Lights, camera, obsession! This week’s must-watch lineup dives deep into what it means to be a star, a monster, and even a parent pushed to the edge. From George Clooney channeling vintage Hollywood energy to animated sea creatures with teenage angst, these are the seven films worth your time right now. But here’s the twist: each film has something surprising simmering beneath its surface.
Pick of the week: Jay Kelly
Noah Baumbach’s latest creation, Jay Kelly, is a sharp, self-aware study of fame and identity. Co-written with Emily Mortimer, the film doesn’t just observe celebrity—it dissects it. George Clooney, arguably one of the last true movie icons, steps into a role tailor-made for his wry charm and subtle depth. Picture the meta-humor of Hail, Caesar! colliding with the effortless sophistication of those Nespresso ads. With Adam Sandler and Laura Dern rounding out the cast, Baumbach has assembled a powerhouse trio to examine what happens when the spotlight fades. Catch it on Netflix, Friday 5 December—before the awards chatter drowns out everything else.
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
Remember when The Little Mermaid met high school rebellion? That’s Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken in a nutshell. This bright, kind-hearted animated adventure slipped under the radar when it debuted in 2023, but it deserves a comeback. Ruby, a teenager forbidden from swimming in the ocean, discovers the shocking truth about her lineage—she’s a kraken, as is her entire family. While the finale veers into familiar action territory, its playful mix of mythology and modern teen drama makes it irresistible for kids and nostalgic adults alike. Swim with Ruby on BBC One, Sunday 30 November at 2:05pm.
Troll 2
Big, loud, and gloriously chaotic—Troll 2 is Nordic cinema’s latest blockbuster spectacle. After the 2022 hit Troll stomped through Oslo and our hearts, a sequel was inevitable. The result? The largest film production ever in Scandinavia. Expect colossal troll battles, a hilariously named Megatroll, and a streak of self-aware humor—especially the scene where influencers pause for selfies before everything goes horribly wrong. Is it art? Is it mayhem? Maybe both. Find out on Netflix, Monday 1 December.
Parade
Here’s one for the cinephiles. Parade may not be Jacques Tati’s most famous film, but it’s definitely his strangest—and arguably his boldest. Filmed for Swedish television after the financial disaster of Playtime, this late-career experiment blurs the boundary between performance and cinema. On the surface, it’s just a filmed circus variety act, yet Tati transforms it into a mesmerizing showcase of movement, rhythm, and silent comedy. It’s both playful and quietly radical. Watch it unfold on Talking Pictures TV, Monday 1 December at 1:20am.
Oh. What. Fun.
December’s here, and you know what that means—Christmas movies by the sleigh-load. But Oh. What. Fun. isn’t just another city-slicker-meets-small-town romance. It’s smarter, sharper, and way more relatable. Michelle Pfeiffer leads an all-star cast as the overworked matriarch of a family that underestimates how much effort the holidays demand—until she vanishes. What follows is equal parts comedy and chaos, wrapped in tinsel and family tension. Expect this one to dominate the festive conversation. Streaming on Prime Video, Wednesday 3 December.
The Roses
What happens when love curdles into rivalry? The Roses offers a deliciously dark answer. A modern adaptation of Warren Adler’s biting novel—previously turned into Danny DeVito’s cult 1989 film—this version stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman as lovers turned adversaries in a bitter domestic war. Sparks fly, insults sting, and the supporting cast (Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, Ncuti Gatwa, Allison Janney, and Jamie Demetriou) only adds more high-voltage tension. Some might call it uncomfortable to watch; others will call it brutally honest. Which side are you on? Tune in on Disney+, Wednesday 3 December.
You Were Never Really Here
Few films hit as hard—or as quietly—as Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here. Joaquin Phoenix delivers one of his most haunting performances as a traumatized ex-mercenary tracking down a kidnapped politician’s daughter. What sounds like a standard vigilante thriller unfolds into a poetic, devastating study of pain and redemption. Ramsay’s storytelling is raw and tender, proving that violence can coexist with vulnerability. It’s an experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Catch it on Film4, Friday 5 December at 1:50am.
So, which of these seven will you be watching first? Do you crave Clooney’s introspection, Pfeiffer’s festive meltdown, or Phoenix’s brutal redemption arc? And here’s the real debate—do modern blockbusters still have the emotional weight of classics, or has streaming changed how we define a “great” movie? Share your thoughts—this lineup is guaranteed to spark discussion.
