We recommend: The best new movies and TV series
The Studio: Playing the role of an executive, Seth Rogen leads this industry-focused comedy series about a film studio struggling to find the balance between appeasing corporate demands and satisfying creative ambitions. Expect satirical humour and celebrities guest starring as fictionalised versions of themselves. Also starring: Catherine O’Hara of ‘Schitt’s Creek’ fame, and ‘MadTV’ alum Ike Barinholtz. Rogen is one of the five co-creators of the series, which includes his longtime creative partner Evan Goldberg—the duo directed all ten episodes.
Reviews are great. TIME Magazine says it’s “one of Hollywood’s sharpest self-portraits in ages—which is saying something, considering how much the entertainment industry loves to celebrate and satirize itself.” According to Hollywood Reporter: “The Studio’s strain of cringe humor won’t be for everyone…But for those willing to get on its frazzled wavelength, this is a strong contender for the best new comedy of 2025.” Our take: This is Jeremy Allen White’s ‘The Bear’ meets Matt LeBlanc’s ‘Episodes’—a surefire self-referential winner. Check it out on Apple TV+.
Black Bag: Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett star in this espionage thriller about a British spy named George Woodhouse (Fassbender) who is forced to choose loyalties between his marriage and his country, after his wife Kathryn St. Jean (Blanchett) is accused of treason. Also, keep an eye out for a small but significant turn by Pierce Brosnan! The prolific Steven Soderbergh directs this one—it is his tenth film in eight years—and the screenplay is penned by David Koepp of ‘Jurassic Park’ fame.
Reviews are stellar. Associated Press says the film “adopts the air of menace and suspicion of a John Le Carré novel, yet hinges on the sturdiness of its married couple, like a super spy version of Nick and Nora from ‘The Thin Man’ or a more cerebral ‘Mr & Mrs Smith.’ According to New York Times: “By the time Pierce Brosnan shows up, you may find yourself giggling at the whole meta deliciousness of this enterprise. You may also find yourself feverishly hoping that when it comes time to revive the Bond series, someone has the brains to call Koepp and Soderbergh.” Our take: You had us at John Le Carré—watch it in theatres now!
Side Quest: 'Side Quest' takes viewers beyond the main halls of 'Mythic Quest' HQ, diving into the quirky, chaotic, and often heartfelt lives of employees, fans, and artists impacted by the game. This anthology of four standalone episodes explores everything from strained work-life balances and creative perfectionism to the bonds and fractures of online friendships. Starring Rob McElhenney, Anna Konkle, Derek Waters, William Stanford Davis, Bria Henderson, Rome Flynn, Leonard Robinson, and Esai Morales, 'Side Quest' reveals how the digital world collides with real-life struggles, serving up a blend of humour, heart, and unexpected detours.
Reviews are not too good. Hollywood Reporter writes that 'Side Quest' is a pleasant but aimless wander through 'Mythic Quest’s’ quirky universe—“a detour’s only a detour when there’s a set path to be deviating from. Without one, it’s just an aimless, if largely pleasant, wander.” Screenrant says that "much like its series of origin, Side Quest is far from perfect. Even with only four episodes, its quality fluctuates greatly from moment to moment." Our take: 'Side Quest' is a hit-and-miss spinoff, but its celebration of gaming and creative storytelling makes it worth the ride. Catch it on Apple TV+.
Holland: Time for a weird mystery thriller—this one sees Nicole Kidman, Matthew MacFadyen and Gael Garcia Bernal take turns in chewing the scenery. The plot: a schoolteacher (Kidman) in a small town in Michigan suspects that her husband (MacFadyen) is living a double life, so she kicks off an investigation with the help of her colleague (Bernal). But she’s not prepared for what the full picture may reveal.
Reviews are mixed. Variety says the film “blossoms in the space where all-American domestic fantasy ends and nightmares begin, but never quite delivers on its premise.” IndieWire concurs: “The end result is an incoherent jumble that clearly got lost in the edit, or was it rescued by it? There’s a decent movie in here somewhere, but you’d be digging up a lot of tulips to get to it.” Our take: We’re here for the cast alone. The film is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Number One on the Call Sheet: The phrase ‘Number One on the Call Sheet’ refers to an actor's place in filming on a film or television set. Historically, only white male actors held that spot. This documentary features interviews with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars—Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Halle Berry, Eddie Murphy, Viola Davis, Kevin Hart, Cynthia Erivo, Angela Bassett and Whoopi Goldberg—and asks them about when they knew they had made it.
Review are great. The Guardian says, “Jaw-droppingly star-studded and stuffed with incredible stories, this series is a joy to watch.” According to IndieWire: “This is as impressive a rundown of talent in a non-fiction project as you’re likely to see this year, even if they’re all just presented as talking heads.” Our take: We love all these actors and are fascinated to know their experiences on set. You can see the documentary on Apple TV+.
The Life List: Directed by Adam Brooks of ‘Definitely, Maybe’ and ‘Bridget Jones’ fame, this adaptation of Lori Nelson Spielman’s novel 'The Life List' is centred on a coming-of-age journey. When her late mother (Connie Britton) leaves behind a teenage bucket list instead of the family business, Brett Bohlinger (Sofia Carson) is forced to confront her forgotten dreams. As she sets out to complete the list, she uncovers family secrets, finds unexpected romance, and rediscovers herself.
Reviews are disappointing. AV Club says “its sappy story is served up with the aesthetics of a car insurance commercial that happens to have occasional glimmers of heart.” According to Variety: “It’s ironic that for a movie hoping to inspire us to take risks and rediscover our own dreams, it’s far too comfortable settling for dull, formulaic conflicts and shenanigans to tell its tale.” Our take: We’re here for Carson, Brooks and the sentimental vibes. The film is available to stream on Netflix.
Delulu Express: Fans of Zakir Khan, rejoice! The stand-up comedian is back with his fifth special in which he shares personal stories—from job-hunting struggles to workplace antics—neatly packed in a train metaphor (see: the title). The special is 94 minutes long.
There is only one review out so far. Hollywood Reporter India says, “The engineering-jock humour and Salman Khan-fanbase-service are almost affectionate. It’s all harmless and low-stakes, an escape from the lingering paranoia of offence and tolerance.” Our take: Zakir Khan is known to be relatable and consistently funny, so we’re pretty excited. You can stream the special on Amazon Prime Video.
Fresh off the big screen…
Mufasa: The Lion King: This is the prequel to ‘The Lion King’. The Mandrill—Rafiki, the shaman—narrates the origin story of the OG king of the jungle—Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) to present day Simba, Nala and their daughter Kiara. The surprise bit: it’s a musical! FYI: The Hindu dub features Shah Rukh Khan who voices Mufasa and his sons—Aryan and AbRam voice Simba and young Mufasa, respectively. You can watch the movie on JioHotstar.
Viduthalai: Part 2: The sequel shifts focus to Perumal Vaathiyaar (Vijay Sethupathi), revealing how he transformed from a humble teacher into a revolutionary leader. As he’s transported through treacherous terrain by corrupt cops, flashbacks expose the brutal oppression that drove him to fight back. With Constable Kumaresan’s (Soori) story taking a backseat, the sequel zeroes in on Vaathiyaar’s political awakening and the tragic cost of resistance. Catch it on Amazon Prime Video.
