Come for Godzilla, stay for the Russell father-and-son duo.
What it's about
A year after Godzilla wreaked havoc in San Francisco, Cate (Anna Sawai) travels to her missing father’s home country to find clues on his whereabouts. Instead, she finds a long-lost sibling and an uncanny connection to Monarch, the underground organization that monitors titans like Godzilla.
The take
There are two timelines in Monarch, one set in a post-war world where trio Bill (Anders Holm), Shaw (Wyatt Russell), and Keiko (Mari Yamamoto) look for monsters, and another set in 2015, where trio Cate, Kentaro (Ren Watabe), and May (Kiersey Clemons) look for Cate and Kentaro’s missing father. Both timelines are action-packed and mystery-filled, eventually intertwining in a surprising but thrilling way. But for all that’s happening, Monarch is weirdly missing the monsters. Godzilla, along with other creatures old and new, rarely appear, though when they do, they make sure to put on a spectacle you can’t look away from. The show could use a lot more of these monsters, though there’s much to like in the human cast too—especially in Shaw, whose present self is played by Russell’s father, the iconic Kurt Russell. The decision to cast them in this role is more than inspired, it’s downright entertaining. Not only do they look alike, but they have the same mannerisms and charismatic flairs, though both actors make sure to inflect the character with their own specific charms. Seeing their interpretation of Shaw is reason enough to watch this series, but everything else is pretty epic too.
What stands out
With Apple TV+’s deep pockets and Kurt Russell's silver screen charms, Monarch can often feel like an overlong movie, but in the best way.
An ambitious mini-series that succeeds in adapting the classic magic realist novel
8.0
Black Doves
A tale of espionage, romance, and friendship all tied in a neat bow, just in time for Christmas
8.1
Ethos
A level of attention to aesthetics usually reserved for the most elaborate films, mixed with a complex and relevant story, make this series from Turkey unmatched in its quality
9.9
The Sticky
Margo Martindale stands out in this true-story-based Canadian maple syrup heist
7.1
Caliphate
A psychological thriller that provides insight on what drove so many young people to ISIS.
8.9
Say Nothing
A powerful take on the Northern Ireland conflict that smartly shows all sides
8.5
Occupied
Norway's most expensive show ever is a timely thrill ride with a grim geopolitical premise.
8.7
Unorthodox
A well-acted fact-based thriller about untangling the grip of a close-knit community
8.5
Escape at Dannemora
Based on a true prison escape story, this slow-burn suspense thriller features once-in-a-lifetime performances by a star-studded cast
9.3
The Looming Tower
A well-written thriller miniseries about the rivalry between the CIA and the FBI and how they failed to prevent 9/11.