New to stream in June: 'The Bear' returns, ‘Squid Games' ends and a new vision for ‘Predator'

San Francisco Chronicle​

3 days ago

The weather isn't the only thing heating up in June. The Netflix cultural phenomenon 'Squid Game' is set to launch its final season and the Hulu comedy-drama 'The Bear' is returning for its highly anticipated fourth season. Meanwhile, crime comes in both comedy and drama flavors this month thanks to 'Deep Cover' and 'Echo Valley.' Whatever your taste, streaming offerings on Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video have something for everyone.
'Predator: Killer of Killers'
Director Dan Trachtenberg ('Prey') returns to the 'Predator' franchise with an animated anthology film that explores more humans who have dueled the alien hunters throughout history. This time, a ninja in feudal Japan, a young Viking warrior and a Black American World War II pilot all try to survive encounters with alien stalkers bent on acquiring trophies. This is the first time a film in the series has been animated, but the Predators look no less terrifying as drawings than they do in real life.
Watch it: Animated. Streaming on Hulu and Disney+ starting June 6.
'Ocean with David Attenborough'
David Attenborough is synonymous with quality nature documentaries, and 'Ocean' looks like no exception. In this new film, Attenborough looks at the increasingly dire state of the Earth's sea, plagued by overfishing, reef bleaching and other manmade catastrophes. However, Attenborough also highlights remarkable recent discoveries that make him feel a healed world is still possible.
'Deep Cover'
Imposter syndrome got you down? Check out the adventures of three British improv comedians who get recruited by the police to infiltrate the London underworld. Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom and Nick Mohammed star as three hapless and struggling actors who agree to play the role of their lives: criminal masterminds. Despite having the law enforcement instincts of Sunday school teachers, they managed to 'yes and…' their way deep into the local rackets. Tom Kingsley ('The Darkest Universe') directs.
Watch it: Comedy. Streaming on Prime Video starting June 12.
'Echo Valley'
From writer Brad Ingelsby ('Mare of Easttown') comes a new crime thriller about the lengths a mother will go to in order to protect her daughter. Julianne Moore ('Still Alice') wakes one night at her remote horse farm to find her daughter (Sydney Sweeney, 'Euphoria') at her door, covered in her boyfriend's blood and begging for help. The two navigate a rocky relationship and the consequences of murder as suspicion grows.
'The Bear,' Season 4
The chef comedy 'The Bear' has quickly become one of the most compelling watches on streaming, and Season 4 is rumored to be the final entry. Last season left off with a cliffhanger as an all-important review of the family restaurant in the Chicago Tribune threatened to close the doors. Meanwhile, head chef Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) alienates everyone around him with antisocial behavior. Season 4 will show him trying to rally his family, friends and coworkers once again to turn the Bear into something special, if he can only curb his self-destructive tendencies.
'Squid Game,' Season 3
The long and twisted Korean survival drama 'Squid Game' is ending this month on Netflix. Last season ended with a cliffhanger as Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) led an uprising against the terrifying Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), who runs the deadly games that players compete in for a large cash prize. The last season will deal with Gi-hun's continued quest to end the games against impossible odds. If you've been holding off exploring the 'Squid Games' world, now is the perfect time to dive in.
Jef Rouner is a freelance writer.