What are the Best Meaningful Dramas to Stream Right Now?
I love a good drama. I like dramas that explore deep and meaningful themes, but stay true to each character's story. The best dramas are those that manage to emerge big meaningful themes naturally from the storyline, rather than being forced, preachy, or overly reliant on spectacles.
Here are some dramas you can currently stream on one of the major streaming platforms and most of them are fairly new releases...
The Lost Daughter (Netflix)
This is a complex movie about a woman who looks back on her younger self while she is taking a vacation in Greece. She reflects on her motherhood while observing another young mother who lives in this small Greek community. This story is unnerving, heavy, and at times crushing, but it somehow stays enjoyable and riveting like a mystery.
The characters are built out very well and the jumps from the Greece vacation setting to stressful young adult life with kids is very fluid. It makes sense in terms the sequencing. Key moments are shown in order of the central storyline, but each scene has a reason for being shown at the time it's shown, so it just feels very natural and interesting.
Who's in it? (source: IMDB)
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Writers: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Elena Ferrante (based on the novel by).
Stars: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson, Ed Harris, and the guy from Haunting of Hill House who does a great job as a side but prominent character in this movie - Oliver Jackson-Cohen.
Themes: "Children are a crushing responsibility"
The Power of the Dog (Netflix)
This is an epic Western that I've heard many compare to There Will Be Blood. Stories about families and communities tormented by one overly strong and flawed individual. Benedict Cumberbatch is the Daniel Day Lewis comparison. The Power of the dog tells the story of a woman and her son who is not a typical cowboy, but is powerful in his own ways.
The movie is not very violent but it feels like it was after you're done. The kid in the story is the one who draws your attention from the moment he's introduced, because he's different and you immediately worry for him in the presence of Cumberbatch.
This is a slower burn Western that tells the story of layered characters in the midst of mind games instead of shoot outs - so don't expect much of that type of action. Expect meaningful symbolism, realistic dialogue, and convincing acting by the whole cast.
Who's in it? (source: IMDB)
Director: Jane Campion
Writers: Jane Campion, Thomas Savage(based on the novel by)
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and Kodi Smit-McPhee as the kid.
Themes: strength and talent vs IQ and artistic ability
The Last Duel (Prime Video)
*Trigger warning, disturbing content
This is wrenching story of the history of ego in men and a woman who defies it with wit and the courage to speak the truth. There are many terrifying scenes in this movie that is set in Medieval France.
The story is told from three perspectives: the husband of the woman who was raped, the person who raped the woman, and the woman who was the victim of rape.
This movie is really hard to watch but the stakes are so high through the whole thing that it makes for a must watch adult epic similar to Game of Thrones in it's prime.
Who's in it? (source: IMDB)
Director: Ridley Scott
Writers: Nicole Holofcener (screenplay by), Ben Affleck (screenplay by), Matt Damon (screenplay by)
Stars: Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, and Ben Affleck who is solid in it.
Themes: history of the hardships of women
C'mon C'mon (Prime Video)
This dude Joaquin Phoenix didn't miss with his next movie after the Joker and it was a completely different tone of movie. This movie about a man babysitting his nephew while his sister deals with a very heavy personal matter.
He is some sort of documentarian so he connects with his nephew through this as they navigate the next few weeks recording sounds and getting to know each other.
It is more heartwarming than the other movies on this list and is a great option if you're looking for something less intense, but very thought provoking and moving.
Who's in it? (source: IMDB)
Director: Mike Mills
Writer: Mike Mills
Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, and Woody Norman
Themes: the power of family connection and how to best help those who are hurting
The Long Goodbye (YouTube Short Film)
Watch the Long Goodbye on YouTube.
A short film that I stumbled across on Riz Ahmed's Instagram. It is 11 minutes long but hits so hard. The connection you make with the characters in such a short amount of time is incredible. Right before the terror incurs, you think your in the middle of a light-hearted family movie.
Who's in it? (source: IMDB)
Director: Aneil Karia
Writers: Aneil Karia, Riz Ahmed
Stars: Riz Ahmed, Hussina Raja, and Javed Hashmi
Themes: realism of the far right extreme
Related: The Patsy Parisi Sopranos Theory