The holidays are in the air, and now is the perfect time to switch on the festive lights (and/or burn a few candles) and get cozy for some at-home movie watching. Fortunately, the best streaming services are ensuring you’ll have plenty of new movies to pick from over the next week.
Over on Netflix, this week marks the long-awaited debut of the latest movie in the “Knives Out” franchise, “Wake Up Dead Man.” Spoiler: It’s just as excellent as the previous two. Meanwhile, Prime Video has another seasonal offering, this time starring an adorable pooch, and Apple TV marks the end of the F1 season by dropping the blockbuster “F1 The Movie.” Oh, and there are also several new PVOD arrivals, including “Chainsaw Man – The Movie.”
If you’re looking for some new movies to watch this week, these are the most noteworthy additions arriving across all the most popular streaming services. And be sure to check out our companion guide covering the best new TV shows this week, if you fancy some binge-watching by the fire.
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‘Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc’ (PVOD)
CHAINSAW MAN – THE MOVIE: REZE ARC – New Trailer | DUB (HD) – YouTube
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I went into “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc” without having watched a single episode of the anime series. That was probably an unwise decision, considering this feature is a direct continuation of the show. However, it speaks to “Chainsaw Man – The Movie’s” quality that, despite being dropped in the middle of an ongoing story, I quickly found my narrative footing and had a complete blast. Packing some of the most intense and visceral blood-soaked carnage of the year, what impressed me most wasn’t the thrilling action but the strong character work that made me care about its cast.
Set in a world where devils walk alongside humans, Denji is part of a special forces team that hunts these powerful beings. With the ability to transform his limbs into chainsaws, Denji might be rising the ranks as an accomplished devil hunter, but he’s not so lucky in love. That changes when he meets Reze, a mysterious girl working in a nearby cafe. They start to develop a sweet relationship, but there’s a lot more to Reze than first meets the eye.
Buy or rent on Amazon from December 9
‘Christy’ (PVOD)
CHRISTY | Official Trailer HD – YouTube
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“Christy” earned an unwanted record when it hit theaters in November: The Sydney Sweeney sports biopic opened with one of the worst wide-release opening grosses in box office history. There’s no escaping the fact that cinema goers resoundingly rejected “Christy,” but perhaps it’ll find a second wind now that it’s arriving on streaming. For what it’s worth, having seen the movie on the big screen myself, I’m not sure it deserves the online mockery it’s endured. Far from special, it’s nevertheless a solid biographical drama.
Sweeney, whose increasingly controversial reputation no doubt did the movie no favors, plays Christy Martin, a real-life trailblazer in women’s boxing. While Christy takes plenty of punches in the ring (and delivers knockouts of her own), her biggest battle is actually at home, where he suffers under the thumb of her controlling and abusive husband/coach, James V. Martin (Ben Foster). Building to a shocking climax, “Christy” follows the standard biopic blueprint, but successfully celebrates a sporting icon.
Buy or rent on Amazon from December 9
‘Die My Love’ (PVOD)
DIE MY LOVE | Official Trailer | In Theaters November | With Jennifer Lawrence & Robert Pattinson – YouTube
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“Die My Love” pairs Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson with acclaimed director Lynne Ramsay for a devastating drama with a searing psychological edge. Its pacing might be a little too slow for some viewers, and its surreal elements will frustrate anybody looking for an accessible watch. However, if you’re willing to meet the movie on its own terms and take the time to dig into the subtext, it has plenty of emotional drive to keep you hooked.
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Based on Ariana Harwicz’s novel of the same name, it centers on a young couple who move from the bustle of big city life to a remote house in Montana. While Jackson (Pattinson) takes the lifestyle change in his stride, Grace (Lawrence) struggles with intense postpartum depression following the birth of their first child. “Die My Love” is worth watching for Lawrence’s movie-stealing performance alone, which could result in another Oscar nod.
Buy or rent on Amazon from December 9
‘Merv’ (Prime Video)
Merv – Official Trailer | Prime Video – YouTube
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Prime Video’s latest holiday offering combines two things that are bound to warm your heart: a festive setting and an adorable canine co-star. Described by the streaming service as a “different breed of romantic comedy,” the trailer doesn’t quite convince me that “Merv” is going to break free from the fundamentals of the rom-com genre. Still, it’s got two very likable leads in the form of Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox, and you’d have to have a heart of stone not be charmed by the pup from which the flick takes its name.
Anna (Deschanel) and Russ (Cox) are a recently separated couple co-parenting their pooch, Merv. However, the break-up clearly affects Merv’s mood, and so the estranged partners agree to take the dog on a vacation to Florida to cheer him up. To the surprise of nobody who’s watched literally any romantic comedy ever, the trip starts as merely a way to get their dog’s tail wagging again, but along the way, Anna and Russ begin to reminisce and reconnect, and consider giving their relationship a second chance.
Watch on Prime Video from December 10
‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ (Netflix)
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery | Official Trailer | Netflix – YouTube
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Let’s get to the good news upfront: “Wake Up Dead Man” (aka “Knives Out 3”) continues the franchise’s consistent streak of quality. Daniel Craig is back as detective Benoit Blanc, solving another highly implausible murder mystery this time in upstate New York. Most impressively about this second sequel to the original “Knives Out,” Blanc isn’t the biggest draw here. Don’t get me wrong, Craig is as good as ever in the lead role, but Josh O’Connor steals the show as a boxer turned priest, who calls on the detective to investigate the murder of his parish’s leader, Monsignor Wicks (Josh Brolin).
The usual charms of the “Knives Out” franchise are here, with a twisty case that constantly flips the script, though it’s certainly the most “solveable” Blanc mystery to date. “Wake Up Dead Man’s” best moments come through Rev. Jud’s contemplation of his own faith, and it’s quite impressive that writer/director Rian Johnson manages to balance the flick’s rumination on religion without veering into preachy territory. Is it the best “Knives Out” yet? Not for me, but it’s certainly no black sheep of the flock, and has me already eager for confirmation of a “Knives Out 4.”
Watch on Netflix from December 12
‘F1 The Movie’ (Apple TV)
F1® The Movie | Main Trailer – YouTube
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Over the weekend, British racer Lando Norris clinched his first-ever Formula 1 title in a thrilling final race, and there’s little doubt that Apple TV has timed the streaming debut of its “F1” movie to coincide with the culmination of the season. One of the summer’s surprise breakout hits, this sports drama stars Brad Pitt and is helmed by “Top Gun: Maverick’s” Joseph Kosinski. The filmmaker is among the best in the business at constructing elaborate vehicular sequences that truly convey a sense of speed, and “F1: The Movie” is another showcase of that practically unrivaled talent.
Unfortunately, everything that takes place off the asphalt is rather less impressive. The story follows a former F1 prodigy, Sonny Hayes (Pitt), who is given a second chance at the podium when he’s recruited to race for a struggling (fictional) F1 team, APXGP. Attempting to work alongside and mentor a talented but cocky rookie (Damson Idris), it’s a classic understory story and plays out almost exactly as you’d expect. Even if the narrative is a cookie-cutter, the racing scenes are so hair-raising you really won’t care.
Watch on Apple TV from December 12
‘Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues’ (HBO Max)
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues – Official Trailer – Only In Cinemas Now – YouTube
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The idea of a “Spinal Tap” sequel has been floating around for decades, but finally, more than four decades after the cult classic original, a follow-up has taken to the stage. And… “Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues” is ultimately fine. There’s certainly novelty in seeing beloved characters like Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) back on our screens, but, perhaps unsurprisingly, “Spinal Tap 2” just cannot match the sheer quotability of its legendary predecessor.
Again directed by Rob Reiner (who also reprises his role as documentary filmmaker Marty DiBergi), “Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues” is set 40 years after the first mockumentary, and sees the members of the eponymous glam-rock band reunite for a farewell show in New Orleans. Naturally, old tensions surface, and the quest for yet another new drummer is a great returning gag, but the majority of jokes don’t quite land this time around. At least the cameos from musical legends like Paul McCartney and Elton John work extremely well and stand out as some of the sequel’s best moments.
Watch on HBO Max from December 12
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