Welcome to the weekend edition of What’s On. Here are the big things happening on TV from Friday, December 8 to Sunday, December 10. All times are Eastern. [Note: The weekly What’s On publishes on Sundays.]
1. Leave The World Behind drops on Netflix
Netflix, Friday, 3:01 a.m.: Sam Esmail’s new film, Leave The World Behind, has an impressive ensemble, with Mahershala Ali, Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la Harold, and Kevin Bacon starring in the Long Island-set thriller based on Rumaan Alam’s novel. The movie centers on the Sanford family, who are vacationing at a rental home when the owners interrupt them with news of the apocalypse.
2. Monk is back to solve his Last Case
Peacock, Friday, 3:01 a.m.: Fourteen years after Monk aired its series finale, Tony Shalhoub is donning his detective hat again. Peacock’s new film, Mr. Monk’s Last Case, boasts the return of Shalhoub as well as former cast members Melora Hardin, Hector Elizondo, Ted Levin, Jason Gray-Stanford, and Traylor Howard, not to mention newcomers James Purefoy and Caitlin McGee. Set after the pandemic, the movie follows Monk suiting up to solve a personal case involving his stepdaughter.
3. Adam Driver takes over Saturday Night Live
NBC, Saturday, 11:30 p.m.: Ferrari star Adam Driver hosts Saturday Night Live for the fourth time (one more time and he’ll be the proud owner of a Five Timers Club jacket), with Olivia Rodrigo gracing the show as the night’s musical guest. Be sure to check out The A.V. Club’s recap on Sunday.
4. Hulu streams British crime thriller Culprits
Hulu, Friday, 12:01 a.m.: Culprits is about a crew of criminals who commit a heist then part ways. But when members of the crew start getting killed off one by one, they have to band together again to figure out who wants them dead. The eight-episode show, which drops on Hulu and Disney+, stars Gemma Arterton, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Amara Karan, and Niamh Algar. Here’s a bit from The A.V. Club’s review:
Does Culprits completely revolutionize the heist-show formula? Of course not. But there is enough style and substance for it to leave a strong impression.
5. DC gets ready for the holidays with Merry Little Batman
Prime Video, Friday, 12:01 a.m.: Mike Roth’s animated superhero film Merry Little Batman centers on Bruce Wayne’s (Luke Wilson) young son, Damian Wayne (Yonas Kibreab). Left home alone on Christmas, he has to put on a mask and cape to protect his turf. The voice cast features James Cromwell, David Hornsby, Reid Scott, and Chris Sullivan.
6. It’s apparently still spooky season with The Sacrifice Game
Shudder, Friday, 3:01 a.m.: The Sacrifice Game, which premiered on the festival circuit earlier this year, gets a release on Shudder. The ’70s-set film follows students Samantha and Clara, who choose not to go home for the holidays and must try to survive the night after receiving some unexpected visitors. Mena Massoud, Olivia Scott-Welch, and Gus Kenworthy star.