Happy long weekend, everyone! Well, those of you in the US and UK who’ll be enjoying a three-day break from work due to Memorial Day and the late May bank holiday, anyway.
Regardless of where you live and/or how long your weekend will be, plenty of new movies and TV shows have recently landed on the world’s best streaming services for you to check out. Like last week’s streaming round-up, we couldn’t fit the sheer volume of new releases in this article. No matter what genre you enjoy, though, I’m sure you’ll find something worth watching from the below selection. β Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
The Bride! (HBO Max)
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The Bride!, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s divisive Frankenstein-inspired movie that I attempted to defend in my impassioned piece, is out now on HBO Max.
Those wanting a loyal adaptation of Mary Shelley’s work won’t find it here, but you will find an intriguing gothic romance set against a 1930s Chicago backdrop. You’ll also find stellar performances from Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale. No surprises there.
That all said, critics and many viewers weren’t enamored with this one when it landed in theaters earlier this year Will you join the naysayers or actually enjoy it? Watch it this weekend and see which side of the divide you fall on. β Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer
The Boroughs (Netflix)
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You’ve seen Stranger Things, now get ready for The Boroughs.
The Duffer Brothers are the executive producers of this new Netflix show and, this time, we follow the residents of a retirement community rather than local kids. Although the subjects are at the opposite end of the age spectrum, the vibes are similar, with a group of unlikely heroes banding together to stop an otherworldly threat from stealing time. At their age, it’s a precious commodity indeed.
With a great cast comprising Bill Pullman, Geena Davis, Clarke Peters, Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Denis O’Hare, and Jena Malone, this could be the perfect show to binge. β LB
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War (Prime Video)
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Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, one of Prime Video’s most underrated shows, has finally made its way from the small screen to the big screen, in the form of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War. John Krasinski resumes the titular role… but this time, he’s heading across the pond.
Indeed, we see Jack reunite with CIA operatives to navigate betrayal from an enemy who “knows their moves and faces a past once thought settled,” as Amazon explains. In short, expect big action on an international scale.
What I particularly like here is that Ghost War is very subtly bringing back the ‘Cool Britannia’ aesthetic by casting Sienna Miller as its leading lady. Why did we have to stop doing that in the 2010s? β Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (Apple TV)
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Apple has been on a TV show-based tear recently. Indeed, from Margo’s Got Money Troubles to Widow’s Bay, the tech giant’s streaming platform has been my go-to for small-screen offerings over the last few months.
Its latest TV Original β Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed β looks like it’ll keep me glued to Apple TV, too. Billed as a dark comedy crime-thriller, it stars Tatiana Maslany as Paula, a divorced fact checker and mom of one who gets caught up in a web of lies and murder after she’s blackmailed by a camboy.
Truthfully, I’ll watch anything that the supremely talented Maslany is in. But, with Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed launching to near-universally positive reviews, I’ll be even more locked in to a Maslany-led project than usual. β TP
Is This Thing On? (Disney+)
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I first saw Is This Thing On? last October, and I’m still laughing at the fact that it’s inspired by the life of UK comedian John Bishop.
Will Arnett plays fictional comic Alex, whose marriage to Tess (Laura Dern) is unravelling by the minute. After they separate, Alex seeks a purpose on the New York comedy scene, and discovers that he’s actually pretty darn good at it. But, can he repair his broken marriage at the same time?
It’s wholesome, touching, and makes you believe in the power of love all over again. And I’d like this stated on the record β Bradley Cooper is a brilliant director, no matter what you think of him. Regardless, it’s out now on Disney+ internationally following its debut on Hulu stateside earlier this year. β JV
The Chi final season (Paramount+)
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It’s been eight years since The Chi first arrived on our screens via Paramount+, but now it’s sadly time to say goodbye. This coming-of-age drama follows a diverse ensemble of characters who are trauma-bonded by the murder of a young boy in season 1.
Fast forward to season 8, and we can expect to face “their coldest winter ever, with life or death choices that must be made,” according to Paramount. With season 7 ending with every storyline having some sort of dramatic fallout, we can expect the stakes to be raised even higher for its final outing. β JV
Arco (Hulu)
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Neon’s latest animated movie Arco follows a 10-year-old boy in the year 2932, an idyllic future where humans live in the clouds and travel through time using rainbow flight suits. Sounds pretty cool, not going to lie.
Sadly for Arco, he’s too young to fly, so he does what any mischievous child would do: steals his sister’s suit so he can go back in time and see dinosaurs. But, when he discovers a world in peril instead, he bands together with a young girl and her robot caretaker as he sets out on a quest to return home.
Widely praised for its lovable characters and themes, this adventure movie is a great choice for the whole family to watch on Hulu. β LB
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