Roku UK: Will you be my (anti)-Valentine?

Valentine’s Day is almost here and the internet is rife with viewing recommendations for loved-up couples planning a cosy night in….but for every romantic Romeo out there, there’s a melancholy Maleficent who’d sooner eat thorns than coo over a bunch of roses. Some people just don’t like Valentine’s Day!

So, with that in mind, we’ve picked some ‘alternative’ V-Day films, especially for the cynical masses. Whether they’re stories of revenge, films guaranteed to put you off romance for good, or simply a celebration of the ability to fly solo, here are our 5 recommendations:

The First Wives Club (1996)
Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton portray mid-life Manhattanites who have more than a longtime friendship in common. After years of helping their husbands climb the ladder of success, each has been dumped for a newer, curvier model. But the trio is determined to turn their pain into gain. They come up with a cleverly devious plan to hit their exes where it really hurts – in the wallet! Sit back and watch the sparks fly as The Wives get mad, get even and get it all. Justice has seldom been so sweet. Or so much fun.
(Available to stream on Netflix, Google Play, Amazon Video and NOW TV)

The War of the Roses (1989)
In this ‘80s classic, Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner star as Oliver and Barbara Rose; a wealthy couple whose seemingly perfect 18-year marriage turns sour. A hate-fuelled divorce battle ensues as man and wife fight over their possessions with darkly comical results.
(Available to stream on Google Play, Amazon Video and NOW TV)

Gone Girl (2014)
Directed by David Fincher and based on Gillian Flynn’s bestseller, this engaging thriller reveals secrets of a modern marriage. On his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports his beautiful wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) missing. Amidst a media frenzy and pressure from the law, Nick’s portrait of a blissful union fades. Soon, his behaviour prompts the question: Did he kill his wife?
(Available to stream on Google Play, NOW TV, Sky Store and Amazon Video)

The Other Woman (2014)
After discovering her boyfriend is married, a woman (Cameron Diaz) tries to get her ruined life back on track. But when she accidentally meets the wife he’s been cheating on (Leslie Mann), she realises they have much in common, and her sworn enemy becomes her greatest friend. When yet another affair is discovered (Kate Upton), all three women team up to plot mutual revenge.
(Available to stream on Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, NOW TV and Sky Store)

Into the Wild (2007)
This is the true story of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch). Freshly graduated from college with a promising future ahead, McCandless instead walked out of his privileged life and into the Alaskan wilderness in search of adventure. What happened to him on the way transformed this young wanderer into an enduring symbol for countless people — a fearless risk-taker who wrestled with the precarious balance between man and nature.
(Available to stream on Google Play, Amazon Video and Netflix)