A Quarantine Movie For Every Mood 05/12

We live in scary times. New York City is a ghost-town, as hundreds die everyday. The United States has issued a travel ban. Canada has closed its borders, barring non-citizens from entry. The United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and France are on lockdown. In that context, the very idea of being bored, let alone debating which of the millions of movies or TV shows currently streaming, may come off as naively trivial, a luxury that we might all look back on with disbelief. Who cares about entertainment when thousands are suffering? And yet, movies provide a respite, a window into a better time to come, or a challenge we’ve overcome. They’re an escape, and a way to confront the worst. They provide a sense of possibility, and a window onto a world that’s become elusive.

Like so many, I am currently in self-isolation in my tiny New York City apartment for the foreseeable future. I’m following the advice of medical professionals, doing my part to stem the spread of COVID-19. I know that this is the right thing to do. 

But my feelings about quarantine are complicated, and change pretty much every hour. I’ve experienced giddy euphoria at being allowed — nay ordered — to stay home in my lounge clothes, cook meals that involve more than three steps, and take time for myself without feeling guilty about performing all sorts of tedious tasks. From there, the pendulum often swings to major anxiety, and I start spiraling down the rabbit hole of toxic thoughts. In between those two extremes come more random and privileged thoughts: Wishing I could take advantage of the mild spring weather, worrying about whether I will still remember how to put on makeup when this is all over, weighing the pros and cons of an online workout versus a walk outside. I worry about my family, my friends, my city, and others. I feel guilty about lots of things, but mostly about being safe when others aren’t. And finally, I think about what movies I’m going to watch. 

What I watch often depends on what mood I’m in. And since “sad,” “angry,” “happy,” or “scared” are not nearly complex enough for what we’re all experiencing, I’ve narrowed it down to more specific states of mind. Click through for a sampling of suggestions, all available to stream from home. 

Don’t see your mood represented? We’ll be updating for as long as we’re in this. 

COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic. Go to the CDC website for the latest information on symptoms, prevention, and other resources.

Luce

Mood: I can't talk about sourdough anymore, give me a new Zoom conversation starter.

Streaming on: Hulu

Now's the perfect time to catch up on one of the best, most under-seen movies of 2019. Kelvin Harrison Jr. is mind-blowingly good in Julius Onah's movie about a model student and athlete whose adopted parents (Naomi Watts and Tim Roth) begin to doubt him after teacher (Octavia Spencer) flags a disturbing response to an assignment.

The Half Of It

Mood: I want to write sexy letters to my crush.

Streaming on: Netflix

It took 15 years for Saving Face filmmaker Alice Wu to return with her follow-up film — but it was worth the wait. A modern spin on Cyrano de Bergerac, The Half Of It centers around teenage loner Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis), who's asked to help schoolmate Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer) woo his crush by ghost-writing letters for him. The problem is? Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire) is also Ellie's crush.

Atlantics

Mood: Embracing the ghosts of the past

Streaming on: Netflix

Mati Diop's movie is beautiful and haunting — literally. When 17-year-old Ada says goodbye to lover Suleiman after a day spent kissing at the beach, she doesn't know it's forever. Soon, she learns that he and a group of others have drowned off the coast of Dakar while trying to reach Europe, where economic opportunities beckon. So, who's texting her claiming to be Suleiman's ghost?

The Social Network

Mood: Chaotic Armie Hammer (x 2)

Streaming on: Netflix

In the past couple of days, Hammer has embraced that pandemic life, shaving his heartthrob hair into a faux-hawk, complete with a mustache-goatee combo a la Joe Exotic. It's an energy that can only be matched by the time he played not one, but two people in the same movie, David Fincher's The Social Network. The movie tracks the rise of Facebook from Mark Zuckerberg's (Jesse Eisenberg) Harvard dorm room to billion dollar company, and his conflicts with former best friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), and the Winkelvoss twins (Hammer). (Oh, and be sure to spot Dakota Johnson in one of her first roles.)

Lady Macbeth

Mood: Bored at home

Streaming on: Hulu

Florence Pugh's weekly Instagram cooking sessions are one of the few things that bring me joy right now. But Lady Macbeth, her breakout film role from 2016, shows another side to her altogether. Pugh plays teenage bride Katherine, married off to a man her father's age who leaves her alone on his remote estate for weeks at a time. Bored, and unhappy, she passes the time listlessly — until she meets Sebastian (Cosmo Jarvis), a servant her own age who sparks her violent passions.

If Beale Street Could Talk

Mood: I just need to cry it out.

Streaming on: Hulu

Directed by Barry Jenkins and based on James Baldwin's 1974 novel by the same name, If Beale Street Could Talk is the kind of movie that makes your heart soar and then tears it to shreds. KiKi Layne and Stephan James play Tish Rivers and Fonny Hunt, a young couple who fall in love only to be torn apart by a violent criminal accusation. With powerful supporting performances by the likes of Regina King (who won an Oscar for her role as Tish's mom), Colman Domingo, Teyonah Paris and Brian Tyree Henry, this movie doesn't fuck around when it comes to emotional resonance. Everything, down to Nicholas Brittell's tender, haunting score, is designed to make you feel. Lean into it.

Uncorked

Mood: I need a drink.

Streaming on: Netflix

Written and directed by Prentice Penny, Uncorked centers around Elijah (Mamadou Athie) a young man working in his parents' (Courtney B. Vance and Niecy Nash) barbecue restaurant, who dreams of becoming a master sommelier. Pour yourself a big glass and get ready to learn some things!

First Wives Club

Mood: When quarantine is hard on that ol' relationship.

Streaming on: Netflix

Elise (Goldie Hawn), Annie (Diane Keaton), Brenda (Bette Midler) and Cynthia (Stockard Channing) were inseparable in college. As the years passed, they grew apart, settling into their respective lives and relationships. But when Cynthia dies by suicide after her husband leaves her for a younger woman, the three remaining friends reconnect, and find they have something in common again: a strong desire for revenge on their ex-husbands.

Morning Glory

Mood: Remember when morning shows were about frittata drama?

Streaming on: Hulu

Directed by Roger Michell and written by  The Devil Wears Prada's Aline Brosh McKenna, Morning Glory stars Rachel McAdams as Becky Fuller, a young producer hoping to make a big splash in news. When she's handed a failing morning show broadcast, she fires lecherous anchor (Ty Burrell), and replaces him with veteran news curmudgeon Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford. If only she could get him to actually do his job.

Booksmart

Mood: Zoom party!

Streaming on: Hulu

Who allowed you to be this gorgeous in loungewear?

Olivia Wilde's directorial debut is the perfect movie to watch in a virtual group (stay home). After all, it's all about high school seniors Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy's (Kaitlyn Dever) quest to fit in one big blowout night before graduation, after years spent studying rather than hanging out with their peers. Are your friends double booked? No worries. There are more than enough vibrant characters in here to keep you company.

Kate & Leopold

Mood: Time travel, ticket for one, please.

Streaming on: Netflix

Are you scrolling through your phone gazing wistfully at pictures of rush hour on the 6 train? James Mangold's 2001 rom-com is for you. Hugh Jackman plays Leopold, Duke of Albany, who is mysteriously transported forward from New York circa 1876 to the hustle and bustle of pre-9/11 2001. There, he meets Kate (Meg Ryan) a marketing research executive with a chip on her shoulder. I won't spoil the ending, but expect romance, truly fascinating sartorial choices, and a sudden hankering for "fresh creamery butter."

Julie & Julia

Mood: I'm coming out of this a gourmet chef.

Streaming on: Netflix

In 2002, Julie Powell took on a peculiar challenge: She would cook her way through Julia Child's seminal cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, completing 524 recipes in 365 days. Nora Ephron's film documents that challenge, juxtaposing Julie's (Amy Adams) life with that of her hero and muse, Julia Child (Meryl Streep), as the two women face similar crises of confidence and seek to find themselves through the joy of food. Hot tip: Don't watch this on an empty stomach.

Moulin Rouge!

Mood: I want to dress up for a wild party! 

Streaming on: HBONow

Bars, clubs, and restaurants are closed around much of the United States, but that doesn’t mean you can’t live the bohemian revolution from the comfort of your couch. Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 musical extravaganza takes you back to 1899, when young English writer Christian (Ewan McGregor) falls hard for cabaret singer and courtesan Satine (Nicole Kidman), the “sparkling diamond” of the Moulin Rouge. Unfortunately, her affections have already been bought by the Duke of Monroth (Richard Roxburgh), who expects to get what he paid for. If you can get past the whole consumption thing, your reward is Kylie Minogue as Absinthe Green Fairy, an unbeatable medley of popular songs, and the most spectacular spectacular costumes and dance numbers of all time.

W/E

Mood: I want to have a passionate love affair that’s the stuff of legend.

Streaming on: Netflix

In 1936, American divorcée Wallis Simpson became infamous when British King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in order to be with her. Their story comes to life in the Madonna-directed W/E, which interweaves the lives of Wallis (Andrea Riseborough) and Edward (James D’Arcy) and bored socialite Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish), who becomes obsessed with the royal scandal when she finds some of their belongings for sale at an auction. It’s beautiful, it’s glamorous, it’s the opposite of sitting home alone in your pjs. 

A Little Princess

Mood: My bed is my home now.  

Streaming on: Netflix

Every little girl is a princess. Every little girl is a princess. Consider this your quarantine mantra. Rinse and repeat as you snuggle underneath those (hopefully) clean sheets

Alfonso Cuarón’s adaptation of Frances Hodgeson Burnett’s 1905 children’s book is the ultimate comfort watch. If Sara Crewe (Liesel Matthews) can brave the fall from the petted only daughter of a rich and doting father to an orphaned servant who scrubs floors in an American boarding school, you can eventually find the strength to get out of bed and take a shower. Baby steps. And if not, enjoy the fun fact that Captain Crewe is played by Liam Cunningham, aka Davos from Game of Thrones. 

A Simple Favor

Mood: I’ve been staring at the wall for 37 minutes straight. I need drama! Gimme some intrigue!

Streaming on: Hulu

This movie, directed by Paul Feig (Bridesmaids), is crazy in the absolute best way. Anna Kendrick plays single mom Stephanie, a mommy vlogger who befriends the mysterious and seductive Emily (Blake Lively). But when the latter suddenly vanishes into thin air, Stephanie starts to dig into her friend’s past — and finds out there’s more to Emily than chic suits and a penchant for very dry martinis. She’s downright sinister. If you — like me — have not worn anything other than sweatpants for nearly a week, let this film remind you that better sartorial times lay ahead. Enjoy the loungewear while you can. 

Anna Karenina

Mood: I want to be sad, but also glamorous.

Streaming on: Netflix

Let me rephrase. You should absolutely prioritize reading the Leo Tolstoy classic that this Keira Knightley starrer is based on. It’s got just the right amount of sweeping drama to make you briefly forget that we live in end times. (P.S. Take my advice and skip the wheat parts. It’s called editing, Leo!) But if you’re just not feeling up to a bajillion page Russian novel and still want to experience doomed love in the cruel Russian winter, with the added bonus of fabulous jewels, a blonde Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Vronsky, and Matthew Mcfadyen’s excellent handlebar mustache, then go right for Joe Wright’s imperfect, but oh-so-escapist adaptation. 

Moonstruck

Mood: I want to fall in love!

Streaming on: Amazon Prime 

Moonstruck is an absolutely perfect movie. I dare you to find a flaw. Directed by Norman Jewison, it stars Cher (who won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance) as Loretta Castrioni, a widow who falls for her new fiance’s younger brother Ronny (Nicholas Cage), just as she’s about to invite him to her wedding. This is Nicholas Cage at his peak, folks, wooden hand and all! He plays a baker! A baker who bakes bread! Bread is life. 

Outbreak

Mood: I am fearless! Give me all the virus movies!

Streaming on: Netflix

I mean...you do you. If you’re this person, my guess is you’ve probably already watched Steven Soderbergh’s Contagion, aka the one where Gwyneth Paltrow kills half the planet. If that’s the case, turn your attention to 1995’s Outbreak, which stars Dustin Hoffman and Rene Russo as doctors trying to save the world from a deadly virus spread by a monkey illegally transported to California.

The Talented Mr. Ripley 

Mood: Jude Law. 

Streaming on: Netflix

The English language is inadequate to describe just how spectacularly sexy Jude Law is in this movie. As dilettante playboy Dickie Greenleaf, living it up in the high society of the Italian Riviera in the 1950s, he is exactly the kind of man Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) wishes he could be. So when Dickie’s dad hires Tom to bring him home, he takes it as his chance to finally enter the world of leisure and luxury he’s always dreamed of. But at what price?

The Bling Ring

Mood: I miss my friends. 

Streaming on: Netflix

Sofia Coppola’s reimagining of the real-life tale of a group of friends charged with breaking into celebrity houses and stealing from them is the original summer scam movie. Paris Hilton, one of the celebrities who was most impacted, even makes a cameo. Come for Emma Watson’s perfect line delivery of “I just wanna rob!”, stay for the pure thrill of watching people go through the trouble of stealing Juicy Couture tracksuits and rainbow baby Louis Vuitton bags. 

Reds

Mood: This feels like a world-altering moment. Who gets me?

Streaming on: Amazon Prime

Based on the true story of American journalist John Reed, who documented the sweeping and turbulent early days of the Russian Revolution, Reds captures the fear, anxiety, and excitement of watching history unfold. And — I hear you. Do we really want to waste precious hours watching a man explain events to us? Well, let me introduce you to Louise Bryant (Diane Keaton), Reed’s on-and-off partner and wife, and real-life feminist writer, thinker, and political activist, who is more than a match for his privileged idealism. 

Teen Spirit

Mood: I still have big dreams!

Streaming on: Hulu

Who says you can’t be inspired while working from home? This is the movie that made me a ride-or-die Elle Fanning stan. She plays Violet Valensi, a teenager of Polish descent living on the Isle of Man with dreams of pop stardom, who joins a singing competition a la American Idol. It’s just the right amount of earnest, and the dreamy, colorful cinematography perfectly complements creative covers of Ariana Grande, Ellie Goulding and Annie Lennox, among many others. 

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

Mood: I want to hear inspiring true stories about fearless women!

Streaming on: Netflix

Hedy Lamarr has only recently gotten the credit she deserves as the woman whose World War II invention made WiFi possible. For years, she was simply famous for her looks, best-known as Hollywood’s most beautiful actress. Her story, which begins in Austria and includes a true story about how she escaped her Nazi-sympathizing husband by posing as a maid, is riveting. And though the ending isn’t exactly a happy one, it might be enough to inspire you to take on a challenge you’ve been avoiding. 

It Takes Two

Mood: Wouldn’t this all be easier with a twin?

Streaming on: Netflix

When in doubt, the Olsen Twins have your back. 

from refinery29