Ever feel like there’s too much to watch, and you don’t know where to start? Well don’t worry. Our Film & TV editor Hidzir Junaini will be rounding up only the very best things to hit your screens at the end of every month! Skip the mediocre and delve right into the good stuff.
Movies:
La Llorona
Directed by Jayro Bustamante, La Llorona blends together the terror of both myth and reality in a modern retelling of the genocide against the Mayan community in Guatemala. The film centers around retired general Enrique who faces trial for massacres decades ago. As a horde of angry protestors threatens to invade his opulent home, the women of the house weigh their responsibility to shield the senile old man against the ugly truths behind being publicly revealed and the frightening sense that a wrathful supernatural entity is targeting them for his atrocities.
Watch on: VOD
Collective
Alexander Nanau’s riveting portrait of political corruption is one of the best journalism documentaries you’ll ever see. Following the aftermath of the 2015 fire that killed 64 people at a Bucharest nightclub, the mysterious death of a pharmaceutical CEO, and the resignation of a health minister (seemingly unrelated events), an intrepid team of reporters digs to expose an massive scandal and cover-up. Collective plays like a propulsive, real-time investigative thriller, exploring the fallout of a tragedy and the courage of those tirelessly working to uncover the truth.
Watch on: Hulu
Come True
Come True from one-person filmmaking crew Anthony Scott Burns (who wrote, directed, edited, and composed the 80s synth-wave soundtrack under the pseudonym Pilotpriest) is a surreal, unsettling and genuinely disturbing horror sci-fi. The film follows 18-year-old Sarah (a marvelous performance from Julia Sarah Stone), a runaway who suffers from recurring nightmares. Looking for a roof over her head and earn some extra cash, Sarah enrolls in a university sleep study. Unfortunately she soon realizes she’s become the conduit to a frightening new discovery.
Watch on: VOD
Raya and the Last Dragon
Disney’s first Southeast Asian princess soars in the stunning, exciting Raya and the Last Dragon. This fantasy epic is an utterly thrilling adventure underpinned by a strong emotional core. Buoyed by breathtaking action sequences, stunning visuals, ambitious world-building, excellent humour, complex characters and a star-studded voice cast – Raya proves to be a wildly entertaining, all-ages fable about acceptance, found families, and the power of trust. This is a spectacle with challenging themes on its mind and hope in its heart. Read our full review.
Watch in: Cinemas (wide-release) and Disney+
Television:
DOTA: Dragon’s Blood
Dragon’s Blood is an exceptional anime adaptation of the DOTA 2 video game franchise that should delight fans and newbies alike. The sweeping fantasy follows Davion, a Dragon Knight who finds himself embroiled in the machinations of a demon’s resurrection, a vengeful sorcerer, and a religious war between moon goddess followers after he meets the noble Princess Mirana. Featuring compelling characters, spectacularly violent action, beautiful animation, and emotional complexity on all sides – this stunning adult anime fleshes out the mythology of DOTA brilliantly.
Watch on: Netflix
Invincible
Faithfully adapted from Robert Kirkman’s (creator of The Walking Dead) beloved comic book, Invincible is a wonderful animated series blending the brutal and gory realism of The Boys alongside the bright colours of Golden Age optimism. The series follows 17-year-old Mark Grayson who is the son of superhero Omni-Man as he develops powers, strives to be a hero himself, and discovers secrets from his father’s past. Aided by a superb voice cast (Steven Yuen, J.K. Simmons and more), Invincible is a nimble subversion of the superpowered coming-of-age story.
Watch on: Amazon Prime
Solar Opposites
Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland returns with the second season of his hilarious animated sci-fi comedy. Solar Opposites is a fresh spin on 3rd Rock From The Sun, centering on a team of aliens who escape from a dying world only to take refuge in middle America. Split on whether Earth is awesome or awful – their personality clashes, and cluelessness about the basics of human society serve as the spark for the series’ funniest beats. Solar Opposites flies with a breakneck pace, coasting on a witty mix of goofy absurdity and good-natured warmth.
Watch on: Disney+ (Star)
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Billed as a buddy-comedy action series, the Marvel’s latest features Steve Rogers’ wingmen struggling with their lives post-Endgame. While Sam faces financial difficulties and the burden of the Captain America mantle, Bucky is trying to work through his PTSD and guilt from his time as a brainwashed HYDRA assassin. To complicate matters, an anarchic terrorist group (who think life was better during the Blip) wreak havoc. Buoyed by thrilling set-pieces, hilarious odd couple chemistry and a grounded look at the costs of superheroics, this show is another winner for the MCU.
Watch on: Disney+
Genius: Aretha
The latest iteration of Nat Geo’s Genius anthology (previous seasons covered Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso) centers on the life of Aretha Franklin. Created by Pulitzer-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and led by a powerhouse performance from Tony Award-winner Cynthia Erivo, this decades-spanning miniseries tells the Queen of Soul’s story with authenticity and reverence. From her painful childhood, to her stunning talent (demonstrated by a bevy of show stopping numbers), to her political activism – Aretha offers unique insight into the legendary singer.
Watch on: National Geographic