July 24, 2026

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 7/24

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

IF YOU WANT SOMETHING ACTION PACKED

THE RIVER WILD

Vincent Georgie: Let’s go back to the Summer of 1994 where Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon face-off in a deadly water rafting adventure film. Lots of outdoorsy fun, elevated by this outstanding cast.

Synopsis: Fast-paced thriller in which a young family on a white-water rafting adventure in Montana are taken hostage by a pair of dangerous fugitives. The rafting holiday – a birthday gift for the New England couple’s ten-year-old son – turns into a nightmare when the two armed killers take control and try to force the mother, a proficient rafter, to use her skills to help them to escape down the treacherous rapids.

Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and YouTube.

IF YOU WANT A COMPLETE SURPRISE

THE WILD PARROTS OF TELEGRAPH HILL

Vincent Georgie: Charming, positive, and uplifting. A real left-field delight of a film. Ideal for animal lovers, music lovers, and everyone in between.

Synopsis: A homeless musician’s life is transformed after he discovers a flock of wild South American parrots living in San Francisco. How they got there is a mystery, but Mark Bittner forms a bond with the exotic birds through his music and his patient, attentive care. Over time, he comes to appreciate their individual identities and makes a case for humans to reevaluate their relationship to animals. When he is forced to leave them, he despairs over the birds’ fate.

Available on Apple TV, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.

IF YOU WANT A POWERFUL DOC

SHARKWATER: EXTINCTION

Vincent Georgie: Emotional, eye-opening, and very engaging, this film is outstanding. Strong recommendation.

Synopsis: Filmmaker Rob Stewart, travels the globe to document the illegal fishing of sharks. He uncovers the multi-billion dollar industry of illegal shark products and faces the underlying political corruption spread by influential crime organisations.

Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and YouTube.

DOUBLE FEATURE

THE GREAT SAMANTHA MORTON

Vincent Georgie: As hoards of audiences are possibly discovering this outstanding Scottish actress for the first time in The Odyssey, allow us to recommend 2 of her many incredible screen performances. She was Oscar-nominated for both films. Samantha Morton is one of our best actresses working today, full-stop.

SWEET AND LOWDOWN

Emmet Ray (Sean Penn) isn’t an easy guy to be around — among other things, he’s inconsiderate and egomaniacal. He also happens to be a jazz guitarist with undeniable talent, and despite his many faults, he ends up winning the heart of Hattie (Samantha Morton), a kind young mute woman. Hattie’s seemingly endless patience with Emmet is tested, however, with his incessant irresponsibility and infidelity, leading their relationship to the breaking point.

Available on Plex.

IN AMERICA

The Sullivan family emigrates from Ireland to New York City as father Johnny (Paddy Considine) chases his dream of being an actor. Living in a small Hell’s Kitchen apartment, the family settles into American life despite their deplorable living conditions. Wife Sarah (Samantha Morton) works at an ice parlor while Johnny looks for work as an actor, both haunted by memories of their dead son, Frankie. Daughter Christie (Sarah Bolger) documents the family’s American journey with a video camera.