Hello Coliver, we’re back! In this issue we present you with a collection of our latest discoveries and current favourites.
Severance (Apple TV+)
What if you could separate your work life from your personal life at the touch of a button? Sounds ideal… until you realise just how murky it could be. Severance is a blend of science fiction, psychological thriller and social critique wrapped in a brutal aesthetic. It’s not only going to hook you: it’s going to leave you hooked for days. It’s one of those films you see and you need to talk to someone about it NOW. Perfect if you like Black Mirror, but with more style and mystery.
The Bear (Disney+)
Can you imagine swapping Wall Street for a neighbourhood kitchen in Chicago? Well, that’s what Carmy, the main character in this gem, does. The Bear is a chaotic, intense and emotional series about food, family and fast-paced anxiety. Everything happens so fast that you feel like you’re in the service yourself. It grabs you for its pace, but you stay for the characters. Ideal for those who love cooking, realistic drama and good writing.
Slow Horses (Prime Video)
A down-and-out British spy who has been sent to MI5’s ‘dumping ground’: Slough House. There, instead of saving the world, they work as interns… until a real case takes them out of the routine. This series is pure acid humour, with light action and plots that are more engaging than they seem. Gary Oldman is in full-on ‘I’m going through the motions’ mode and he enjoys it. Perfect if you like spy series that don’t take themselves too seriously.
1899 (Netflix)
From the creators of Dark, comes another multi-layered mystery. A ship in the middle of the ocean, passengers with dark pasts, strange signals and an atmosphere so murky that it feels like something (or everything) is wrong. It’s like watching Lost with steampunk aesthetics and characters who speak in several languages. Visually incredible and with a pace that grabs you if you’re into the ‘figure out the puzzle’ vibe.
Beef (Netflix)
It all starts with a traffic incident between two strangers, and ends… in a spiral of chaos, passive-aggressive violence and crazy decisions. Beef is a series that mixes black comedy and drama with a very neat indie aesthetic. A funny (and dark) reflection on the pent-up rage we all carry inside. It will make you laugh, make you uncomfortable and say ‘what are they doing’ every five minutes.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (Prime Video)
Are you in the mood for a movie unlike anything you’ve ever seen? Here’s an incredible mix of sci-fi, family drama, absurdist humour and martial arts. An Asian lady doing her taxes ends up fighting alternate versions of herself in a multiversal battle over… well, a lot of things. It’s chaotic, profound, funny and exciting in equal parts. Perfect for a night of ‘I want to freak out a little bit with something different but that leaves my heart soft’.
The Menu (Disney+ / HBO Max)
You go to dinner at a super-exclusive restaurant on an island with a top chef… and suddenly everything starts to go VERY wrong. This film mixes the foodie world with a dark and elegant satire about posturing, the upper class and what we’re willing to put up with for ‘unique experiences’. A mix of MasterChef with real knives, The Squid Game and a tasting menu of emotional scares. Fun, twisted and very different.
The Banshees of Inisherin (Disney+)
Two buddies who suddenly stop talking to each other on a lost island in Ireland. So simple… and so complex. Behind that plot is a story about friendship, depression, loneliness and small (and big) human tragedies. With Irish black humour, great dialogue and picture-postcard landscapes. It’s a film to watch quietly, with a beer or a tea, and let yourself be carried away by its slow pace but full of truth. Very special.
Top Gun: Maverick (Prime Video)
Yes, Tom Cruise is back in his leather jacket and Ray-Bans to fly fighters and break records. If you thought this was going to be a soulless, nostalgic sequel… wrong. It’s probably one of the most entertaining films of recent years. Brutal aerial action (really shot!), epic music, and a pace that won’t even let you look at your phone. Perfect for an unpretentious popcorn night out. You go home on a high.
Triangle of Sadness (Movistar+)
Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes and a gem of modern satire. The story starts with some influencers embarking on a luxury yacht with eccentric multimillionaires… and what starts out as an uncomfortable comedy turns into something much wilder. There’s vomit, social reflection, castaways and social classes turned upside down, yes, it’s weird, but it’s one of the weirdest. It’s weird, yes, but the kind you’ll never forget. If you liked El Hoyo or Parásitos, this is the one for you.
La Campana (next to Plaza Mayor)
The typical calamari sandwich that everyone recommends, but which is still really good. Crunchy, freshly fried, and for less than 5 euros. A traditional, no-nonsense place, with a queue most of the time (but it goes fast). Grab your bocata, sit on the stairs with a beer from the Chinese and experience the most authentic Madrid.
Casa Labra (Sol / C. Tetuán)
Another classic that never fails. Cod tapas, crispy croquettes and a well-drawn beer, all standing up and with people around you talking loudly. It’s the typical place you used to go to with your parents or grandparents… and now you want to go back too. The historic tasca style with reasonable prices still works.
Fiaschetteria La Saletta (Mercado de Antón Martín)
A little Italian gem in the middle of the market. Fresh pasta, delicious menu of the day for around 10 €, house wine and friendly service. Ideal for a quiet weekday lunch or a foodie plan that won’t break the bank. You’ll feel like you’re in Rome without leaving Lavapiés.
Bar Omaira (also in Antón Martín)
Appetizers? Empanadas? Tropical juices? This place has it all. Venezuelan flavours at a good price, vegetarian options and a lively atmosphere. You can have a hearty meal for less than 10 € without a problem. You’re sure to repeat.
Don Oso (Malasaña and other areas)
The place to go when you want a giant burger for less than 5 quid. Unpretentious, with legendary pink sauce, and an atmosphere somewhere between shabby and intimate. If you haven’t had a hangover at Don Oso, you don’t know Madrid. Ideal for days when you’re really hungry and your wallet is tight.
A book
Klara and the sun – Kazuo Ishiguro
Klara is a robot assistant who watches the world from a shop window. And what she sees is much more human than you expect. This book is gentle, emotional and makes you think without even realising it. A story of love, technology, loneliness and hope written with brutal sensitivity. Ideal to read calmly and let yourself go.
El infinito en un junco – Irene Vallejo
An essay on the history of the book that reads like an adventure novel? Exactly that. Irene tells from how people wrote in the ancient world to how libraries came into being, all in a poetic and exciting style. It is one of those books that you read with pencil in hand to underline sentences. A cultural gem without boring you.
Loba negra – Juan Gómez-Jurado
If you like national thrillers, this one will hook you from the first page. It is the second part of Reina roja, and it continues with its brutal rhythm, constant twists and a protagonist who is like no one else. Ideal for taking it to the pool and not letting go.
La buena suerte – Álex Rovira and Fernando Trías de Bes
A kind of modern cautionary tale that takes a couple of afternoons to read but leaves you thinking for a week. It talks about how to create your own luck (not wait for it to happen), and does so with fables, metaphors and a lot of optimism. A shot of good vibes without being cheesy.
The Girl on the Train – Paula Hawkins
A modern classic psychological thriller. Rachel sees a seemingly perfect couple every day on the train… until something doesn’t add up. A story of secrets, twists and constant mistrust. Perfect if you want something addictive and quick to read.
Towers – Bon Iver
A melancholic, simple and beautiful song. It has that magical folk vibe that puts you into introspective mode without depressing you. Ideal for strolling around Madrid at sunset with your headphones on.
Sorgenkind – Alice Phoebe Lou
Sweet voice, enveloping sounds and an atmosphere that transports you. This South African singer mixes soul, indie and soft electronica in a very unique way. If you like artists like Feist or Norah Jones, here you have a new muse.
All I Want – Daughter
Beautiful pain made song. Sad, yes, but also honest and emotional. It has that kind of energy that makes you embrace your feelings without drama. Perfect for cloudy days (internal or external).
Night Drive – The Japanese House
Sleek synthpop, double-bottomed lyrics and brilliant production. This song is perfect for driving (or imagining driving) at night, with distant lights and intense thoughts.
Rivers and Roads – The Head and the Heart
A folk gem that goes from intimate to epic in 4 minutes. Ideal to close the day, say goodbye to someone or just feel that ‘something’ that you can’t explain. A song that grows with every listen.
Free concert in Sol – 13th June
Paul Alone and more artists are throwing a big party in the centre of Madrid. Free, with a great atmosphere and perfect for kicking off the summer with your mates. But be there early if you don’t want to see the concert from Callao.
KALORAMA Madrid Festival – 20 and 21 June (Caja Mágica)
Flaming Lips, Pet Shop Boys, LCD Soundsystem… What more do you want? A two-day festival with a great line-up and medium size (no Mad Cool type crowds). Good alternative music, food trucks and comfortable surroundings.
Fiestas de San Antonio de la Florida – 12th to 15th June
The most traditional Madrid in its purest form. Free paella, street parties, stalls, donuts, orchestras and open-air concerts. All on the banks of the Manzanares, with a great atmosphere for all tastes. A low cost and very local plan.
Alma Occident Madrid – 19 June to 2 July (Parque Tierno Galván)
A festival with a laid-back vibe but a strong line-up: Residente, Wilco, Buena Vista Social Club… Concerts at sunset, seating areas, beautiful lights and green surroundings. Ideal for a date or a chill plan with friends.
European Team Athletics Championships – 26th to 29th June (Vallehermoso Stadium)
Madrid fills up with top athletes from all over Europe competing live. Running, jumping, throwing and lots of excitement. It is a unique opportunity to see elite sport up close. Tickets are available at very affordable prices.
