As the slow but inevitable churn of time rolls us into the last month of 2022, I’m surely not alone in craving some time to just…sit. It has been a long year(s) and while we may not have the means to solve inflation or prevent yet another wave of the big C, at least Rian Johnson made another Knives Out movie. Netflix Australia’s December lineup is headlined by signature filmmakers making the jump to streaming as distribution, a sick new Sonic show and the continued mystery of how Emily hasn’t yet been deported from Paris. Below we’ve assembled a list of the best of what Netflix has to offer next month, along with some handy synopsis and some thoughts from us about the lineup!
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (December 9)
One of our all time favourite childhood stories has been reinvented by the one and only Oscar winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, as well as award winning, stop-motion legend Mark Gustafson. If a wooden boy puppet with a long nose who wishes upon a star isn’t a big enough clue, then you don’t know what you have been missing! Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio will be landing on our screens which reimagines the classical musical tale of the fabled wooden boy with a whimsical tour de force that takes him on an enchanted adventure.
Dragon Age: Absolution (December 9)
With great power at stake, a group of rebel mages and thieves goes head-to-head against a sinister force possessing a dangerous artifact.
If this is even half as good as Netflix’s incredible Castlevania animated series, we are in for a good time. It’s interesting to see developers and publishers pursuing this route in a post-Arcane world, both as a means of worldbuilding and potentially onboarding new audiences. The animation looks colourful and Bioware’s fantasy world should serve as a great grimdark launching pad for the show.
Sonic Prime (December 15)
When an explosive battle with Dr. Eggman shatters the universe, Sonic races through parallel dimensions to reconnect with his friends and save the world.
I know, I know – we’re all a little tired of multiverse stories by now and maybe it’s just the residual high of Sonic Frontiers talking but Sonic Prime looks like a blast. Primarily because Knuckles seems to have a new hate for every dimension he and the gang are fighting through but there’s something innately fun about Sonic and co that should work out great for an animated series like this.
Emily in Paris: Season 3 (December 21)
Get your suitcases ready to travel once again to the most romantic city in the world! That’s right, the long awaited rom-com Emily in Paris: Season 3 is finally here with a brand new season of fun. A year after moving to Paris for her dream job, Emily arrives at a career and romantic crossroads that will force her to decide where her future lies. So grab your beret and pop the Champere as you reunite with our gal Emily.
Mon Dieu.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (December 23)
In Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, detective Benoit Blanc is back and as curious as ever as he attempts to solve a murder mystery in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery but this time involving a new cast of colourful suspects who each harbor their own secrets, lies and motivations. Returning to the franchise he began, filmmaker Rian Johnson writes and directs the film that includes a killer cast with a return of Daniel Craig alongside Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline with Kate Hudson and Dave Bautista.
I was fortunate enough to catch this one in its very limited theatrical release this week and good lord, Rian does not miss. While not quite as warm or focused as the first Knives Out, Glass Onion sees the acclaimed director going full throttle on the comedy and spectacle of new money monsters and the supposed genius behind it all. Daniel Craig is obviously wonderful once again, but flowers to Janelle Monae for her immensely fun and human turn in a movie filled with wild characters and genuine surprises. A great time with a group of family or friends, gather who you can and take a trip with this one.
Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical (December 25)
For all the musical theatre fans out there, have we got the film for you! This film adaption of one of the most talked musicals of the decade is finally here – Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical. Inspired by the beloved book by the incomparable Roald Dahl, Australia’s Tim Michin’s Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is an inspirational musical tale of an extraordinary girl who discovers her superpower and summons the remarkable courage, against all odds, to help others change their stories, whilst also taking charge of her own destiny. This brand new take on the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical will keep those ‘revolting children’ occupied all summer!
This is just a small taste of what’s coming to Netflix Australia this December so be sure to head over to the official website, or app, to take a look at what you can nestle into this holiday season. Oh and also, Immortality is now available through the Netflix app on your phone and if you take nothing else from this article, please, play that game.
One part pretentious academic and one part goofy dickhead, James is often found defending strange games and frowning at the popular ones, but he's happy to play just about everything in between. An unbridled love for FromSoftware's pantheon, a keen eye for vibes first experiences, and an insistence on the Oxford comma have marked his time in the industry.
