As a self-confessed streaming addict, I’m always running out of things to watch – more particularly – things to watch that are good. I understand that many other people in the world have that same problem. I’m here to help those people out.

This week is all about romance; a genre I am particularly fond of. As a hopeless romantic I am addicted to watching beautiful love stories play out. Whether the characters end up together, whether they forget each other, whether it’s a just fling or a romance that stands the test of time – I am invested. From how love can change your life, to the different kinds of love around the world – this is your Weekly Watch.

Love, Rosie (2014)

Ahhh… the classic will-they won’t-they, friends-to-lovers story with the horrendously aggravating trope of miscommunication that could have been easily solved if the two main characters had just had one level-minded conversation.  Alas, Love, Rosie makes it all work, and the product is a film with so much warmth and heart that it has become a contemporary classic of the romance genre.

Following the friendship between Rosie and Alex, played by Lily Collins and Sam Claflin respectably, from their teenage years through to their adulthood, we see how one small moment between two people can impact the rest of their lives. From first kisses to new life and marriage, Love, Rosie is a quintessential romance film from start to finish. And plot aside, cinematographer Christian Rein captures these characters and these scenes in a way that is so lovely that it will knock the wind out of your chest.

It will make you cry, make you laugh, and make you want to pull your hair out, and is a must-watch for your weekend.

Love, Rosie is available on YouTube to rent, Google Play and Apple TV

The Lobster (2015)

How to explain The Lobster… The Lobster is an incredibly weird, awkward and funny film that you may not understand on your first watch. In this world, if you do not meet your romantic match, you are forced to live out the rest of your life as an animal. It’s a strange premise for a romance film, but it isn’t any stranger than the reality of today’s dating scene.

In a dystopian future where single people are taken to a hotel to find their soulmate, David, played by Collin Farrell, pledges that he will transform into a lobster come a time he doesn’t make a romantic connection within the 45 days allotted to him.

Where the film lacks realism, it makes up with substance and rich commentary on a society tunnel-visioned in on the romantic connection. It’s a challenging film that provokes you to think about your relationships with people. Yes, it isn’t a ‘butterflies-in-my-stomach’ romantic film, but instead, it presents an incredibly raw and real outlook of love despite the outlandish landscape it plays out on.

It’s probably not like anything you’ve watched, but it might be exactly what you need to see.

The Lobster is available on Google Play, Prime Video and Apple TV

Twenty-One Twenty-Five (2022)

I don’t think I’ve cried watching a piece of media more than when I watched the final episodes of Twenty-One Twenty-Five. Twenty-One Twenty-Five is a 16-episode melancholy masterpiece that I believe could bring anyone to tears.

Set in 1998 during the Asian Financial Crisis, a man who just lost everything and an adolescent prodigy fencer find inspiration in one another to strive to reach their dreams. They meet at ages 22 and 18, and at ages 25 and 21, they fall in love.

It isn’t just about the two main character’s love story – in fact that storyline takes a backseat for a lot of the show. The show is about the friendship between the excellent ensemble of characters – each with goals and motivations that all come to fruition in their own time. It’s a beautiful story of growing up and examines the way that the people around you can shape the person you become. Much like most Korean dramas, Twenty-One Twenty-Five is a genre chameleon, exchanging time between comedy, drama and sports-action. The cinematography is gorgeous, the cast are outstanding, and the story is surprisingly unpredictable.

Don’t let the subtitles chase you away! I know you watched Squid Game and enjoyed it, give it a try – it won’t let you down.

Twenty-One Twenty-Five is available on Netflix now.

That’s all for this week! From one streaming addict to another, I hope you enjoy my picks for what to watch this week. Make sure to check back next week for more fun recommendations.

This has been your Weekly Watch.

Written by Jemma Jones