Asians New to Netflix: Supernatural Houses Edition
Asians New to Netflix is a monthly column introducing the new live-action movies and television shows which air this month on Netflix and feature Asian American actors.
Ah, October. It’s the month of Halloween, pumpkins, and (if you’re me) suddenly realizing you’re quickly running out of time to put together a costume. And (if you’re me) angsting over the lack of female Asian American characters to dress up as. No, seriously - last year, I dressed up as Star Wars’ Rose Tico before she even showed up in any of the trailers.
This month, we only have three new offerings with prominent Asian Americans: a gritty 80s action flick, a star- and time-crossed romance, and a cursed game horror film. Two of them fit the Halloween theme and revolve around supernatural houses. Yes, that includes The Lake House.
The Dead Pool (1988)
Available October 1
Directed by: Buddy Van Horn
Screenplay by: Steve Sharon
Plot: An underground betting pool contains the names of people recently murdered. As "Dirty Harry" Callahan investigates, he discovers his name is on the list (Amazon).
Disclaimer: I have never seen any of the Dirty Harry movies, and definitely not this one.
Al Quan and "Dirty Harry" Callahan (Source)
Clint Eastwood? Guns N’ Roses? Violent cop drama? This is PEAK 1980s. Not to be confused with Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool movies, The Dead Pool is the fifth installment of the Dirty Harry series, which stars Clint Eastwood as “Dirty Harry” Callahan and features some actors you may have heard of - Jim Carrey, Liam Neeson, and Patricia Clark. Less well-known is Korean American actor Evan C. Kim, who plays Dirty Harry’s partner, Al Quan. The Dead Pool is the most prominent of Evan C. Kim’s projects, which include V (as Tony), The Kentucky Fried Movie (Loo), and Caveman (as Nook).
You can watch Clint Eastwood and Evan C. Kim punch people in The Dead Pool starting October 1.
The Lake House (2006)
Available October 1
Directed by: Alejandro Agresti
Screenplay by: David Auburn
Plot: A lonely doctor, who once occupied an unusual lakeside house, begins exchanging love letters with its former resident, a frustrated architect. They must try to unravel the mystery behind their extraordinary romance before it's too late (IMDB).
Disclaimer: I watched this movie a long time ago, but I still vaguely remember liking it. Looking back on it now, all I can think about is how much I want a beautiful lake house.
Dr. Anna Klyczynski and Dr. Kate Forster (Source)
The Lake House is the second entry in what I wish was a long tradition of movies featuring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves falling in love during impossible situations (the first entry being Speed in 1994). The two leads aren’t the only stars in the movie, however; Iranian American actress, Primetime Emmy winner, and Oscar nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo plays Sandra Bullock’s ER colleague Dr. Anna Klyczynski. (She isn’t one of the two main characters, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to hype her anyway).
Shohreh Aghdashloo‘s regal and commanding elegance has earned her roles as doctors, politicians, and military leaders, and she’s appeared in everything from The Expanse (as Chrisjen Avasarala) and 24 (Dina Araz), to Grimm (Stefania Vaduva Popescu). On the big screen, she’s had roles in mainstream movies Star Trek: Beyond (Commodore Paris) and X-Men: The Last Stand (Dr. Kavita Rao), and critically-acclaimed smaller films The Report and The House of Sand and Fog. Check out her IMDB; the list is extensive.
Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves fall in love in The Lake House on Netflix starting October 1.
Truth or Dare (2017)
Available October 3
Directed by: Nick Simon
Screenplay by: Thommy Hutson and Ethan Lawrence
Plot: Eight college friends head to a "Haunted Rental" for Halloween. But when they replay the game that made the house infamous, they awaken an evil spirit intent on stealing their souls.
Disclaimer: I’ve never seen Truth or Dare and honestly I’m too scared to. Have I mentioned how I’m easily spooked by ANY horror movie?
Cast of Truth or Dare (Source)
It’s October (aka Halloween month) which means that Netflix is bursting with new horror movies, including 2017’s Truth or Dare, a horror television film that originally premiered on Syfy. The ensemble includes two multiracial actresses of Asian descent: Christina Masterson (as Addison Troy) and Brytni Sarpy (as Maddie Sotarez). Christina Masterson is best known as Emma Goodall/the Pink Power Ranger in Power Rangers Megaforce and Power Rangers Super Megaforce: The Legendary Battle, while Brytni Sarpy was a series regular on soap opera General Hospital as Valerie Spencer. Surprisingly, this movie gained more favorable reviews than the 2018 version of the same name, which starred Lucy Hale and Tyler Posey.
You can add Truth or Dare to your 31 days of horror list when it premieres on Netflix on October 3.
(Source)
Bonus: Are you hyped for Hasan Minhaj’s Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj? Starting October 28, the show will drop one episodes per week for a total of 32 episodes. As the first Indian American to host a weekly comedy show, Minhaj will explore “the modern cultural and political landscape with depth and sincerity, using his unique comedic voice and storytelling skill to investigate the larger trends shaping the fragmented world.” We’re 1000% ready.
Thuy’s Picks: For Asian American-led stories already on Netflix, two of my current favorites are To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, which stars Vietnamese American actress Lana Condor, and The Good Place, which counts Filipino American actor/dancer Manny Jacinto and British Indian/Pakistani actress/presenter/model Jameela Jamil as two of its main characters. If you’re a fan of sweet romcoms and hilarious sitcoms with positive messages and likeable people (that goes for both), check them out!
Are you a diehard horror fan planning to watch Truth or Dare? Do you love Shohreh Aghdashloo as much as I do? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! And as usual, please tell me if we missed any movies or TV shows with Asian American leads - I love being able to expand the short list of Asian American representation.
