James R | On 23, Jul 2022

From Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to Sky Cinema and MUBI, let alone day-and-date, premium VOD and home entertainment releases, there are a lot of films out there to choose between. (See our streaming recommendations for what to watch right now.)

Can Netflix successfully launch another franchise? With subscriber numbers dropping this year for the first time, the pressure is on for The Gray Man, its new action blockbuster starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas. You can read what we thought of the thriller below (spoiler: it’s definitely more successful than the streamer’s adaptation of Persuasion).

But it’s the non-franchise-starters that have really impressed us this weekend, from a self-aware cinephile dream and a low-key horror debut to a moving father-daughter drama. And, for those who haven’t seen it yet, there’s time to accelerate to catch up with Drive My Car, which also gets a disc and digital rollout, or there’s Netflix’s other charming original animation, The Sea Beast, which sailed onto the streamer just in time for the summer holidays.

Here’s our guide to the best new films to watch this weekend (receive this as a newsletter each weekend here):

1. Bergman Island (MUBI UK)

Mia Hansen-Løve’s English-language debut is a meta dissection of art, love and cineaste culture.

Our full review – plus where you can watch it online

2. The Gray Man (Netflix UK)

Globe-trotting covert assassins Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans go head to head in this fun, fast-paced action thriller.

Our full review – plus where you can watch it online

3. The Northman (buy/rent)

Robert Eggers’ viking revenge thriller is a stunning, savage saga of hollow masculinity.

Our full review – plus where you can watch it online

4. She Will (buy/rent)

An ageing star’s revenge fantasies are fuelled by supernatural forces in Charlotte Colbert’s atmospheric, visually striking horror debut.

Our full review – plus where you can watch it online

5. Everything Went Fine (buy/rent)

Sophie Marceau is exceptional in Francois Ozon’s moving drama about a daughter tasked with helping her father end his life.

Our full review – plus where you can watch it online

 

Struggling to keep up-to-date with UK film releases in 2021? See our guide to the big new movies coming soon to VOD.

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