We recommend: The best new movies and TV series
Pushpa 2: Directed by Sukumar, this sequel to Pushpa: The Rise stars Allu Arjun reprising his role as Pushpa, now a red sandalwood kingpin facing international threats, betrayal, and his own past. Fahadh Faasil returns as SP Shekhawat, Pushpa’s unhinged nemesis, while Rashmika Mandanna plays Srivalli, Pushpa’s emotional anchor. Highlights include a jaw-dropping jaatra sequence where Pushpa dons Goddess Kali’s avatar and electrifying action choreography.
Reviews are mixed. Filmfare calls it a “total mass entertainer,” lauding Arjun’s magnetic performance and technical brilliance, while Indian Express critiques it for prioritising spectacle over substance. Moneycontrol praises the action but finds the narrative chaotic. Our take: Watch it for Allu Arjun’s swag and Sukumar’s larger-than-life direction, but temper expectations. In theatres now!
Black Doves: This six-episode spy thriller stars Keira Knightley as Helen Webb—a dedicated wife and mother—and professional spy for a secret organisation called the Black Doves. But it all goes for a toss when her secret lover Jason (played by Andrew Koji) is assassinated. Now, it's her turn to take revenge.
Black Doves has been praised for its strong performances, particularly from Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw. Screenrant calls it an "ambitious" series, though it suffers from "structural undisciplined" and "thin political drama." Esquire enjoys the "silly" nature of the series but criticises the plot's lack of satisfaction. Hollywood Reporter highlights the show's "uneven but clever" approach, blending espionage, Christmas themes, and character-driven drama. Our take: Keira Knightley in a revenge, spy series? Bring it on!
That Christmas: A festive animated tale with heart, the movie transforms Richard Curtis’ children’s books into a wintry adventure bursting with charm and holiday spirit. Set in the snow-blanketed town of Wellington-on-Sea, the story follows its young protagonists through wacky mishaps—like a school play gone hilariously wrong—and emotional journeys of love, community, and self-discovery.
The reviews are mixed but lean positive. IndieWire calls it “a gift well worth unwrapping and sharing,” celebrating its emotional depth and universal themes. However, Empire notes that while it’s “genuinely touching,” the animation lacks the originality to make it a true classic, and the story can feel a little disjointed. Still, The Guardian highlights the “lovingly detailed animation” and its appeal to family audiences. Our take: Imperfect but undeniably heartwarming, 'That Christmas' is a cozy holiday watch with just enough festive cheer to make it memorable. Now streaming on Netflix.
A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter: Ho ho ho! Christmas is coming in early with a naughty mix of holiday classics from this year’s defining pop icon Sabrina Carpenter. What we are the most excited about: collabs with Chappell Roan, Tyla, Shania Twain, and Kali Uchis!
There is only one review out for this special—Harper's Bazar says that Carpenter has effectively captured the campiness of Christmas holiday specials and "raised the bar" for the genre. Our take: We love X-mas songs. We think it might be time to pass the baton of covering holiday classics to the new gen! Watch it on Netflix.
Agni: A cinematic salute to unsung heroes, Agni is a gripping drama that delves into the courage, sacrifice, and emotional depth of firefighters. Led by Pratik Gandhi’s standout performance as a firefighter balancing personal struggles and professional peril, the film brings an intense yet heartfelt narrative to life. Divyenndu shines as a cop uncovering the raw challenges of these everyday heroes, while the ensemble cast, including Saiyami Kher and Sai Tamhankar, adds layers of emotion and intensity.
The reviews for Agni are mostly positive, with critics praising its unique focus on firefighters and the realistic portrayal of their bravery and struggles. The Hindu highlights the film’s layered storytelling and impactful performances, particularly by Pratik Gandhi, while noting occasional lapses into overly dramatized moments. NDTV commends its authenticity, emotional depth, and tribute to unsung heroes, though it finds Divyendu’s character underused. Filmfare appreciates the strong ensemble cast and gripping fire sequences but criticizes the shift to melodrama in the second half, calling it inconsistent with the grounded tone of the first. Our take: We love films that spotlight unsung heroes, and Agni does just that with heart and intensity. Catch it on Prime Video.
The Sticky: The Sticky takes a quirky, darkly comedic spin on the 2011 Canadian maple syrup heist. Loosely based on the theft, it introduces eccentric characters and absurd criminal plans. Margo Martindale shines as Ruth Landry, a tough yet tender maple syrup farmer fighting to save her land. Alongside her are two mismatched criminals—Remy, a bumbling security guard, and Mike, a delusional mobster—whose heist quickly spirals out of control. The show strikes a balance between gritty crime and lighthearted caper, with a charm that recalls Fargo but with a more whimsical tone.
Reviews are very positive. Collider says the show features “exaggerated characters” and “gritty crime." TV Guide describes how the series blends "questionably conceived acts of larceny, fumbling detective work, and shady business dealings" into a chaotic, fast-paced narrative and Daily Beast notes that while the series is lighthearted, Martindale’s performance grounds it with her tough, yet heartfelt portrayal of Ruth. Our take: a comedy on a maple syrup heist? Bring on the pancakes! You can catch the series on Prime Video.
Fresh off the big screen…
Amaran: The film is a Tamil language movie directed by Rajkumar Periasamy. The movie stars Sivakarthikeyan as Major Mukund Varadarajan and Sai Pallavi as his wife, Indhu Rebecca Varghese. The story follows Mukund's journey as a soldier, focusing on his personal and professional challenges, including his love story with Indhu and his role in a counter-insurgency battalion in Kashmir. The film is based on a segment from the book ‘India’s Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Military Heroes’. The movie is available on Netflix.
Jigra: The Alia Bhatt-headliner is finally here. Directed by Vasan Bala, the movie tells the story of orphaned siblings Satya (played by Alia Bhatt) and her younger brother, Ankur (played by Vedang Raina). They are raised by distant relatives who aren’t the nicest to them. The situation escalates when Ankur gets falsely imprisoned in a foreign country, and Satya has to do everything in her power to protect him. Fair warning: The critics weren’t too impressed with the film. You can watch it on Netflix.
