We recommend: The best new movies and TV series
Conclave: Based on the 2016 novel of the same name, this Oscar nominee for Best Picture (and 7 others) stars Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence. He’s a bishop tasked with participating in the selection of a new pope. Deep in the inner circles of the Vatican, a political thriller ensues as he encounters powerful leaders and uncovers some deep and dark secrets about the Catholic Church. Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow are the other Hollywood names in this largely European cast—Peter Straughan of ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’ has written the screenplay, while Edward Berger of ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ directs.
Reviews are stellar. AV Club terms it as “gradually swelling, deeply intellectual, and unexpectedly fun”. Hollywood Reporter concurs: “[The film] demonstrates Berger’s versatility and also offers one of the best roles of his career to Ralph Fiennes.” Our take: ‘The Two Popes’ but played as a political thriller with shades of le Carre? Sign us up! The film is now out in cinemas.
Vidaamuyarchi: The latest release by Tamil star Ajith, is offbeat in comparison with his repertoire, but well within the thriller category. An Indian couple, Arjun and Kayal, (Ajith Kumar and Trisha Krishnan) in Baku, Azerbaijan, is heading towards separation. They decide to take on their last road-trip to Tbilisi. They look back at happier times, only to be brought back to tumultuous ones as a gangster intercepts them. They meet another Tamil couple, and Kayal goes missing. The rest of the film is about Arjun’s search for Kayal, with a villain and unknown intentions in the backdrop.
Reviews are mixed, Hindustan Times, writes, “The film has a lot of lag and predictability, but thanks to Ajith’s refreshing, underplayed performance and stunning visuals, we are not bogged down excessively by it.” Times of India, says, “Vidaamuyarchi might find its space with some niche audience, but a racy screenplay, especially considering the genre, could have made the movie dearer to all.” Our take: An Ajith-starrer with a difference, and the visuals, we may give it a shot. You can catch it in the theatres.
Badass Ravi Kumar: Lo and behold, the triumphant return of Himesh Reshammiya—as actor, music composer and producer. This is a spin-off of the 2014 movie ‘The Xpose’—which introduced us to the titular character—who is a “badass” cop. He is up against ten sensational villains—including one played by Prabhu Deva. The story is set in
Reviews are hilarious. Hindustan Times writes: “If you’re a Himesh Reshammiya fan, this film is for you. If you’re not a Himesh Reshammiya fan… you are, you just don’t know it yet.” India Today is of the view that “the film may not have logic, but it definitely has its heart in the right place.” Our take: We are here for the absurdities of a good B-grade movie! You can see it in the cinemas.
Loveyapa: Starring nepo kids Khushi Kapoor (Sridevi’s second daughter) and Junaid Khan (Aamir Khan’s son), this rom-com is a remake of the 2022 Tamil film ‘Love Today’. The story delves into the ‘modern’ relationships of today. The plot reminds us of KJo’s ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ where instead of changing houses, the couple switch their mobile phones for a day. What ensues is a day of mistrust and misunderstandings.
Reviews are not super great. The Hindu’s critique was directed at the actors: “Both Junaid and Khushi are earnest in their performance but if screen presence is something casting directors look for, both have a long way to go.” Indian Express also said the same thing: “Both leads are coming off debuts (Maharaj, The Archies) that didn’t exactly fly. Here they fare better, but only just.” Our take: TBH we don’t have hopes from the remake but we’re ready to hate watch! You can catch it in theatres.
The Mehta Boys: Helmed by Boman Irani in his directorial debut, ‘The Mehta Boys’ dives into the raw, unspoken tensions of a father-son relationship strained by years of emotional distance. Starring Irani alongside Avinash Tiwary and Shreya Chaudhry, the film follows Amay, a struggling architect forced to spend 48 hours with his stubborn father after his mother’s passing. What starts as passive-aggressive banter quickly unravels into painful confrontations, as buried resentments come to the surface with a mix of humor and heartbreak.
Reviews are good. The Hindu writes “Boman Irani renders a keenly observed, lived experience of an urban Indian family”. Scroll praises Irani and concludes: “Irani wears all the hats with poise and executes his vision unassumingly and patiently.” Our take: The film looks like a raw, funny, and heartfelt ride that dives deep into the messy tensions of father-son relationships. You can catch it on Amazon Prime.
Anuja: The Oscar-nominated, American, Hindi-language short film, tells the story of a nine-year-old garment factory worker, Anuja, who gets a chance to go to school for the first time. But, this will impact the fate of her sister. Directed by philosopher-filmmaker Adam J Graves, the film with its emotional impact, has been screened at several major festivals.
Reviews are mixed. The Hollywood Reporter, writes, “Anuja is sweet in parts, but it’s sweet in a very designed and bleeding-heart manner”. India Today praises it, saying, “Anuja’s Oscar nomination is well deserved, and it is a film that definitely deserves a watch for the story it sets out to tell.” Our take: We’ll give it a watch for these young actors winning hearts. You can stream it on Netflix.
Apple Cider Vinegar: The highly anticipated limited series is about the Australian wellness and beauty influencer Belle Gibson—played by Kaitlyn Dever—who became famous in 2012 for fighting her brain cancer with pseudoscience and curing herself of the life-threatening illness completely. She wrote books and built a wellness empire. Except, all of this was a lie—one that affects Milla (inspired by the real-life “wellness warrior” Jessica Ainscough) who was actually sick and subscribed to Belle’s schemes. The six-part series explores the rise and fall of Belle.
Reviews are mixed for the show. Hollywood Reporter writes that the drama “veers all over the place in time, tone and theme, serving up a little bit of everything but not enough of anything to fully sink our teeth into.” OTOH Financial Times is in all praise for Kaitlyn Dever commending her on her “superb lead performance”. Our take: We love Dever as well and have added this to our weekend watchlist. You can stream it on Netflix.
The Åre Murders: This Swedish crime thriller follows suspended Stockholm cop Hanna Ahlander (Carla Sehn) as she seeks refuge in the quiet ski town of Åre—only to be pulled into a chilling missing persons case. Partnering with the reluctant local officer Daniel Lindskog (Kardo Razzazi), Hanna’s instincts lead her deep into a web of secrets lurking beneath the snow. Based on Viveca Sten’s ‘The Åre Murders’ book series, the five-episode Netflix adaptation blends Nordic noir with icy tension.
There aren’t many reviews for the show but Decider says “stream it”. Our take: ‘The Åre Murders’ promises icy Nordic noir with tense mysteries and a brooding detective duo—perfect for crime thriller fans.
Mrs: This is the Bollywood remake of the hit 2021 Malayalam film ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’. Sanya Malhotra plays the role of Nimisha Sajayan—Richa, a trained dancer and teacher who is forced to stop dancing and leave her job post marrying a wealthy doctor. Once the honeymoon phase ends, Richa understands the weight of patriarchy and societal expectations placed on her—which ultimately brings her to the edge.
Reviews are decent. The Quint says: “While not as complex as the original, the film isn't completely surface level.” Indian Express writes: “[F]or those who haven’t watched the original, Mrs has enough merit.” Our take: We frankly don’t think this movie needed a Bollywood remake but we like Sanya Malhotra so we don’t mind watching this with family. You can watch it on Zee5.
The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan: Cricket’s fiercest showdown gets the spotlight in The Greatest Rivalry—India vs Pakistan. This docu-series dives into the high-stakes clashes, off-field drama, and surprising friendships between the two teams, featuring legends like Gavaskar, Sehwag, Akhtar, and Ganguly. Expect emotions, epic moments, and plenty of nostalgia for every cricket fan.
Reviews are okay. According to NDTV: “It's a fascinating look at India-Pakistan cricket, but one that could have benefited from a more expansive vision and a less hurried pace.” Hollywood Reporter says: “[F]or someone that isn’t from the subcontinent and is looking for a gateway into the sport, this documentary might be a decent watch.” Our take: Nothing matches the drama, intensity, and sheer madness of an India-Pakistan clash, and this docu-series brings it all to life with legendary cricketers and unforgettable moments. It is streaming on Netflix.
