This week on Prime Video, some exciting new content has emerged. Season 4 of Reacher, starring Alan Ritchson, is leading the television rankings, while the movie Masters of the Universe—which struggled at the box office—is now a top contender on the streaming service’s movie list. Streaming proves to be a valuable platform for all kinds of content.
If you’re looking for movie recommendations for U.S. subscribers, you’re in luck. With the recent release of FX/Hulu’s drama The Shards, you can also catch the classic story behind Bret Easton Ellis’s Wall Street killer. Additionally, a hilarious comedy featuring Ice Cube and an enticing art-heist thriller starring Pierce Brosnan are among my top picks this week.
3 American Psycho
Bret Easton Ellis’s Wall Street Killer, Unrated
Bret Easton Ellis, the controversial author known for his tales of hedonistic American youth, recently reentered the spotlight with The Shards, based on his novel from 2023. However, it’s his iconic work American Psycho that cements his status in popular culture, making now the ideal moment for a revisit.
The film, adapted from Ellis’s notorious 1991 book, follows Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), a twisted and self-absorbed investment banker in late 1980s Manhattan. He is obsessed with his appearance, fine dining, and the perfect business card. Bale’s performance completely transforms him from his child actor days in Empire of the Sun to a chilling portrayal of a psychopath. His fiancée Evelyn (Reese Witherspoon) is oblivious to his violent tendencies, including the gruesome murder of Paul Allen (Jared Leto) while extolling the virtues of Huey Lewis and the News. Bateman’s internal monologues reveal his true nature—a killer lurking beneath a polished exterior.
As Bateman spirals further into chaos, Detective Donald Kimball (Willem Dafoe) is on his trail. This dark comedy from 2000 has a 69% rating from critics but much higher, at 85%, from audiences. The unrated version available on Prime Video includes an extra four minutes of content. After watching, you can compare it with The Shards.
2 Barbershop: The Next Cut
Ice Cube’s Sequel is Funnier Than the First
All four movies in the Barbershop series, including the less-received spinoff Beauty Shop, are currently available on Prime Video. However, Barbershop: The Next Cut, the fourth installment, stands out as the best, according to both my opinion and Rotten Tomatoes’ ratings.
After a long wait following the 2004 sequel Back in Business, The Next Cut reunites returning characters with an enjoyable fresh story. When Calvin (Ice Cube) decides to merge his barbershop with Angie’s (Regina Hall) salon to handle tough times in Chicago’s South Side, it brings together a mix of beloved characters and new faces. The hilarious interactions between established crew members, including Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer) and Terri (Eve), and newcomers, like Angie, One-Stop (J.B. Smoove), and Draya (Nicki Minaj), create a whirlwind of chaos. Meanwhile, Calvin grapples with keeping his son Jalen (Michael Rainey Jr.) safe from increasing violence in their neighborhood.
1 The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)
A Monet, a Bowler Hat, and Pierce Brosnan
While heist films like Ocean’s Eleven and The Italian Job are enjoyable, nothing compares to the charm and intrigue of John McTiernan’s 1999 remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. The film’s captivating scenes feature art thief Thomas Crown (played by the charismatic Pierce Brosnan) skillfully stealing Monet’s San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk and using his accomplices in bowler hats to orchestrate the theft seamlessly.
More than just a heist film, it’s also a tantalizing romance between a wealthy thrill-seeker and Catherine Banning (Rene Russo), an alluring insurance investigator drawn into his world. While an impatient detective (Denis Leary) is at their heels, Crown always seems to be a step ahead. The original 1968 film is also on Prime Video, and a new interpretation featuring Michael B. Jordan is set for 2027.
Prime Video is Kind of an Endless Well
The second-largest streaming service in the world boasts enough content to keep your watchlist full indefinitely. Ensure you make the most of its features beyond just streaming, as it’s a service worth utilizing thoroughly.
