Boots Riley’s provocative and surreal ‘I’m a Virgo’ among June streaming highlights

Here’s a roundup of standout TV series and films debuting on subscription streaming platforms in June:

“I’m a Virgo”

Writer-director Boots Riley’s definitive visual style made his 2018 comedy “Sorry to Bother You” a buzzworthy big-screen success and his new TV series promises to push the boundaries of surreal social commentary even further. “I’m a Virgo” follows Cootie, a 13-foot-tall young Black man whose parents sheltered him from the outside world in their Oakland, Calif., home. Confident, curious and born under an astrological sign that craves adventure, Cootie marches into the real world with fresh eyes which almost immediately lead him into trouble. Riley brings an absurdist vantage point to modern America and all its pitfalls, led by a charming performance by Jharrel Jerome, who won an Emmy for Ava DuVernay’s “When They See Us.” The giant teen is backed up by a strong supporting cast that includes Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo and Walton Goggins. (Prime Video, June 23)

“Hijack”

Everything seems routine on a commercial flight from Dubai to London as Sam Nelson, played by Idris Elba, boards the plane to see his family. But his world is turned upside down when a group of hijackers rise from their seats mid-flight and take control of the operation. What they don’t know about Sam is he’s one of the world’s most talented corporate negotiators who can turn any circumstance in his favour. Armed with his sharp intellect, and a jet full of passengers who can act as a group, he begins plotting ways to take down the hijackers before they bring down the plane in this nail-biting seven-part thriller. (Apple TV Plus, June 28, episodes weekly)

“The Full Monty”

More than 25 years have passed since a group of unemployed steelworkers dropped their trousers and sent the English city of Sheffield into a tizzy with their striptease show. And those nights are but a memory as reality — and age — set in for the blokes. Their community has seen better days too with a crumbling health-care system and sagging educational institutions. Life has dealt many challenges, but there is still joy in perseverance. Writer Simon Beaufoy catches up with the characters from his original 1997 sleeper hit movie in an eight-part series. (Disney Plus, June 14)

“Billionaire Murders”

When Toronto power couple Barry and Honey Sherman were found murdered in their basement pool room, the shocking turn of events sent ripples through the local community and grabbed headlines around the world. Why would a prominent pharma executive and his philanthropist wife be the targets of such a heinous crime? And how did police manage to bungle the early days of the investigation by labelling it a murder-suicide? Toronto Star reporter Kevin Donovan’s book serves as the basis for a four-part series that revisits one of Canada’s most notorious unsolved murders with a true crime documentary perspective. (Crave, June 16, episodes weekly)

ALSO THIS MONTH:

“Drop the Needle” – A who’s who of Canada’s hip hop music scene – including Kardinal Offishall and Saukrates – reminisces about the early days of foundational Toronto vinyl music store Play De Record. (Prime Video, June 2)

“The Idol” – Co-creator Abel Tesfaye, better known as the Weeknd, stars as a cult leader who woos a young pop singer. (Crave, June 4, episodes weekly)

“Avatar: The Way of Water” – The Na’vi race faces another formidable human threat in James Cameron’s visually stunning sequel to the highest-grossing film of all time. (Disney Plus, June 7)

“The Crowded Room” – Tom Holland plays a desperate young man whose involvement in a 1979 shooting at Rockefeller Center leads to his arrest. An interrogator, portrayed by Amanda Seyfried, pulls back the layers of what brought him to that moment. (Apple TV Plus, June 9, episodes weekly)

“A Man Called Otto” – Tom Hanks plays a grumpy old man whose blossoming friendship with a neighbour could lead to new beginnings. Based on the 2015 Swedish film “A Man Called Ove.” (Crave, June 9)

“Creed III” – An old friend threatens to upend the life and boxing career of Adonis. (Prime Video, June 9)

“Ever Deadly” – Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq’s confrontational and immersive documentary juxtaposes her intense live performances against more tranquil moments at home. (CBC Gem, June 16)

“Extraction 2” – Chris Hemsworth returns as the black market mercenary with a new mission: rescuing the family of a ruthless gangster. (Netflix, June 16)

“Cocaine Bear” – A massive black bear ingests a cocaine supply that sends him on a murderous rampage. (Prime Video, June 24)

“Infinity Pool” – Brandon Cronenberg’s latest twisted tale set at an all-inclusive beach resort and starring Alexander Skarsgård and Mia Goth. (Crave, June 30)

RETURNING SERIES: Netflix closes the book on buzzworthy airline mystery “Manifest” with the last half of Season 4 on June 2, while the final lap of teen comedy “Never Have I Ever” premieres on June 8. Actor Henry Cavill will bid farewell to his lead role in the fantasy epic series “The Witcher” as he exits the show during its latest season, which releases its first half on June 29. Anthology series “Black Mirror” returns on June 15 with five new episodes.

New York’s favourite gal pals of “Sex and the City” return for a second season of HBO’s “And Just Like That…“ where Carrie finds an old flame re-emerging just as she’s looking for a new beginning. The season launches on Crave starting June 22. Meanwhile, a “Succession”-style battle of biblical proportions plays out in the third season of comedy “The Righteous Gemstones” as the heirs to the televangelist throne vie for their family crown, starting on June 18.

Prime Video ratchets up the thrills in the final season of John Krasinski-led action series “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” on June 30, while the sibling rivalry at the centre of northern Ontario comedy “The Lake” unfurls its latest chapters on June 9.

And Apple TV Plus launches the second season of its hidden gem basketball series “Swagger.” The new episodes get underway on June 23.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2023.

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