Now that The White Lotus finale has aired and everyone’s either mourning, spiralling, or suddenly planning a Thai vacation, it’s time to shift gears. Lucky for us, this week’s new releases are just the right mix of drama, intrigue, and absurdity to fill the void.
There’s a newly single Jon Hamm behaving very badly, a deep dive into the dark underbelly of online fame, and a fresh season of an anthology series that’ll make you want to throw your phone into the sea. Oh, and somewhere along the way, world leaders are in trouble.
Your Friends and Neighbors
When hedge fund manager Andrew Cooper hits rock bottom after a messy divorce and public firing, he doesn’t exactly bounce back. Instead, he starts breaking into his neighbours’ mansions. Jon Hamm stars as a man spiralling into morally murky territory, stealing stuff (and secrets) to keep up appearances in his pristine, picture-perfect suburb. But the more he uncovers, the more tangled the web becomes. It’s part social drama, part suburban mystery, and a reminder that sometimes your neighbour’s biggest secret…might be you.
Streaming on Apple TV+
Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing
Fame may be fun, but not when it comes with NDAs and therapy bills. Behind the ring lights and dance challenges lies a far darker side to the world of child influencers. This three-part docuseries peels back the filters on YouTube star Piper Rockelle’s fame and the intense spotlight managed by her momager. With drama, lawsuits, and stories from former “Squad” members, it’s a sobering look at what happens when your childhood is monetised one like at a time.
Streaming on Netflix
Black Mirror Season 7
If, for one hot minute, you were feeling optimistic about the future, Black Mirror is here to change that. The new season brings six episodes of twisted tech and very bad decisions, from a long-awaited USS Callister sequel to a creepy hotel stay that’ll make you rethink every “smart” device you own. There’s AI, VR, and just enough dystopia to ruin your sleep but keep you watching. As always, Charlie Brooker’s dark tech predictions present an unsettling batch of what-ifs that somehow feel a little too real.
Streaming on Netflix
G20
A bunch of world leaders walk into a summit…and boom, chaos erupts faster than you can say “international diplomacy”. Enter Viola Davis as the President of the United States, armed with steely nerves and a death glare that could disarm a missile. In G20, what begins as a high-level snoozefest spirals into a global hostage crisis, and it’s up to Madam President to save the day. G20 is ridiculous, but if you’re in the mood for a popcorn thriller where diplomacy meets Die-Hard energy, add it to your watch list.
Streaming on Prime Video
Pravinkoodu Shappu
A murder, a toddy shop and 11 half-drunk suspects. The film serves a boozy whodunnit with a side of dark comedy. What starts as a regular evening of post-work-hour drinks turns into a mystery when the shop owner winds up dead, and everyone is a suspect.
Streaming on SonyLiv
