Last month I canceled netflix by great frustration with the programming. And I think I’m saving another $20 this month (which increases Netflix price it’s too much) too.
Right now, when the economy is far from great, we’re all trying to find ways to save money. And even if cutting the price of Netflix doesn’t save you much, I’d say it’s definitely worth it if you don’t feel like Netflix is serving your interests this month. Especially when our other picks for the best streaming services will be. Of course, this column comes with a major condition “your mileage may vary”.
I’m calling Netflix because the big returning shows and movies won’t exactly be for everyone, though some fandoms will definitely be sated (and, yes, one of best Netflix shows is on the list). I’ll also give Netflix some credit for dipping their toes in new waters with a live event!
But as I think others may be right to cancel netflix with me I decided to explain how my thought process continues to pull me away this month. That way, others can start finding new ways to be economical with their streaming budget.
Netflix’s March Doesn’t Bring Me Back
Previously, I’ve written great overviews of what’s happening on all streaming services to help people figure out which services they don’t need. But looking at the services I couldn’t think of canceling yet (more on those later) and Netflix, it’s easy for me to just focus on the biggest streaming service.
The Netflix licensed film drops for the start of the month on 1st of March does not help their chances. While I liked Easy A, The Hangover and Magic Mike XXL? They’re the best of the bunch on the new list, though fans of National Lampoon’s Animal House and Adam Sandler’s (more on him below) movie Big Daddy might disagree.
Chris Rock: Selective Outrage sees Netflix getting into the live event business. If anything could bring me back to Netflix, this is it.
The first “big” return of the month is season 2 of Sex/Life (March 2), but critics of this soapy drama are right that its “sexy” version proves that sinister behavior isn’t exactly salacious on its own.
Two days later, Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (March 4) sees Netflix getting into the live event business. If anything could bring me back to Netflix, this is it. Rock is still a major public figure after Will Smith slapped him onstage at the 2022 Oscars, and I suspect the comedian is going to use that platform to get a lot of traction.
If I had to choose probably the most important release of the month, it’s You season 4 part 2 (March 9) as the back half of Netflix’s spooky drama series hopefully responds to the “Whodunnit?” questions he opened up in the first part of the season. Having moved to England to try and live a good, non-killing life, Joe (Penn Badgley) found himself falling prey.
Next, Luther: The Fallen Sun (March 10) sees Idris Elba return as John Luther, who begins with the disadvantage of being imprisoned for his illegal (and effective) means of catching criminals. It’s a follow-up to the show’s fifth season from 2019, and sees Luther haunted by a cold case and seeking to arrest a serial killer.
So now Netflix has treats for three fandoms, and its fourth comes in the form of Shadow & Bone season 2 (March 16). Not one of my favorites, but the Grishaverse fandom doesn’t need me, because they got a second season renewal to see how Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li) and Mal (Archie Renaux) manage to survive by escaping to the Darkling, General Kirigan (Ben Barnes).
Then, Love Is Blind season 4 (Wednesdays, from March 24) brings us back to the life of the pod. For those unfamiliar: guests will flirt with isolation and see if they can find true love without seeing their mates.
Last, and not least (for some), there’s Murder Mystery 2 (March, 31st) which brings Nick and Audrey Spitz (Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston) back for a new adventure. Now running their own agency, they found themselves in a situation that reminds us Glass Onion: trying to solve a kidnapping on a private island filled with glamorous guests.
I’m not going to pretend Murder Mystery wasn’t a huge hit for Netflix. I’m also not going to lie and pretend I want to watch it either.
Cancel Netflix to spend that money elsewhere
Right now your up to $20 may be better spent on either best streaming services.
HBO Max (from $10 a month) has the best show on TV right now with The last of us. Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have put together fantastic episode after fantastic episode, with the recent “Left Behind” creating all sorts of (positive) chatter online. Still, Episode 3, which will likely net Nick Offerman or Murray Bartlett an award or two, is the highlight.
Then more on Peacock ($4.99 per month), Natasha Lyonne and Rian Johnson continue to prove that there is life after Netflix, with Poker face. It’s a week-long murder mystery series that finds Mrs. Russian Doll herself (Lyonne) on the run from her past, while her near-supernatural BS detection ability (she always knows when someone’s lying) continues to lure her. train with new problems.
Yes, Lyonne is a star of one of best Netflix showsand showrunner Johnson gave us one of best netflix movies in Glass Onion, but both don’t need Netflix to thrive.
And then there’s the best new show that it feels like too few people are talking about: the Apple TV Plus ($6.99 per month) series Contraction. From star Jason Segel (Freaks and Geeks, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) to Ted Lasso’s Bill Lawrence (Scrubs) and Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent!), this comedy drama is all about the drama therapists go through.
Therapist Jimmy (Segel) is unable to cope with the grief of his late wife’s death, and in a moment when he’s fed up with life, he begins to break the rules of therapy. He even gets deeply involved in a patient’s life. Meanwhile, her colleague Gaby (Jessica Williams) is slowly going through a divorce and their boss Paul (Harrison Ford) is struggling with his own diagnosis of Parkinson’s.
Outlook: only subscribe to the streaming services you use
In the end, I know I’m not going to convince reality TV fans to cut Netflix. Adam Sandler fans will also stay. Ditto for the Grishaverse. But for the rest of us folks who think Netflix is a bit over the hill?
March 2023 looks like a month when many won’t need Netflix. Don’t say you’re Joe Goldberg I said that, though.