raquel finally catches Ares' attention. They start flirting and, eventually, fall in love. However, things get complicated when Ares’ family finds out about them and heavily objects to their relationship.
Why you should watch it: If mature and intimate love stories are more up your alley, you’ll definitely enjoy this one. It creates a great slow-burn type of atmosphere that turns into a sudden climax. There are some aspects of the film that are a bit predictable, but they don’t diminish the movie’s overall quality.
Movie: Photocopier
This Indonesian crime thriller is about Sur (Shenina Syawalita Cinnamon), a girl who loses her scholarship after her drunk photos from a party started circulating online. With no recollection of what happened the night the photos were taken, Sur gets the help of her childhood friend Amin (Chicco Kurniawan) to investigate. Amin lives on campus and works at the school as a photocopier.
Why you should watch it: Aside from the intriguing storytelling, the film also aims to address issues assault victims often face in real life. Director Wregas Bhanuteja, whose debut is this film, spent a year researching and conducting interviews with real-life sexual assault victims and got women’s rights activists involved in the conceptualisation of the film. Talk about a project that’s truly worth the support.
Movie: Brazen
What happens when your fiction stories become your reality? Mystery writer Grace Miller (Alyssa Milano) has to put everything she knows about ‘motive’ when her sister gets murdered. However, the more she gets involved in finding out the truth, the more she realises that crime depicted in books is very different from real life.
Why you should watch it: Emotional, suspenseful, and anything but boring, this film will surely keep engaged from start to finish. We wouldn’t want to spoil anything, but we highly suggest you keep your eyes on the clues about the killer when you watch it.
Movie: My Father’s Violin
Emotionally distant Mehmet (Engin Altan Düzyatan) is a successful violinist. After his brother passes away, he suddenly becomes the guardian of his orphaned niece Özlem (Gülizar Nisa Uray) whom he meets for the first time. The two navigate through the challenges of living with a ‘stranger’ until their shared grief and love for music start strengthening their emotional bond.
Why you should watch it: Heartwarming and captivating, this film will surely take you on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. Aside from the story, the sequences showcasing both Mehmet and Özlem’s musical prowess are also jawdropping.
Which of these TV shows and movies are you most excited to see on Netflix this month?
(Cover photo from: Netflix)
Don’t forget to check out these previous releases too if you haven’t yet!
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