Films and Shows to Keep an Eye Out For This Summer
collage by Mikayla Alpert
June
Love, Victor
Summary: The second season of Love, Victor follows the aftermath of Victor coming out to his friends and family as he navigates this new and exciting part of his identity. However, being out of the closet also brings with it new challenges. At home, Victor faces his parents as they struggle to accept his sexuality. At school, he is confronted with his closed-minded basketball teammates who refuse to dress in the same locker room as him. At the same time as all of this, Victor grapples with the excitement — but also turbulence — of being in a new relationship with his boyfriend, Benji.
Premieres: June 11 on Hulu
Elite
Summary: The highly anticipated fourth season of Elite follows the arrival of a strict principal called Benjamín and four new students — Ari, Patrick, Mencía, and Prince Phillip. This new season features everything that this Spanish drama is infamously known for: romantic entanglements, secrets, rumors and lies, and a classic murder mystery. Before you get started, be sure to check out Elite: Short Stories which reveals what the students of Las Encinas have been up to the summer before their upcoming school year. These four special episodes also bring a sense of closure to many of the past central characters who have departed from the actual series.
Premieres: June 18 on Netflix
Luca
Summary: Forever dreaming of what life above the surface of the water is like, a young and timid sea monster named Luca swims away from the safety of his underwater village. Along the way, he befriends Alberto, a like-minded, but more confident, amphibian boy. Together, the two take on the human world as they explore the great splendors that the beautiful Italian seaside town of Portorosso has to offer. While on land, Luca and Alberto sign up for the annual Portorosso Cup race in hopes of winning the cash prize to buy their dream Vespa and travel the globe together.
Premieres: June 18 on Disney+
False Positive
Summary: After months of unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant, Lucy reluctantly gives in to Adrian’s wishes to seek the help of Dr. Hindle, his former medical teacher and now a current leading fertility doctor. Lucy’s initial reservations about the artificial insemination procedure partially dissipate once she discovers that she has actually become pregnant with three embryos. However, Lucy senses that her ”perfect” pregnancy may be too good to be true. She aims to uncover the truth behind Hindle’s sinister medical practices in an attempt to prove that she is not just experiencing the illusion of “mommy brain.”
Premieres: June 25 on Hulu
Zola
Summary: Zola is one of A24’s latest films uniquely based on a 148-tweet thread that went viral in 2015, as posted by stripper Aziah Wells (better known by her fans and followers as Zola). This film brings Zola’s fever dream of a story to cinematic life, recounting her fateful encounter with a sex worker, Stefani, who entices Zola to tag along on her work trip to Florida. Their goal: make as much money from dancing at nightclubs. However, this side hustle of a weekend quickly turns sour at the hands of Stefani, her boyfriend Derrek, and Stefani's violent pimp, X.
Premieres: in theaters June 30
July
Gossip Girl
Summary: Surprise, did you miss her? The all-new reboot of Gossip Girl is set to follow the next generation of the Upper West Side elite nine years after the original website went dark. Though this program revival will still feature many of the same elements that the 2007 show introduced - romance, drama, secrets, and prestige, to name a few - the HBO Max rendition is set to capture a fresh, more up-to-date perspective on Gen Z culture and how social media has impacted our ever-shifting society. Moreover, the new Gossip Girl is expected to be more inclusive with added LGBTQ+ storylines and a racially diverse cast.
Premieres: July 8 on HBO Max
The White Lotus
Summary: The White Lotus is an American satire comedy set at an exclusive Hawaiian resort of the same titular name. Taking place over the course of a week, this miniseries follows the every move of the resort’s staff, as well as its incoming guests who have come to relax and rejuvenate on the beach island. As the days go by, tensions arise amongst the employees and travelers the more they interact with one another. Will this week-long vacation feel like being on cloud nine or will it be trouble in paradise?
Premieres: July 11 on HBO Max
Never Have I Ever
Summary: Before, Devi could not even manage to get a single boy to look her way, nonetheless lose her virginity as she initially intended. But in a turn of events, she now has her former nemesis and the hottest guy in school trying to woo her over — wouldn’t you just love to be in the same situation? Aside from trying to figure out her love life, Devi is also presented with the possibility of moving away to India, as well as having some new competition from another pretty and cool Indian girl who just transferred to her school. Can life get any messier than this?
Premieres: July 15 on Netflix
Old
Summary: M. Night Shyamalan returns this July with Old, yet another one of his iconic, twisted thrillers. This film follows a happy family who have gone on a tropical getaway to a secluded beach. Not too long into their relaxing vacation, they begin to notice strange events, starting with the appearance of a dead body that fully decomposes in the blink of an eye. The family soon realizes that this mysterious island is treacherously cursed, ultimately causing everyone to age rapidly. Together they must figure out how to get off the beach before their lives are turned to dust by the end of the day.
Premieres: in theaters July 23
The Green Knight
Summary: The Green Knight is an epic medieval fantasy film based on an Arthurian legend. It tells the story of Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s reckless, yet strong-willed nephew who embarks on a daring quest to challenge and ultimately defeat the destructive Green Knight. Along his journey Gawain is faced with the likes of both mythical creatures and human obstacles who stand in his way. What was initially supposed to be a test of strength and will, turns out to be an unparalleled chance to define his own honor and character and most significantly, to prove his worth in the eyes of his royal family and the kingdom overall.
Where to Watch: in theaters July 30