What to watch: Manga adaptation ‘Drops of God’ is flat-out brilliant

One of the best series you’ve probably never heard of wraps it up this Friday on Apple TV+. It ranks right up there with “White Lotus” for being offering such addictive entertainment. Caveat: It isn’t naughty. but it is sensual.

Meanwhile, Hulu’s unnerving “The Clearing” provides thrills and chills. And if you’ve always wanted to see how Arnold Schwarzenegger does in a TV series, lucky you. All eight episodes of “FUBAR” are available on Netflix.

Here’s our roundup.

“Drops of God”: Even a know-nothing, casual wine drinker such as myself wound up popping my cork over Apple TV+’s eight-part series. I checked out one episode last week and soon find myself chugging down the rest of this international drama based on a popular manga. Intelligent and excitingly different from so many formulaic series out there, it’s in the same league as Netflix’s 2020’s “The Queen’s Gambit.” In other words, it’s fantastic.

The reality TV-like setup is certainly irresistible: Upon the reading of a will, two predetermined challengers square off over three rounds of tests in order to be named heir to a vast, pricey wine collection owned by a late mercurial figure who had a profound influence on their lives.

At first blush, the two couldn’t be more different. Non-drinker Camille (Fleur Geffrier) is a Parisian author and the estranged daughter of  Alexandre Léger (Stanley Weber), the rich-as-sin owner of that collection who is also author of a series of world-renowned wine guides. Her competitor is the laconic, strikingly handsome Issei Tomine (Tomohisa Yamashita), grandson and next in line to take over Tomine Diamonds in Tokyo. He was the star pupil and former prodigy of Alexandre’s.

In between the clever, globe-trotting challenges meted out, we get more of the two contenders’ backstories and how the past figures prominently in the ensuing challenges — which send them to France, Italy, Thailand and Tokyo.

Director Oded Ruskin takes full advantage of all the picturesque locales, making us want to book a trip so we can walk through that vineyard in France or visit the old-school winery in a small Italian village. But this isn’t all looks and no substance. The writing, acting, directing and cinematography all hit the right notes. Geffrier and Yamashita understand their complex characters well and stay true to who they are, even as they change. Subplots involving other characters — Issei’s loveless parents and Camille’s new restaurant chums in Tokyo — are equally well developed and contribute in making it such a pleasurable experience. Details: 4 stars out of 4; on Apple TV+; in French, Japanese and English with subtitles.

“The Clearing”: If you ever need a guaranteed page-turner for summer vacation, give Melbourne’s J.P. Pomare a try. He grasps how to keep you tearing through the pages. This eight-part Hulu adaptation (only four were made available for review) showcases Pomare’s persuasive storytelling abilities. Loosely culled from info about Australia’s The Family and other cults, it’s a grabber from the first scene — as a young Sara (Lily LaTorre) meets little Amy (Julia Savage) and then gets abducted and taken to a remote rundown estate where a “family” of white-haired children adhere to the severe rules of The Kindred laid down by Adrienne (Miranda Otto, in a chilling performance). Shuttling back and forth between two timelines: one when the Kindred was still a viable cult and the other concerning a highly anxious single mom Freya (Tessa Palmer, exceptional handling a tough role), “The Clearing” eerily succeeds in making us feel how hard it is to break the bonds from a cult-like figure and entity. The evocative cinematography and nervy performances (Guy Pearce reflects the analytical face of evil) keep you on edge and uncertain where this one’s heading throughout. Details: 3 stars; one new episode drops every Wednesday on Hulu.

“FUBAR”: Touted as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s first TV series, this Netflix eight-parter doesn’t fully capitalize on its potential. The weight of the series falls on the shoulders of Schwarzenegger and Monica Barbaro. He plays Luke, a father whose physical equipment biz is a front for his full-time gig as a secret CIA operative. She plays Emma, his feisty daughter who’s engaged and is, unbeknownst to pops, a spy as well. They’re assigned, along with other kooky spies, to go after a rebel with nukes. Showrunner Nick Santora and his team of writers plot this one out OK, but many of the jokes thud to the ground while others make you sorta chuckle. All the characters are engaging enough, and the cast — in particular Barbaro, Travis Van Winkle as a pretty-boy spy and Milan Carter as a nerdy spy — is likable enough, although some of the performances are erratic and almost too casual. With improved writing and better comedic timing, this easygoing bit of action fluff would have succeeded better. Details: 2 stars; now available on Netflix.