Highsnobiety Staff Recommend Movies & TV Shows for Your Self-Isolation Viewing Pleasure
Work From Home is a new vertical dedicated to life and culture in the strange and unprecedented situation of self-quarantine that many of us are dealing with right now. From what to watch to how to get a fit off and how to not think about anything, this is our guide to the great indoors. For updates on the spread of Covid-19 and how to keep yourself safe and informed, consult WHO and the CDC.
The reality we're all currently facing is an undeniably weird one, yet while we're all searching for ways to stay productive and motivated in this new, seemingly endless, WFH life, we have to make time to switch off from the headlines and relax, too. And there's no better place to temporarily ignore the world than on your sofa, home-popped corn in paw, maybe a joint or three, and a line-up of solid visual treats before you.
After all, this may be the first and hopefully the last time in your sweet existence that you are given full permission to — in fact, it is essential you — #staythefuckhome and feast upon the content you've had bookmarked since streaming days began. What hasn't changed (and probably never will), however, is the existential crisis that can occur when sifting through bingeable offerings on the ever-growing plethora of streaming platforms.
With Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Disney+, YouTube, and many more companies dropping new shows and films on the daily, deciding what to watch can be exhausting. That's where we come in. In order to save you from the eternal scroll, Highsnobiety staff from New York, LA, and Berlin have stepped up to the plate and shared what's on their self-isolation watch lists. From intellectual glo-ups to guilty pleasures and the frankly bizarre, here's what we'll be watching in quarantine.
A Dirty Romp With Pasolini's 'Trilogy of Life'
Where to watch: Youtube
Just before making his final, controversial masterpiece (1975's infamously unholy 'Saló, or the 120 Days of Sodom'), Italian iconoclast Pier Paolo Pasolini released his 'Trilogy of Life," a gonzo remix of three essential medieval texts — The Decameron, The Canterbury Tales, and Arabian Nights, respectively.
Retaining loose elements of their points of origin, Pasolini's trilogy is not so much a literary adaptation as it is a phantasmagoric celebration of the human body and sexuality in all its varied, vulnerable (and yes, scatological) glory. These films are dirty, funny, and often, extremely moving. The Decameron in particular feels pertinent for these times; a tale of a group of travelers fleeing Plague-ridden Florence and entertaining each other with stories while locked away in a country house — relatable, right?
Jake Boyer – Features Editor
Prepare For Your New Normal With 'Pandemic,' 'The Circle,' & 'The Knick'
Where to watch: Netflix
This is a very grim binge to be on, but the streaming platform kept suggesting/shoving it upon me and I decided to just give in. Everything in the show is a dramatic preparation for what's actually happening now; watching the references to the "next flu pandemic" in future tense while we're living through it in the present is more than just mildly terrifying. But no risk no fun, and we need to search for any thrill we can get while confined to the indoors.
Naina Kamath – Digital Distribution Manager
Where to watch: Netflix
I’m currently obsessed with The Circle. It’s a very relevant show in a time of social distancing. Basically the contestants are holed up in an apartment all by themselves, cut off from everyone except their fellow Circle members. They never see or hear each other, but rather can communicate only via text in The Circle app. Every few days they rank each other, and the resulting two most popular players block their least favorite person. The game is ripe for catfishing, and there are some truly hilarious catfish moments, as well as some mega cringe flirting. The US version is available on Netflix, but I highly recommend hunting down the UK one if you can, if only because there are two seasons and therefore more episodes.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to continue my training for next season by talking to myself out loud and communicating with people solely via the internet.
Miranda Unwin — Social Media Editor
The Knick is amazing. It’s about an NYC hospital in the early 1990s, which is pretty on point for the situation right now.
Louie McPherson — Senior Video Editor
Live Your Truth With 'Tomorrow, When the War Began'
Where to Watch: Amazon
I was planning to have a really dramatic intellectual glo-up during social isolation. I subscribed to MUBI and optimistically bookmarked a bunch of video art databases including Prototype and Vdrome.
So far, I’ve only managed to watch the very horny and very dated apocalyptic Australian teen film, Tomorrow, When the War Began. Basically, Australia gets invaded by a foreign threat while seven sweaty teenagers are away on a camping trip, so now they live in the bush and occasionally blow up bridges. There are explosions, very bad acting, and A LOT of sexual tension. I’m embarrassed to say that it’s extremely up my alley.
Isabelle Hore-Thorburn – Weekend Staff Writer
Numb Your Needs With XOXO, 'Gossip Girl' & 'Elite'
Where to watch: Netflix
My Gossip Girl binge re-watch started a few weeks ago when the world was still very different, but it proves just as effective in numbing anxious thoughts during a global crisis. I’m currently watching season four and the increasingly dramatic plot and 2010 fashion bring the perfect dose of escapism we all need right now. Bonus: there are six long seasons, which will hopefully last you through the whole self-isolation period!
Karolina Mitura — Audience Development Manager
Where to watch: Netflix
Timing is everything and the latest season of my favorite Spanish drama arrived when I needed it most. Unfortunately, I binge-watched it before having to commit to self-quarantine, but I might start over from the beginning since I now have an exponential amount of time on my hands. You won't be sorry... Thank me later when we can go outside again. (RIYL: Gossip Girl, Baby).
Sydney Gore — Features Editor
Break a Bad Habit
Where to watch: Netflix
I have a terrible track record of actually finishing TV shows — I’m the one that gets halfway through a final season, stops for no reason, and then goes to great lengths to avoid spoilers for years on end. So, I’ve decided to use self-quarantine to end this disgusting habit and sort myself out.
Breaking Bad was first on the list (I managed to avoid spoilers for seven years and, considering I live online, am pretty impressed with myself TBH). Now that’s done, I’d Better Call Saul and visit El Camino.
Heather Snowden - Senior Staff Writer
Take a Freudian Jaunt With 'Century of the Self'
Where to watch: YouTube
It feels like it might be a good time to re-watch all of Adam Curtis’ documentaries. Curtis’ films explore ideas of power and how it works in society, alongside other themes including capitalism, consumerism, behavioral psychology, post-truth, and liberalism.
Curtis’ most famous film is HyperNormalisation but I would also suggest an award-winning series from 2002 titled Century of the Self, which examines elements of control in the age of mass democracy, focusing particularly on Freud, and the “father of public relations” Edward Bernays (who is also Freud’s nephew).
I’d recommend for anyone with a conspiratorial itch they need to scratch. You can watch them all on YouTube.
Max Grobe — Associate Fashion Editor
Embark on Epic Back-Catalog Sprees
Where to watch: Amazon
Something I really like doing when I'm reeaaaallllly bored is watching a movie and then all of its remakes. Every single Batman. Every single A Star Is Born. Every single LOTR. James Bond, etc.
Thom Bettridge - Editor in Chief
Ger Your Murder Fill With 'The Killing'
Where to watch: Netflix
The Killing is really good and Joel Kinnaman stars in it for everyone that's watched Altered Carbon. I would recommend giving it a try if you liked The Sinner, The Fall, Mindhunters, and X-Files.
Madrell Stinney — Social Media Director
Trek Around the Universe
Where to watch: Netflix
Star Trek is something that I’m only getting into now, and so far it looks like Star Trek: The Original Series aged pretty well. In addition to the show’s availability on Netflix, the number of spin-offs released over the decades makes it difficult to run out of content.
Sanzhar Toxanbayev — Instagram Manager
Discover 'Who Killed Malcolm X?'
Where to watch: Netflix
When this showed up on my Netflix list I thought “Malcolm X AND a true-crime doc? Son of a bitch, I’m in!” What I didn’t expect was to finish the series with my mind blown. I’m very familiar with Malcolm X but, until watching this, I had no idea whether or not they actually found killer... but you'll get to see all of that in the documentary.
Soon after it premiered on Netflix last month, this true-crime docu actually lead to a review of Malcolm X’s murder by the Manhattan district attorney, so we’ll see how it all unfolds. One thing is for sure, though. I’m going to watch it again since I’m stuck at home.
Feleg Tesema — Staff Writer
Cook Up a Little Drama
Where to watch: YouTube
Watching Jacques Pépin cook is like watching Bob Ross paint a snowy landscape. Its soothing, informative, entertaining, and if you follow along, you'll end up with a homemade masterpiece. His cooking videos on YouTube will keep you satiated in self-isolation for hours. He's truly a master of his craft without all the culinary pomp and circumstance that comes with most, if not all, celebrity chefs. While you're at it, try his super-easy souffle, — you won't be disappointed. The man is a national treasure.
John Lockett — Senior Features Editor
Where to watch: Netflix
Despite its faults and endless Sorkinian walk-and-talks, The West Wing is a welcome reminder of what a competent government looks like. If you miss the days of a White House filled with intelligent, experienced staff and a coherent commander-in-chief, give the entire series a watch (and remember to vote).
John Lockett — Senior Features Editor
What are you watching right now? Send your recommendations in the comments.
