3 Underappreciated HBO and Max Films to Enjoy This Weekend (June 6-8)
The recently rebranded HBO Max is rolling out exciting new content this June. One standout title from May, Mountainhead, continues to gain traction among viewers, while the return of And Just Like That is already igniting conversations on social media. (Rosie O’Donnell as a virgin lesbian nun singing Wicked? That’s a must-watch!)
Alongside these prominent debuts, the service boasts a treasure trove of underrated films just waiting to be explored.
Watch With Us has curated three underappreciated films that deserve your attention this weekend. This selection features a romantic drama (not a rom-com!), an exotic thriller set in Hawaii, and a chilling horror flick featuring a two-time Oscar winner.
‘The Sunlit Night’ (2019)
Frances (Jenny Slate) is in turmoil. After a breakup, her parents’ divorce, and the loss of her artist residency in Tokyo, she finds herself taking a last-minute job assisting a Norwegian painter in Oslo. However, Frances soon feels overwhelmed by her new role and her status as a foreigner in a land where the sun hardly sets. Her only refuge is her art and Yasha (Alex Sharpe), a young Russian mourning his father’s recent death. Will the unexpected romance between Frances and Yasha be enough to lift them from their despair?
If you enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love and Normal People, you’ll appreciate The Sunlit Night, which explores similar themes with a protagonist on a quest for identity. The film’s unique setting distinguishes it from typical rom-coms (how many take place in the heart of Scandinavia?), and Slate delivers a standout performance as Frances, whose character is neither entirely likable nor predictable like the usual Sandra Bullock heroine. The Sunlit Night received minimal distribution but is ripe for rediscovery now that it’s available on HBO Max this month.
The Sunlit Night is streaming on HBO Max.
‘A Perfect Getaway’ (2009)
Cliff and Cydney (Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich) are newlyweds enjoying what seems to be a dream honeymoon in Hawaii. However, their paradise is shattered when two bodies are discovered nearby, with the main suspects being an unidentified male and female couple.
Shortly after, Cliff and Cydney encounter two other couples: Nick (Timothy Olyphant) and Gina (Kiele Sanchez), as well as Kale (Chris Hemsworth) and Cleo (Marley Shelton). Could one of these pairs be the killers on the loose? And if so, how can Cliff and Cydney alert the authorities before becoming the latest victims?
A Perfect Getaway is a surprisingly good thriller that keeps throwing twists your way. Writer-director David Twohy, known for crafting twist-filled narratives (such as Pitch Black and Below), brings that same skill to this film. Every role is perfectly cast, with Zahn standing out as the everyman whose vacation devolves into a desperate battle for survival.
A Perfect Getaway is streaming on HBO Max.
‘Backtrack’ (2016)
Before Adrien Brody won his second Oscar for The Brutalist in 2025, he starred in several films that were, well, less than stellar. While Backtrack may not stand up to that Brady Corbet-directed drama, it’s still worth a watch this weekend.
Brody portrays Dr. Peter Bower, a psychologist grappling with the loss of his young daughter, Evie. One day, a mute girl named Elizabeth Valentine (Chloe Bayliss) visits his office, leaving her initials scrawled on a piece of paper. Peter soon discovers that Elizabeth died in 1987, and her initials, E.V., mirror his daughter’s name. Why is Peter haunted by this girl? And what connection does she have to the train tracks near his office?
Backtrack is an average ghost thriller that excels in creating an eerie atmosphere more than constructing a logical plot. However, Brody’s performance, rich in emotion, elevates the film. He powerfully conveys Peter’s sorrow and confusion as he confronts a supernatural dilemma that baffles his scientific outlook.
