Streaming Wars: What’s worth watching and why

Show me Worthiness

There are endless shows to watch in this day and age, but quality isn’t what it used to be. It’s harder to find shows that stand out enough to make them re-watchable and worth taking time out of an already busy day. Shows that feel like a joy to watch rather than just a chore or nostalgia clickbait. It is those shows give that the audience a reason to come back for more. Anyone could binge a show, but not many of today’s options end up being worth it in the end. Satisfactory is rare because compelling stories and characters aren’t typically prioritized over profit and shortcuts. Current shows like Ginny & Georgia, Fallout, and The Boys effectively immerse their audience in their realm of alternate reality. When tragedy strikes a character, it pierces through their perception. When the story takes a sharp turn, frantic assumptions about its future go rampant. When a story completely different from your own allows you to relate, it builds your worldview. The common denominator of what’s worth watching is what allows its audience to feel the most. In the case of Ginny & Georgia, each character has layers to which someone can relate and situations where someone would understandably be conflicted on how to react.

Unchecked Worthiness

Shows worth watching aren’t always on people’s radar. Evil, starring Katja Herbers, was an underrated gem that captivated its audience with the parallels of psychology, horror, religion, and fears of the unknown. It had a consistent roller-coaster seated with different emotions, yet it was abruptly cancelled even though it had a lot more to offer. Many remain unfamiliar with its existence, even though it was worthy of people’s attention. Your Honor was another compelling show many are not aware of, starring no other than Bryan Cranston. It kept its audience rooting for different sides of characters in a story that kept them guessing at every near-climax. These shows are worth watching, but they don’t spark enough attention, whether it be because of poor marketing, unfair critics, the streaming platform it was on, or something less worthy attracting more people. Sometimes the best shows aren’t in plain sight or heard in plain ears. With new shows coming at a fast rate, it’ll be rare to find a satisfying conclusion to stories and characters that you care about.

Film-Worthy

Movies are a lesser commitment than TV shows, but money well spent today is better than a lackluster film. It’s a lot harder to find movies more meaningful than ones just capable of shutting your brain off for a couple of hours. It’s insulting to see movies with little to offer make record-breaking amounts of money. The Lilo and Stitch remake could be considered a cash grab that put a stain on the original. Many might see the story as going against all that its predecessor stood for, hence not being worth the money. On the flip side, a movie like Final Destination Bloodlines might be seen as doing its franchise justice by adding more to its package than just nostalgia, but it didn’t make nearly as much money. Standards have gotten so low that people are satisfied with movies they never would’ve taken the time for ten or more years ago. Originality is still possible with the right people involved and dedication. Sinners and Weapons both brought forth interesting concepts brought to life by bright minds. There’s no easy way to find anything worth watching because the only way to find out for sure is through your own personal viewing. Be open to original premises, debut acting performances, and passionate forms of marketing. People shouldn’t rely heavily on critics, already well-known rehashed stories, and A-list celebrities involved. Filmmakers and show creators adapt to please their audience. Remember, your honest feedback that’s not blinded by nostalgia or celebrity bias has the potential to improve their future work.