Boiling Point review: as good as The Bear? Plus Last Stop Larrimah, The Enfield Poltergeist & Fellow Travelers

Boiling Point

Tuesday, 5.30pm, BBC First and Binge

If you’ve ever held down a job in a kitchen, or worked front of house at a fine dining establishment, get ready to be triggered big time as this excellent BBC drama makes its way to screens.

Boiling Point began life as a short film, later turned into a feature in 2021. The film was shot in one take, taking viewers along for a heart-stopping ride, and this four-part series, which builds on the story, does likewise.

You don’t need to have watched the source material to understand what’s going on. In fact, after diving into the anxiety-inducing first episode, I’m not sure I’m game, though my colleague assures me it is worth my while.

Like The Bear, it takes a close-up look at the goings-on at a fictional high-end restaurant. This one is called Point North and has head chef Carly (Vinette Robinson, who is sensational in the role) at the helm.

The Bear is based in Chicago and this show is British, and they are undoubtedly similar. Both boast incredible casts, compelling performances and strong plots, but they’re very much the product of the countries they’ve originated in and, as such, comparing them does each an injustice.

Yet they are, it has to be said, both incredibly stressful viewing experiences. I only worked in hospitality for one night — I did a trial at a fine-dining restaurant in Sydney on the same day that I slammed my thumb in a car door and, yeah, let’s just say it didn’t go well — but this show gave me traumatic flashbacks.

I couldn’t survive even one night in that fast-paced environment, but gosh it’s been fun hanging out in this one.

Seek this out.

Last Stop Larrimah

Streaming now on Netflix

I’m always fascinated to see what makes the Netflix Top 10 each week. It was on this list that I discovered this truly outrageous doco, which boasts the Duplass brothers (they were behind Wild Wild Country) as executive producers.

It’s all about the disappearance of Paddy Moriarty in the outback town of Larrimah, a tiny NT spot with a population of just 11. Everyone’s a prime suspect, and as the story plays out it gets darker and more troubling by the second.

This is truly a wild tale — no wonder it made the list.

The Enfield Poltergeist

Streaming now on Apple TV Plus

An imaginative retelling of the story of the world’s most famous poltergeist, this is addictive as all get out. Perfect Halloween viewing for those who like to sink their teeth into something spooky and strange.

Fellow Travelers

Streaming now on Paramount Plus

Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey: that’s it. That’s the review. No, in all seriousness, this queer love story, based on the novel by Thomas Mallon, is a delight and well worth your time. But also: Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey.

Meet the Neighbours

Wednesday, 7.30pm, SBS

Eight households from the city, three months, one small community — what could possibly go wrong? Myf Warhurst presents this delightful doco series, which follows eight households from diverse backgrounds as they begin a new start in Maryborough, Victoria. Worth a look.