A great setting can be a character in itself, and this week’s new streaming releases transport viewers to a variety of unforgettable locations. From the idyllic-yet-threatening coast of Australia to the gritty streets of New York, these films use their environments to shape their stories and build their atmosphere.
In The Surfer, which began streaming on Hulu on September 25, the setting of Luna Bay is central to the plot. What appears to be a pristine, beautiful beach paradise quickly becomes a claustrophobic prison for Nicolas Cage’s character. The crashing waves and vast, open space ironically create a feeling of inescapable dread, making the location a key player in the psychological drama.
The world of Ballerina (Starz, Sept 25) is the shadowy, hyper-real criminal underworld of the John Wick franchise. This setting is defined by its strict codes, opulent hideouts, and brutalist architecture. It’s a world that is both glamorous and deadly, and every location, from a secret training facility to a high-end club, is steeped in danger and history.
Karate Kid: Legends (Netflix, Sept 27) moves the action to the bustling streets of New York City. This setting provides a new cultural backdrop for the franchise, contrasting the discipline of the dojo with the chaos of urban life. The city itself becomes a proving ground for the young protagonist, Li, as he learns to navigate his new environment.
The settings of M3GAN 2.0 (Peacock) are the clean, sterile labs of a tech company and the messy, unpredictable real world where its creations are unleashed. This contrast highlights the film’s central theme of technology escaping its intended confines. Similarly, All of You (Apple TV+, Sept 26) will present a futuristic world whose unique environment is sure to play a crucial role in its science fiction love story.