3 Sci-Fi Shows to Stream This Week After Netflix's The Kitchen
Each of these shows explores scenarios for the future of humanity. Which is not necessarily reassuring.
Finding a good TV show or movie is a breeze these days, especially in the age of streaming services. Science fiction fans in particular have been reveling in recent years, with many great genre films and series released in the past year alone, including Netflix 's comedy They Cloned Tyrone, Apple TV+ 's dystopian series Silo, and HBO and Max's post-apocalyptic drama The Last of Us.
The year 2024 is also off to a good start for sci-fi. On January 19, a week after its limited theatrical release, Netflix expanded its library with the solid sci-fi drama The Kitchen, from directing duo Kibwe Tavares and Daniel Kaluuya. While many sci-fi concepts revolve around unattainable technology and exploring the far reaches of space, the new British film takes a more grounded and therefore realistic look at the near future of humanity and the conditions marginalized groups may find themselves in as housing prices become unaffordable, work becomes computerized, and the state becomes more oppressive, protecting only billionaires.
In just a few days, The Kitchen has garnered rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, praising the young filmmakers' speculative futurism. And if you're one of those people who's already seen the movie and can't wait to check out some other great projects, here are three equally witty sci-fi series available for streaming this week.
3. For All Mankind
Premiere Date: November 1, 2019
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Number of Seasons: 4
Where to Stream: Apple TV+
Our list kicks off with an Apple TV+ original that offers a far more optimistic view of humanity's future than The Kitchen... if certain events in the 20th century had actually happened. For All Mankind is set in the alternate history, where the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union never ended, leaving NASA and the space agencies of other countries in a race to conquer the solar system. But for all its 'what if' setting, it's an epic space adventure whose writers mirrored the events of the Cold War. However, despite the escapist themes of humanity uniting to explore space and colonize other planets, the series is content to depict all of humanity's old problems, such as the ruthless exploitation of working-class employees.
2. Years and Years
Premiere Date: May 14, 2019
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Number of Seasons: 1 (miniseries)
Where to Stream: Max
Space conquest is by no means the main concern we need to think about in the coming years. The economic and political injustice, fueled by the rise of right-wing politicians who build their agendas on the backs of crass nationalism, conservatism and xenophobic solutions — we can see it now, and the trend will only continue in the coming years. Like The Kitchen, Years and Years, created by Russell T Davies (Doctor Who, Torchwood), offers a dystopian perspective on future Britain, telling the story of one family and their experiences as a right-wing populist celebrity comes to power.
1. Black Mirror
Premiere Date: December 4, 2011
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
Number of Seasons: 6
Where to Stream: Netflix
Since Black Mirror premiered in 2011, fans have been thrilled with Charlie Brooker's unique anthology series, immersing the viewers into dark, dystopian worlds where humanity has to face the consequences of unregulated use of technology. What makes this show so special? Perhaps it is the very format of Black Mirror that makes it so compelling, as each individual episode allowed Brooker to unleash his creative vision and not limit himself to specific characters, tropes, and storylines.