What’s new to streaming and theaters this week: 'The Flash’ to 'Black Mirror’
Looking to fill the Succession-shaped hole in your life? Maybe you're hungry for some big-screen horror or a multiverse of action heroes! Whatever your vibe, there's surely something to watch this weekend.
From a brand-new season of Black Mirror, with arguably some of the darkest moments of the show so far, to the comic book stylings of The Flash, a lot of great (and not-so great) stuff has been released this week. So whether you're in the mood to order in and veg out with a new show or you're headed to the theater for a night out, here are the highlights of this week's streaming and theatrical releases.
Asteroid City
Screw the Wes Anderson-inspired TikToks — go watch the real deal for yourself! Anderson's latest feature film, Asteroid City, is set in 1955 at a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention where a lovable group of oddballs get together for some wholesome educational fun. Along with Anderson's typically twisty plots and a steadfast love for the color orange, Asteroid City also features an all-star cast including (but not limited to) Tom Hanks, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Margot Robbie, Scarlett Johansson, Jeffrey Wright, and many more.
What we thought: "There's plenty that's familiar to Anderson's aesthetic in Asteroid City, from its crisp framing, traveling panning shots, quirky characters with muted delivery, familiar faces, and a sense of humor that is silly while sophisticated. Yet, there are thrilling explorations here too… All of these elements bend and fold, hooking around one another to create a work of art that is lovely to look at, and all the more wondrous the closer you consider its construction." — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor
How to watch: Asteroid City is now playing in select theaters.
The Blackening
A Juneteenth weekend getaway goes horribly awry in The Blackening when a group of friends in an isolated cabin find themselves forced to play a twisted game — but that's not all. The film is also hellbent on making fun of every horror cliché out there, from Jigsaw in Saw to how the one Black character in every horror film always dies first. With a hilarious cast that includes Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Jay Pharoah, and co-writer Dewayne Perkins, The Blackening is a horror comedy brimming with as much fun as it is frights. Keep your eyes peeled for killing jokes, and well, actual killers.
What we thought: "As a feature film, The Blackening augments the spry, funny conceit, makes sharp references to other Black movies, and offers a hilarious and touching horror comedy that redresses cultural stereotypes." — Robert Daniels, Freelance Contributor
How to watch: The Blackening is now playing in theaters.
Elemental
Has Pixar finally done an actual rom-com? Kinda! Elemental, the latest visually stunning work by the prolific studio, is set in Element City — a place where fire-people, earth-people, wind-people, and water-people live together in questionable harmony. When trouble starts brewing in Element City, Ember (voiced by Leah Lewis) and Wade (voiced by Mamoudou Athie), form a spark (literally) and start falling in love despite coming from polar opposite worlds. Plus, there's a new Pixar short airing before Elemental that you don't want to miss — and yes, it includes Carl from Up.
What we thought: "Lewis and Athie bring Ember and Wade's initially clashing personalities to life with striking vocal chemistry, to the point that I was basically kicking my feet and giggling during their every scene together." — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Elemental is now playing in theaters.
The Flash
The speedy superhero is back, and this time he's up against...himself? The Flash follows Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) as he travels back in time and finds himself in a multiverse mess. With some familiar friends along the way — Michael Keaton's Batman is back, folks! — it's up to the Flash to save the day. (The Flash is under an extra layer scrutiny due to the allegations against its lead, as well as recent studio shake-ups.)
What we thought: "The Flash strives to appease apparent studio demands, the fickle love of fans, the gnawing yearning for nostalgia, and the increasingly impossible task of finding something new to say while repeating the same stories, and succeeds at none of it. Or maybe it's just not my speed." — K.P.
How to watch: The Flash is now playing in theaters.
Black Mirror, Season 6
A new season of Black Mirror is finally upon us! From a sexy '70s demon and creepy true crime to sinister space adventures, this season of Black Mirror is dishing out all the existential dread and notorious nihilism that we all love, and for some reason, enjoy watching. The sixth season has five new, wildly entertaining episodes, as well as a star-studded cast that includes Salma Hayek Pinault, Aaron Paul, Annie Murphy, and Michael Cera. And there may or may not be some explosive poop as well.
What we thought: "Season 6 delivers an outrageous comedy with 'Joan Is Awful,' a true crime-inspired thriller with 'Loch Henry,' a domestic drama with 'Beyond the Sea,' a Hollywood horror story with 'Mazey Day,' and a cheeky horror comedy with 'Demon 79.' Each is a battle for the future of this series, and maybe even the future of streaming." — K.P.
How to watch: All seasons of Black Mirror are streaming on Netflix.
Extraction 2
Sure, Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth) may have been shot in the neck at the end of Extraction, but he's alive, well, and ready for some action in this sequel. Rake's new high-thrills quest sees him trying to save a gangster's imprisoned family by any means necessary. Some people bail themselves out of jail, others get into painfully long fight sequences instead — both are pretty efficient in their own ways, I'd say.
What we thought: "With its bigger, broader swath of carnage, Extraction 2 improves upon the original and isn't unpleasant (you know, unless you're bothered by watching hundreds of deaths on screen). There's value in the fun of big, dumb action movies, but this one's worst fault is its clumsy stab at being something more." — Kimber Myers, Freelance Contributor
How to watch: Extraction 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
Spoiler Alert
Based on Michael Ausiello's memoir about the death of his husband, Kit, from cancer, this tearjerker stars Jim Parsons and Ben Aldridge as life partners on a tragically truncated journey together. The movie begins with Kit's death, which is just one of the unique flourishes at work in this rom-dramedy from The Big Sick director Michael Showalter.
What we thought: "Spoiler Alert might tell us its ending up front, but it does so in the same way a magician uses a waving hand, directing our attention one way so it can sneak into our hearts around the back side." — Jason Adams, Freelance Entertainment Writer
How to watch: Spoiler Alert is available to stream on Prime Video.