The streaming world is an embarrassment of riches. Netflix is at the top. But services like Hulu, Amazon Prime, and a forthcoming Disney streaming service give viewers access to just about anything. Mubi and Shudder provide a more niche curation. My personal favorite, FilmStruck, is taking its final bow. FilmStruck was the beautiful product of Turner Classic Movies. They streamed from the Criterion Collection library, as well as films from the Warner Bros. collection, Turner Classic Movies, and a slew of other impressive catalogs. In short, they streamed classic Hollywood, foreign favorites, and indies, from different countries and different time periods. FilmStruck was adorned with curated lists, double-features, and spotlights of different actors or directors.
From the get-go, I was in love. The selection was incredible. I had access to films I had always heard of, but were hard to come by on other streaming services. They eventually added bonus features, like trailers, interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and commentaries that played over the film. It was unparalleled, offering perks no other streaming service came close to.
FilmStruck provided something for everybody. Whether you were wet behind the ears and wanted to see what was out there, or whether you were looking to exhaust a certain director’s filmography (I should have taken advantage of all the Michael Haneke films while I had the chance!), Film Struck had you covered. Intro films, deep cuts, rare finds; it was all there! We didn’t know how good we had it for the last two years.
I was introduced to the stunning visuals in Michael Powell’s Black Narcissus. And the unsettling horror of Diabolique. Where else could I have seen the irreverent genius or Putney Swope? Or catch a glimpse into the bizarre world of Robert Crumb?
“A Separation” (2011) 
“Diabolique” (1955) 
“Putney Swope” (1969) 
“Dancer in the Dark” (2000) 
“Black Narcissus” (1947)
Not only did I see Lars Von Trier’s emotionally naked Breaking the Waves, but I watched Dancer in the Dark as well, perhaps the most harrowing movie I’ve seen. FilmStruck often featured newer films. I was able to see A Separation, the Iranian film that won best foreign film in 2012. One of the last movies I watched on there was a revisit of one of my all-time favorite films, Chungking Express. Taking advantage of a commentary by Asian film critic Tony Rayns.
You can read a variety of reports speculating why FilmStruck was shut down, or what the future might be for these films. You won’t find that here. Just a tribute from a heartsick film fan. FilmStruck will be missed. A big hole is left in my cinematic heart. It’s been good to see prominent members of the film community like Guillermo Del Toro and Rian Johnson speak out for FilmStruck. Bill Hader pleaded to save it. There’s a petition floating around to save it. And more recently, Criterion announced it would launch its own streaming service. What films this includes is yet to be seen, but it is hopeful. Warner is also launching its own service in about a year. So there is hope. All I know is that there were over 100,000 subscribers whose film viewing habits have been changed today. Film Struck will be missed. Let’s hope there’s a different kind of change in the near future. As long as we continue to enjoy the sensation of feeding our curiosity in the dark, in front of a screen, and sharing our discoveries with others, film will matter.
