MUST-WATCH: The Rock inhabits his first superhero role

The Peripheral

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Let’s start this week off with some mind-bending cyberpunk!

The Peripheral is a new show based off of a book by William Gibson (the author behind sci-fi classics like Neuromancer, Count Zero, and the Difference Engine). It’s about a young woman named Flynne (played by Chloë Grace Moretz from Kick-Ass and Suspiria). She lives in a somewhat desolate future where virtual reality has become quite popular as a form of entertainment. One day, she tests out a new VR device from her brother (played by Jack Reynor from Midsommar) in which she’s transported to a world that looks a lot like a futuristic London, except there’s not a lot of people. She starts to explore this VR world more, before realizing that what she sees here might actually be real. This show also stars Gary Carr (from the Deuce), JJ Feild (from Turn: Washington’s Spies), and T’Nia Miller (from Foundation).

Descendant

Where to watch: Netflix

Now, let’s take a look at a powerful documentary.

Descendant is a documentary directed by Margaret Brown (who previously directed the Great Invisible). It’s about the legacy of the last known slave ship to travel from Africa to America, the Clotilda. The film focuses on the history of the slaver who chartered it, the freed slaves who formed their own town following the end of the civil war, and what happened to them over the next 160 years. But the film is primarily concerned with the modern day Africatown community that has remained, especially as many members of the community feel they’re being pushed out by ongoing industrialization. It’s a parable of capitalism’s effects on minorities, and how racism is prevalent in our systems. But as the film shows, the community is still here.

You can watch this astounding documentary on Netflix now.

Black Adam

Where to watch: Cinemas

Next up, let’s take a look at the newest cinematic superhero from DC Comics!

Black Adam is somewhat of an anomaly in the superhero genre, in that this is the first time one of Hollywood’s biggest stars enters Hollywood’s biggest genre. This movie stars the Rock (from Hobbs & Shaw and Ballers) as Teth-Adam, an ancient Egyptian man given the power of Shazam (just like Billy Batson in the Shazam movies). But he abuses the power and uses it to kill those who wronged him, leading to the wizards who gave him his power to freeze him in time. He’s awoken 5,000 years later into a very different world, and must figure out whether new superhero team the Justice Society of America is friend, or foe. He’ll also need to figure out if he wants to be a hero, a villain, or something in-between. This film also stars Aldis Hodge (from Straight Outta Compton), Sarah Shahi (from Person of Interest), and Pierce Brosnan (from Goldeneye).

You can watch this film in cinemas now!

Matriarch

Where to watch: Disney+

Now it’s time for some familial horror!

Matriarch is a new film starring Jemima Rooper (from Atlantis) and Kate Dickie (from Game of Thrones) as daughter and mother, respectively. The daughter has a drug overdose, and needs time to recover. She decides to head back home and stay with her mom for a while, not having interacted with her in quite some time. Her mother is incredibly happy to see her, but the daughter is put off by tons of strange things. The town doesn’t seem to have changed at all, her mother seems unnaturally sinister at many points, and it seems that there may be forces trying to keep her home anyway possible.

You can watch this film on Disney+ now!

Raymond & Ray

Where to watch: Apple TV+

Lastly, it’s time for a family drama!

Raymond & Ray is a new film starring Ewan McGregor (from Trainspotting and Obi-Wan Kenobi) and Ethan Hawke (from Training Day and Boyhood) as half-brothers who haven’t seen each other in a long time. They hear about their shared father’s death, and the two take a road trip to head to the funeral. Even from the grave, their father still causes issues for them as he put in his will that his two sons must dig the hole he’s buried in. Complicating matters even further is Lucia (played by Maribel Verdú from Y tu mamá también), the woman who was recently seeing their father. And she has a son that may or may not be their newest half brother. This film also stars Sophie Okonedo (from Hotel Rwanda) and Vondie Curtis-Hall (from Daredevil).

You can watch this film on Apple TV+ now!

MUST WATCH TOP 10

10. Shantaram – Apple TV+

9. Werewolf By Night – Disney+

8. The Peripheral – Amazon Prime Video

7. Triangle of Sadness – Cinemas

6. Matriarch – Disney+

5. Descendant – Netflix

4. The Curse of Bridge Hollow – Netflix

3. Raymond & Ray – Apple TV+

2. Black Adam – Cinemas

1. Halloween Ends – Cinemas