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If your high hopes for the future of American democracy were dashed to some degree this week, rest assured that you’re far from alone. Those seeking an outlet for their complicated feelings in the wake of the 2024 presidential election have some options at their disposal—donating to local abortion funds, say, or scream-sing their rage and heartbreak at karaoke—but to really zone out, might we suggest setting aside some purposeful time to unwind in front of a movie or television show?
Here, we’ve rounded up six streaming options to provide some much-needed distraction this weekend. Who says a small dose of escapism can’t be healing?
Matlock
In the opening scene of Matlock, Kathy Bates uses her female “invisibility” to break into a high-security law firm and ask for a job. After streaming two episodes a couple of weeks ago I realized there were no more. This is a newwwww weekly show with America’s sweetheart who doesn’t quit and a plot with more layers than you even needed to stay tuned for Kathy. If you like a little justice before bed, a serious-with-a-few-giggles courtroom drama, a suitable-for-teens rating, a comforting lead, scroll past the headlines asking who is watching this show and know that it is already me. And now you can watch four or five back-to-back and decide if you want to tell anyone. —Arden Fanning Andrews
How to watch: Stream on Pluto TV.
My Old Ass
Aubrey Plaza and Maisy Stella play differently aged versions of each other (sort of) in this tender, laugh-out-loud funny, and weirdly prescient film about a young Canadian woman who does mushrooms with her friends in the woods on her 18th birthday—only to receive a shocking visit from her 39-year-old future self. The chemistry between Plaza and Stella makes this film, which is thoughtful about the nature of grief yet sweet enough to constitute perfect distraction-viewing. —Emma Specter
How to watch: Stream on Prime Video.
Santa Tell Me
Some people feel that it’s too early to watch Christmas movies until Thanksgiving has come and gone, but I feel those people aren t considering that we re on the brink of a second Trump presidency; do normal self-comfort rules even apply anymore? Let yourself sink into the hot-bath-approximating warmth of this new Hallmark movie starring Erin Krakow as a design show host who finds a letter from Santa promising she ll meet her true love, a man named Nick, by Christmas Eve; watching her try to track down the right Nick might just give you a shred of sorely needed serotonin. —E.S.
How to watch: Stream on the Hallmark Channel.
Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson
If you are, quite frankly, in the mood to see adult men hit each other this week, 1) I deeply get it and 2) you’re in luck, as Netflix just released a behind-the-scenes look at the intense preparations of fighters Jake “El Gallo” Paul and “Baddest Man on the Planet” Mike Tyson as they prepare to fight each other live on the streaming service on November 15. Physical catharsis and Ice T as narrator? I’m in. —E.S.
How to watch: Stream on Netflix.
Culinary Class Wars
I’m in full-blown Culinary Class Wars mode. The Netflix show is a cooking bonanza in the intense style of Squid Game and Physical: 100, with 50 of Korea’s top chefs pitted against 50 up-and-coming or under-the-radar cooks. They’re put through a gamut of gobsmacking (and frankly brilliant) challenges that test their skill, creativity, mettle under pressure, and stamina, all crafted for maximum drama. Not only is what I look forward to watching every day, but I’ve got lists of dishes I need to try (tongyeong bibimbap, a white bibimbap with seafood), restaurants I must visit (Edward Lee’s new Shia in DC), and chefs to keep my eye on (school cafeteria cook Lee Mi-yeong and homestyle phenom Auntie Omakase #1). Two tips: Find someone to watch it with (you will need to discuss it), and don’t watch hungry. —Lisa Wong Macabasco
Rebus
I’m loving and I highly recommend a weekend binge of Rebus, the new BBC import streaming on Viaplay. Based on Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus novels, this six-part police procedural series recalls shows like Happy Valley and Prime Suspect and was shot in actual Edinburgh, which means it feels gloomy and gritty in all the right ways. And I loved Richard Rankin (best known from Outlander) in the title role. He has that kind of natural, off-hand, tough-guy magnetism that doesn’t feel put on—he’s not slumming it for a part. There are ruthless baddies and Rebus has a plucky Millennial partner, Siobhan Clarke, played by Lucie Shorthouse, who I liked instantly too. Six episodes and definitely worth a test-drive of Viaplay (which specializes in Nordic series—can’t get more escapist than that). —Taylor Antrim