Three Excellent Hulu Movies You Must Watch This Weekend (January 17-19)
This week’s recommendations for the three must-see movies on Hulu include two thrilling crime thrillers and a charming family film that you will enjoy this weekend.
In mid-January, Hulu has added a selection of last year's films that didn't make much of an impact in theaters. Not all movies are meant to be blockbusters, and these three, in particular, were not. However, they stand out as the three recommended Hulu films worth watching this weekend.
The first two options are crime thrillers, but they approach the genre from different perspectives. The second film is somewhat reminiscent of Lost in Translation, but with the twist that the protagonist is a hitman. Lastly, the third option is so family-friendly that it could almost be considered a Disney movie.
The Silent Hour (2024) from Republic Pictures features Joel Kinnaman as Detective Frank Shaw. After an accident leaves him with very limited hearing, Frank feels unmotivated to move forward. His skill in sign language leads him to be called back by the police to assist Ava Fremont, a deaf woman who was a former drug addict and witnessed a murder. The killer, Mason Lynch, is determined to ensure Ava doesn’t speak out. Frank's arrival temporarily saves her, but soon they find themselves trapped in her apartment building as Mason's henchmen close in, and Frank's situation becomes increasingly complicated.
American Star (2024) from Vertigo Releasing stars Ian McShane as a jaded hitman named Wilson. This character feels apathetic and unmotivated. After a trip to the Canary Islands to fulfill a job, he discovers that his target is not there, which leads him to enjoy an impromptu vacation. During this time, he unexpectedly forms friendships with a bartender and a young orphan, Max. However, this new life cannot last; his professional duties haunt him, and the human connections complicate his mission.
My Penguin Friend (2024) from Roadside Attractions features Jean Reno in an unusual role for him. In this film, João Pereira de Souza, a Brazilian fisherman, has not managed to cope with the death of his son and feels emotionally distant. His life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a penguin trapped by an oil spill. João, who decides to name the penguin DinDim, takes him in and starts to care for him. Their friendship blossoms, and DinDim returns to his life year after year, helping João rekindle his emotional connections with those around him.
