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The best new streaming movies this week: Dìdi and more

Explore our list of five must-see new movies.
By

Published onOctober 10, 2024

We’ve got a great round-up this week, with horror, action, and comedy lined up for you. Grab a cup of coffee and get started with the list!

The best new streaming movies this week

Dìdi – October 4, Peacock

  • Release date: July 26, 2024 
  • Genre: Comedy, Drama
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Sean Wang
  • Cast: Izaac Wang, Joan Chen, Shirley Chen, Chang Li Hua, Mahaela Park, Raul Dial, Aaron Chang

On the cusp of high school, Chris struggles to find his place in a predominantly white community. He surrounds himself with other kids of color like Farad and Jimmy, but even they seem to be drifting towards a more assimilated “bro” culture that Chris can’t quite fit into.

Chris harbors a crush on a girl named Madi, who gives him backhanded compliments about being “cute for an Asian boy.” His attempts to be cool and masculine often backfire, leaving him feeling more isolated. At home, Chris clashes with his artistic mother, who faces challenges balancing her aspirations with her mother-in-law’s expectations while her husband works in Taiwan. Chris’s relationship with his older sister Vivian is initially antagonistic but softens as she recognizes his loneliness.

The Platform 2 – October 4, Netflix

  • Release date: October 4, 2024 
  • Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
  • Cast: Milena Smit, Hovik Keuchkerian, Natalia Tena, Óscar Jaenada, Ivan Massagué, Zorion Eguileor, Bastien Ughetto

How easily the oppressed can become oppressors when given a taste of control. The film picks up in the aftermath of the first movie’s events, with the system in chaos after the protagonist’s rebellious actions. A new arrival finds themselves thrust into this brutal world where a platform of food descends through hundreds of levels each day, leaving those on lower floors to starve if those above take more than their share.

This time, a mysterious leader has emerged, imposing their own brutal law within the prison. The newcomer must navigate this altered landscape, where the already tenuous rules of survival have been further warped. As they descend through the levels, they encounter both allies and enemies, each with their own agenda for survival or revolution.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die – October 8, Netflix

  • Release date: June 7, 2024 
  • Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Adil El Arbi
  • Cast: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Nuñez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd

The film opens with Mike’s wedding, a joyous occasion that takes a dark turn when Marcus suffers a near-fatal heart attack. During a brief encounter with the afterlife, Marcus receives a cryptic message from their old captain about an impending test Mike will face.

As Marcus recovers, the duo becomes embroiled in a complex case involving a dirty cop who’s attempting to sully their former captain’s legacy. The investigation leads them to cross paths with a U.S. Marshal who happens to be the captain’s daughter, as well as Mike’s ex-drug soldier son Armando, who they previously sent to prison. The case takes unexpected turns, forcing Mike and Marcus to confront ghosts from their past and question loyalties. Expect the franchise’s signature blend of explosive action sequences, comedic banter between the leads, and unexpected plot twists, all while testing the bonds of their partnership and chosen family.

Caddo Lake – October 10, Max

  • Release date: October 10, 2024 
  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Director: Logan George
  • Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Eliza Scanlen, Lauren Ambrose, Eric Lange, Sam Hennings, Diana Hopper, Lance E. Nichols

Set in the atmospheric bayou town on the Texas-Louisiana border, Caddo Lake weaves a complex mystery that blends Southern Gothic elements with mind-bending sci-fi. The story centers on two main characters whose lives become entangled in the lake’s strange phenomena.

When drought causes the lake’s water levels to recede, it exposes evidence of past deaths and disappearances, setting off a chain of events that will forever alter history. As Paris and Ellie each set off on separate but interconnected journeys into the heart of the bayou, they encounter inexplicable temporal anomalies and must confront long-buried secrets.

V/H/S Beyond – October 4, Shudder

  • Release date: September 20, 2024 
  • Genre: Horror
  • Rating: N.R.
  • Director: Jordan Downey
  • Cast: Brian Baker, Trevor Dow, Gerry Eng, Sam Gorski, Mitch Horowitz, Niko Pueringer, Wren Weichman

The sixth installment in the found-footage horror anthology series, V/H/S Beyond presents five new terrifying tales linked by themes of bodily transformation and encounters with the impossible. The wraparound segment follows a documentarian investigating a pair of VHS tapes allegedly capturing an alien encounter, setting the stage for the anthology’s exploration of the uncanny caught on camera.

In Stork, a team of officers searching for missing babies stumbles upon a house overrun by grotesque horrors, leading to a chaotic, gory showdown. Dream Girl begins as paparazzi pursue a Bollywood star, only for one to discover an unimaginable secret in the celebrity’s trailer, unleashing a frenetic and disorienting nightmare. V/H/S Beyond will shock, disorient, and unsettle you with its blend of cosmic horror, body transformation, and found-footage terror.

What was new and worth watching over the last month

Here’s a quick roundup of our previous lists if you missed them. Also, if you’re in the mood for something else this weekend, we have a list of streaming shows to cater to that.

Apartment 7A – September 27, Paramount Plus

  • Release date: September 20, 2024 
  • Genre: Horror, Thriller
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Natalie Erika James
  • Cast: Julia Garner, Dianne Wiest, Kevin McNally, Jim Sturgess, Marli Siu, Rosy McEwen, Andrew Buchan

This Rosemary’s Baby prequel focuses on Terry Gionoffrio, an ambitious dancer in 1960s New York whose Broadway dreams are crushed by a foot injury. Taken in by the mysterious Castevets, Terry is given a rent-free apartment in their building. But, there’s a catch. As her fortunes improve, she becomes entangled in the couple’s sinister plans involving devil worship.

The Castevets are on the search for a young woman to help them challenge God’s dominance, and Terry is a potential candidate. Same as Rosemary’s Baby, there’s a lot of subtext about ambition, pregnancy, and women’s isolation in the era, building tension as Terry’s involvement with the Castevets deepens and her true role in their scheme becomes clear.

Oddity – September 27, Shudder

  • Release date: August 20, 2024
  • Genre: Horror, Thriller 
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Damian Mc Carthy
  • Cast: Carolyn Bracken, Gwilym Lee, Tadhg Murphy, Caroline Menton, Jonathan French, Steve Wall, Joe Rooney

This psychological horror begins with Dani alone in an old stone country house when a one-eyed stranger warns her of imminent danger. A year after Dani’s mysterious death, her widower Ted visits Dani’s blind twin Darcy, who possesses the ability to read objects. Ted brings the glass eye of the man who warned Dani, hoping Darcy can uncover the truth.

The plot thickens with the introduction of a creepy wooden man statue and Ted’s new girlfriend Yana. Something’s definitely up as more supernatural elements emerge, and the tension escalates. The film plays with perceptions of reality, blurring the lines between the explicable and the paranormal as the characters unravel the circumstances of Dani’s death.

Will & Harper – September 27, Netflix

  • Release date: January 22, 2024 
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Josh Greenbaum
  • Cast: Will Ferrell, Harper Steele, Tim Meadows, Seth Meyers, Kristen Wiig, Colin Jost, Lorne Michaels

This documentary chronicles Will Ferrell’s road trip across America with his longtime friend Harper Steele, who has recently come out as a transgender woman. The film intimately captures their friendship through Harper’s transition and traverses various parts of the country, including potentially less accepting areas. If you’re coming out, the themes of curiosity and vulnerability will resonate with you.

The documentary provides candid moments of Harper answering personal questions about her transition, while also showcasing Ferrell’s process of learning to support his friend. Their journey includes encounters with diverse Americans, offering a nuanced look at acceptance and understanding in different communities.

Wolfs – September 27, Apple TV Plus

  • Release date: September 1, 2024 
  • Genre: Crime, Thriller
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Jon Watts
  • Cast: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Austin Abrams, Poorna Jagannathan, Amy Ryan, Zlatko Burić, Richard Kind

This crime-caper comedy stars George Clooney and Brad Pitt as rival fixers called to clean up a messy situation in a New York hotel room. When a woman discovers a man (supposedly not a prostitute) dead in her room, she calls Clooney’s character. Pitt’s character also arrives, sent by the hotel. As they attempt to handle the situation, they uncover drugs and become entangled with dangerous gangs.

The plot thickens when the supposedly dead man turns out to be alive and on the run. Clooney and Pitt’s characters are forced to work together despite their preference for solo operations. Their witty banter and conflicting methods drive the story as they race to resolve the increasingly complicated scenario before it spirals out of control.

Asphalt City – September 28, Hulu

  • Release date: March 29, 2024 
  • Genre: Drama, Thriller
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire
  • Cast: Sean Penn, Tye Sheridan, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Raquel Nave, Kali Reis, Michael Pitt, Katherine Waterston

This gritty drama follows Ollie Cross, a young paramedic in New York City studying to become a doctor. Assigned to the night shift, he’s partnered with seasoned medic Gene Rutkovsky. The film offers a stark portrayal of their nightly 911 calls, showcasing the harsh realities and moral dilemmas faced by first responders in the city.

Both characters grapple with personal issues: Ollie struggles to connect with others and adjust to the job’s intensity, while Gene deals with the aftermath of a divorce and receives unexpected news that weighs heavily on him. The story builds to a climax when a particularly challenging call puts the partners at odds over how to handle a patient, forcing them to make difficult choices with potentially far-reaching consequences. The film doesn’t shy away from the bleakness of their experiences, offering a raw and unflinching look at life as a paramedic in a tough urban environment.

The Strangers: Chapter 1 – September 30, Starz

  • Release date: May 17, 2024 
  • Genre: Horror
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Renny Harlin
  • Cast: Madelaine Petsch, Froy Gutierrez, Gabriel Basso, Ema Horvath, Richard Brake, Rachel Shenton, Ella Bruccoleri

This reimagining of the 2008 home invasion thriller follows Maya and Ryan, a couple driving to Seattle for Maya’s job interview. When their car breaks down, they’re forced to stay in a secluded AirBnB. As night falls, they’re similarly terrorized by three masked strangers to the original film, with the killers using psychological tactics before resorting to violence.

However, this version introduces a nearby town of suspicious locals, adding a new layer to the mystery of the killers’ identities. The film attempts to balance nostalgia for the original with updates for a new generation, including more elaborate chase sequences and a broader scope. Despite these changes, it struggles to capture the same level of terror and nihilism that made its predecessor so impactful. And remember the iconic final scene? There’s a slight twist on that one in this version.

Dandelion – September 20, AMC+

  • Release date: March 10, 2024 
  • Genre: Drama, Romance
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Nicole Riegel
  • Cast: KiKi Layne, Thomas Doherty, Melanie Nicholls-King, Brady Stablein, Jack Stablein, Grace Kaiser

Aspiring musician Dandelion feels trapped in Cincinnati, playing to indifferent crowds at a hotel bar while caring for her ailing mother. Frustrated by her lack of recognition and her mother’s discouragement, Dandelion takes a leap of faith when she learns about a music festival in South Dakota. There, she meets Casey, a brooding Scottish musician who has given up on his own dreams.

Dandelion and Casey connect through music and a budding romance, soul-searching hikes and passionate duets. For the first time, Dandelion experiences the thrill of truly living her art. As the festival draws to a close, Dandelion must decide whether to return to her responsibilities in Cincinnati or pursue her newfound passion, knowing that either choice will change her life forever.

His Three Daughters – September 20, Netflix

  • Release date: September 6, 2024 
  • Genre: Drama
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Azazel Jacobs
  • Cast: Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen, Jay O. Sanders, Jovan Adepo, Rudy Galvan, Jose Febus

Three estranged sisters — Katie, Christina, and Rachel — reunite at their childhood home in New York City as their father, Vinny, lies on his deathbed. As they meet in the cramped apartment where Rachel still lives, old tensions resurface and new revelations come to light. Katie, the eldest, masks her emotions with efficiency, taking charge of the situation while struggling with her own guilt. Christina, ever the peacemaker, hides behind a brittle smile as she grapples with unresolved issues. Rachel, living in closest proximity to their dying father, bears the weight of daily care and impending loss.

As the sisters navigate the surreal experience of waiting for their father to die, they’re forced to confront their shared past and individual struggles. Through heated arguments, moments of unexpected humor, and quiet revelations, they begin to reconnect and understand each other in new ways.

I Saw the TV Glow – September 20, Max

  • Release date: May 17, 2024 
  • Genre: Drama, Horror
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Director: Jane Schoenbrun
  • Cast: Justice Smith, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Ian Foreman, Helena Howard, Lindsey Jordan, Danielle Deadwyler, Fred Durst

This movie follows Owen, a 12-year-old boy who becomes captivated by a late-night fantasy TV show called The Pink Opaque. When he meets Maddy, an older girl obsessed with the same show, they form an unlikely friendship centered around their shared passion. As Owen grows into his teens, his connection with Maddy deepens, but their relationship remains largely defined by their mutual obsession with the show.

When The Pink Opaque is suddenly canceled, Owen and Maddy’s grip on reality begins to slip. Years later, a chance encounter between the now-adult pair forces them to question everything they thought they knew about their shared past, the nature of their reality, and their own identities. This movie is part coming-of-age story and part psychological thriller, how often does that happen?

The Garfield Movie – September 21, Netflix

  • Release date: May 24, 2024 
  • Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
  • Rating: PG
  • Director: Mark Dindal
  • Cast: Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Harvey Guillén

In this animated adventure, the beloved lasagna-loving, Monday-hating cat Garfield finds his comfortable life turned upside down when he unexpectedly reunites with his long-lost father, Vic. Vic, a scruffy alley cat with a mysterious past, suddenly reappears in Garfield’s life, setting off a chain of events that propels the indoor feline and his friend Odie far beyond their cozy home.

What follows is an unlikely heist caper as Garfield, Odie, and Vic go on a high-stakes adventure filled with humor, heart, and unexpected dangers. Garfield must confront his own fears, learn to trust his newfound family, and ultimately discover what it truly means to be a hero.

Killer Heat – September 26, Prime Video

  • Release date: September 26, 2024 
  • Genre: Crime, Mystery
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Philippe Lacôte
  • Cast: Richard Madden, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Manos Gavras, Babou Ceesay, Clare Holman, Argyris Gaganis

Set against the sun-drenched backdrop of Crete, Killer Heat follows Nick, a private detective haunted by his own past, as he’s called to investigate a seemingly straightforward accidental death. Leo, an experienced free-climber, has fallen from a cliff face, but his sister-in-law Penelope suspects foul play. As Nick gets deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of secrets surrounding Leo’s wealthy and influential family, including his identical twin brother.

As the investigation heats up, so does the tension between Nick and Penelope. Flashbacks to Nick’s own troubled history as a jealous husband begin to cloud his judgment, forcing him to confront his own biases and demons. With danger lurking around every corner and trust in short supply, Nick must navigate lies, betrayal, and hidden motives to uncover the truth. But in a place where the line between accident and murder is as thin as air, Nick soon realizes that solving this case may put his own life in danger.

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