Sydney Sweeney and Christy team promised not to 'Hollywoodize' the true survivor story: 'Everythi...

The real Christy Martin had one request of the filmmakers and writers: &34;Please don't Hollywoodize my life.&34; They didn't. Sydney Sweeney and Christy team promised not to 'Hollywoodize' the true survivor story: 'Everything was pulled from truth' The real Christy Martin had one request of the filmmakers and writers: &34;Please don't Hollywoodize my life.&34; They didn't. By Nick Romano :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/NicholasRomanoauthorphotoadc9b60763e34711935cbf7b3d768d24.jpg) Nick Romano is a senior editor at with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment.

The real Christy Martin had one request of the filmmakers and writers: "Please don't Hollywoodize my life." They didn't.

Sydney Sweeney and Christy team promised not to 'Hollywoodize' the true survivor story: 'Everything was pulled from truth'

The real Christy Martin had one request of the filmmakers and writers: "Please don't Hollywoodize my life." They didn't.

By Nick Romano

Nick Romano is a senior editor at ** with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in *Vanity Fair*, Vulture, IGN, and more.

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November 7, 2025 10:00 a.m. ET

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Sydney Sweeney on the set of 'Christy' with director David Michod. Credit:

Black Bear Pictures

- Sydney Sweeney and the real Christy Martin discuss the harrowing true story behind the biopic of a women's boxing trailblazer.

- The one request Martin had for director David Michôd and co-writer Mirrah Foulkes: "Please don't Hollywoodize my life."

- "Everything was pulled from truth. The film is truthful from the very beginning to the end," Sweeney says.

Christy Martin, known in the ring as the Coal Miner's Daughter, made a deal with God after suffering several stabbings and a gunshot to the torso from her ex-husband, James V. Martin, in 2010. The trailblazer of women's boxing promised she would help one person before she died.

"And then I was like, 'No,' 'cause I'm arrogant, 'I wanna help one person every day,'" Martin recalls.

It's a story she tells often, first on stage at the world premiere of her biopic, *Christy*, at the Toronto International Film Festival this past September. She tells it again during a November interview with ** and actress Sydney Sweeney, who portrays Martin on screen. To date, she has already fulfilled that original promise — and then some.

"I actually got a text message from someone who was in the movie that it has saved her life," Martin tells EW. (Sweeney says she received the same text.) "Even to know the people that were in the movie — not the main cast, but just in the movie — it affected them in a positive way, we're doing what we're supposed to."

Christy Martin and Sydney Sweeney at the AFI premiere of 'Christy' in Los Angeles.

LISA O'CONNOR/AFP via Getty

Directed by David Michôd (of the Timothée Chalamet-led *The King*), who also co-wrote the script with Mirrah Foulkes, *Christy* is equal parts underdog sports movie and harrowing survivor's tale.

Starting with Martin's high-school years as a closeted lesbian in a homophobic West Virginian community, the story follows the pioneer's personal life through her swift ascent to the top of women's boxing. It covers her emotionally turbulent relationship with her mother (Merritt Wever); her life with Jim Martin (Ben Foster), who first became her trainer and later her manipulative, abusive husband; and finally coming back to the ring after surviving a near-fatal assault by Jim, who died in 2024 while serving a 25-year sentence for attempted murder.

'Christy' trailer depicts transformed Sydney Sweeney taking on epic battles in boxing biopic

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Martin had one request of Michôd and Foulkes: "Please do not Hollywoodize my life," she says. She means she didn't want to see anything that didn't actually happen added in for the sake of sensationalizing her story. "[Foulkes] would tell me, 'Enough crazy s--- has happened in your life, we don't have to Hollywoodize it,'" Martin recalls. "The script is real. Once I read the script, I just sat back and watched them do their thing. And boy oh boy...it was pretty amazing."

Sweeney, who also produced the movie, confirms no creative liberties like that were taken. "Everything was pulled from truth," the *Euphoria* and *Anyone But You* star says. "The film is truthful from the very beginning to the end."

Ben Foster as Jim Martin, Sydney Sweeney as Christy Martin in 'Christy'.

Black Bear Pictures

The pair remembers their first meeting over Zoom. Martin acknowledges how difficult it was to sense Sweeney's energy but describes the virtual encounter as positive. They later met in person while in pre-production, after Sweeney began transforming her body through boxing and physical training.

It didn't seem like just another role to Martin. "She wants to do this because she feels like it's important," she comments of Sweeney. "I was 100 percent in, and I was open to share my story, the little details that sometimes aren't easy to talk about."

When it came to the difficult material, the team filmed all the sequences in Martin's house with Jim during the first week of production, according to Sweeney. "We started off right out the gate with the very heavy and crucial moments of Christy's life," the actress remarks.

Christy Martin in the ring (1997).

Andy Lyons/Getty

That Wednesday marked Wever's first day filming as Joyce. It was the scene where Martin first shares with her mom how scared she was of her husband, only for Joyce to turn her away and take Jim's side. "My mother passed in February. It's all real, but it's still hard to see," Martin comments of that moment. "The last thing you want to do is go to your mother for help and not get it. That scene may be harder than the attack for me to actually watch."

Two days later, on that Friday, the team shot Jim attacking Martin with a knife and a gun. Martin wasn't on set for the filming of this moment, "upon the request of everyone, I think," she says. "It protected me."

Sweeney acknowledges that a lot of thought went into that attack sequence. "It was a very heavy week," she comments, "but having a scene partner like Ben and a director like David, you know that you're in good hands 'cause you feel safe with everyone, you trust everyone, and you know that everybody also is handling this with the utmost respect and care. You talk about it, you just go hand in hand, and you dive right in."

Katy O'Brian as Lisa Holewyne, Sydney Sweeney as Christy Martin in 'Christy'.

Black Bear Pictures

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Martin remains overwhelmed with the reaction she's seen to her story. She's been promoting the film with her now-wife Lisa Holewyne and their dog, Champ, by her side. Holewyne, also a former professional boxer, appears in the film by way of Katy O'Brian (*Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning*). After squaring off in the ring, the two developed a long-term friendship that eventually blossomed into a romantic relationship.

"Women are coming to share their story about domestic violence. There's people coming to me about sexuality," Martin says. "They're really reacting in a positive way."

For Sweeney, "It's honestly a life-changing experience in a way, of knowing that I can be a part of Christy's story that can help others."

For Martin, "This movie's bigger than Hollywood."

*Christy* opens in theaters this weekend.**

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Everything to know about the controversial Michael Jackson biopic (and what Paris Jackson thinks ...

Jaafar Jackson, Michael's nephew, leads the cast alongside Colman Domingo and Miles Teller. Everything to know about the controversial Michael Jackson biopic (and what Paris Jackson thinks of it) Jaafar Jackson, Michael's nephew, leads the cast alongside Colman Domingo and Miles Teller. By Randall Colburn :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/RandallColburnauthorphotoe7e8b48d9f8645588439077e721a5f48.jpg) Randall Colburn Randall Colburn is a writer and editor at . His work has previously appeared on The A.V. Club, The Guardian, The Ringer, and many other publications.

Jaafar Jackson, Michael's nephew, leads the cast alongside Colman Domingo and Miles Teller.

Everything to know about the controversial Michael Jackson biopic (and what Paris Jackson thinks of it)

Jaafar Jackson, Michael's nephew, leads the cast alongside Colman Domingo and Miles Teller.

By Randall Colburn

Randall Colburn

Randall Colburn is a writer and editor at **. His work has previously appeared on *The A.V. Club, The Guardian, The Ringer*, and many other publications.

EW's editorial guidelines

November 7, 2025 10:32 a.m. ET

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'; Michael Jackson at the opening of 'Dream Girls' in 1983 in Los Angeles. Credit:

Glen Wilson/Lionsgate; Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty

- Following years of development and production, Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson biopic is arriving in April 2026.

- Jaafar Jackson, Michael's nephew, stars as the pop icon alongside Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, and Nia Long.

- Several controversies have circled the production, including criticism from Paris Jackson.

*Michael*, an upcoming biopic about pop icon Michael Jackson, promises to unleash the man in the mirror.

The film's roots date back to 2019, when producer Graham King, an architect of the Oscar-winning Freddie Mercury biopic *Bohemian Rhapsody,* announced his intentions to bring Jackson's story to the big screen. The project has secured several high-profile artists, from A-listers like Colman Domingo and Miles Teller to director Antoine Fuqua and Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Logan.

But *Michael* has also hit several roadblocks, with the King of Pop's past legal troubles haunting the production and Jackson's daughter, Paris, decrying its depiction of her late father, who died in 2009 from acute propofol intoxication.

Here's everything we know about the Michael Jackson biopic, from its release date and cast to the controversies that have plagued its production.**

What is Michael about?

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'.

*Michael* aims to deliver a life-spanning portrait of the icon, "tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson 5 to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world."

The official logline continues, "Highlighting both his life off stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins."

A previous synopsis called the project "a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant and complicated man who became known worldwide as the King of Pop," promising a peek at the artist's "triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale."

See cast of Michael Jackson biopic and the real people they're playing

Colman Domingo says Michael Jackson biopic is 'gonna surprise people'

Playing Michael is the singer's real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, the son of former Jackson 5 member Jermaine Jackson.

Speaking at Las Vegas' CinemaCon in April 2024, King spoke about what drew him to the project. "The filmmaking stories that I've always gravitated to have characters that are multi-dimensional, and where there are elements of drama, intrigue, conflict, emotional stakes," he said. "Then I try and find the untold version of the story — and try and set it from a perspective that hopefully gives the audience something new to take away creatively. As you can only imagine, Michael Jackson ticks all those boxes."

He also briefly acknowledged the numerous controversies surrounding Jackson, including multiple allegations of child sex abuse (which the Jackson estate has deemed "absolutely false").

"[Michael was] an enigma, full of eccentricity, electrifying talent, arguably the most famous entertainer to ever cross the planet," King continued. "And yet behind the unrelenting scrutiny and the accusations and the grinding media spotlight, he was simply a man. A man who lived a very complicated life. The movie will get into all of it, including over 30 songs, recreating some of the most iconic performances on stage as well as his life out of the public eye."**

Is there a Michael trailer?

Yes, the first teaser trailer for *Michael* arrived in November 2025. "I know you've been waiting a long time for this," intones a record producer in the opening moments, a sly nod at the film's long road to production.

The minute-long teaser is heavy on performance footage, with Jaafar Jackson adopting the famous outfits and dance moves that made his uncle famous. Most notable? A shot of the young performer in the zombie makeup from Michael's beloved (and still freaky) "Thriller" music video.**

Who's in the cast of Michael?

The Jackson 5 in 'Michael'.

Glen Wilson/Lionsgate

Jaafar Jackson, the pop star's real-life nephew, leads the cast as Michael. This will be Jaafar's screen acting debut, though the young artist is a singer and dancer in his own right. As of this writing, the video for his 2019 single "Got Me Singing" has nearly 10 million views on YouTube.

"It's uncanny how much he's like Michael," Fuqua previously told **. "Sounds like him, dances like him, sings. It's really uncanny. Graham King, who is a fantastic producer, found him, and introduced him to me, and I was blown away." If you don't believe him, just take a look at the picture.

Two-time Oscar nominee Colman Domingo, who won an Emmy for his turn on HBO's *Euphoria* (2019–present), plays Michael's father, Joe Jackson, a controversial figure in his own right.

"I wanted to take it on because I know that there's many public opinions about Joe Jackson that are in conflict of what maybe family members or people who knew him think or believe. And even that is very complicated," the actor told EW in February 2024. "I want to figure him out and find out what made him tick. How did he create these magnificent artists, these world-acclaimed artists? Because it was a lot through Joe, what Joe did and his impact. Whether good, bad, or ugly, I'm not sure."

Miles Teller, acclaimed for his turns in *Whiplash* (2014) and *Top Gun: Maverick* (2022), costars as John Branca, Michael's lawyer and manager. Nia Long (*The Best Man*) appears as Michael's mother, Katherine, while Larenz Tate (*Power*) features as music producer Berry Gordy, who worked closely with the Jackson 5.

Many of Michael's famous contemporaries will also appear in the film. Kat Graham (*The Vampire Diaries*) will notably appear as Diana Ross, the "Queen of Motown." Audiences will also see Liv Symone (*Power Book III: Raising Kanan)* as Gladys Knight, Kevin Shinick (*Robot Chicken)* as Dick Clark, and Kendrick Sampson (*Insecure)* as Quincy Jones.**

What are the Michael Jackson biopic controversies?

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'.

Kevin Mazur for Lionsgate

Michael's complicated legacy and numerous allegations of child sex abuse have been raised by many critics since the film was announced. In 2003, the singer was arrested and charged with child molestation. He was acquitted of all charges in 2005 following a trial that spanned nearly four months.

Foremost among the film's critics is Dan Reed, the filmmaker behind the 2019 documentary *Leaving Neverland*, which unpacks the allegations of two men who claim Michael sexually molested them as children.

After reading a draft of the script, Reed condemned the project as a "complete whitewash" of Michael's life. "It's an out-and-out attempt to completely rewrite the allegations and dismiss them out of hand, and contains complete lies," Reed told *The Times of London* in March 2024. "You never even see him alone with any boys, when it is a matter of fact that he shared his bed with small children for many years."

Fuqua, *Michael*'s director, previously told EW that his goal was to "tell the facts as we know it, about the artist, about the man, about the human being." The film has the backing of the Jackson estate.

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'.

Glen Wilson/Lionsgate

Early in 2025, the production allegedly hit a legal roadblock due to a clause in a settlement made with one of Jackson's former accusers, Jordan Chandler.

In 1993, Chandler accused Michael of sexually abusing him when he was 13 years old, leading to a settlement with the musician for a reported $25 million. In a January 2025 report from *Puck*, which cited multiple sources, the settlement reportedly states that the Chandlers are not to be mentioned or dramatized in any film about Michael. This was overlooked prior to production.

*Puck* declared this to be a "nightmare scenario" for the production, as Chandler was reportedly a key figure in Logan's script. The result, per the outlet, was heavy rewrites and reshoots.

A source close to the production disputed this characterization to PEOPLE. "The Michael Jackson biopic is not in total chaos," they said. "The inflammatory headlines about the moving halting are simply not true. The film is moving forward, and reshoots are happening in March."

Spokespersons for Lionsgate, King, and the attorney who represents the Jackson estate did not respond to **'s request for comment.**

What has Paris Jackson said about Michael?

Paris Jackson at the Chloe Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025-2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week in March 2025.

Marc Piasecki / Contributor / Getty Images

Paris Jackson, Michael's daughter with his second wife, Debbie Rowe, has voiced criticism of the project, saying the draft of the script she read was "dishonest" and "filled with inaccuracies."

According to an Instagram Story shared by Paris in September 2025, she offered feedback on an early draft of the script and was told that production "was not actually going to address" her notes. Since then, she said, she has not been involved.

She did, however, warn fans not to expect an honest portrayal of her dad's life. "A big reason why I haven't said anything up until this point is because I know a lot of you guys are gonna be happy with it," she said. "A big section of the film panders to a very specific section of my dad's fandom that still lives in the fantasy, and they're gonna be happy with it."

She continued, citing the glut of musical biopics in recent years. "The thing about these biopics is, it's Hollywood. It's fantasyland. It's not real. But it's sold to you as real," she said. "The narrative is being controlled. And there's a lot of inaccuracy and there's a lot of just full-blown lies. At the end of the day, that doesn't really fly with me."**

When does Michael come out?

*Michael* is slated to arrive in theaters on April 24, 2026.**

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.*****

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Netflix has many quality offerings, including beloved classics and compelling originals. The 25 best movies on Netflix Netflix has many quality offerings, including beloved classics and compelling originals. By Kevin Jacobsen and Declan Gallagher on November 7, 2025 11:50 a.m. ET :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/bestmoviesonnetlfix110725f5fe610c164d4aa7883b5f61ec66603a.jpg) Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein in 'Frankenstein'; Song Kangho as Kim Kitaek in 'Parasite'; Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa in 'Inglourious Basterds'.

Netflix has many quality offerings, including beloved classics and compelling originals.

The 25 best movies on Netflix

Netflix has many quality offerings, including beloved classics and compelling originals.

By Kevin Jacobsen

and Declan Gallagher

on November 7, 2025 11:50 a.m. ET

Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein in 'Frankenstein'; Song Kang-ho as Kim Ki-taek in 'Parasite'; Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa in 'Inglourious Basterds'. Credit:

Ken Woroner/Netflix; Neon; Francois Duhamel

When Netflix introduced its then-revolutionary mail-in rental service in the late '90s, it was competing with businesses like movie theaters, Blockbuster, and even Tower Video. Some of those stalwarts have faltered, but Netflix has only continued to expand its library and influence, shifting to a streaming platform in 2007 that offers studio and indie films, cable and broadcast TV series, and its own prestige (or not) content.

Beyond a treasure trove of original series and features, the service has curated a laundry list of excellent films both new and old. Here are the 25 best movies on Netflix right now.

George MacKay as Lance Corporal Will Schofield and Benedict Cumberbatch as Colonel Mackenzie in '1917'.

Francois Duhamel/Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

This Oscar-winning war film presents its story with bracing realism. In *1917*, Lance Corporal William "Will" Schofield (George MacKay) is a British soldier embarking on a perilous journey through the trenches and battlefields of World War I. Will is paired with Lance Corporal Thomas "Tom" Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and tasked with personally delivering a message to a colonel to call off an offensive attack that would put British soldiers in harm's way.

Director Sam Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakins skillfully give the film the illusion of being shot seamlessly — as if in only one continuous take — which, EW's critic observes, "effectively drops the viewer into the center of the story and compels them to stay there, fully immersed in every muddy step, hunger pang, and rifle click." —*Kevin Jacobsen***** Where to watch *1917*: Netflix******EW grade:** A–******Director:** Sam Mendes******Cast:** George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch**

28 Years Later (2025)

Alfie Williams as Spike, Jodie Comer as Isla, and Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Kelson in '28 Years Later'.

Miya Mizuno/Columbia Pictures

While *28 Days Later* (2002) and its sequel, *28 Weeks Later *(2007), focused on the immediate aftermath of the devastating "Rage Virus," this third installment explores how society has adapted to its dystopian new reality. The film follows Spike (Alfie Williams), a boy who's only ever known life under quarantine, as he ventures out with his father (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) into dangerous territory. Exploring themes of grief and mortality without sacrificing the gruesome violence we've come to expect from the franchise, *28 Years Later* is, as EW's critic puts it, "strange, unpredictable, gloriously revolting, darkly funny, and, when you least expect it, rather touching." —*K.J.***

Where to watch *28 Years Later*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Danny Boyle

**Cast:** Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Alfie Williams, Jack O'Connell**

Boyz N the Hood (1991)

Leonette Scott as Tisha and Cuba Gooding Jr. as Jason 'Tre' Styles III in 'Boyz N the Hood'.

Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.), an aspiring college student, dreams big while trying to survive the streets of South Central L.A. in this absorbing coming-of-age drama. A war between rival gangs begins when Tre's childhood friend Doughboy (Ice Cube) is released from prison and now a member of the Crips. After the Bloods start a conflict with Ricky (Morris Chestnut), the tension between the gangs reaches a breaking point.

Writer-director John Singleton earned heaps of praise for the film, including two Oscar nominations. EW's critic notes of Singleton's direction: "Through dialogue and atmosphere, he establishes how the cult of violence — of guns, and the neurotic masculine power they represent — has, in an era of hopelessness, become a face-saving religion for Black urban youth, one that's working to devour all nonbelievers." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Boyz N the Hood*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B–

**Director:** John Singleton

**Cast:** Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, Morris Chestnut, Laurence Fishburne, Nia Long, Angela Bassett, Regina King**

Clueless (1995)

Stacey Dash as Dionne Davenport and Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz in 'Clueless'.

Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

*As if* we wouldn't recommend this '90s favorite whenever it shows up on any streaming service.**** Amy Heckerling cleverly adapted the story structure of Jane Austen's classic novel *Emma* and it with a Beverly Hills high school setting. In her most iconic role, Alicia Silverstone plays Cher Horowitz, a popular fashion-forward student who enjoys tending to her projects, by which we mean playing with people's lives, from becoming a matchmaker for her teachers to giving new student Tai (Brittany Murphy) a makeover. But Cher's pampered world is thrown into chaos when Tai takes a liking to the boy she might be *totally* crushing on. While EW's critic initially gave *Clueless* a C+, the film has since been regarded as a modern classic and one of the best high school movies of all time. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Clueless*: Netflix

**Director:** Amy Heckerling

**Cast:** Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd, Donald Faison

Emily the Criminal (2022)

Aubrey Plaza as Emily Benetto in 'Emily the Criminal'. Sundance Institute

Aubrey Plaza gives one of her finest turns to date in this grounded thriller. She plays the titular down-on-her-luck felon who resorts to theft to make her way out from under a mountain of debt. "She may be a wanton criminal, but she's also a woman very much for these times," EW's critic writes. "Not the anti-heroine we knew we needed, maybe, but one that we deserve." It's a visceral, often unbearably anxious film that showcases Plaza's steeliest, most nuanced performance in a career full of them. *—Declan Gallagher*

Where to watch *Emily the Criminal*: Netflix through Dec. 6

**EW grade: **B+

**Director:** John Patton Ford

**Cast:** Aubrey Plaza, Gina Gershon, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Theo Rossi, Bernardo Badillo

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

E.T. in 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'.

Universal Pictures

With *E.T.*, Steven Spielberg invoked a kind of timeless childlike wonder that resonates with kids and adults alike. The sci-fi classic centers on a boy named Elliott (Henry Thomas) who befriends a kind alien creature who was left behind on Earth by his fellow invaders. As Elliott tries to help the creature he dubs E.T. find his way home, he also develops a close kinship with him, allowing himself to work through the difficulties of his parents' divorce. If the climactic bicycle race through the sky — backed by John Williams' soaring score — doesn't have you in tears, you might just be an alien, too. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial*: Netflix

**Director:** Steven Spielberg

**Cast:** Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore**

Frankenstein (2025)

Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the Creature in 'Frankenstein'.

Courtesy of Netflix

Guillermo del Toro, lover of monsters big and small, proves to be an ideal fit for adapting the story of Frankenstein. Del Toro remains relatively faithful to the gothic sensibility of Mary Shelley's novel, which centers on the titular scientist as he creates a sentient creature in his lab. As in the book, this adaptation sees the makeshift father and son at odds, though del Toro provides us with a much more sympathetic Creature, brought to life brilliantly by Jacob Elordi in all his sad-eyed, long-limbed wonder.

"Every time you have drama on film is great," del Toro explains to EW. "Every time you have drama in your life, it's coming from a false understanding of life. Either you think you *deserve* more or you don't deserve this. And the word 'deserve' has nothing to do with living. It just is. And the movie tries to show those things." —*K.J.***

Where to watch *Frankenstein*: Netflix

**Director:** Guillermo del Toro

**Cast:** Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

Godzilla in 'Godzilla Minus One'.

Toho International/Courtesy Everett Collection

Films in the long-running *Godzilla* franchise aren't exactly known for their human characters compared to the titular giant reptilian monster, but this universally acclaimed installment is a rare exception. The film focuses on former kamikaze pilot Kōichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki), a man with PTSD after failing to prevent Godzilla from destroying an island community during World War II. Haunted by the incident, Shikishima looks for redemption when the imposing monster returns to terrorize Japan.

EW's critic ranks *Godzilla Minus One* — which won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects — as the fourth-best film in the franchise, writing, "This sweeping blend of character-driven drama, maritime adventure, and kaiju mayhem is popcorn entertainment at its best." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Godzilla Minus One*: Netflix

**Director:** Takashi Yamazaki

**Cast:** Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Sakura Ando, Kuranosuke Sasaki

I'm Still Here (2024)

Selton Mello as Rubens Paiva and Fernanda Torres as Eunice Paiva with their onscreen children in 'I'm Still Here'.

Alile Onawale/Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Fernanda Torres delivers one of 2024's best performances as Brazilian activist Eunice Paiva in this deeply emotional drama. Based on a true story, the film follows Eunice as she grapples with the forced disappearance of her politician husband under Brazil's military dictatorship in the 1970s. As she tries to hold things together for her children, she seeks answers for where her husband is — and if he's still alive. Torres provides a steadfast determination to her performance as Eunice, winning a Golden Globe and receiving an Oscar nomination for her work. —*K.J.***

Where to watch *I'm Still Here*: Netflix

**Director:** Walter Salles

**Cast:** Fernanda Torres, Selton Mello, Fernanda Montenegro

I'm Your Venus (2025)

Amara Xtravaganza and Gisele Xtravaganza in 'I'm Your Venus'.

One of the standout ballroom performers featured in the seminal 1990 documentary *Paris Is Burning* is Venus Xtravaganza, whose life was tragically cut short after being found strangled to death at the age of 22. Believed to be the victim of a hate crime, the unsolved case is reexamined in this moving documentary about Venus' biological and chosen families coming together to honor her memory and find answers. Director Kimberly Reed also leaves plenty of room to celebrate Venus' life and her lasting impact on the trans community and ball culture. —*K.J.***

Where to watch *I'm Your Venus*: Netflix

**Director:** Kimberly Reed

**Cast:** Venus Xtravaganza, Gisele Xtravaganza, Gia Marie Love, Dominique Jackson

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Til Schweiger as Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz, Gedeon Burkhard as Cpl. Wilhelm Wicki, and Brad Pitt as Aldo Raine in 'Inglourious Basterds'. Francois Duhamel/TWC

Quentin Tarantino's first of three revisionist historical epics (preceding 2012's *Django Unchained* and 2019's *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood*) is a wildly entertaining Molotov cocktail. The film follows the parallel courses of a commando unit of mostly Jewish-American soldiers and a French woman looking for revenge as they both try to take down the Nazis during World War II. Bolstered by an instantly iconic Oscar-winning performance from Christoph Waltz as a wicked SS officer, *Inglourious Basterds* is a thrilling slice of alternate history, written with Tarantino's signature sharp sense of dialogue. —*K.J.***

Where to watch *Inglourious Basterds*: Netflix through Nov. 30

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Quentin Tarantino

**Cast:** Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Mélanie Laurent, Michael Fassbender, Eli Roth, Diane Kruger, Daniel Brühl

Nyad (2023)

Annette Bening as Diana Nyad and Jodie Foster as Bonnie Stoll in 'Nyad'. Kimberley French/Netflix

Annette Bening gives an astonishing, Oscar-nominated performance as real-life marathon swimmer Diana Nyad, who at 64 trained to become the first person to swim to Cuba. Equally riveting as Nyad's trainer is Jodie Foster (also Oscar-nominated), reminding viewers that in terms of steely confidence, someone rarely does it better than her. "The two women also share an effortless chemistry that breathes vitality into their onscreen bond and wholeheartedly sells their decades-long connection," EW's critic writes. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Nyad*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B–

**Directors: **Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

**Cast:** Annette Bening, Jodie Foster, Rhys Ifans

Parasite (2019)

Choi Woo-shik as Kim Ki-woo, Song Kang-ho as Kim Ki-taek, Jang Hye-jin as Chung-sook, and Park So-dam as Kim Ki-jung in 'Parasite'.

Neon/Moviestore/Shutterstock

Who is the real parasite in *Parasite*? Is it the low-income, working Kim family that gradually worms their way into the lives of the wealthy Park family? Or is it the Parks benefiting from the hard work of those they deem below them? Bong Joon Ho's darkly comedic thriller is brilliant and propulsive in many ways, entertaining the audience with its twists and turns while also providing trenchant social commentary about class and capitalism. EW's critic calls *Parasite* a "serrating, brilliantly stylized portrait of class and fate and family" as well as "a filmgoing experience that refuses to fit into any box." —*K.J.***

Where to watch *Parasite*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Bong Joon Ho

**Cast:** Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik, Park So-dam, Jang Hye-jin

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The Power of the Dog (2021)

Jesse Plemons as George Burbank and Kirsten Dunst as Rose Gordon in 'The Power of the Dog'. Netflix

Jane Campion's adaptation of the Thomas Savage novel is a spellbinding Western drama about power and control. Set in 1920s Montana, the film centers on Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch), a cruel rancher who psychologically torments his brother (Jesse Plemons), sister-in-law (Kirsten Dunst), and her soft-spoken son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) on the ranch they share. After Peter discovers a buried secret about Phil, he methodically plots his revenge on his uncle. Campion deservedly won an Oscar for Best Director for the film; as EW's critic praises, "being submerged in her ineffable world feels not just like two hours in the dark, but high art." —*K.J.***

Where to watch *The Power of the Dog*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Jane Campion

**Cast:** Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons, Kirsten Dunst, Kodi Smit-McPhee

RRR (2022)

N.T. Rama Rao Jr. as Komaram Bheem and Ram Charan as Alluri Sitarama Raju in 'RRR'.

Raftar Creations/Courtesy Everett Collection

This Indian action epic rightfully broke out as an international success in 2022. Set during the British Raj in the 1920s, the film centers on Komaram Bheem (N.T. Rama Rao Jr.) and his plan to reunite a kidnapped girl with her mother; meanwhile, a determined officer, Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan), is hot on his trail. Their lives intersect when they rescue a boy in a train accident and they form a bond, ironically unaware of each other's identities. Packed with rousing sequences (particularly the performance of the Oscar-winning song "Naatu Naatu"), *RRR* is an entertaining thrill ride that puts Hollywood blockbusters to shame. *—K.J.***

Where to watch *RRR*: Netflix**

**Director:** S.S. Rajamouli

**Cast:** N.T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Shriya Saran, Samuthirakani, Ray Stevenson, Alison Doody, Olivia Morris

Saturday Night (2024)

(From left to right): Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner, Matt Wood as John Belushi, and Dylan O'Brien as Dan Aykroyd in 'Saturday Night'.

*Saturday Night Live* has become a true institution in the television landscape...which would surprise most people involved in the making of the late-night sketch show in 1975. This propulsive dramedy from writer-director Jason Reitman gives us a near-minute-by-minute dramatization of the nail-biting 90 minutes leading up to the show's premiere on Oct. 11, 1975. EW's critic praises *Saturday Night* as "a wildly entertaining love letter to a night of television that marked a cultural watershed." —*K.J.***

Where to watch *Saturday Night*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Jason Reitman

**Cast:** Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O'Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Kaia Gerber, Tommy Dewey, Willem Dafoe, Matthew Rhys, J.K. Simmons

Shiva Baby (2021)

Rachel Sennott as Danielle in 'Shiva Baby'. Utopia

Don't be fooled by the slight, 78-minute runtime or the silliness of the poster: This is one of the most anxiety-inducing films of the decade — intentionally so. In her breakout role, Rachel Sennott plays Danielle, an aimless college student attending a shiva with her parents. While there, she grapples (often hilariously) with a series of awkward interactions, particularly when she spots her sugar daddy and finds out he's married. EW's critic praises *Shiva Baby* as "blithely ruthless," calling it "a sort of endless festivus of cringe so visceral it borders on body horror." —*K.J.***

Where to watch *Shiva Baby*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Emma Seligman

**Cast:** Rachel Sennott, Molly Gordon, Polly Draper, Danny Deferrari, Fred Melamed, Dianna Agron

Spencer (2021)

Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana in 'Spencer'. Pablo Larrain/Neon/Courtesy Everett Collection

*Spencer* is far from the Princess Diana biopic you would expect. Beginning with a title card that reads "A fable from a true tragedy," this psychological drama from Pablo Larraín envisions an emotionally taxing Christmas holiday that Princess Diana spent with the British royal family in 1991. While the holiday took place in real life, the film imagines how Diana may have felt as the pressures of her situation cause her to unravel. Kristen Stewart's Oscar-nominated portrayal of Diana is a genius bit of casting, as she plays into the discomfort of the beloved princess with shocking vulnerability. —*K.J.***

Where to watch *Spencer*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Pablo Larraín

**Cast:** Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall, Jack Farthing, Sean Harris, Sally Hawkins

Tangerine (2015)

Mya Taylor as Alexandra and Kitana Kiki Rodriguez as Sin-Dee Rella in 'Tangerine'. Everett Collection

There is much to praise with this independent film from writer-director Sean Baker: it was shot entirely by iPhones and has great style; it casts two transgender actresses as leads, each giving strong performances. But it's also a good old-fashioned screwball comedy, following a day in the lives of transgender sex worker friends Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) and Alexandra (Mya Taylor), After Alexandra informs Sin-Dee that the latter's boyfriend has been cheating on her, the pair go on a journey through the streets of Hollywood to confront him. EW's critic raves, "*Tangerine* is touching for its non-condescending stance toward working girls and the spirit of the sidewalk." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Tangerine*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Sean Baker

**Cast:** Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor, Karren Karagulian, Mickey O'Hagan, Alla Tumanian, James Ransone

The Teachers' Lounge (2023)

Leonie Benesch as Carla Nowak in 'The Teachers' Lounge'.

Sony Pictures Classics/Everett Collection

After this tense Oscar-nominated German film gets going, it refuses to let up. Carla Nowak (Leonie Benesch) is the bright-eyed new teacher at a school where her fellow educators are trying to uncover the culprit behind multiple thefts from the teachers' lounge. She soon finds herself embroiled in the case when she spots a colleague stealing money, only for that colleague to deflect onto her. *The Teachers' Lounge* moves with the energy of a thriller, with viewers' anxiety rising the further Carla grapples with mounting pressure. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *The Teachers' Lounge*: Netflix

**Director: **Ilker Çatak

**Cast:** Leonie Benesch, Michael Klammer, Rafael Stachowiak, Anne-Kathrin Gummich, Eva Löbau

Tick, Tick... BOOM! (2021)

Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson in 'Tick, Tick... BOOM!'. Macall B. Polay/Netflix

Jonathan Larson was a celebrated composer and playwright most famous for penning the Broadway musical *Rent*. He also wrote a semi-autobiographical musical based on his life called *Tick, Tick...Boom!*, which Lin-Manuel Miranda adapted to this well-received musical drama. Andrew Garfield, in an Oscar-nominated turn, stars as Larson, following his struggle to mount a musical while dealing with a tumultuous personal life. "*Tick, Tick… Boom!* is a totem for the thrills and trials of making art, with all the sacrifices and empathy it requires," EW's critic writes. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Tick, Tick... BOOM!*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director: **Lin-Manuel Miranda

**Cast:** Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesús, Joshua Henry, Judith Light, Vanessa Hudgens

Triple Frontier (2019)

Oscar Isaac as Santiago 'Pope' Garcia and Ben Affleck as Tom 'Redfly' Davis in 'Triple Frontier'. Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix

J.C. Chandor's masculine action riff, about a group of special ops planning a heist in South America, is a stark contrast to his earlier, more patient efforts in 2011's *Margin Call*, 2013's *All Is Lost*, or 2014's *A Most Violent Year* (his masterpiece). While not as thematically strong as those films, *Triple Frontier* offers a dose of adrenaline that, much like *The Strangers*, harkens back to a forgotten era of mid-'70s B pictures. "There may be no honor among thieves," EW's critic writes, "but *Triple Frontier *certainly makes watching them pretty entertaining." *—D.G.*

Where to watch *Triple Frontier*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** J.C. Chandor

**Cast:** Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal, Garrett Hedlund

Will & Harper (2024)

Harper Steele and Will Ferrell in 'Will & Harper'.

Courtesy of Netflix

Will Ferrell and Harper Steele have been close friends since joining *Saturday Night Live* in the mid-'90s. After Steele came out as a trans woman in 2022, she and Ferrell embarked on a road trip across America so he could get to know her authentic truth and for her own personal journey of self-acceptance. This documentary — hilarious and moving in equal measure — chronicles the trip as Ferrell learns how to be an ally and wield his privilege for good and Steele opens up about her demons and finds catharsis. "Come for the laughs, cameos, and raw emotions," writes EW's critic, "stay for the pitch-perfect theme song co-written and performed by Kristen Wiig." —*K.J.***

Where to watch *Will & Harper*: Netflix

**Director: **Josh Greenbaum

**Cast:** Will Ferrell, Harper Steele

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More (2024)

Benedict Cumberbatch as Henry Sugar in 'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar'.

This whimsical anthology film finds auteur director Wes Anderson bringing the stories of Roald Dahl to life. Originally released as four short films in 2023, Netflix has now assembled them all into one collection. *The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar*, which won the Oscar for Best Live Action Short, centers on the titular character's years-long training process to be able to see without his eyes — all so he can cheat at gambling.

Other shorts are *The Swan *(about the struggles of a bullied boy), *The Rat Catcher *(about, well, an exterminator of rats), and *Poison *(about a man who finds a snake in his bed). Anderson's flair for carefully crafted aesthetics is a throughline, as is his love of the art of storytelling. —*K.J.***

Where to watch *The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More*: Netflix

**Director: **Wes Anderson

**Cast:** Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, Richard Ayoade, Rupert Friend

The Wrong Missy (2020)

David Spade as Tim Morris and Lauren Lapkus as Missy in 'The Wrong Missy'.

Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix/Everett

On paper, *The Wrong Missy* is nothing new: David Spade goes on a bad date with Lauren Lapkus, whose name is Missy, and then means to invite a cute girl (Molly Sims), hilariously also named Missy, with him on a company retreat to Hawaii. (No points for guessing which Missy ends up on the trip.) The film coasts by on a general likability, but if not for Lapkus' performance, the story would be lost at sea. She glues the entire enterprise together with a mixture of well-played raunch and genuine pathos, selling the moment and keeping the plot bouncing along to the next joke. *—D.G.*

Where to watch *The Wrong Missy*: Netflix

**Director: **Tyler Spindel

**Cast:** Lauren Lapkus, David Spade, Molly Sims, Jackie Sandler, Rob Schneider

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Movies"

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Source: Movies

Published: November 09, 2025 at 08:38AM on Source: MORNING MAG

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November 08, 2025

The 25 best movies on Netflix

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Catch a sneak peek of the bloodbath in theaters this December with &34;Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution.&34; Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 sets 2026 premiere for highly anticipated Culling Game arc Catch a sneak peek of the bloodbath in theaters this December with &34;Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution.&34; By Nick Romano :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/NicholasRomanoauthorphotoadc9b60763e34711935cbf7b3d768d24.jpg) Nick Romano is a senior editor at with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in Vanity Fair, Vulture, IGN, and more.

Catch a sneak peek of the bloodbath in theaters this December with "Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution."

Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 sets 2026 premiere for highly anticipated Culling Game arc

Catch a sneak peek of the bloodbath in theaters this December with "Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution."

By Nick Romano

Nick Romano is a senior editor at ** with 15 years of journalism experience covering entertainment. His work previously appeared in *Vanity Fair*, Vulture, IGN, and more.

EW's editorial guidelines

November 7, 2025 11:21 a.m. ET

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Yuta Okkotsu in 'Jujutsu Kaisen' season 3. Credit:

Let the Culling Game begin!

Crunchyroll officially set *Jujutsu Kaisen* season 3's premiere in the U.S. for Jan. 8, 2026, the streamer announced Friday. The new batch of episodes will adapt the Culling Game arc, a highly anticipated event from the manga that sees jujutsu sorcerers battle it out in a deadly tournament.

The first time anime enthusiasts will be able to experience the Culling Game, however, will be in theaters next month. As previously announced, *Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution* will arrive in North American cinemas as a movie compilation that includes the Shibuya Incident episodes from season 2, as well as an early look at the first two episodes of season 3's Culling Game Part I.

Yuji Itadori in 'Jujutsu Kaisen' season 3.

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Released in Japan as *Jujutsu Kaisen: The Movie — Shibuya Incident Special Edition x Culling Game Advance Screening*, the *Execution* compilation will hit 100 IMAX screens nationwide for one night on Dec. 3 before expanding theatrically on Dec. 5 from GKIDS.

The story of the Shibuya Incident saw a mysterious veil trap countless citizens inside the busy Shibuya area. Satoru Gojo, the strongest jujutsu sorcerer, arrived to address the chaos, but curse users and spirits plotted to seal him away.

With the launch of the Culling Game in the aftermath, 10 colonies from across Japan are transformed into dens of curses as part of a plot orchestrated by the most wicked sorcerer in history, Noritoshi Kamo. Following his debut in season 2 and the prequel movie *Jujutsu Kaisen 0*, Special Grade sorcerer Yuta Okkotsu is assigned to carry out Yuji Itadori's execution for perceived crimes.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

Kayleigh McKee, who voices Yuta Okkotsu, admitted during a panel at New York Comic Con that she didn't know who the character was when she auditioned.

"I had watched season 1 — I had actually auditioned for Yuji," McKee said. "I got the sides for Yuta and, I'll be honest, I wasn't reading the manga at that point. I didn't know who Yuta was."

*Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution* following strong box office debuts in America for anime titles *Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle* and *Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc*. The former became the biggest anime title of all time in terms of ticket sales, while the latter topped the U.S. box office on opening weekend.

Watch the trailer for *Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution* above.

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW TV"

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---

Source: TV

Published: November 09, 2025 at 08:38AM on Source: MORNING MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byAdministrator

in

November 08, 2025

Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 sets 2026 premiere for highly anticipated Culling Game arc

Catch a sneak peek of the bloodbath in theaters this December with &34; Jujutsu Kaisen : Execution.&34; Jujutsu Kais...

Read More