Netflix new arrivals | Our top picks this week

Charlotte Whyatt • 07 Jan 2022 Features

What are the top five new movies and TV shows streaming this week?

Image: Netflix

Netflix is always adding to its huge library of content with exciting new originals, old favourites and some hidden gems you may have missed. Take a look at the best films and TV series which are arriving on the platform this month.

Ozark season 4 part 1

The fourth season of Netflix’s addictive crime-drama, which stars Jason Bateman as accountant Marty Byrde laundering money for a drug cartel, is also unfortunately its last. It’s been extended to include 14 episodes rather than the usual 10 with the second half set to drop later in 2022. 

After re-establishing their loyalty by murdering his lawyer (Janet McTeer), cartel head Navarro (Felix Solis) gives Marty and wife Wendy (Laura Linney) an interesting proposition. Negotiate him a deal with the FBI to move freely to the US and he’ll release them from their obligations.

After Life season 3 

This month also sees Ricky Gervais’s poignant drama Afterlife come to end with the release of its third season. A world away from his usual style of stand up, it’s last two outings have been a sensitive, powerful exploration of grief as his journalist Tony struggles to cope with the death of his wife. 

With his father (David Bradley) also now having passed, Tony is shouldered with the burden of trying to deal with his feelings about their complicated relationship. It’s also likely his potential romance with nurse Emma (Ashley Jensen) will be explored despite him being racked with guilt about moving on.

Archive 81 season 1

Adapted from the hit podcast of the same name, Archive 81 is a brilliantly creepy-looking new found-footage series. Fans of the horror genre will be happy to know that it’s got an impressive name attached in the form of James Wan, director of huge hits like The Conjuring and Insidious.

Set in the modern day, archivist Dan (Mamoudou Athie) decides to take a job restoring a collection of fire-damaged videotapes from the mid 90s. He’s quickly drawn into those by filmmaker Melody (Dina Shihabi) who’s investigating the presence of a dangerous cult in a nearby apartment building.

The Invisible Man

This fantastically suspenseful thriller is a modern take on H.G Wells’s classic sci-fi novel which stars Elisabeth Moss as Cecila, who one night manages to escape her abusive tech developer husband (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) only to start being terrorized by a unseen presence. 

Director Leigh Wharnell’s decision to update the story with the themes of abuse and control is a smart one, giving the film a unique spin and injecting it with some terrifying real-life horror. This is all boosted by a strong central performance from Moss who really helps elevate the film up into what it is. 

The Woman in the House

Dark, female-led psychological thrillers, from the brilliantly captivating Gone Girl to its many pale imitators like the critically-derided Woman in the Window, have been a hugely popular genre of film in recent years which this new Netflix series aims to hilariously parody. 

Heartbroken Anna (Kristen Bell) spends her days inside by the window watching everybody else live their lives over huge, never-ending glasses of red wine. When she thinks she witnesses a murder in her neighbour’s (Tom Riley) house, she sets out to uncover the truth.

How much is Netflix?

There's three tiers of Netflix subscription available, Basic, Standard and Premium, all of which come with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Basic is just £5.99 a month but only allows you to watch on one screen (whether that be a laptop, TV, phone or tablet) at a time and doesn't give you access to HD or 4K Ultra HD. With Standard at £9.99 a month, you're able to watch on two screens at a time in SD and HD.

Paying £13.99 a month nets you Premium so you're able to enjoy content on up to 4 screens at the same time (a perfect option for families) in both HD or 4K Ultra HD.

How can I watch Netflix?

You can either access Netflix on a browser on a standard desktop or laptop computer or through the reliable Netflix app which is available across a whole range of devices including smartphones, tablets and smart TVs.

Netflix have recently introduced the offline viewing feature which allows you to download a TV show or film to watch when you're offline. Unfortunately, not everything is available to watch in this way but it's easy to check what is by selecting the “Available for Download” option from the drop down menu.

What else is on Netflix?

Netflix is home to an absolutely staggering range of content across every genre from riotously funny comedy to to your children's favourite cartoons and a fantastic mix of both American and British TV shows.

It's own selection of original programming is constantly growing, buoyed by the success of shows like House Of Cards, Stranger Things and Orange is the New Black. 

How often is new content added?

There's no real time schedule for when new content is added to Netflix, but it doesn't usually go longer than three days without adding anything new.