This month we’re all about the money here at Gizmodo. Here are some of our favourite flicks where the dollar dollar bills are number one that you can stream right now – from the high rises on wall street to gangland wars in Melbourne.
“This Gizmodo Movie Night is brought to you by Stan who are bringing you the hottest new TV shows the same days at the US, like season 3 of Billions which kicks off on March 25. Sign up to Stan today for a free 30-day trial so you don’t miss out!
Stan
Billions
Billions
I couldn’t be more into this show. I waited almost a year for season 3 and like the terrible addict I am, blasted through three episodes of season three (which I was lucky enough to get early access to) in an afternoon.
I can’t quite pinpoint exactly what I love so much about Billions. It’s almost like a visceral feeling. Sure, the performances are stellar and it’s always fun to see how the other half live. But there’s more to it than that. There’s a raw power that emanates from the characters that’s just so compelling.
The show also explores issues that are scant on mainstream television. My particular favourites are having a non-binary mainstream character, as well as the use of BDSM.
Season three also leans into tech topics like cryptocurrency, AI and machine learning, which obviously piques my interest.
Stan: In the sexy, ego-driven world of high finance, two of New York’s most powerful titans are locked in an epic battle.
Underbelly
It’s been over a decade since this Aussie phenonemon first hit our screens. While one could argue that the franchise was milked dry by the numerous sequels and spinoffs, it’s still fun to go back and experience it again.
In addition to the plethora of Aussie talent in the show, Underbelly marks a distinct period in Australian television. It gave birth to a Australian true crime craze made unique by the fact that some of the cases were still going through the court system while it aired. These were real people, many of whom were still alive.
This fictional deep dive into the lives of some of Australia’s most notorious criminals continues to be compelling and you’ll find yourself Googling the major players as you watch.
Good Behavior
While I was skeptical at seeing Lady Mary play a con hailing from a backwater American town, I was hooked from episode one.
Watching a con artist and a hitman try to make it work whilst battling their internal demons, poor decisions and addiction to their shady jobs makes for highly addictive television. This is definitely one to binge.
Stan: Letty Raines is a thief and con artist whose life always seems to be one wrong turn away from a bad decision.
Breaking Bad
What a game changer this show was a decade ago. Raw and dark, gritty and unapologetic – Breaking Bad is a slow burn story that has you in its hooks before you even realise it.
And while the story and action is gripping, the characterisation is still what sells the show for me – particularly the complexities of Saul, Mike and Gus. The development of Walter in particular was brilliant – he is so relatable and even likable, until he isn’t.
And with the crossover of Better Call Saul increasingly bridging the gap, it may just be time for a rewatch.
Stan: Diagnosed with terminal cancer, research chemist turned high school teacher Walter White (Bryan Cranston) decides to provide for his wife and disabled teenage son by using his considerable skills to start a meth lab.
Netflix
The Wolf Of Wall Street
An obvious choice, I know. But this film is one of the most notable and important to be written about Wall Street.
Everyone loves the stories about lovable scoundrels, and Wolf of Wall Street shows every side of the investment game – from the glitz and glamour to the corruption, greed, and filth. And while you may feel a little dirty watching it at times, it’s a damn fun ride.
Netflix: Martin Scorsese’s high-rolling Wall Street drama is based on the memoirs of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, whose giddy career ended in federal prison.
Limitless
While this is more sci-fi than wall street, Limitless absolutely explores the themes of absolute power that are common to more money-focused films.
One of the first things that the protagonist does after chemically unlocking his full brain potential is use it to make fat stacks. He becomes an investment wizard and even starts working at a brokerage firm. He was a writer before this, and while he does use the drug to write a new book, he is awfully quick to get in on the finance game. It’s where the money and the power is after all.
Netflix: A failed musician unleashes his brain’s full powers with a new drug and is hired to solve the FBI’s hardest cases in this show based on the 2011 film.
Arrested Development
Netflix: It’s the Emmy-winning story of a wealthy family that lost everything, and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together.
I was quite resistant to Arrested Development at first. I think perhaps because it had an air of awkward humour which I am always apprehensive of, but usually end up loving. The same thing happened with The Office and Parks and Recreation.
And to be honest I didn’t warm to it right away. I found that it was only okay, until I was about halfway through season one and suddenly found myself laughing not only at the jokes, but things happening in the background. The further I got through the seasons, the more this reaction increased.
And therein lies the beauty of the show – it’s all about the journey. It’s built on throwbacks and insider jokes that you may miss the first time around, and definitely won’t enjoy as much if you watch episodes sporadically. This is why it may just seem weird if you tune into a random episode late at night. It’s not designed for that kind of consumption. In that respect, it’s quite perfect for streaming.
This approach is a gamble, but one that pays off. Speaking of which, don’t forget that there’s always money in the banana stand.
American Psycho
A black comedy horror flick may seem like an odd inclusion, but if you consider the setting, it makes sense. Patrick Bateman is a wealthy investment banker whose whole world is built upon greed materialism and consumption.
It’s because of Bateman’s status that he gets away with heinous murders, even when he isn’t really trying to. Evidence and confessions are ignored because of his wealth, status and power. And while that means that he escapes punishment, that in itself further tortures his inner psyche. He can never quite get that release or catharsis.
Netflix: With chiseled good looks that belie his insanity, a businessman takes pathological pride in yuppie pursuits and indulges in sudden homicidal urges.
Don’t forget that Billions season 3 kicks off on March 25, the same day as the US. You can check out the trailer here: