Streaming This Week: New Crime Thrillers, True Crime Docs, and Jesse Armstrong’s Film Debut (May 30, 2025)

Streaming This Week: New Crime Thrillers, True Crime Docs, and Jesse Armstrong's Film Debut (May 30, 2025)

As May draws to a close, streaming platforms are set to deliver a diverse slate of new programming for the week commencing May 30, 2025. Viewers can anticipate gripping crime dramas, compelling true crime explorations, and the much-anticipated feature film debut from a lauded television creator.

This week’s arrivals promise a mix of genres, catering to various tastes, from psychological thrillers based on best-selling novels to deep dives into infamous historical events and the exploration of modern societal anxieties through a darkly comedic lens.

Psychological Drama Arrives on Prime Video

Leading the week’s dramatic offerings is “The Better Sister,” an eight-part series making its premiere on Prime Video on May 29. Based on the acclaimed crime novel by Alafair Burke, the series delves into the complicated relationship between two estranged sisters, Chloe and Nicky, portrayed by Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks, respectively.

The narrative thrust of the series revolves around a tragedy that forces the sisters back into each other’s lives: the murder of Chloe’s husband, Adam. Corey Stoll takes on the role of Adam, the man whose death ignites the central mystery and forces the siblings to confront their past, buried resentments, and shared secrets. The eight-episode structure suggests a deep exploration of the characters and the unfolding investigation, promising a tense and emotionally charged viewing experience.

Delving into Infamous True Crime Cases

True crime enthusiasts have two significant new titles to look forward to this week, offering starkly different, yet equally compelling, subject matter.

Netflix is set to debut “Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders,” a three-part documentary series that revisits one of the most infamous unsolved criminal cases in American history. The series focuses on the chilling 1982 incident in Chicago where seven people tragically died after consuming cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules.

Directed by the duo Yotam Guendelman and Ari Pines, the documentary is expected to meticulously examine the events of that terrifying period, the panic it caused nationwide, and the complex investigation that ensued. The three-part structure allows for an in-depth exploration of the case’s details, potential suspects, and the lasting impact it had on consumer safety regulations.

Meanwhile, HBO presents “The Mortician,” a three-episode true crime mini-series that examines a darker, more localized saga of misconduct. This series focuses on the deeply unsettling practices of David Sconce, who operated a funeral home in Los Angeles. The mini-series is expected to explore the unethical and potentially illegal activities associated with Sconce’s business, shedding light on a disturbing chapter in the city’s history.

The pairing of these two true crime series this week underscores the enduring public fascination with real-life mysteries and the often-hidden aspects of human behavior and societal failures.

“Succession” Creator’s Feature Film Debut

Adding a significant cinematic event to the streaming calendar is the premiere of “Mountainhead,” the feature directorial debut from Jesse Armstrong. Armstrong, widely celebrated as the creator of the critically acclaimed HBO series “Succession,” also penned the screenplay for this film.

“Mountainhead” is scheduled to premiere on May 31 at 8 p.m. ET, available for streaming on both HBO and HBO Max. The film features a notable ensemble cast, including Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Ramy Youssef, and Cory Michael Smith. The narrative centers on a group of tech moguls who find themselves confronting global catastrophes driven by artificial intelligence.

Given Armstrong’s reputation for sharp writing, biting satire, and insightful commentary on power dynamics and societal anxieties, “Mountainhead” is anticipated to offer a thought-provoking, likely darkly comedic, take on contemporary fears surrounding technology and its potential consequences. The shift from the long-form television narrative of “Succession” to a feature film format marks a significant step in Armstrong’s career, and audiences will be eager to see his distinctive voice applied to the big screen.

From family secrets and cold cases to the existential threats posed by AI, the streaming platforms are rolling out a compelling lineup this week, ensuring viewers have a wealth of new stories to explore beginning May 30, 2025.