Netflix dropped all 12 episodes of The Red Road on December 26, catching viewers off guard during the holiday rush. The show, which originally aired on SundanceTV from 2014 to 2015, vanished from the platform in 2019 when licensing expired, only to resurface through a renewed AMC Networks agreement.
By December 29, it climbed to number 5 on Netflix’s global TV top 10 with 233 points, trailing giants like Stranger Things but surging ahead in spots like Guadeloupe and New Caledonia.
Each episode clocks in under 45 minutes, letting fans polish off both seasons in a single sitting. Platforms like FlixPatrol track these metrics daily, showing The Red Road’s rapid ascent from obscurity to must-watch status in under four days.
Creators behind the series, including Aaron Guzikowski, known for Prisoners, crafted a tight narrative that avoids filler.
Early buzz on social media and review sites fueled shares, with users praising its raw edge over polished blockbusters. SundanceTV’s choice to end it after two seasons left threads dangling, but that open-ended quality now pulls in curious streamers chasing closure.
Momoa’s Raw Edge Steals the Spotlight
Jason Momoa plays Phillip Kopus, a freshly paroled tribe member whose return to Walpole, New Jersey, ignites chaos. As an ex-con tied to the Ramapough Lenape Nation in the mountains, Kopus clashes with local cop Harold Jensen, played by Martin Henderson from Virgin River.
Their forced partnership stems from a college student’s vanishing, exposing buried secrets and shaky truces between townsfolk and the tribe.
Momoa, pre-Aquaman fame, channels menace and vulnerability, dodging the shirtless warrior trope for a brooding antihero. Critics at the time noted his shift from Game of Thrones’ Khal Drogo to this layered role, where quiet stares build more dread than action scenes.
Henderson matches him as the sheriff juggling family fractures, while Julianne Nicholson delivers a standout turn as his troubled wife Jean, earning praise for her unfiltered intensity.
The Red Road (Credit: Netflix)
Supporting players like Tom Sizemore as Kopus’ father and Tamara Tunie as tribal figure Marie add grit, drawing from real tensions in unrecognized Native communities.
IMDb user reviews highlight Momoa’s creep factor paired with hidden warmth, calling it a slow-burning meal over fast food. The 7.3/10 rating from 6,000 votes reflects solid appeal, bolstered by an 86% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes that begged for more seasons.
Viewers today connect it to Ozark’s moral gray areas or True Detective’s brooding vibes, but with a fresh lens on racial friction often sidelined in thrillers.
Momoa’s packed 2025 slate, including Dune: Part Three and Supergirl, spotlights why fans revisit his early work now. Social clips of tense standoffs rack up views, proving his presence alone drives clicks.
Tense Plot Hooks Modern Audiences
Set against misty New Jersey woods, the story kicks off with tragedy forcing Jensen into Kopus’ world of cover-ups and old grudges.
Flashbacks reveal tribal history clashing with suburban normalcy, as Jensen’s daughters navigate teen drama amid the fallout. Every choice ripples, from backroom deals to family blowouts, keeping tension dialed high without relying on gunfights.
Season one builds around the disappearance, peeling back lies that bind the men. By season two, the stakes explode with betrayals hitting home, yet creators left arcs unresolved to mirror real-life messiness.
Fans petitioned SundanceTV back then for renewal, frustrated by the abrupt axe despite growing acclaim. That raw cutoff now works in Netflix’s favor, sparking forum debates on what could have been.
Global charts show it resonating beyond the US, hitting top spots in French territories and pulling steady views elsewhere.
Ad-tier blocks on some AMC titles push premium users to it faster, amplifying word-of-mouth. Compared to flashier hits, its grounded take on addiction, loyalty, and cultural divides feels timely amid today’s social headlines.
Numbers from FlixPatrol place it firmly in the global top 10 TV pack, outpacing shows like Younger and City of Shadows. This mirrors other AMC revivals like 61st Street, finding legs on Netflix recently. Short runtime suits mobile viewing, with atmospheric shots of lakes and trails sucking in urban escapees.
Why It Resonates in 2025
Streaming algorithms favor quick wins like this, surfacing hidden gems to combat churn. The Red Road’s return fits Netflix’s push for licensed content, especially as originals face scrutiny. A six-month window means urgency, with potential exit by June 2026 unless extended, spurring immediate binges.
Momoa’s star power bridges old fans and new ones scrolling through his filmography. Post-holiday lulls amplify discoveries, much like how niche titles bubble up yearly. Review aggregators note its psychological pull, blending crime procedural with family saga in a way that sticks.
Cultural layers add replay value, spotlighting Ramapough Lenape struggles rarely dramatized. Modern parallels to community divides keep it fresh, drawing comparisons to prestige cable like Breaking Bad. As Netflix’s top 10 evolves daily, The Red Road proves timing and talent can resurrect anything.
The finale of Chad Powers’ Season 1 left fans with plenty to unpack . Russ Holliday, the disgraced former college quarterback, managed to keep his true identity hidden from most of the South Georgia Catfish team, but not from Ricky, Coach Hudson’s daughter and assistant coach.
As the season closed, Ricky discovered that Chad Powers was actually Russ in disguise, but she chose not to expose him, knowing the revelation would damage her father’s career and the future of the team. This cliffhanger sets the stage for a tense, drama-filled Season 2.
Steve Zahn, who plays Coach Jake Hudson, has given fans a sneak peek at what’s coming next. He revealed that the new season will explore the aftermath of the National Championship game, showing how the team and Russ/Chad handle the pressures of fame and face the consequences of their actions.
Coach Hudson’s own heart attack at the end of Season 1 adds another layer of emotional weight, with Zahn teasing that Hudson’s health will be a major storyline in the next chapter.
The show’s creators, Glen Powell and Michael Waldron, have also hinted at bigger , wilder twists in Season 2, promising more intense football action and deeper character drama.
The writing team is reportedly considering incorporating real college football programs and even bringing in cameos from well-known coaches and players, adding a fresh, authentic edge to the story.
Complex Relationships and Character Dynamics
One of the most compelling aspects of Chad Powers is the web of relationships between its characters, and Season 2 is expected to deepen these connections. The dynamic between Russ/Chad and Ricky will be at the center of the drama, with Ricky now holding the power to ruin Russ’s second chance at redemption.
Steve Zahn described their evolving relationship as “complex and fraught with tension,” suggesting that the two will navigate a delicate balance between trust, betrayal, and mutual dependence.
Ricky’s decision to keep Chad’s secret not only protects her father’s legacy but also puts her in a precarious position. She must now work alongside Russ, knowing the truth, while maintaining the illusion for the rest of the team.
Chad Powers (Credit: IMDb)
This setup opens the door for plenty of dramatic confrontations and unexpected alliances, with the potential for both personal growth and devastating fallout.
The show’s supporting cast, including Perry Mattfeld as Ricky, Quentin Plair as Coach Byrd, Wynn Everett as Tricia Yeager, and Frankie A.
Rodriguez, as Danny, will also play a crucial role in the unfolding drama. As the story moves forward, viewers can expect more layers to be added to each character, revealing hidden motivations and surprising backstories.
What’s Next: Filming, Release, and Fan Expectations
With the official renewal for Season 2 confirmed by Hulu, fans are eagerly awaiting more details about the show’s future. Filming is set to begin in January 2026, a sign that the creators have been planning the next season for some time and are ready to hit the ground running.
The showrunner, Michael Waldron, has stated that if the series follows its previous release pattern, Season 2 could premiere around October 2026.
The buzz around Chad Powers continues to grow, with fans and critics alike praising the show’s blend of sports comedy and heartfelt drama.
Glen Powell, who stars as Russ/Chad, has expressed his excitement for the next chapter, saying there’s “much more story to unfold” and teasing that the new season will push the boundaries of what viewers expect from the series.
As anticipation builds, the Chad Powers team is working to deliver a season that matches the excitement and emotional depth of the first. With Steve Zahn’s hints at more twists, deeper relationships, and high-stakes drama, Season 2 promises to be bigger, wilder, and more unpredictable than ever.
Chad Powers has quickly become one of Hulu’s most talked-about comedies, and the upcoming season is set to cement its place in the sports comedy genre. Fans can look forward to a story that balances laughs with heart, secrets with suspense, and football with family drama.
Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick light up Netflix screens in The Best You Can, their first joint project since 2004 films like Cavedweller and The Woodsman.
The story kicks off when security guard Stan Olszewski, played by Bacon, stops a break-in at the Brooklyn brownstone of urologist Cynthia Rand, portrayed by Sedgwick.
What starts as a quick thank-you consult for Stan’s prostate woes blossoms into late-night texts filled with witty banter and shared gripes about younger generations. Their chats reference forgotten gems like The Patty Duke Show, adding nostalgic flavor that resonates with viewers craving authentic connections amid modern isolation.
Supporting players amplify the charm. Judd Hirsch shines as Cynthia’s husband, Warren, a fading Watergate prosecutor grappling with dementia, bringing gravitas to scenes of quiet denial and family strain.
Brittany O’Grady adds edge as Stan’s estranged daughter Sammi, chasing a music career, while Olivia Luccardi steals moments as CJ, Stan’s casual young fling from the local bodega. Ray Romano and Victor Williams round out the ensemble with dry humor that keeps the pace lively.
Critics note the film’s strength lies in this casting magic. Reviews praise how Bacon’s rugged everyman vibe pairs perfectly with Sedgwick’s poised intensity, turning routine dialogue into electric exchanges.
One outlet highlighted their ability to juggle playful flirtation and raw vulnerability, making the central friendship feel lived-in rather than scripted.
Audience reactions echo this, with social media posts calling it a holiday must-watch for its blend of gut laughs and tender moments. Early user scores hover around solid marks, fueled by word-of-mouth about the couple’s “magical” synergy.
Weithorn, known for sharp TV work, shot the film in Brooklyn under the working title Connescence, capturing the neighborhood’s gritty warmth. Production wrapped in early 2024, with the stars doubling as producers to infuse personal stakes.
Netflix’s timing taps into post-Thanksgiving family viewing, positioning it as cozy counterprogramming to blockbuster fare. Streaming charts show quick climbs, proving the draw of seasoned leads in a youth-obsessed market.
Midlife Messes and Messy Hearts Unpacked
At its core, The Best You Can flips the rom-com script by centering folks in their late 50s and beyond, tackling taboos like health scares, caregiving burdens, and reignited sparks.
Cynthia juggles her husband’s cognitive slide, hiring aides disguised as researchers to fuel his Watergate memoir dreams, while dodging passive-aggressive jabs from his daughter Rosemary, played by Heather Burns.
Stan, a disillusioned ex-cop, reconnects with Sammi by offering awkward support at her gigs while grappling with fears about his enlarged prostate.
These threads weave a realistic portrait of later-life pivots. The film spotlights generational rifts, with Stan and Cynthia bonding over eye-rolls at Gen Z quirks, yet it humanizes the kids too, showing Sammi’s hustle and CJ’s blunt appeal.
Fidelity gets a nuanced nod as their text-fueled affair tests loyalties without easy villains. Warren’s decline forces Cynthia to confront her age-gap marriage’s cracks, sparked when she wed him in her 30s and he was in his 50s.
Humor lands through awkward highs and lows. Stan’s bodega hookups deliver cringey-yet-charming lines about his “hot older guy” allure, balanced by poignant beats like Cynthia’s restaurant panic when Warren wanders confused.
Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick (Credit: NBC)
Product nods, like a Roku doorbell in the break-in scene, spark minor gripes for feeling forced, but they ground the action in everyday tech anxieties. Social commentary peeks through on economic divides, contrasting Cynthia’s upscale life with Stan’s patrol gig, though some say it stays surface-level.
Viewer perspectives vary. Families praise its relatable take on elder care, with one reviewer noting parallels to real Watergate legacies and modern memory loss struggles. Younger crowds appreciate the anti-trope vibe, ditching 20-something perfection for flawed, funny adults finding late blooms.
Mixed takes point to uneven tones, juggling screwball antics with heavier dementia drama, yet the leads carry it through. Paramedic stats from health sites underscore the timeliness, as prostate issues hit one in eight men over 50, mirroring Stan’s arc.
The film’s intimacy thrives in a small-screen format. Handheld shots and cozy interiors amplify emotional close-ups, earning cinematography nods at Tribeca for that “warm feel.”
Music swells during live performances, like Sammi’s sets, adding rhythmic punch to the narrative pulse. It challenges rom-com norms by asking what “the best” looks like when youth fades, sparking debates on second chances.
Streaming Hit’s Future Glow and Cultural Ripples
The Best You Can arrives amid Netflix’s rom-com renaissance, filling a gap for grown-up stories as viewers tire of glossy teen tales. Its holiday drop aligns with Sony’s VOD push, but Netflix exclusivity boosts global reach, racking up plays from cozy couches worldwide.
Tribeca acclaim for “intense honesty” and ensemble nods signal awards chatter, potentially landing indie nods for screenplay and acting.
Box office parallels highlight its smart path. Unlike theater-bound hits, this VOD-to-streamer model mirrors successes like other Bacon vehicles, capitalizing on his MaXXXine buzz and Sedgwick’s directing cred from Space Oddity.
Culturally, it nudges conversations on aging in pop culture. Boomers dominate screens, but this nods to Gen X realities like health crunches and empty nests, offering comfort to sandwiched caregivers.
Dementia portrayals draw from real stats , where 55 million worldwide face it, per global reports, making Warren’s arc hit home. Rom-com fans hungry for depth celebrate its text-era courtship, updating When Harry Met Sally for smartphone swipes.
Challenges linger. Some critics flag shallow dives into class gaps or infidelity ethics, calling it “inconsequential” despite charm.
Still, its staying power shows in repeat views, with families dissecting endings where Stan and Cynthia chase authentic wants over safe routines. Future projects could build on this, as Weithorn eyes more mature tales.
Word-of-mouth fuels longevity. Posts rave about “must-see” status for Americans eyeing aging parallels, while international fans dig the universal friend-to-lover arc. As 2025 wraps, this gem cements Bacon and Sedgwick’s timeless pull, proving real sparks make the best on-screen fire.
