RIDE OR DIE on Prime Video is an action-adventure comedy hybrid series starring Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer. Do you really need to know more before choosing to watch it? I certainly didn’t, and yet, it was even better than I ever dared dream. Read our Ride or Die season 1 review here!

RIDE OR DIE is a Prime Video series with eight episodes in its first season. Will there be more seasons? Well, you can never be sure, but I sure do hope so. This is the most amazing genre hybrid, and while the core premise and two leading ladies (Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer) were already enough, the trailer made me smile so big.

I mean, come on, these two ladies could read out of the phone book, and I’d watch it. With Ride or Die, we get all the comedy and gorgeous attitude both are excellent at, but now paired with an action plot and perimenopausal comedy to boot. What more could you want? Well, nothing really. You’d be greedy if this weren’t already enough.

Well, except for, obviously, more seasons of this amazing Prime Video show.

Continue reading our Ride or Die season 1 review below. Start watching on Prime Video now.

Knowing your own worth – or getting there!

Ride or Die is exactly the kind of feel-good series I needed. Yes, this Prime Video show about an assassin (Hannah Waddingham) and her best friend (Octavia Spencer), who end up going on an unplanned action-adventure together, is just what I needed.

It’s like a hybrid of Atomic Blonde and Hidden Figures with comedy to bind it all together. Highlighting the fierce, tall blonde, who can beat any man, and the short, whip-smart, kind woman, who can turn the other cheek until she cannot. I loved this combination.

Especially seeing the latter acknowledge that she has as much right to take up space as anyone else.

An assassin and her brilliant best friend

The core plot of Ride or Die focuses on best friends Debbie Claybourne (Octavia Spencer) and Judith Burton (Hannah Waddingham), who trust each other with their lives, but have been keeping secrets. Well, mostly Judith, who is an international assassin codenamed “Whiptail”.

Just as Judith is forced to reveal this secret occupation to Debbie, a mysterious figure from Judith’s past returns, which makes everything go horribly wrong. As a result, both of their worlds are violently changed in an instant, and they are forced to go on the run together.

This turns into a road trip across Europe, but not the kind that includes much sightseeing. They have trained assassins and law enforcement chasing them, along with extremely dangerous criminals. The two best friends get to know each other while doing all they can to stay alive.

You had me at Hannah and Octavia

I recognize that I am repeating myself a lot, but come on, it’s Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer. Two of the most amazingly talented and fierce women in the entertainment industry. Watching Ride or Die is like getting to enjoy the best of all worlds.

You get brilliant action scenes, where women are kicking butt by being smart and strong. Also, there’s a focus on the women who build up men only to see themselves “cut loose” once they’ve done all the heavy lifting. Finally, there is that perfectly timed comedy to keep it all light, despite the rather dark plot.

A plot that focuses on friendship, survival, revenge, deceit, and perimenopause. Oh yeah, this story is all about how a WOACA (Woman Of A Certain Age) is fiercer than at any other age. She knows her worth, and she doesn’t care if you like her. She’s often the smartest person in the room, and yes, she is better than you!

This makes Judith (Hannah Waddingham) and Debbie (Octavia Spencer) sound like “Mean Girls” almost, but they are not. They’re just done with being people pleasers while putting their own needs aside.

Also, I should mention that the supporting cast is great as well. From Cathy Tyson (Criminal Record), Savannah Steyn (Good Boy), and Bill Nighy (Love Actually) to Sylvia Hoeks (The Girl in the Spider’s Web) and Ed Skrein (Jurassic World Rebirth), to mention just a few that you’ll meet early on.

Watch season 1 of Ride or Die on Prime Video now!

Tessa Coates is the creator of Ride or Die, which has eight strong episodes in its first (and hopefully not last) season. All eight episodes are out on Prime Video now, and you’re in for a real treat, so do yourself a favor and watch it sooner rather than later.

Previously, Tessa Coates has acted more than written. She was in several episodes of Mae Martin‘s Feel Good series. Based on this Prime Video production, I cannot wait to see what Tessa Coates comes up with next.

As the writer and showrunner, we have Matt Miller. He previously worked on both Peacemaker and The Flight Assistant, so he knows action-comedy well. Directors of the eight episodes are Peyton Reed (Bring It On), DeMane Davis (The Girls on the Bus), Allison Liddi-Brown (Grey’s Anatomy), and Lauren Wolkstein (Dead Ringers).

Ride or Die is produced by Paramount Television Studios and Amazon MGM Studios, but we also have siblings Andy and Barbara Muschietti’s Double Dream (IT: Welcome to Derry), plus Octavia Spencer’s Orit Entertainment, and Hannah Waddingham on board as producers. I love that!

Womentainment recommendation: Watch Ride or Die as soon as you can!

Oh yes, I do realize that I come off as quite bossy when I ask you to watch it “now” and “as soon as you can”, but that’s how we can ensure more seasons of this amazing Prime Video show. Also, I am trying to do you a favor by pushing you towards this gorgeous experience of watching kick-ass women!

If it helps, imagine that instead of me, it’s Hannah Waddingham making this demand. You can’t say no to her, can you? I don’t think I could. She’s truly a girl’s girl. Or a woman’s woman, if you will. And so is Octavia Spencer. Both are, of course, also executive producers on the series – as they should be.

From their impeccable comic timing to their facial expressions speaking volumes, I have adored both Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer for as long as I have known them. In this, they both shine as bright as ever. So, go ahead, set aside time to treat yourself to season 1 of Ride or Die. You can thank me later!

Ride or Die season 1 premiered globally on Prime Video on July 15, 2026.

Creator/Writer: Tessa Coates
Showrunner/Writer: Matt Miller
Directors: Peyton Reed, DeMane Davis, Allison Liddi-Brown, Lauren Wolkstein
Cast: Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Bill Nighy, Ed Skrein, Sylvia Hoeks, Calam Lynch, Savannah Steyn, Jamie Parker

Official plot:

Ride or Die follows best friends Debbie Claybourne (Spencer) and Judith Burton (Waddingham) who thought they knew everything about each other, except Judith turns out to be an international assassin. When a mysterious figure emerges from Judith’s past and a hit goes horribly wrong, both of their worlds are turned upside down as they’re forced to go on the run together. It’s a race against time and a road trip across Europe, with law enforcement, highly trained assassins, and some very dangerous criminals at their heels.

Photos © Amazon Content Services LLC

THE FIVE STAR WEEKEND on Peacock is a series with the most wonderful cast. So heartwarming and funny, this new series is based on the bestselling 2023 novel by author Elin Hilderbrand. With 8 episodes, you’re in for a treat. Read our The Five Star Weekend S1 review here!

THE FIVE STAR WEEKEND is a Peacock series based on Elin Hilderbrand’s bestselling novel from 2023. I have not read the book, so I have no idea how closely it follows the story in it. In fact, I have no problem admitting that the casting of this Peacock series is what lured me in.

And yes, the cast definitely delivered what I expected. The drama series (with lots of comedy along the way) has eight episodes in the season. Give it a shot, and see if this isn’t your feel-good show of the summer. It certainly could be for me. 

Continue reading our The Five Star Weekend review below. Find season 1 on Peacock now.

Five female friends in Nantucket

I realize that a show about five friends in Nantucket may sound very “straight and white”, but it isn’t. Well, it certainly isn’t white, and in regards to the “straight” part, I don’t want to give away too much here. You’ll have to watch (maybe even decide) for yourself to figure out that part.

Anyway, we follow a very beloved food influencer, Hollis Shaw (Jennifer Garner), as she is dealing with a brutal loss. To help her come to terms with this, she relies on her friends. Along with four of her friends – each stemming from a different chapter of her life – she goes to Nantucket for a weekend.

Usually, Hollis Shaw is a friendly and happy kinda gal. Just not right now, which is exactly why she needs both support and understanding, along with some tough love, to help her move forward.

While the group of five women is there, they will uncover long-hidden truths while new relationships are formed. All takes place in the very gorgeous surroundings that Nantucket offers.

Jennifer Garner is Hollis Shaw

In the absolute lead of The Five Star Weekend is the always wonderful Jennifer Garner. And yes, I would admittedly watch pretty much everything with Jennifer Garner in it. From seeing her as the kick-ass Sydney Bristow in Alias (2001-2006), I have adored her.

Jennifer Garner was speaking all kinds of accents and taking on various undercover personas decades before Jodie Comer in Killing Eve. Also, she’s an actual superhero when playing “Elektra”.

Overall, Jennifer Garner may be best known as the cute and bubbly girl from 13 Going on 30, but she is so much more. She is a bona fide action star in movies like Peppermint and even Deadpool & Wolverine, but also the most amazing mom in Love, Simon. Also, she played a key role in Dallas Buyers Club, which was about AIDS patients.

Finally, if you’re in a slump, I can highly recommend checking out her “Pretend Cooking Show” on YouTube. Especially if it’s one where she has to call her mom for instructions. If you think Jennifer Garner is lovely, there’s an added comedic timing to seeing her interact with her mom while attempting to cook from her mom’s recipe.

Who knows, maybe these videos helped her get a role as a food influencer in The Five Star Weekend?!

Anyway, enough about just one of the actors in this show, which does feature an actual ensemble cast.

Just a wonderful cast

Alongside Jennifer Garner as Hollis Shaw, we have four amazing women.

There’s Chloë Sevigny (Russian Doll, Poker Face) as Tatum, Regina Hall (One Battle After Another, Nine Perfect Strangers) as Dru-Ann, Gemma Chan (Crazy Rich Asians, Humans) as Gigi, and D’Arcy Carden (A League of Their Own, The Good Place) as Brooke.

Also, in key roles, but not among the five friends, are Harlow Jane (She Came to Me) as Caroline and Timothy Olyphant (Santa Clarita Diet, Alien: Earth) as Jack.

Plus, in recurring roles, you can look forward to West Duchovny (Painkiller, Saint X), Roberta Colindrez (A League of Their Own, Vida), and Judy Greer (Good Boy, The Long Walk) as Electra. Yes, her name is almost “Elektra”.

Watch The Five Star Weekend on Peacock now

As already mentioned, The Five Star Weekend is based on Elin Hilderbrand’s bestselling 2023 novel. The Peacock series adaptation comes from creator Bekah Brunstetter. She previously produced and wrote on several episodes of This Is Us, which was a series I was crazy about. An amazing creation from Dan Fogelman (Paradise).

Directors of the eight episodes in the series are Jennifer Morrison (Yellowjackets, Euphoria) and Minkie Spiro (All Her Fault, Pieces of Her). Overall, the crew behind this Peacock series is made up of a lot of female talent, which is yet another reason to support the show.

To me, The Five Star Weekend is exactly the kind of series I like to relax with. You can laugh a little, maybe cry a little, and you should be able to recognize the types of people we’re introduced to. The cast alone was enough to get me interested. I was entertained in exactly the way I expected. Nothing more, nothing less, and I am fine with that.

Womentainment recommendation: Have fun with this girl-powered treat

I wasn’t expecting The Five Star Weekend to blow my mind, and I suppose it didn’t, but it did make for a wonderful treat. Watching this Peacock series, I found myself relating to different characters and recognizing most of the types. In a good way, I should add.

With eight episodes, there’s plenty to enjoy. Whether you want to binge-watch it or have it as a little treat over some time, it’s perfect for winding down. A feel-good watch, and there aren’t a whole lot of those around.

The Five Star Weekend is out on Peacock from July 9, 2026.

Creator: Bekah Brunstetter
Directors: Jennifer Morrison, Minkie Spiro
Stars: Jennifer Garner, Chloë Sevigny, Regina Hall, D’Arcy Carden, Gemma Chan, Harlow Jane, Timothy Olyphant

Official plot:

A beloved food influencer relies on her friends as she comes to terms with a devastating loss.

HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST on Netflix is a new dark comedy series from the creator of Derry Girls. Do you really need to know anything else? I certainly did not, and I am happy to report that I loved this new series as well. It’s a gorgeous genre-hybrid with eight solid episodes. Read our How to Get to Heaven from Belfast Season 1 review here!

HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST is a new Netflix series with eight episodes. The genres are dark comedy and thriller, but there’s also a murder mystery (and quite a few other mysteries) at the heart of the story. I absolutely loved this series, which has a lot of the vibe from Derry Girls, which comes from the same creator.

I mean, if the girls from Derry Girls were now adults, and trying to solve a murder case, and find their childhood friend, who is clearly caught up in something sinister. The cast is, of course, amazing, and I once again find myself wanting to plan a trip to Ireland. Well, Northern Ireland, of course.

Continue reading our How to Get to Heaven from Belfast Season 1 review below. Find all eight episodes on Netflix from February 12, 2026.

Get to know Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara

The three main protagonists of How to Get to Heaven from Belfast are Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara. Sure, there are many other (wonderful!) characters in this Netflix series, but the plot is driven by these three extremely different women. They have been best friends since school, and you can clearly tell.

Especially as they tend to regress to teenage behavior when they fight.

We have the clever, chaotic TV writer Saoirse (Roisin Gallagher), who loves her job but actually loathes working with actors. Especially the lead of her series Murder Code. Then there’s the glamorous, stressed-out mother of three boys, Robyn (Sinéad Keenan), who is a no-nonsense woman who can get whatever she wants.

Finally, there’s Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne), the dependable and loving, but far-too-inhibited carer. Also, Dara has a very strong connection to the Church, which has gotten in the way of her love life as a lesbian. Her friends know that she’s gay, as would most others assume based on her style, but she has always struggled with this.

Best friends stick together

The three have been a tight-knit group since school, and continue to be each other’s best friends. They are now in their late 30s, when they receive word that someone who was (for a brief time) a fourth friend in their group has passed away very suddenly.

They find out about the death of their friend Greta (Natasha O’Keeffe) via an email, and decide to go to her wake. Just to say goodbye and honor their friendship. Also, all four share a dark secret, as the three friends helped Greta when she needed them most.

This results in quite the odyssey, which will take them all over Northern Ireland (and Ireland, though not very willingly) and even to an exotic resort in Portugal. Along with the mystery, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast offers a story of friendship and the struggle to come to terms with lives that turned out very differently than expected.

Brilliant casting once again

Along with the core cast of Roisin Gallagher (Lazarus), Sinéad Keenan (Derry Girls), and Caoilfhionn Dunne (Saint Maud) as Saorise, Robyn, and Dara, respectively, we also see young versions of them. In these scenes, we’re practically back in the world of Derry Girls, though Dara isn’t as bold and brave as Clare “The Wee Lesbian” Devlin.

And yes, there are cast members from Derry Girls in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. Most prominently is Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Erin in Derry Girls), but obviously, I’m not going to spoil who she plays in this new Netflix series.

Also, Art Campion (Father Peter in Derry Girls) plays the husband of Robyn. And Ardal O’Hanlon has a recurring role as an Innkeeper, while guest stars from Derry Girls will show up in key roles in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. These include Bronagh Gallagher, Chris Robinson, and Emmett J. Scanlan (Fool Me Once).

Finally, I should also mention that the amazing Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones) plays a key role.

Watch How to Get to Heaven from Belfast on Netflix

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast comes from creator Lisa McGee, who is also the writer of the series. Lisa McGee previously created the hugely popular series Derry Girls, which I loved and highly recommend checking out.

The director of the eight episodes (all around 45-60 minutes in runtime) is Michael Lennox, who also worked on Derry Girls.

While this new Netflix series is entirely its own thing, the vibe I loved in that other series remains. It’s much darker, but still character-driven and full of funny moments that I already find myself quoting.

Womentainment recommendation: A definite must-watch

Whether you’re a fan of Derry Girls (and if you’re not, then I almost feel sorry for you) or just enjoy female-driven stories, then How to Get to Heaven from Belfast should immediately go to the top of your watch list.

This is a darkly comedic thriller with amazing characters that are as quirky as they are tough and lovable. Also, it’s essentially about female friendships and girl power. Which is also why you never say “F**k girl power”, as revealed in the trailer for this series.

This is a very binge-worthy show, so get ready to spend nearly eight hours in the amazing company of these women.

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is out on Netflix from February 12, 2026.

Creator: Lisa McGee
Cast: Roísín Gallagher, Sinéad Keenan, Caoilfhionn Dunne, Tom Basden, Art Campion, Michelle Fairley, Josh Finan, Bronagh Gallagher, Darragh Hand, Ardal O’Hanlon, Natasha O’Keeffe, Emmett J. Scanlan

Official plot:

From the wild imagination of Lisa McGee (“Derry Girls”) comes a not-so-wee mystery series about three best pals on a frantic mission to unearth the truth.

PONIES on Peacock is a new spy-thriller series starring Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson. They will soon be thrust into the world of espionage as CIA operatives. The story plays out in Moscow during the Cold War in the 1970s. Season 1 has eight episodes out now. Read our Ponies series review here!

PONIES is a new Peacock series with 8 hour-long episodes and a wonderful core cast. Especially the two lead roles portrayed by Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson. It’s a thriller series with a spy plot and some comedic elements as well, but the risks are all very real and potentially deadly.

Also, I should mention that Haley Lu Richardson’s character is bisexual. Not just in theory, either, but as part of the plot in this season. Despite playing out in 1970’s Moscow, it reminded me quite a lot of the series Poker Face starring Natasha Lyonne. And yes, I do mean that as a huge compliment.

Continue reading our Ponies series review below. Find season 1 on Peacock now.

Persons of No Interest

The title of Ponies refers to the fact that the two lead characters are Persons of No Interest or PONIs. Anyone who watched Amy Acker and Sarah Shahi aggressively flirt as Shaw and Root (or just “Shoot”) on the CBS series Person of Interest will be familiar with this term.

In the world of Ponies, the two main characters are labeled as PONIs because the KGB would never expect women to be anything other than wives or secretaries. Neither, it appears, would the CIA, as Beatrice “Bea” Grant (Emilia Clarke) and Twila Hasbeck (Haley Lu Richardson), have to fight to be allowed to work in the field.

It seems borderline ridiculous when you hear them say it all out loud, but it’s a classic case of “It was a different time”. Really, it was just a time when most men had no idea what women were capable of. As a result, many women didn’t either.

I mean, isn’t it the most obvious thing in the world to actively use the fact that the KGB wouldn’t expect a female spy?!

Well, that’s pretty much the point Bea and Twila make. Also, it’s the entire premise for this series, and it works remarkably well.

Cagney and Lacey do the Cold War

Sure, I’m oversimplifying, but I loved the whole Cagney & Lacey vibe of having two wildly different women team up. The result is, of course, a dynamic duo that thrives on equal parts wit, intelligence, rebelliousness, and courage. Another result is seeing men recognize that women can actually do their job. In some cases, even better than men.

Another reason I had to mention Cagney & Lacey is the setting. Sure, the iconic cop show is set in 1980s USA, but the late 1970s are fairly close in terms of style. Not so much the surroundings as Moscow was very different than the West, but the music still made it there.

Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) and Haley Lu Richardson (The White Lotus) work perfectly as these wildly different women, who become their own heroes in the 1970s. The series begins with them being widowed, and then quickly stepping into action as CIA operatives to solve the mystery of the deaths of their husbands.

Also in the cast are Adrian Lester (Sandman), Artjom Gilz (Tar, Trunk), Nicholas Podany (Saturday Night), Petro Ninovskyi (Silence), and Vic Michaelis (Upload).

Watch season 1 of Ponies on Peacock now!

While I remember seeing a trailer for Ponies, I can’t say it has had much help in terms of marketing or press awareness. That’s why I absolutely had to cover it here on Womentainment now. Not only is it a story about women, but it was also made by a woman, and even has a queer character.

So much reason to cover it that it felt strange not to.

The series was created by Susanna Fogel (The Flight Attendant, The Spy Who Dumped Me, Cat Person) and David Iserson (Mr. Robot, New Girl). Both are also executive producers and writers on the season. Finally, Susanna Fogel also directs, while David Iserson serves as showrunner with Mike Daniels (The Village).

Executive producers also include Jessica Rhoades (Black Mirror) and star Emilia Clarke. 

The eight-episode espionage thriller, which could easily become a multi-season series, premiered on Peacock on January 15, 2026.

Creators: Susanna Fogel, David Iserson
Cast: Emilia Clarke, Haley Lu Richardson, Adrian Lester, Artjom Gilz, Lili Walters

Official plot:

In 1977 Moscow, two “PONIES” (“persons of no interest” in intelligence speak) work‬‭ anonymously as secretaries in the American Embassy. That is, until their husbands die under‬‭ mysterious circumstances in the Soviet Union, and they are thrust into the CIA. Bea Grant is‬‭ sharp, over-educated and fluent in Russian — a child of Russian immigrants, trying to make‬‭ sense of a life that hasn’t turned out the way she expected. Twila Hasbeck is a small-town‬‭ firecracker: abrasive, bold and more fearless than she should be. Thrown together by grief and‬‭ circumstance, the two dig into the vast conspiracy their husbands were killed for.

DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS is out on Peacock and while this Queer Noir-Comedy from Ethan Coen is a wild ride, it’s also good fun. By no means did I find this movie to be a masterpiece, but I would still recommend that you check it out. Read our full Drive-Away Dolls movie review here!

DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS is out on Peacock, so if you haven’t watched it yet, now is your chance. I wasn’t sure what to expect other than a very gay storyline (which is great), an extremely over-the-top plot (which can be good), and a wacky comedy (which is hit or miss as comedy is).

What worked for me was the friendship between the characters portrayed by Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan with Beanie Feldstein as the best supporting character. Unfortunately, many elements outside of their scenes together did not work for me.

With a runtime of under an hour and a half, you’ll still want to watch it.

Continue reading our Drive-Away Dolls movie review below. Find it on Peacock now!

Steamy and funny – for the most part

In this Noir-Comedy, we follow Jamie (Margaret Qualley) and Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) as the two embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee. It all begins as the search for a fresh start, but it all goes sideways as soon as they drive off.

We’re in the late 1990s and the two young women head to Tallahassee in a drive-away car. Essentially, it’s a smart way to get a car when you need to drive somewhere. And Marian is going to see some family in Florida. And yes, there is obviously a running joke about why anyone wants to go to Floria. And also why Tallahassee is so much better than Miami.

In any case, the car is loaded with something that was supposed to be picked up by someone else also going to Tallahassee. The car was never supposed to be in the possession of two queer girls heading South. So to speak.

Also, Jamie and Margaret could not be more different. Jamie is a very uninhibited free spirit, who just broke up with yet another girlfriend (Beanie Feldstein who plays a cop). Marian is extremely demure, in the middle of a years-long dry spell, and needs to loosen up.

For quite a while, Jamie and Marian have no idea that they have something in the car that is out of the ordinary, but once they do, their next step isn’t the smartest. Or maybe it’s the best thing they could do?!

Queer Noir-Comedy… it’s a thing!

Admittedly, I had not thought of “Queer Noir-Comedy” as a genre, but after watching Drive-Away Dolls, I absolutely recognize that it is. Just like the 1996 movie Bound by the always-magnificent Wachowskis is a Queer Film Noir. Sure, before anyone would dare label it as “queer”-anything, but The Wachowski film wasn’t shy about what it was.

In any case, the comedy element does set Drive-Away Dolls very much apart from Bound. The more erotic scenes, however, go quite a bit more crazy. However, as is the case with comedy, the extreme and wild take precedence over anything emotional.

For the most part, anyway.

Maybe that’s why I wasn’t as crazy about this movie as I was hoping. Whenever the story left all the LGBTQ+ characters out, I found myself almost (almost!) getting bored. With a supporting cast featuring Colman Domingo as “The Chief” and Pedro Pascal as “Penis Collector” – and Matt Damon in what is almost a cameo – it shouldn’t be possible.

Well, not as someone who loves the Out actor Colman Domingo (Fear the Walking Dead, Candyman, Euphoria). And also the wonderful Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, The Mandalorian), who is one of us in whatever way we can have him. Certainly always an ally!

Watch Drive-Away Dolls on Peacock now!

Drive-Away Dolls was directed by Ethan Coen who also wrote the screenplay with Tricia Cooke. Usually, Ethan Coen works with his brother Joel in the filmmaker duo “The Coen Brothers”, but this is a solo project. However, he is still working with family as co-writer Tricia Cooke is his wife of 30 years.

Regardless of the elements I wasn’t crazy about, Drive-Away Dolls also features some brilliant one-liners and inspired dialogue. The line “I’m not here to peddle my wares!” is an instant favorite of mine. Rarely have I heard such an old-school phrase spoken in the middle of a lesbian bar. In fact, never!

Drive‑Away Dolls stars Margaret Qualley (Novitiate, IO, Poor Things) and Geraldine Viswanathan (Cat Person, Blockers) in the title roles and they are each perfect as their respective character. So is Beanie Feldstein (Booksmart), and really, what more do you need?!

Well, nothing really, but we still get it and that’s my main issue with the movie. However, getting too much is always better than not getting anything. In this case, at least, so do check it out when you get the chance and feel a little weird. You need to give in to the wacky premise to enjoy it!

Drive-Away Dolls is out in theaters and has been available on Peacock from April 12, 2024.

Director: Ethan Coen
Writers: Ethan Coen, Tricia Cooke
Stars: Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal, Bill Camp, Matt Damon

Official plot:

Jamie and Marian are heading on a road trip to Tallahassee to get away from everything. Jamie is fresh from another break-up and Marian is desperate to let loose and live a little. On the road, the pair encounter a gang of incompetent criminals and the impromptu meeting leads to truly unexpected events.

HACKS Season 3 is finally coming to Max and HBO. The comedy series is as funny and touching as ever. Both Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder continue to shine, but so do the supporting cast – and the awesome guest stars. Read our Hacks season 3 review here!

HACKS is premiering Season 3 on Max and HBO with two new episodes. Of course, watching just two episodes will leave you wanting more immediately.

Hacks is a show I have adored since the first season, but not until now have we had enough foresight here at Womentainment to get our hands on some press screeners. Season 3 has nine half-hour episodes and I am as crazy about this season as the previous two. Which says a lot, I can tell you.

Continue reading our season 3 review of Hacks below. Find the first two episodes on Max/HBO on May 2, 2024.

A year later and a little wiser

In season 3 of Hacks, we pick things up a year after parting. Season 2 ended with Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) essentially firing Ava (Hannah Einbinder). Not as any sort of punishment, but rather to help Ava move forward in her career.

Of course, she grossly underrated the importance of Ava in her personal life. Especially as a person who has a professional and personal life that is extremely intertwined. As does Ava, I might add!

In any case, it’s a year since they parted and Deborah Vance is still riding high off the success of her standup special. So much so that people will laugh at anything she says. It’s not exactly preferable for Deborah, who has been used to working for her success. Now she’s getting a taste of the gratuitous success where you cannot lose… until, of course, there’s a backlash.

But none of that is coming just yet, so Deborah Vance is still on top of the world. So is Ava who is pursuing new opportunities back in Los Angeles. She’s writing on a TV show that has exactly the kind of style and messaging, she lives for. Also, she has a new boss who thinks she’s amazing and wants to help further her career.

Do people ever really change?

For Ava, it isn’t just her career that is going well. Even her relationship with her ex-girlfriend-turned-girlfriend-again, Ruby (Lorenza Izzo), is swimming along wonderfully. Ruby has a role in a new DC-based TV series as the lead, so they’re both doing great. In fact, during her work hiatus, she’s going to Iceland where Ruby’s show is made.

Or that was certainly the plan until Deborah Vance called her up and asked for her help. In an almost cruel twist of fate, there’s a chance that Deborah could finally get the job of her dreams as the first woman hosting a late-night show. However, her new writers are not working out, so she needs Ava to make sure she can give it her very best shot.

Once again, Ava finds it impossible to resist when Deborah asks for her. Since this is a comedy series, there are many funny moments, but it is also a drama (or “dramedy” if you will) so there are many touching scenes as well.

Also, there’s a good shift in season 3, when Ava figures out that she can set boundaries and ask for things as well. It also becomes obvious to both lead characters that they’ve been influenced by one another. In good ways that allow them to see the world from a broader perspective, I might add.

Amazing casting in every single role

There are so many wonderful guest stars in season 3 of Hacks and if you’ve heard of just one, it’s probably Christina Hendricks as this has been part of the PR for season 3.  It’s quite a rabbit hole that Ava (Hannah Einbinder) is about to go down – pun very much intended – when Christina Hendricks guest stars.

In season 3, Christina Hendricks plays a gay Republican oil heiress which virtually sums up everything Ava loathes. But she also comes in the shape of Christina Hendricks, so there’s that.

Other than this particular guest starring stint – which I definitely enjoyed in several ways – we see many other amazing actors in smaller roles. However, for me, it was also Deborah Vance’s amazing team of agents that had some great moments.

Co-creator Paul W. Downs as Jimmy has been amazing from the beginning, but so is Megan Staler as his assistant/co-founder, Kayla. They have a great story with Christopher Lloyd in one episode, and a recurring bit with Helen Hunt as well. Basically, you have a lot to look forward to in season 3.

Watch Hacks Season 3 weekly on Max and HBO!

Hacks was created by Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky, and Paul W. Downs. It’s one of the most intelligent and fierce comedy series ever. Always looking at people and circumstances through different lenses thanks to the Ava and Deborah characters.

Also, Hacks is one of those series that you can’t just binge-watch unless you want to wait until the entire season has aired. And, trust me, you don’t want to wait. Personally, I’ve actually started appreciating having to wait. Okay, that’s easy for me to say when I’ve been able to watch a screener of the entire season.

However, I am not always that fortunate, and right now I love that Under the Bridge on Hulu is something I watch weekly instead of binge-watching it. Because if I could have, I most certainly would have!

Instead, I did a review of Under the Bridge based on the first two episodes over on Heaven of Horror. I had to struggle to hold myself back and simply said “…we can feel the tension and chemistry from their first scene together”. By episode 3, it became very apparent that my queer instincts were spot-on. Spoiler: They usually are!

Anyway, enough about Under the Bridge as this was supposed to be about Hacks. And yet, I get a feeling that you’ll be watching Hacks if you’ve watched the first two seasons, which is probably why I feel fine plugging Under the Bridge here.

Also, if you’ve watched Hannah Einbinder’s “God is real!” comment when asked about Christina Hendricks’s guest-starring role, then you’ll definitely be checking out season 3.

The nine-episode season will release two episodes each week until the season finale (episode 9) on May 30, 2023.

Hacks Season 3 is premiering on Max on May 2, 2024.

Creators: Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs
Cast: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, Lorenza Izzo, J. Smith-Cameron, Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace, Tony Goldwyn, Aristotle Athari

Official plot:

A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.

THE GIRLS ON THE BUS is a Max Original series (HBO Max in Europe) about four female journalists covering presidential candidates. The casting is great, the dialogue sharp, and after 10 episodes, I wanted more. Read our The Girls on the Bus series review here!

THE GIRLS ON THE BUS on Max is a new Max Original series (HBO Max in Europe) with 10 episodes. For me, ten episodes weren’t nearly enough, so I hope maybe it’ll be able to continue somehow. I mean, some people never stop campaigning – not even after winning the presidential election.

In any case, this Max Original isn’t about any real politicians. I mean, there is obvious inspiration, so you can see current (or former) presidential candidates represented in the characters of this series. For me, the four female journalists at the heart of this story worked perfectly. Often in imperfect ways which only made them more interesting and realistic.

Continue reading our The Girls on the Bus series review below. Find the first two episodes on Max on March 14, 2024.

Sadie, Sadie, reporting lady!

Yes, I did just reference a song from Funny Lady because I cannot hear the name “Sadie” and not have that song playing in my head. In any case, The Girls on the Bus focuses on Sadie McCarthy (Melissa Benoist), who is very openly a journalist who romanticizes campaign reporting.

And yes, she does tend to reference The Boys on the Bus, despite her boss also pointing out that much of their behavior would be an HR nightmare in today’s world.

By centering on Sadie, The Girls on the Bus takes us viewers on the campaign trail alongside three of her female journalist colleagues. All of them have very different styles and personalities which reflect both the various news outlets and ideologies. Also, just their difference in tone of voice.

From the Social Media influencer directness to the brazen propaganda-like style of television reporting and finally the newspaper journalists. The ones who triple-check their sources and do their best to stay unbiased and neutral. Well, okay, Sadie does battle quite a lot with the latter as she has a favorite candidate.

This landed her in hot water during the previous presidential election when her candidate didn’t win. Still, she’s ready to head out again and already knows she just might get heartbroken all over again.

The three other female journalists at the heart of this story (and the title characters) are all wonderful and brutal in their own ways.

Meet the Girls on the Bus

There’s Grace (Carla Gugino) who is also a newspaper journalist and grew up around politicians as her father works in the same field. Carla Gugino is always wonderful, yet in The Girls on the Bus, I found myself falling for her all over again. Okay, it doesn’t hurt that this character (not least her wardrobe) reminded me of my own wife.

Along with Grace, there is the TV reporter Kimberlyn (Christina Elmore) who is a black woman on a very white channel. Kimberlyn is fierce and direct but also knows what she’s up against. Most of the time it fuels her, but it also gets to her. How could it not?

Finally, there’s the newcomer, Lola (Natasha Behnam), a queer social media influencer. To stay on the campaign trail, she must mention various sponsors. She doesn’t like it, but that’s the deal she has. Also, she is clearly rooting for “her candidate”, who is very much the outsider as she is more “radical” than your average candidate.

WANT MORE TOUGH LADIES IN POLITICS?

Be sure to check out the HBO Orignal series The Regime starring Kate Winslet >

Basically, she just wants people to be able to exist and get an education or go to the hospital without being indebted for life. As a social media reporter, it should come as no surprise that she isn’t concerned with being neutral.

That is not her brand. She doesn’t work for a newspaper, TV station, or even a website. She is her own brand and needs to always stay on top of being true to herself. However, that can get in the way, when you want to be a decent person to the opposition. A small detail in the storyline that I really loved.

Especially as it shows just how divided the two sides have become. However, in The Girls on the Bus that is exactly what we learn: That despite their differences, the four women become a family of sorts. One that may not agree, but has each other’s backs.

I bought the book after watching episode 1

I have no problem admitting that I loved The Girls on the Bus series from the very first scene. Actually, I kept waiting for it to turn stupid somehow. Either by having a slow episode or a character act in a way that didn’t feel organic, but simply used to force the situation.

That moment just never came. Nor did I ever expect it to. I mean, I bought the book [Amy Chozick’s “Chasing Hillary”] that this Max series is based on after episode 1. This should tell you a lot!

It should come as no surprise that The Girls on the Bus is a very character-driven story. However, what I especially loved were all the flawed and realistic characters. Yes, the four girls on the campaign trail are among them, but really, every character was fleshed out to a larger extent than what we can usually hope for.

Whether it was a presidential candidate, love interest, friend, family member, or even colleague, we got to see enough to understand what made them tick. No one is entirely good or bad, they are just human. And what the four colleagues discover while on the campaign bus together is that everyone can learn something from another person.

Be that social media skills, the unwritten rules of the campaign trail, or not underestimating someone you know nothing about. There was always a lesson for each of them. And, not least, us viewers!

Back on the campaign trail

Having The Girls on the Bus coming out in 2024, just as the presidential election is really getting started, is perfect timing. Of course, it has already been a long time coming. Netflix began development on it in 2019. Then in September 2021, Netflix dropped the series and it moved to The CW. Finally, in February 2022, the series moved to then-HBO Max.

It was with HBO Max the production of the series finally started in October 2022. Now, here we are, getting 10 episodes from March to May of 2024, before the presidential election on November 5, 2024.

What I expect – and certainly hope – many will take away from watching The Girls on the Bus is that elections aren’t as binary as many seem to think. For some voters, the coverage and news are extremely black and white as the rhetoric is one-sided in favor of one candidate.

However, as this series focuses on, most journalists who respect and honor their profession, try to cover it all. This is an ongoing theme as the four journalists clearly have very different worldviews and ideologies. Still, they recognize that they need to listen to more than one side. And they especially have to respect that not everyone agrees.

We could all learn from that. In this Max series, the four main characters manage to learn without having to compromise on their own beliefs. That’s how democracy works!

Watch The Girls on the Bus series on Max

Creators Amy Chozick and Julie Plec are responsible for giving us this amazing new series. The Girls on the Bus is inspired by Amy Chozick’s experiences as a political reporter. Yes, she too has been on the campaign bus following multiple presidential candidates as they either make it or bow out.

Amy Chozick and Julie Plec (The Originals creator and showrunner) also serve as executive producers alongside Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter (Supergirl, You, The Flight Attendant), Leigh London Redman, Marcos Siega, and showrunner Rina Mimoun.

Also, the star of the series, Melissa Benoist, serves as a producer on the series. Good for her – I love seeing actors producing as well as star.

Whether you’re into politics or not – though really, anyone should be, and especially women right now – this Max Original is worth your time because the characters are so well written. The story is also intriguing and engaging, but without good characters, the story can never truly work.

Following these four female journalists on the campaign trail as they find friendship, love, and a scandal or two, is one of the best series I’ve watched in quite some time. So how can I not give it a top rating?! Enjoy!

Womentainment recommendation: A must-watch for everyone!

While The Girls on the Bus is all about the four women, it’s also about the media landscape, politics, and the people in their lives. Fortunately, this series has a brilliant cast of supporting (or recurring) actors as well.

Along with Melissa Benoist (Supergirl), Carla Gugino (Gunpowder Milkshake), Natasha Behnam, and Christina Elmore (Twenties) in the title roles, we see Brandon Scott (Dead to Me) and Griffin Dunne. Their two characters are perhaps most important as they work closely with Melissa Benoit’s Sadie, who the story centers on.

Also in key roles are Scott Foley, Mark Consuelos, Eric Stoltz, Kyle Vincent Terry, BD Wong, and Hettienne Park (The Outsider).

Overall, I loved that this was a very character-driven story. After all, politics and elections – democracy as a whole – is all about people. And, okay, the fact that the four female journalists at the heart of The Girls on the Bus were all awesome in their way didn’t hurt. Watch it for them!

The Girls on the Bus premieres on Max with its first two episodes on March 14, 2024. One weekly episode will be released following this with the series (or season, fingers crossed?) finale coming on May 9, 2024.

Creators:Amy Chozick, Julie Plec
Directors: Jesse Peretz, Erica Dunton, Marcos Siega, Marta Cunningham, DeMane Davis
Cast: Melissa Benoist, Carla Gugino, Natasha Behnam, Christina Elmore, Brandon Scott, Griffin Dunne, Mark Consuelos, Scott Foley

Official plot:

Four female journalists follow the every move of a parade of flawed presidential candidates.

DEADLOCH on Prime Video is a new Australian series labeled a “Feminist Noir Comedy” which is surprisingly accurate. Also, it’s a murder mystery and has many LGBTQ characters, so there’s that. Read our Deadloch series review here!

DEADLOCH is a new Prime Video series from Australia. It’s described simply as a crime comedy hybrid and a “Feminist Noir Comedy”. Both descriptions work surprisingly well. For me, the comedy is hit-or-miss. Some scenes work perfectly, while others go very much over the top. I’ll get back to that.

Overall, it’s a story that plays out in a small town on the Australian island state of Tasmania. This town has recently had an influx of LGBTQ people which has resulted in a culture change. However, there’s also a sudden issue of people showing up on the beach murdered!

Continue reading our Deadloch series review below. The series premiered on Prime Video worldwide on June 2, 2023.

When LGBTQ people come to a small town

You could think that the many LGBTQ people in a small town would be a problem. And sure, some people do seem to have an issue with it. Not so much that they’re gay or queer in some other way. It’s more that things are changing. And not everyone likes change.

However, the changes are in a good way that makes the town look to the future. Food and entertainment are getting more focus than ever. Also, people don’t tend to get murdered in Deadloch, but that’s about to change.

The problem in this small town comes from those pesky murders. Our main character, police officer Dulcie Collins, has promised her wife that she’s done being a detective. Instead, they’re focusing on starting a family. So, when the murders happen, outside help is called in.

This comes in the form of Eddie Redcliffe. Behind the name “Eddie” is a woman, which surprises many. She’s quite unorthodox and does not work “by the book”. Dulcie, on the other hand, does and quickly gets involved in the investigation. Once she does, it’s easy to see why her wife would prefer she didn’t.

The case consumes her. Also, more bodies show up on the beach, so this won’t be over any time soon.

The main cast and characters

The main character of Deadloch is Dulcie Collins and she’s portrayed by Kate Box (Wentworth). I love everything about the way Kate Box plays this character. She’s all heart and brains, which is a strong combination to pull off.

Also, she has wonderful and sweet chemistry with her wife Cath, portrayed by Alicia Gardiner (The Clearing).

For me, this series works best when it doesn’t focus on Eddie Redcliffe (Madeleine Sami) which I hate to say since I adore the actor portraying her. It’s just too out there and crazy which just doesn’t gel with the vibe otherwise driving the series. At least not to me.

Well, at first anyway, because it does change. Fortunately!

You may recognize Madeleine Sami if you’ve watched The Great Kiwi Bake Off (the New Zealand edition of The Great British Bake Off). Also, she was in Come to Daddy starring Elijah Wood. Usually, I love Madeleine Sami and it does get better in Deadloch, but her character is too abrasive at first. It’s a shame!

Start watching Deadloch on Prime Video now

Deadloch comes from the funny minds of Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan. The two previously worked on the comedy series The Katering Show and Get Krack!n. There are eight episodes in the crime comedy series and the murders take place from the beginning.

Directors on the series are Ben Chessell (The Great), Beck Cole (Here I Am), and Gracie Otto (The Clearing, Heartbreak High). And yes, the latter is related to Miranda “I am no man” Otto. Sorry, I love Miranda Otto and always just have flashbacks to her in Lord of the Rings saying that. Gracie and Miranda are sisters.

The series premiered with the release of its first three episodes, so you could get a chance to get hooked. The final episode is released on July 7, 2023. If you prefer to binge-watch a series, you can start at this time. However, the episodes are close to an hour long, so you could start a bit early.

Womentainment recommendation: A feminist noir comedy? Yes, you should watch it!

The fact that this series has been described (accurately) as a feminist noir comedy is enough reason for anyone to check it out. Also, a small town that experiences an influx of LGBTQ+ people, and is all the better for it? Hell yeah, tell me more.

The comedy element is not sharp at first. Specifically not with Madeleine Sami’s character, though it pains me to say that.

However, everything else is really good (and funny) and it does get much better once that tough and abrasive layer of Eddie’s personality takes a backseat. Also, we get a chance to understand the reasoning.

Deadloch premiered on Prime Video worldwide on June 2, 2023.

Creators: Kate McCartney & Kate McLennan
Directors: Ben Chessell, Gracie Otto, Beck Cole
Cast: Kate Box, Madeleine Sami, Nina Oyama, Tom Ballard, Alicia Gardiner, Susie Youssef, Pamela Rabe, Kris McQuade, Duncan Fellows, Harvey Zielinski, Shaun Martindale, Katie Robertson, Nick Simpson-Deeks, Mia Morrissey, Leonie Whyman, Mick Davies, Holly Austin, Kartanya Maynard, Naarah

Official plot:

The Tasmanian town of Deadloch, a once sleepy seaside hamlet, is left reeling when a local man turns up dead on the beach. Two female detectives are thrown together to solve the case: Fastidious local Senior Sergeant Dulcie Collins and a rough as guts blow in from Darwin, Senior Investigator Eddie Redcliffe along with their overeager junior constable Abby. As the town prepares to launch the annual arts, food and culture event – Winter Feastival – the trio have to put their differences aside and work together to find the killer.

CLASS OF ’07 on Prime Video is a new Australian series (comedy and genre-hybrid) with 8 half-hour episodes. A group of young women is trapped at their all-girls 10-year high school reunion. Read our full Class of ’07 season 1 review here!

CLASS OF ’07 is a new Prime Video series from Australia. It’s a comedy, but of the dark variety, resulting in somewhat of a genre-hybrid. There are eight 30-minute episodes, which means you can binge-watch the entire season in around four hours. And yes, that’s exactly what I did for this review.

The first half of the season is by far the strongest with the two final episodes being the weakest for me. I loved the cast and the wacky and (for the most part) likable characters that we get to know better with each episode. And yet, the lack of any LGBTQ characters (or even mention of the possibility) baffles me. I mean, seriously?!

Continue reading our Class of ’07 series review here. The series premieres on Prime Video on March 17, 2023.

Class of ’07 is The Wilds meets GLOW

We follow a group of young women attending their 10-year high school reunion at an all-girl catholic school. A tidal wave of apocalyptic proportion traps them at the high school campus, where they need to band together to survive.

With all their high school drama coming to the surface, it’s quite the struggle.

The all-female cast will probably lead many to think of Yellowjackets or The Wilds which are two amazing productions. However, this new Amazon Studios production is a very different kind of story. In fact, it feels more like the Netflix series GLOW at times.

No queer girls in an all-girl high school?!

I actually like all three series. And while the two first are much darker, the third (GLOW) utilizes comedy much more. Also, all three of those series have LGBTQ characters as part of the rather big ensemble casts. And it works brilliantly because it’s both believable and relatable.

With Class of ’07 playing out during an actual apocalypse, I feel it was a wasted opportunity to not take itself a bit more seriously at times. Comedy can get important points across, but so can drama or even horror!

Just look at a series like The Last of Us which manages to include all three. And has a queer leading character.

Yes, I’m a little bitter about the lack of LGBTQ representation in a story with an all-female cast. A cast that includes Caitlyn Stasey of the super gay horror movie All Cheerleaders Die (2013). To be completely honest, I was well and truly shocked that there was absolutely no LGBTQ representation in Class of ’07.

Also, nobody looks at their best friend’s lips that intensely. Not in my experience anyway.

High school drama in the adult world

For the record, the “high school drama” featured in Class of ’07 includes severe bullying, depression, grooming by adults, substance abuse problems, and so much more. Just not anything gay, which I still find extremely strange, and no, I won’t let it go.

Where Class of ’07 does get it right is when it works the whole “never-ending high school reunion with life-and-death stakes”-angle. This is perfect for a horror-comedy approach, but far too often, it foregoes the horror darkness and opts for complete silliness. A real shame because the inclusion of darkness would have helped.

Especially because some very serious issues are discussed. During the moments when Class of ’07 gets more serious, it really shines. And also during some of the comedy moments that just works perfectly.

Described as “a love letter to female friendship”, I can absolutely get behind Class of ’07. It’s both about old friends finding their way back to each other and about finding out what kind of person you want to be. And sometimes realizing that you don’t like who you are. But you can change.

Just not in a gay way. Obviously.

Watch Class of ’07 on Prime Video!

The cast of Class of ’07 is all kinds of wonderful. Every single character has traits of a type you’ll probably recognize from your own life. And yes, it does get very stereotypical at times, but with this being a comedy series first and foremost, it can get away with a lot. Just not if it’s gay, it would appear.

The cast is led by Emily Browning (Sucker Punch), Megan Smart, Caitlin Stasey (Smile), Rose Flanagan, and Sana’a Shaik (Reckoning).

The series was created by Kacie Anning, who also directed all eight episodes. Other writers attached to the series (and who helped develop it) include Anchuli Felicia King (The Baby), Zoe Norton Lodge (Ding Dong I’m Gay), Adele Vuko, Courtney Wise, and Romina Accurso (Home and Away).

On a completely unrelated note (not really), several of these writers have previously worked on productions that did include LGBTQ characters. You’ll never see a prison series with no queer characters and a all-girls (or all-boys) high school with only straight people is just unrealistic. Sorry, not sorry, for harping on about this!

Womentainment recommendation: Watch it for the focus on friendship and self-improvement

Class of ’07 might shine when it gets the comedy right and when it deals with serious high school issues that can torment people for decades. However, towards the end, it loses too much of its edge.

That’s when it becomes more of a fun series about [straight] female friendship. Also, it turns into more of a spoof on reality shows about survival. While I can understand the whole “coming full circle”-idea, as it also opens with a reality show scene, this is when Class of ’07 is at its weakest for me.

And, for the record, I’m not saying that this series would have been better for having LGBTQ characters in it. But it sure wouldn’t have hurt. On that note, I did love the very final scene, which happens right after I was ready to completely give up on the whole thing.

Class of ’07 premieres on Prime Video on March 17, 2023.

Creator: Kacie Anning
Director: Kacie Anning
Cast: Emily Browning, Megan Smart, Caitlin Stasey, Sarah Krndija, Claire Lovering, Emma Horn, Steph Tisdell, Sana’a Shaik, Chi Nguyen, Bernie Van Tiel, Rose Flanagan, Debra Lawrence

Official plot:

Class of ’07 is a comedy about a never-ending high school reunion with life and death stakes. When an apocalyptic tidal wave hits during the 10-year reunion of an all-girls high school, a group of women must find a way to survive atop the island peak of their high school campus. Now freshly entangled in decade-old drama, their greatest threat to survival isn’t the end of the world, but each other. A love letter to female friendship, Class of ’07 is about old friends finding their way back to each other, in the most absurd of settings: the apocalypse.

7 WOMEN AND A MURDER on Netflix is a new murder mystery from Italy (org. title: 7 donne e un mistero). It’s a remake of the French 8 Femmes from 2002. An over-the-top comedy full of drama. Read our 7 Women and a Murder movie review here!

7 WOMEN AND A MURDER is a new Netflix movie from Italy (org. title: 7 donne e un mistero). This murder mystery is a remake of the French 8 Femmes from 2002. The story takes place during the 1950s, which you can sense by the outfits and the somewhat stereotypical behavior of the characters.

It even takes place during the Christmas holiday, so you should check it out now, if possible. The cast is fantastic and the movie is very entertaining. Also, the runtime is just 1 hour and 22 minutes, so it’s a quick and fun watch.

Continue reading our 7 Women and a Murder movie review below. Find it on Netflix from December 28, 2022.

A remake of 8 femmes

Just like the original movie 8 femmes, it’s an over-the-top comedy with a brilliant cast and so much drama. Very much character-driven and based on a play, which you can sense in both the 2002 movie from France and this 2022 Italian remake.

We see a lot of remakes and in the case of 7 Women and a Murder, there are 20 years between the two movies. However, you won’t sense this much since both take place during the 1950s. In other words, the setting and outfits are quite similar. Extremely colorful and quite stereotypical, but in ways that work.

The outfits are like something straight out of (pun intended) a movie like Carol. 

Amazing chemistry but less sapphic

While both 7 Women and a Murder and the French original adaption of 8 femmes (or 8 Women) are extremely character-driven and rely on the chemistry of their cast members, it does differ in one way. There is still a sapphic (or just homo erotic, if you will) moment between two characters, but it’s nowhere near as intense as in the original.

In the original, the cast consists of Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Emmanuelle Béart, Fanny Ardant, Virginie Ledoyen, Danielle Darrieux, Ludivine Sagnier, and Firmine Richard.  There is fantastic chemistry and it just works brilliantly.

And yet, there is no doubt that the chemistry between Catherine Deneuve and Fanny Ardant was smoking hot. Also, the two actors (both huge stars in their own right) went all in on the chemistry which resulted in a kiss that worked remarkably well. To be fair though, there is a lot of the chemistry in 8 femmes that felt very sapphically charged.

The same goes for 7 Women and a Murder on Netflix. In some very intense ways, actually. However, the actual kiss in 7 Women and a Murder didn’t work nearly as well. The setup and actual moment just felt way too forced. Not at all like the moment from 8 femmes.

And yes, I realize I’m talking a lot about the original, but such is the nature of reviewing a remake. Particularly of a movie that has quite the cult status.

Watch 7 Women and a Murder on Netflix now!

This new Italian adaption on Netflix is directed by Alessandro Genovesi who also co-wrote the script with Lisa Nur Sultan. Right now, Lisa Nur Sultan is also the head writer on the Italian version of Call My Agent (another French hit), so she’s on a roll right now.

The movie is based on the play Huit femmes by Robert Thomas. Alessandro Genovesi previously directed and co-wrote My Big Gay Italian Wedding (2018) which was also based on a play.

In this new Italian remake, the cast is also full of brilliant Italian actors. Margherita Buy, Diana Del Bufalo, Sabrina Impacciatore, Benedetta Porcaroli, Micaela Ramazzotti, Luisa Ranieri, and Ornella Vanoni star in this remake. For international audiences, Sabrina Impacciatore will probably be familiar as she’s in season 2 of The White Lotus.

In that series, Sabrina Impacciatore does actually play a queer character, but she does not in 7 Women and a Murder. Personally, I felt the strongest sapphic energy from Luisa Ranieri who plays Maria the Maid. Maybe that’s because I’ve seen her in uniform before in Bienvenue à bord (2011).

Honestly, not having Luisa Ranieri play the WLW [Woman Loving Woman] part in 7 Women and a Murder feels like a miss. She has the best energy and resembles Fanny Ardant the most in that sense. Oh well, that doesn’t take away from the entertainment value of this new Netflix remake, so do check it out.

7 Women and a Murder is available on Netflix from December 28, 2022.

Womentainment recommendation: Watch this if you enjoy movies with awesome female characters!

Like the original 8 femmes, 7 Women and a Murder on Netflix is a very female-driven movie. The humor is spot-on and so is the drama. For me, 8 femmes is definitely the better and more accomplished version.

In other words, if you love the original, you can enjoy this as well but don’t expect the same level. Also, if you enjoy 7 Women and a Murder, but haven’t watched 8 femmes from 2002 yet, then you have quite a treat in store!

Director: Alessandro Genovesi
Writers: Alessandro Genovesi, Lisa Nur Sultan
Stars: Margherita Buy, Diana Del Bufalo, Sabrina Impacciatore, Benedetta Porcaroli, Micaela Ramazzotti, Luisa Ranieri, Ornella Vanoni

Official plot:

When their family patriarch is stabbed, seven women, each with ulterior motives, become trapped together in a mansion to solve the puzzle of his murder.