New on streaming: Happy Gilmore swings again, South Park’s back

If you’re not content with the pleasures of summer already, Happy Gilmore 2 is premiering on Netflix this week. Plus, South Park’s also back – or maybe not.

Happy Gilmore 2 (Netflix)

You might despise Adam Sandler as an actor, but there’s no denying that the first Happy Gilmore is a classic. Sandler’s performance is one of his best-ever, and for some, the film remains iconic.

That’s why we’ve been so eagerly waiting for Happy Gilmore, out this week on Netflix. True, sequels usually disappoint, and it’s also Netflix, but we can’t wait to see how Happy’s struggle has evolved – has he sold his soul to capitalism?

“It’s a classic sports underdog story with a plucky hero that has nothing but raw talent against an elitist villain that represents big money and privilege. Plus, it's just funny,” my colleague Jim says.

South Park Season 27 (Comedy Central)

The wait for the new season of South Park has been excruciating. The new batch of episodes was supposed to be released on July 7th, but it was delayed.

The reason is, of course, money. Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of the show, have long argued with Paramount and Skydance over a rights deal worth $3 billion, and it’s been chaotic to say the least.

Now, it looks like the episodes will drop on July 23rd. The trailer features potential war with Canada, ketamine trips, and falling planes – it’s quite sharp and timely, it seems. If you are outside the US, you might need a VPN to bypass geo-restriction and watch the newest South Park season from anywhere.

Washington Black (Hulu)

The limited series charts the extraordinary life of a boy who simply refuses to be defined by the caste-obsessed world that enslaved him because, allegedly, that’s the way it should be.

The show has been adapted from Esi Edugyan’s novel nominated for the Booker Prize and critics say it’s a job well done. It follows Washington as an enslaved child liberated by a white savior called Titch – and an older free man in cahoots with another Black man, Medwin Harris.

The latter is played by the terrific Sterling K. Brown, who has just been nominated for his more than convincing role on Paradise. We’re definitely going to watch. The series also involves flying machines and Arctic expeditions.

Critical: Between Life and Death (Netflix)

A new docuseries from the same team that created the Channel 4 docuseries 24 Hours in A&E? Bring it on. Just like the previous one, this show highlights the everyday routines of those working in London’s trauma units as they treat the most severely injured patients.

It follows medical staff from tending to critical emergencies to working in the operating room and more. To be more specific, the series revolves around London’s Major Trauma Network at King’s College Hospital.

The creators of the docuseries were allowed to install 40 cameras over a period of weeks, which gave us an insight into how those on the NHS frontline operate. It’s a bit like HBO Max’s The Pitt, but real.

The Assassin (Prime Video)

Keeley Hawes is in her very best form in The Assassin, apparently. Her character, Julie, is an anti-maternal mother living in Greece, but she’s also a sardonic and professional former assassin.

Former? Ah well, back to work, it looks like. Greek paradise is interrupted by bloody chaos soon, and it’s all a very nasty bit of fun. Great action set pieces, original dialogue – what’s more to ask for?

Perhaps most importantly, the show seems to expand the assassin TV genre. This time, it’s not about a dreamy lone wolf, usually male. It’s about a retired middle-aged mother whose relationship with her son is more than just a backdrop to the story.