The 50 best cultural events to experience at home – The Guardian

Films to stream Clockwise from top left: Joan of Arc; Athlete A; Da 5 Bloods; Irresistible; Immate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo; The Old Guard; The King of Staten Island.

1. The King of Staten Island (Judd Apatow)

Saturday Night Live breakout star Pete Davidson gets his first lead role, in a Judd Apatow-directed comedy that he helped co-write. Its clearly inspired by details of Davidsons own life: he plays a twentysomething whose life has been upended by the death of his firefighter dad; his mothers new relationship forces him out of his slump. Digital platforms, out now

2. Da 5 Bloods (Spike Lee)

Timing is everything: Spike Lees latest is a welcome addition to the Black Lives Matter cause, a Vietnam war film exploring the experience of African-American soldiers in the conflict, as four veterans return decades later to search for the remains of their squad leader. Delroy Lindo and Jonathan Majors star. Netflix, out now

3. Joan of Arc (Bruno Dumont)

Frances national heroine, who saw off the English during the hundred years war before being captured and burned at the stake in 1431, is a hardy perennial of French cinema. This is Dumonts second go at the subject, much more straightforward than his rock music version from 2017, though it has the same teenage star, Lise Leplat Prudhomme. Curzon Home Cinema, 19 June

4. Wasp Network (Olivier Assayas)

Olivier Assayas is the French director who gave us the mammoth Carlos, about the celebrated spy/assassin. Here he returns to not dissimilar territory, with Carloss dgar Ramirez as a Cuban pilot who is charged with infiltrating anti-Castro exiles in Miami, Florida much to the consternation of his wife (Penlope Cruz), who is unaware of the realities of his mission. Netflix, 19 June

5. Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo(Brett Harvey)

Trejo is the instantly recognisable hatchet-faced actor best known for a string of badass roles in films such as Desperado and Machete. This doc chronicles his tumultuous life story, which included several prison spells in California before he got into acting (and, later, restaurant-owning). Digital platforms, 22 June

6. Athlete A (Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk)

Another in Netflixs impressive string of hard-hitting documentaries, this follows the expos (by reporters from the Indianapolis Star) of the sex abuse scandal in US gymnastics. It centres on national team doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to hundreds of years in prison on multiple charges of sexual assault. Netflix, 24 June

7. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (David Dobkin)

Hollywood, it seems, has cottoned on to the rich absurdity of Eurovision, and Will Ferrell is spearheading this comedy from Wedding Crashers director David Dobkin. Its title alludes slyly to Game of Thrones; not surprising, then, that it focuses on Icelands entry into the competition, with Ferrell and Rachel McAdams giving it their all. Netflix, 26 June

8. Irresistible (Jon Stewart)

US satirist and chatshow paragon Jon Stewart makes his second foray into film directing. In contrast to his debut, Rosewater, this takes aim squarely at the right-left political confrontation of the Trump era. Steve Carell is the Democrat political strategist who thinks he can upset the conservative certainties of a small town; Rose Byrne is the Republican rival who takes him on. Digital platforms, 26 June

9. The Old Guard (Gina Prince-Bythewood)

Charlize Theron leads a strong cast (which includes Beale Streets KiKi Layne and Rust and Bones Matthias Schoenaerts) in a comic book-based superhero yarn: she plays an immortal soldier once known as Andromache of Syria, but now the head of a group of mercenaries of similar vintage who are tasked with defending humanity. Netflix, 10 July

10. Boyz in the Wood (Ninian Doff)

An unexpected homegrown success from Scotland: a horror-comedy about a bunch of city-raised teens who are stuck in the Highlands on a Duke of Edinburgh award scheme where they are stalked by sinister mask-wearing poshos. Trainspotting meets The League of Gentlemen is how its being described. Amazon Prime Video, 7 August

AP

11. Phoebe Bridgers: Punisher

Since 2017s intimate Stranger in the Alps, 25-year-old LA singer-songwriter Bridgers has started two new bands (Boygenius and Better Oblivion Community Center) and appeared all over the 1975s latest opus. Here she pulls the focus back in striking fashion, expanding on her alt-rock sound while continuing her knack for transforming melancholia into something beautiful. 19 June

12. Jessie Ware: Whats Your Pleasure?

While 2017s beige Glasshouse was the perfect musical accompaniment to her successful food podcast, Table Manners, this sweatier, sexier fourth album finds Ware channelling her inner dancefloor diva. Excellent recent single Ooh La La references pop outlier Risn Murphy, while the house-y Mirage (Dont Stop) could soundtrack any socially distanced BBQ. 26 June

13. Arca: KiCk i

Bjrk, Rosala and Sophie guest on this fourth album from the pioneering Venezuelan producer Alejandra Ghersi. While her previous efforts sounded as twisted as their disturbing visuals, the more inviting KiCk i (there are apparently three more volumes to come) finds her dabbling in trap, reggaeton and dreamy electro-pop. 26 June

14. Haim: Women in Music Pt III

Everyones favourite Californian sisters return with their pointedly titled third album. Looser and more experimental than their previous collections, the six singles (!) to emerge so far range from I Know Alones UK garage-dabbling, sun-kissed confection (complete with viral dance routine) to the rock sheen of the Sheryl Crow-esque The Steps. 26 June

15. Brandy: B7

In the eight years since her last album, the rightfully nicknamed vocal Bible has seen her influence underlined by the likes of Solange, Kehlani and Frank Ocean. After years of being the muse for songwriters and producers including Timbaland and Rodney Jerkins, the luxuriant, experimental R&B of B7 finds her co-writing and co-producing on every song. 31 July

16. Fontaines DC: A Heros Death

Fifteen months since the release of their Mercury-nominated debut, Dogrel, the Irish post-punkers return with a more expansive follow-up. Recorded quickly with producer Dan Carey (Black Midi, La Roux), A Heros Death apparently draws inspiration from the likes of Suicide, Broadcast and, as hinted at by its title track, the Beach Boys. 31 July

17. Biffy Clyro: A Celebration of Endings

The T-shirt averse Scottish rockers continue their journey from cult concern with a woeful name to X Factor-adjacent chart-toppers on their eighth album, co-produced once again by Muse collaborator Rich Costey. Expect more meaty rock, more stadium-ready ballads and even more chances to see male nipples. 14 August

18. Disclosure: Energy

After a five-year hiatus following second album Caracal, UK dance producers Guy and Howard Lawrence are back with a clutch of summer-ready bangers. Kelis, Fatoumata Diawara and Slowthai are among the vocalists, while the pulsating title track, which features motivational speaker Eric Thomas, suggests the title is 100% apt. 28 August

19. Kelly Lee Owens: Inner Song

Originally scheduled for May, dance experimentalist Lee Owenss second album now arrives in time for sticky, late summer nights. Touching on the personal tactile banger Night focuses on strength in solitude and the political via the climate crisis-citing Melt!, its a dancefloor-ready album for the head and heart. 28 August

20. Lana Del Rey: Chemtrails Over the Country Club

This follow-up to 2019s gorgeous Norman Fucking Rockwell! is already controversial, with its announcement tacked on to the end of a much-critiqued Instagram post that undermined legitimate views on female agency by critiquing mainly black female artists. The album will be joined by two books of poetry, so brace yourselves. 5 September

MC

21. Slow Burn

Slates ever-gripping anthology podcast previous seasons of which have delved into the Watergate scandal, the impeachment of Bill Clinton and the death of Tupac Shakur moves into timely territory with a series on white supremacist leader David Duke. Exploring Dukes manoeuvres into politics and his mainstreaming of far-right ideology, journalist Josh Levin examines the links between organisations including the Ku Klux Klan and the powers that be in the United States. Slate, out now

22. The Special Relationship

This mockumentary pod from duo Alex Owen and Ben Ashenden, AKA The Pin, is sure to be an anarchic listen, as we follow two hopeless British comics trying to make it in the US. Exploring the hilariously unhealthy co-dependence of the delusional pair, it also boasts a cast of comic talents from both sides of the Atlantic, including Lolly Adefope, Jamie Demetriou, Kate Berlant and Saturday Night Lives Cecily Strong. Audible, expected July

23. Rise of the Iron Men

Journalist and McMafia author Misha Glenny follows up his audio series Putin: Prisoner of Power with another podcast, this time charting the rise of other Iron Man political leaders, who espouse the cause of free speech while keeping the firmest of grips on their respective nations. From Erdoan in Turkey to Indias Modi and Bolsonaro in Brazil, Glenny aims to craft a thriller-esque narrative around each of these formidable, populist leaders with nationalist aims. Audible, expected August

24. Sex, Lies and DM Slides

Cook-turned-media personality Gizzi Erskine teams up with multi-hyphenate model, DJ and writer Sydney Lima for a new podcast covering online dating to sex pests, dick pics to porn, which is sure to appeal to fans of The Receipts, The Hotbed and maybe even the New York Timess more earnest Modern Love. With guests ranging from celebrities to sex workers, dominatrixes to comedians, expect a show thats as frank and insightful as it is accessible. Spotify, summer TBC

25. Hear to Slay

Author and cultural commentator Roxane Gay known for her frank dissection of race, body image and feminism and writer and sociology professor Tressie McMillan Cottom are set to return with another series of the black feminist podcast of your dreams. Taking an intelligent, intersectional look at everything from sexual abuse in Hollywood to black women in rap, this is a totally brilliant show that always fizzes with black girl magic. Luminary, summer TBC

HJD

26. The Great

Tony McNamara, co-writer of The Favourite, brings some of the same courtly nincompoopery to a freestyle bio of Catherine the Great (Elle Fanning), who becomes empress of Russia when she marries bonehead ruler Peter (Nicholas Hoult). Presenting a battle against grotesque misogyny as a clever but absurd comedy is a gamble that pays off. Starzplay, 18 June

27. Insecure

Season four of HBOs emotionally intelligent dramedy finds Issa (Issa Rae) still stumbling towards adulthood, as she and best mate Molly (Yvonne Orji) again threaten to grow apart, and Issas ex continues to live in her head. In its subtle, introspective way, its still TVs sharpest document of the black/millennial/LA experience. Sky Comedy/Now TV, 23 June

28. Celebrity Snoop Dogs

Celebrity property shows reach a new low just above floor level, in fact in a series that straps GoPro cameras to stars best friends. As the mutts nose around, we guess who owns them and the house, in a format that raises the happy possibility of Keith Lemon one day being replaced on Through the Keyhole by a labrador. Channel 4, 26 June

29. Dark

The off-the-chain German sci-fi twister roars back, following a shock season two ending that added parallel worlds to Darks already confusing time loops. Can the forces of evil, or that big wobbly sphere thing, be defeated? Its the final season so the story ends, or begins, or implodes into a humanity-erasing void, here. Netflix, 27 June

30. Dead Still

Focused on crime drama, Acorn TV is a strong new niche streaming player, rich in rights ownership (Foyles War, anything Agatha Christie) and original shows. This droll black comedy stars Michael Smiley as a 19th-century Irish photographer who specialises in snapping the deceased, but ends up having to investigate a serial killer. Acorn TV, 29 June

31. The Luminaries

Eleanor Catton dismantles her own 2013 Booker-winning novel across six episodes, with Eve Hewson (The Knick) as the adventurous young Brit trying to make a new life in New Zealand in the 1860s. Its visual opulence, thwarted romance and layers of cliffhanging mystery should make for a sultry, escapist summer hit. BBC One, June/July TBC

32. Hanna

Season two of a thriller that has successfully spun the 2011 movie about a teen girl raised to be an elite killer spy out into episodic format, while maintaining a sparse efficiency of storytelling as well as a careful balance of tension and action. Esme Creed-Miles is strong as the enigmatic, almost superhero-like lead character, originally played in the film by Saoirse Ronan. Amazon Prime Video, 3 July

33. Little Voice

Not a remake of the 1998 Jane Horrocks Britflick, although the theme of deriving hope from music is similar. Writer-director Jessie Nelson and songwriter Sara Bareilles the team behind the stage musical Waitress team up with JJ Abrams for this love letter to the NYC music scene, starring Brittany OGrady as one of many young hopefuls hoping to sing their way out of obscurity and find themselves while theyre at it. Apple TV+, 10 July

34. Muppets Now

Having lived off The Mandalorian for perhaps too long, Disney+ heralds a new wave of original content by dusting down Kermit and co. As has become the norm with modern Muppets, its well meta: the unscripted show centres on Scooters efforts to deliver the new Muppets TV show so it can be streamed. Disney+, 31 July

35. Mrs America

This nuanced, resonant biographical miniseries has a golden supporting cast Rose Byrne, Uzo Aduba, John Slattery, Melanie Lynskey, Sarah Paulson, Tracey Ullman backing Cate Blanchetts portrayal of 1970s US conservative Phyllis Schlafly, whose successful efforts to prevent sex-discrimination legislation defined what second-wave feminism was up against. BBC Two, July

JS

36. Valorant

Looking for the next Fortnite? This may well be it. Valorant is attracting huge interest from esports and streaming stars and their millions of young followers. It hinges on characters with different abilities like Overwatch and accurate sharpshooting like Counter-Strike but, happily, its still fun even if youre not the most accurate shot, especially with friends on your team. PC, out now

37. The Sims: Eco Lifestyle

Love The Sims, but find that its ultra-capitalism grates on your leftie sensibilities? To appease todays eco-conscious Gen Z audience, Maxis is giving its long-running, ludicrously compelling life-simulation game a green update. Your little computer people will soon be able to live zero-waste, upcycling, solar-powered, vegan virtual lives, transforming a grimy rundown port town into a futuristic eco-oasis. PC, PS4, XBox One, out now

38. The Last of Us Part II

A tense, terrifying post-apocalyptic drama about a deadly contagion might sound like the last thing you want to play right now, but The Last of Us Part II is an undisputed event in the world of gaming. A horror-tinged action game about a gay 19-year-old and the people around her, it explores some heavy stuff about relationships, revenge and what humans are capable of doing for and to each other in extreme circumstances. PS4, 19 June

39. Ghost of Tsushima

A stunning-looking tribute to 50s and 60s samurai action movies, this takes us to 13th-century Japan to grassy fields, feudal villages and shining blades crashing under falling cherry blossoms. The story plays with themes of honour and responsibility, and is a real showcase for the technical and artistic talents of developer Sucker Punch. PS4, 17 July

40. Paper Mario: The Origami King

If some of the other games sound a bit dark, how about wholesome, lovely Super Mario? Here, everything is made of paper, including Mario and his various cutesy foes. Slapstick humour, applause-worthy puns and a touch of endearing weirdness always make these games worth playing, and you dont need to be overly familiar with Nintendo to enjoy the jokes and the whimsy. Nintendo Switch, 17 July

KD

41. BBC Culture in Quarantine

The BBC is debuting 25 new lockdown-themed works, embracing visual, sonic and performance arts. Premieres include an exploration of African and Caribbean dance, an all-star Swan Lake bath ballet experience and plenty of beat-boxing, puppetry and drama for theatre fans. MGbbc.co.uk/arts, out now

42. Future Threads

This programme of talks, music and multimedia projects will explore how artists across the Arab world are reacting to the crisis. Tune in via Zoom for conversation with Tehran collective New Media Society on the challenges facing Irans art scene, or kick back to live music from Syrian sound artist Hello Psychaleppo. SSmosaicrooms.org, June to September

43. I Should Be Doing Something Else Right Now

This online programme has themed strands, such as Sleep Mode, offering respite from switched-on lives, with performance art and a riff on the Guardians Country Diary column. Plus, for the podcast Coping Mechanisms, artists Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard talk to friends including Carol Morley. SSsomersethouse.org, June and July

44. Live from Covent Garden

The Royal Opera House opens its doors for its first live concerts since March but only for the socially distanced performers; the rest of us can watch online. The first concert is free and its a gala of opera and dance, including a world premiere by Wayne McGregor. LWYouTube, 13 June, 7.30pm

45. BBC Proms

So far the Proms have given more of a statement of intent than a full programme. We know they kick off with a new work: Iain Farringtons Beethoven mash-up featuring all the BBC orchestras, with archive concerts on subsequent evenings. For the final fortnight there are hopes for live concerts, performed in an empty Albert Hall. ACRadio 3 and online, 17 July to 12 September

46. Always Be Comedy

The most wonderful comedy night in the world, according to Katherine Ryan, ABC has been a thriving online presence in lockdown, combining big names and new talent. Upcoming shows will include the likes of Mark Steel, Isy Suttie and Ahir Shah, as well as mystery guests. KBalwaysbecomedy.com, June and July

47. Up My Street: Online!

This festival embodies that community spirit weve all located in lockdown, featuring dancers from teens to pensioners, and choreographers such as Temujin Gill. Four episodes feature dance pieces created using Zoom, WhatsApp and gaming techniques. LWfacebook.com/greenwichdance, weekly from 25 June

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The 50 best cultural events to experience at home - The Guardian