News

Polish director Patryk Vega’s usually slick technique fails him utterly here in this lurid story about a cop investigating a girl’s kidnapping by the Russian mafia

Patryk Vega is the Polish writer-director whose hardboiled thrillers have found commercial favour both at home and with diaspora audiences: 2018’s The Plagues of Breslau was the kind of full-throttle, unapologetically 18-rated entertainment western producers have largely backed away from. Regrettably, his latest is both globetrotting and dashed-off, and so remorseless that it becomes actively punishing. Violence is hardwired into Vega’s film-making: his unhinged protagonists can’t walk into a room without it seeming like a declaration of war. You gulp, then, when an ominous (and suspiciously unattributed) epigram – “What sort of species are we, if we cannot protect our children?” – makes clear this director has turned his brawn to addressing trafficking. What follows has two modes: lurid and sentimental. Either way,...

“Trolls World Tour” (Universal) was a multiple #1 this weekend. Sources indicate it was by far the top-grossing film playing in limited drive-in theaters and it leads multiple VOD charts, despite a price nearly triple most releases.

Meantime, two new original feature films lead Netflix’s overall ranking of most-viewed programs. The Bangladesh-set rescue actioner “Extraction,” starring Chris Hemsworth and produced by the Russo Brothers, debuted exactly one year after their “Avengers: Endgame” debuted in theaters to $1.2 billion worldwide. An animated title, “The Willoughbys,” ranks #2.

More from IndieWire'Becoming' First Look: Michelle Obama Documentary Set for May Debut on Netflix'Extraction' Test Screenings Divided Viewers and Changed Director's Preferred Ending

Among films debuting on VOD, “Robert the Bruce” (Screen Media), with Angus Macfayden portraying the Scottish hero previously seen in “Braveheart,” saw the highest placement. Justin Kurzel’s “True History of the Kelly Gang” (IFC) starring George McKay (“1917”) initially didn’t place on any VOD chart,...

The Coronavirus pandemic has spread its tentacles to the four corners of the Earth, forcing world governments into lockdown in order to slow the spread.

Part of the strategy involves isolation and social distancing measures, meaning more and more people are spending their spare time indoors – all of their time, as a matter of fact. It’s had a direct impact on the demand for Netflix and other streaming services, resulting in the Big N overtaking Disney on the stock market. Strange times indeed.

Be that as it may, as this is April 22nd, one of the final content drops has arrived, and What’s On Netflix has all the details. We begin with the five films coming to the streaming service today, one of which is the critically-acclaimed animated movie The Willoughbys.

Circus of Books (2019) Netflix Original

The Plagues of Breslau (2018) Netflix Original

The Set Up (2019)

The Silence of the Marsh...

While the rest of the entertainment industry languishes, Netflix thrives – as usual. Even so, the coronavirus pandemic, and its economic ramifications, are also felt over at the streaming giant’s HQ. While the platform has a large library of older films to choose from, new productions have been ground to an indefinite standstill.

Still, we are getting a few new originals from Netflix this month and the ones that are on the way will surely keep you entertained. Take, for instance, the second season of After Life, the morbidly funny miniseries written and starring British showman Ricky Gervais. The first season, which aired on the platform last year, tells the story of a middle aged man debating whether or not he should kill himself after his wife dies of cancer.

It’s not the stuff of comedy, which is probably the reason why it works so well. Gervais, who made...

Netflix has confirmed that 58 new original series, movies and specials will be debuting on the streaming service in April. Leading off the lineup are season 2 of the Ricky Gervais serio-comic series “After Life” and the debut of Mindy Kaling‘s childhood memoir “Never Have I Ever.” And in these trying times, take comfort in the slew of comedy specials, including one pairing “Silicon Valley” leading man Thomas Middleditch and “Parks and Recreation” scene stealer Ben Schwartz.

On the reality side, we can’t wait to gobble up season 4 of the baking show “Nailed It!” and delight in the debut of the dating series “Too Hot to Handle.”

Netflix is a global presence and it brings many of its international hits to American screens this month, including new seasons of Israel’s spy thriller “Fauda,” Spain’s crime drama “Money Heist” and England’s sport docuseries “Sunderland ’Til I Die.

Below...

Netflix is about to make your next month of social distancing a whole lot easier.

On Tuesday, the streaming service announced all the movies and shows coming to the platform in April, and it’s jam-packed with content to keep you busy while you’re stuck at home thanks to coronavirus.

Go on a family adventure with The Willoughbys (available April 22), an animated comedy featuring the voices of Alessia Cara, Maya Rudolph, Terry Crews, and Ricky Gervais, or watch hilarious baking fails on Nailed It!: Season 4, available April 1.

Other highlights next month include Never Have I Ever (available April 27), a coming-of-age comedy series,...