Greenland

Greenland has built a real following in Australia on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and in the US on HBO Max Amazon Channel and YouTube TV among viewers who want their sci-fi to think as hard as it looks. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 5,393 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Gerard Butler's performance is the anchor the more ambitious scenes need. Put it on tonight on Netflix and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Greenland earns its spot. The world-building is meticulous, but it is the characters who carry Greenland through its more ambitious moments. John Garrity, his estranged wife and their young son embark on a perilous journey to find sanctuary as a planet-killing comet hurtles toward Earth. Amid terrifying accounts of cities getting levelled, the Garritys experience the best and worst in humanity. As the countdown to the global apocalypse approaches zero, their incredible trek culminates in a desperate and last-minute flight to a possible safe haven. Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin lead a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. Greenland came out in 2020. What separates Greenland from lesser genre entertainment is a willingness to let the concept cost the characters something. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Greenland is satisfying on multiple levels — something to watch and something to think about after. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Watch for Gerard Butler in particular — the performance elevates the material. Satisfying on multiple levels.