What to stream: Family secrets and fresh starts

Sharon Horgan’s latest comedy will strike a familiar chord with anyone whose family responsibilities keep getting in the way of their own plans. Elsewhere, Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson explore an unexpected family connection, while this week’s free streaming options offer plenty of reasons to stay on the couch.

Youth
HBO Max | Paid

Finding love after divorce is complicated enough without everyone else needing something from you. Sharon Horgan plays Alex, a 50-year-old trying to enjoy a sex life while caring for her ailing parents and parenting a son who should be rather more independent.

The premise will resonate with anyone caught between caring for older relatives and supporting adult children, wondering when their own turn might come. Horgan’s involvement makes this an enticing prospect for viewers who appreciate frank adult comedy and women whose lives don’t become less interesting with age.

Brothers
Apple TV | Paid

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson play fictionalised versions of themselves in this comedy about a friendship complicated by a family secret. They have been best mates for years, but could their connection be closer than they realised?

Their longstanding friendship is a drawcard, with the actors turning their familiar public personalities into material for comedy. Anyone who remembers their partnership in True Detective might enjoy seeing them reunited in considerably lighter circumstances. Put this on when you fancy familiar faces with a family mystery attached.

Crystal Lake
Stan | Paid

Halloween may be over, but Crystal Lake offers horror fans a reason to keep the lights on. This Friday the 13th prequel stars Linda Cardellini as Pam Voorhees, a mother consumed by grief almost a year after her son Jason drowned. Two strangers arrive asking questions about her past, setting disturbing events in motion.

Longtime fans will recognise the significance of the Voorhees name. Focusing on Jason’s mother offers a different perspective on the franchise, with Cardellini an appealing reason to venture back into its unsettling world.

Inside
SBS On Demand | Free

This Australian prison drama follows Mel, a young man transferred from juvenile detention into adult prison. There, he comes under the influence of two older inmates, played by Guy Pearce and Cosmo Jarvis, whose competing interests place him in danger.

A plot to manipulate Mel into committing murder drives the story, while his need for protection gives its relationships an uncomfortable emotional weight. Choose this when you have the attention for a confronting film, particularly if you prefer a complete story over another series commitment.

The State of Man
ABC iview | Free

Marc Fennell investigates modern masculinity in Australia, exploring the online “manosphere” and the businesses profiting from men’s search for identity. He examines the influences reaching young men and considers possible responses to radicalised attitudes.

For parents and grandparents trying to understand what boys encounter online, this offers a relevant starting point. The subject extends beyond the phone screen into family relationships, making it a documentary that could prompt useful conversations at home.

The Baxters
7plus | Free

Based on Karen Kingsbury’s novels, The Baxters follows Elizabeth and John Baxter, played by Roma Downey and Ted McGinley, and their five adult children. Christian faith helps some family members through their difficulties, while others struggle with their beliefs.

Its appeal lies in the connections between parents and grown children whose choices aren’t always easy to accept. Readers of Kingsbury’s books may enjoy seeing the family on screen, while viewers seeking drama with an openly religious perspective can watch free on 7plus.