9 unmissable films to watch on Prime Video

Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

One of the hits of the last awards season, this French drama follows the trial of Sandra (Sandra Hüller), accused of killing her husband, who was found after falling from the window of their home. The circumstances of the fall, combined with inconsistent reports (such as those from the couple’s son, Daniel), make the case quite gray.

Director Justine Triet won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The film has everything to become a classic of courtroom films. In addition to him, other Oscar 2024 winners who are on Prime Video are Oppenheimer, American Fiction It is Zone of Interest.

Chef (2014)

After directing the first two Iron Man films (and, with that, paving the way for the Marvel universe in cinemas), director Jon Favreau decided to launch into a more personal project – and with a more modest budget. He directs (and stars) this comedy with a touch of drama about Carl, a renowned chef who loses his job after picking a fight with a food critic. Outside the restaurant, he decides to buy a food truck and travel across the USA making sandwiches.

Carl then embarks on a spirited journey not only to reinvent himself, but also to connect with his son, Percy, who accompanies him on the ride. Fun fact: the film led to a food series on Netflix. TheChefShow stars Favreau and chef Roy Choi, who was one of the film’s consultants. It’s worth checking out too.

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The Vast of Night (2019)

In the 1950s, in a small town in the USA, a radio host and a telephone operator notice strange interference on the radio and decide to investigate a supposed UFO signal. Without any help: everyone else in town is at a basketball game.

Success at the time of its launch, The Vast of Night is an independent sci-fi that cost a measly US$700,000. Proof that it is possible to tell an engaging story even on a lean budget. Just be creative.

Jiro’s Dream Sushi (2011)

Would you pay more than R$2,000 for 20 pieces of sushi? In the basement of a Tokyo subway station is the small restaurant of Jiro Ono, the first Japanese chef to receive three Michelin stars, the highest honor in haute cuisine. This documentary follows the kitchen routine of Jiro and his family – and the incessant search for perfection in every aspect of their dishes.

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The doc was directed by David Gelb, who, years later, would create Chef’s Table It is street food, on Netflix. If you enjoy the gastronomic series that come out all over streaming, thank this guy.

Oh, and in case you were wondering: at the time of the film, Jiro was 85 years old. Today, he is 98. The person who has run the restaurant since 2023 is his eldest son, Yoshikazu.

The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)

In the 1990s, judicial agent Benjamin Esposíto (Ricardo Darín) is retired and decides to write a book. For inspiration, he decides to revisit an unsolved case of rape and murder that occurred more than 20 years ago – and that forever marked his life and that of his co-workers. The more he writes his novel, the more he finally understands the loopholes of crime.

Directed by Juan José Campanella and based on the book of the same name by Eduardo Sacheri (who co-wrote the adaptation’s script), the film won the Oscar for Best International Film in 2010.

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The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

A young FBI agent, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), investigates the case of the serial killer known as Buffalo Bill. To try to understand the killer’s mind, she starts talking to Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a cannibal incarcerated in a maximum security prison.

This work by Jonathan Demme is one of only three films in history to win the five main Oscar categories: Film, Direction, Screenplay, Actor and Actress. It’s an absolute thriller classic – and the one responsible for placing Hannibal on the list of cinema’s greatest villains.

The Ideal Girl (2007)

Lars (Ryan Gosling) is an extremely shy boy who only leaves home to work. His sister, Karin, lives next door and keeps insisting that he get a girlfriend. Until Lars falls in love – with a doll he bought on the internet.

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Don’t be fooled by the comedy synopsis non sense. The film of Craig Gillespie is a sensitive story that balances drama and humor. Little by little, Karin and the rest of the city accept Lars’s relationship – and this support will be essential to breaking the social barrier that he has built over the years.

The Sound of Silence (2019)

Ruben (Riz Ahmed) is a heavy metal drummer who discovers he is going deaf. He needs to save money to pay for the cochlear implant that could help him. He only has one problem: if he keeps playing, his hearing will get worse and faster.

From the initial idea to production, director Darius Marder took 13 years to get the film off the ground. The effort was worth it: The sound of silence it was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Ahmed. It won two trophies: Editing and Sound. Deservedly so: between noise and moments of absolute silence, one of the film’s greatest assets is putting the viewer in Ruben’s shoes.

The Worst Person in the World (2021)

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Julie (Renate Reinsve) is in her 30s, but still doesn’t know what to do with her life. Could the secret be in a new romantic relationship? Or completely changing careers? This Norwegian drama by Joachim Trier breaks down all the indecision that usually happens at that age and the sometimes unnecessary pressure we put on ourselves.