We recommend: The best new movies and TV series

Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey: Did you know, pangolins are the world’s only scaly mammal? Now, here’s the sad truth—they are one of the most trafficked animals globally. From the Oscar-winning director of ‘My Octopus Teacher’ comes the story of Kulu the pangolin. This documentary captures the story of the three-month-old ground pangolin—rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and the process of returning him to the wild in South Africa. Worry not, Kulu is not alone in this journey. He’s accompanied a volunteer named Gareth Thomas.

Reviews are great, as expected! Collider says: “Pangolin: Kulu's Journey becomes more than just a fascinating nature documentary, but a moving story about our potential for kindness and the importance of connecting with the world around us.” New York Times writes: “Beautiful to look at and unabashedly sentimental, ‘Pangolin,’ patiently directed by Pippa Ehrlich… is informative yet blessedly light on talking heads.” Our take: How can we say ‘no’ to that face. Just look at him! The movie dropped on Netflix on Monday.

Until Dawn: After an up-and-down stint directing the ‘Shazam’ films for DCEU, David F Sandberg—best known for his ‘Annabelle’ films—returns to familiar horror territory with this video game adaptation. The plot: Clover and friends traverse across a remote valley where her sister had disappeared a year earlier. They’re all murdered in horrific ways but are then taken back to the beginning, forced to relive the experience with a different killer each time. The goal? Survive…until dawn. 

Reviews are alright but not too great. Indiewire says the film may veer far from its source material, but with “pops of explosive humor,” a clever time-loop twist, and a “ridiculous grab-bag of carnage,” it emerges as an unexpectedly fun, self-aware horror spoof that entertains even when it mystifies. Collider OTOH says 'Until Dawn' is “horror junk food — fun, enjoyable but not too substantial,”—yet it’s also a “fun surprise” that cleverly honors the spirit of the game by turning its branching paths into a wildly entertaining grab bag of genre tropes. Our take: It’s Sandberg in his element with a touch of ‘Groundhog Day’—what’s not to love? Watch it in cinemas now! 

Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins: Saif Ali Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat come to blows in this action-thriller about a con artist named Rehan Roy (Saif), who plans an elaborate heist to steal an African Red Sun diamond while staying one step ahead of his archnemesis Rajan Aulakh (Ahlawat)—who happens to be after the very same diamond. Also starring: Kunal Kapoor and Nikita Dutta.

Reviews are not great. Indian Express says the film may be a familiar ride, but with Saif Ali Khan’s “whip-smart thief” and Jaideep Ahlawat’s “nattily-turned out mobster,” it leans into its old-school heist vibes with stylish swagger—even if it’s ultimately “a shockingly banal bauble” dressed in designer suits and sparkling nostalgia. The Hindu concurs, saying that while the film offers a visually sleek heist with "Saif and Jaideep... look[ing] fab in crisp suits," the "predictable recipe" makes it a fun but ultimately shallow experience, lacking the "stealth" to fully capitalize on its potential. Our take: We’re here mostly for the explosive star duo and the heist sequences. The film is available to stream on Netflix.

Étoile: From the creators of ‘Gilmore Girls’ and ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’, ‘Étoile’ is about saving ballet. It is to no one’s surprise that the audience for ballet is dwindling. To revive interest, two ballet schools—one in New York and the other in Paris—decide to swap their biggest talent. Think of the classic 2006 rom-com ‘The Holiday’ but for ballet.

Reviews are mid. The Guardian says: “The problem is that, as the new venture from Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel creators Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino progresses, it doesn’t seem to be sure what it is. Apart from Whimsical with a capital W, an attitude that rarely works out well for anyone.” Our take: We loved ‘Gilmore Girls’ and ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’. Now, we have high hopes for this one. You can stream it on Amazon Prime. 

Ne Zha 2: Currently the highest-grossing animated film in history, Ne Zha is a wild, visually explosive retelling of a classic myth—and a huge step forward for Chinese animation on the global stage. Directed by self-taught animator Jiaozi, the story follows demonic child Ne Zha and his unlikely ally Ao Bing as they try to save their town from dragons, demons, and a seriously unhinged villain with razor-sharp sideburns. The animation is next-level: think pagoda-topped mountains, neon-lit battle sequences, and octopus demons grilling their own limbs. 

Reviews are superb! Empire exclaims ‘Ne Zha 2’ is “maximalist cinema at its most maximalist,” where “dragons, demons and gods” clash in a dazzling, chaotic spectacle that’s “quite something to witness.” Roger Ebert, also enthusiastically, describes 'Ne Zha 2' as a rare sequel that “amplifies both its action and drama” while staying grounded in “motivating emotions,” making this “big-budget cartoon” a “rare blockbuster” that charms with both “spectacular action” and “character-driven drama.” Our take: A chaotic mix of wuxia action, slapstick humor, and anime-level apocalypse—this one looks set to be a trippy, unforgettable ride.

Carlos Alcaraz: My Way: This Spanish documentary miniseries takes a deep dive into the 2024 season of tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz. Following his triumphs, struggles, and personal growth, the series highlights Alcaraz’s journey from recovering from an injury to achieving his childhood dream of winning the French Open. We also get a glimpse into his life off the court, his close-knit team, and the sacrifices they’ve made for his success. From the emotional highs of defending his Wimbledon title to the pressure of his Olympic debut alongside Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz confronts both mental and physical challenges. It’s a raw look at one of tennis’s brightest stars.

Reviews are not out for this one yet but that shouldn’t stop you from watching it. Our take: A must-watch for fans of tennis, especially those of Rafael Nadal :) Stream it on Netflix.

Here’s a new chapter…

Andor Season 2: Critically acclaimed to be one of the best of the Star Wars franchise, ‘Andor’ is back! Helmed by Tony Gilroy, the story focuses on Cassian Andor—a thief who later becomes a spy for the Rebel Alliance to take down the Empire. In season 1, we got the origin story of how Andor became a spy. Season 2 looks at the events that led to ‘Rogue One’. The series is streaming on JioHotstar.

You Season 5: Netflix’s 'You' returns for its fifth and final season, bringing Joe Goldberg’s twisted journey to a dramatic close. Now living in New York with wife Kate and son Henry, Joe seems to have it all, until old habits resurface when Kate’s position at Lockwood Corporation is threatened. The first half of the season leans into corporate drama and sibling rivalry, but it’s a shocking twist in episode five that reignites the suspense. As Joe unravels, familiar settings and surprise cameos bring the story full circle, culminating in a chilling finale where Joe confronts his past—and the audience. Stream the final season of 'You' now on Netflix.

Weak Hero Class 2: Based on the Korean webtoon of the same name, the K-drama is premised on high school bullying. It follows a model student named Yeon Si Eun and his two friends, one of whom becomes a bully due to a misunderstanding. The showdown results in our weak hero fighting his friend. The new season shows that Si Eun has transferred schools, and there too, he must fight new bullies to put an end to the culture. You can check out both seasons on Netflix. 

Our MUBI recommendations for April

Editor’s note: We have started a partnership with MUBI where the splainer team will bring to you three movies streaming on the platform that are personally vetted! We’re no film reviewers, but we will share our honest opinion. The good news for splainer subscribers: you get a one-month free trial for MUBI! Click on this link to avail the free trial.

Grand Tour: On paper, this is an Italian-Portuguese co-production directed by Miguel Gomes, but in practice, it’s pretty much a duniya darshan—thanks to the travelogue premise. The year is 1917. We kick things off in Rangoon as our protagonist—a British civil servant named Edward—journeys across Southeast Asia. In the process, he’s repeatedly avoided his fiancée, Molly and skipped their wedding day. But, he seems to retain a weird and cognitively dissonant air of romance by leaving behind messages at each stop, which helps her follow his trail, and send him telegrams. Presented in black-and-white, Edward’s travels are interspersed with documentary vignettes of modern life at these locations. Gomes won Best Director for this film at Cannes last year and tasted more success at the Chicago Film Festival in October.

Reviews are great. Variety says the film “runs the very serious risk of infecting you with the antidote: a potent dose of wanderlust for life.” According to New York Times: “Beauty is pleasurable, but the film’s use of evocative visuals to focus on storytelling more broadly is what makes it a quiet knockout.”

Our take: Many publications list this film under the ‘Adventure’ genre, but it’s best to think of this as more Anthony Bourdain than Tintin, as Edward is often an observer or background character—not always the centre of attention. The film’s greatest strength is its cinematography due to the role it plays in driving home the impact of colonisation and globalisation—juxtaposing the bleak with the romantic. It’s not afraid to take its time to get there either, so you may have to be patient during the first hour. History nerds will lap this up, no problem.

About Love: At its core, 'About Love' feels less like a film and more like a lived-in family album—messy, tender, and edged with sharp truths. Directed by Archana Atul Phadke, this quietly powerful documentary captures three generations of the Phadke family under one crumbling roof in South Mumbai. Shot handheld over three years inside the home Phadke grew up in, it strings together everyday moments—parental spats, wedding prep, hospital runs, and the small rituals that make up a life. There’s Madhav and Neela, married 68 years and still bickering; Atul and Maneesha in their own cycle of squabbles; and their adult children, Archana and Sagarika, constantly nudged about marriage. Longtime housemaid Sushila is practically family, and ailing relatives like Laali fade out of frame. Weddings, deaths, routines—it all flows on.

Reviews indicate that it has found appreciation both in India and abroad. Indian Express praised its exploration of womanhood within a deeply patriarchal setup, calling it “a lesson in owning [and] accepting your ‘embarrassing’ family.” Hollywood Reporter kept it simple: “a small, unpretentious film about ordinary people.” 

Our take: Don’t go in expecting high drama or a polished aesthetic. This is a fly-on-the-wall portrait, shaky camera and all. But there’s something deeply affecting in how it holds up a mirror to the messiness of love, aging, and family, without ever turning preachy or sentimental. If you’ve ever lived in a joint family—or tried explaining one to someone who hasn’t—this one’s going to hit home.

Perfect Days: This Japanese film—helmed by the critically acclaimed German director Wim Wenders—was the talk of the town when it released in 2023. Set in Tokyo, the movie follows a toilet cleaner named Hirayama who lives every day to the fullest. The movie takes us through his days—from his morning routines to work to how he spends his Sundays. When his niece shows up unexpectedly, and his colleague quits, it disrupts his routine. BTW, Hirayama is played by Kōji Yakusho, who won Best Actor at Cannes. And the film was nominated for best international feature category at the Oscars.

Reviews are stellar. Variety writes that “the new film’s humane, hopeful embrace of everyday blessings is enough to make it Wenders’ freshest, most rewarding and arthouse-friendly fiction feature in close on 30 years.” The Guardian shares the same view: “Perfect Days is, by no small margin, Wenders’s most successful narrative film in a long time… Perhaps, in its polite and unassuming way, the film advocates not just a new way of looking, but also a new way of living.” 

Our take: We found it to be the perfect film to unwind to after a long day at work. Though the film has very little dialogue—and is interspersed with the sounds of rustling leaves and bird calls, the sound of driving and the sound of 1970s and 1980s cassette tapes—and it effectively shows that a quiet life doesn’t necessarily mean it is a small one. Kōji Yakusho’s Hirayama—a man of few words—really does leave an indescribable impression. The film also references a uniquely Japanese concept of ‘komerebi’, the play of light and shadows between the sunlight and trees, which represents our imperfect lives.