Lucy Mangan: Last News

New thriller Pieces of Her landed on Netflix last week - with the show quickly going to the top of streamer’s ranking system.

Ripley, aired today, and is already receiving positive reviews from critics.Starring Fleabag’s Andrew Scott in the titular role, the eight-episode series is an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 novel The Talented Mr Ripley.The story follows Scott’s character as he takes on a job assignment to take a trip to Italy in an attempt to persuade his employer’s son, Dickie Greenleaf (played by Johnny Flynn), to return home from Europe.As the series progresses, Tom Ripley works his way into the lives of Dickie and his girlfriend Marge (Dakota Fanning) and the story takes a dark turn.The novel has been adapted several times before, most famously in 1999 with a feature film starring Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow in the lead roles.Now, the psychological thriller story takes its form in a television series, shot entirely in black and white.The Guardian’s five-star review, written by Lucy Mangan, praises the talent of the star-studded cast, saying on Scott: “At the heart of it all, and in virtually every scene, is Scott … There is something for everyone to relate to in him – a dark everyman figure.

Black Mirror has arrived on Netflix to mostly positive reviews, with critics describing the new episodes as “thrilling” and “scathing and sadistic as ever”.Charlie Brooker’s dystopian sci-fi anthology series returned with five new episodes yesterday (June 15), which were previously described as the “most unpredictable, unclassifiable and unexpected yet”.Many reviews have praised Brooker’s winning formula of twists and turns while also recognising some fresh new approaches. “Expect incredible turns from Paapa Essedieu, Salma Hayek and Aaron Paul – even if this isn’t its best season,” critic Lucy Mangan wrote in a four-star review for The Guardian.“Netflix’s perversely prescient dystopian drama will once again ruthlessly mine your existential angst,” she wrote, though cast some doubt over whether any new additions will “stick in the mind” as much as the series’ most loved and maligned episodes.Empire Magazine also awarded the new series four stars, adding that it “eases you into” a somewhat fresh approach from Brooker.