This week’s slate of new movies has been confirmed, and new additions are landing across the best streaming services, including Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, Peacock and more.
Netflix’s latest original, “Ballad of a Small Player,” debuts this week and comes from Oscar-nominated director Edward Berger. And if this psychological thriller about a gambler trying to outrun his past wasn’t enough, Paramount Plus has “The Cut,” a sports thriller about a boxer going to extreme lengths to make weight for a title fight. Meanwhile, Nia DaCosta’s “Hedda” is on Prime Video, and the box-office-topping summer blockbuster romp “Jurassic World Rebirth” comes to Peacock.
If you’re looking for something new to watch this week, you’re in the right place, as I’m rounding up all the most high-profile movies across the most popular streaming services. Plus, be sure to check out our guide to the best new TV shows to binge-watch this week.
‘Ballad of a Small Player’ (Netflix)
Netflix’s latest original movie is a psychological thriller from Edward Berger, the filmmaker behind last year’s Oscar-nominated “Conclave.” That’s quite an appealing pitch, so I was a little surprised to see this movie pull mostly lukewarm reviews during its limited theatrical release. Even with a more divisive reaction than I expected, I’m confident this movie has a Netflix No. 1 in its future as the subscriber base gobbles up anything in the thriller genre.
In “Ballad of a Small Player,” Colin Farrell plays a high-stakes gambler who has pushed his luck a little too far. Hiding out in Macau to escape his past and mounting debts, he’s offered an unlikely chance at redemption when a mysterious casino employee (Fala Chen) offers him a lifeline. However, hot on his heels is a private investigator (Tilda Swinton), who is committed to ensuring he can’t outrun his past mistakes.
Watch “Ballad of a Small Player” on Netflix from October 29
‘Hedda’ (Prime Video)
After exploring the horror genre in 2021’s “Candyman” reboot and helming a Marvel blockbuster, director Nia DaCosta’s next project is a little more intimate. “Hedda” reunites DaCosta with Tessa Thompson, who starred in her debut feature “Little Woods,” and is a modern spin on Henrik Ibsen’s timeless play. It has already premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, where it was much praised, and currently holds a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Described as a “provocative” reimagining of Ibsen’s work, Thompson plays the eponymous role of Hedda Gabler, a woman aching over a past love and feeling suffocated by her present existence. Set over a single evening, “Hedda” offers viewers an intense spiral of passion, drama and betrayal. The Prime Video original also stars Imogen Poots and Tom Bateman, and looks like it could cause quite a stir on the Amazon-owned platform.
Watch “Hedda” on Prime Video from October 29
‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ (Peacock)
“Jurassic World Rebirth” is the best “Jurassic” movie in a decade. Granted, when the competition is “Fallen Kingdom” and “Dominion,” which are, in my opinion, two of the worst blockbusters of the last 10 years, that’s hardly a strong endorsement. But at least “Rebirth” represents a step in the right direction for a franchise that has so often struggled to recapture the magic of the original “Jurassic Park.” Even though I admit, it’s also pretty flawed.
“Rebirth” sees Scarlett Johansson play Zora Bennett, an ex-military special operative, who leads a team into one of the world’s most dangerous places: A tropical island that served as the research facility for the original Jurassic Park. The mission tasks them with securing DNA samples from specific dinosaurs, but of course, the plan goes awry. Also starring Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey, it packs plenty of dino-themed fun, but the franchise’s insistence on creating new mutated creatures frustrates. A T. Rex is enough!
Watch “Jurassic World Rebirth” on Peacock from October 30
‘Sorry, Baby’ (HBO Max)
Eva Victor’s directorial debut arrives on HBO Max on Thursday, and it might just be the most critically acclaimed new movie you can stream this week. This comedy-drama holds a mighty impressive 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes and has been described by critics as “utterly captivating,” which is certainly enough to suggest it should be in your watchlist. Victor doesn’t just direct “Sorry, Baby”, but they also wrote the movie and star in the lead role, marking them as an emerging Hollywood talent to keep a close eye on.
Agnes (Eva Victor) is a professor at an arts college in New England, living alone with her cat. While life goes on for those around her, Agnes’ life has been radically changed by a past trauma. And the effects of that “bad thing” in her past continue to impact her outlook. When a close friend (Naomi Ackie) arrives with good news, Agnes begins to realize that she’s been stuck in a rut for the last three years and needs to find a way to move forward.
Watch “Sorry Baby” on HBO Max from October 30
‘The Cut’ (Paramount Plus)
Psychological thriller fans are eating good this week, not only do we have “Ballad of a Small Player” on Netflix, but Paramount Plus is offering up “The Cut,” which explores the mental toll of attempting to achieve a difficult goal. It stars Orlando Bloom as a boxer coming out of retirement for one last shot at glory, and to play the role, the actor reportedly lost 35 pounds. Let’s hope this movie isn’t as much of a flop as similarly-themed sports thriller “Him,” which was released in theatres earlier last month to pretty scathing reviews.
“The Cut” sees a retired boxer (Bloom) step back into the ring for one last shot at winning a championship. With just six days to make weight for the bout, the fighter is willing to go to extreme lengths to make the grade. This puts him at the mercy of an infamous boxing coach whose unorthodox and demanding methods could drive him over the edge. Alongside Bloom, “The Cut” features Caitríona Balfe, John Turturro, Gary Beadle and Clare Dunne.
Watch “The Cut” on Paramount Plus from November 1
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