Streaming Guide: 'Heartland' and 'Being Heumann' Lead November 14-15 Releases

Key points

• Netflix releases 'Heartland,' starring Jessica Chastain as a country star turned detective in Nashville, which has reached the number one spot on the platform's Top 10 list.
• HBO Max adds 'The End of Oak Street,' a 1982-set adventure where a suburban neighborhood is warped into a prehistoric world, starring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor.
• Apple TV Plus launches 'Being Heumann,' a biographical drama about the 1977 disability rights occupation of a San Francisco federal building, directed by Siân Heder.
• Netflix also adds the 2022 horror film 'Smile,' featuring Sosie Bacon as a therapist targeted by a curse.
• The supernatural horror film 'Other Mommy,' starring Jessica Chastain, is available for rental or purchase on digital platforms, with a future Peacock release expected in February.

Background

This release slate follows a busy October, which included the fourth season of 'Lupin' and the return of 'The Gilded Age.' The current weekend continues the trend of major platforms releasing high-profile films and series to capture viewers during the holiday season.

How outlets are covering it

Tom's Guide highlights 'Heartland' as the weekend's biggest hit due to its high critics' score and top ranking, while praising 'The End of Oak Street' as a nostalgic crowd-pleaser. Mashable offers a more critical view, with editor Kristy Puchko describing 'The End of Oak Street' as 'bleak and stupid' and 'Being Heumann' as 'frustratingly traditional' despite strong performances. Both outlets agree on the availability of 'Other Mommy' on paid video-on-demand, noting its upcoming Peacock release.

Why it matters

These releases represent significant investments by major streaming platforms to attract subscribers during the competitive holiday season. The inclusion of high-profile talent like Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway, along with critical hits like 'Being Heumann,' indicates a focus on quality content to retain viewers.

What to watch

Viewers can expect more holiday-themed content, including 'Snoopy Presents: 12 Days of Snoopy' on Apple TV and 'Avengers: Endgame: Encore' on Disney+, as platforms continue to push seasonal programming.