Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie's Relationship With ExPrince Andrew Is "Very Strained and Hard" Amid Scandal Rachel BurchfieldFebruary 9, 2026 at 8:55 PM 4 Princess Eugenie, Andrew MountbattenWindsor, and Princess Beatrice Getty The Gist Following the latest batch of Epstein files released on January 30, the spotlight is back on Andrew MountbattenWindsor and Sarah Ferguson for their association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

- - Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie's Relationship With Ex-Prince Andrew Is "Very Strained and Hard" Amid Scandal

Rachel BurchfieldFebruary 9, 2026 at 8:55 PM

4

Princess Eugenie, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and Princess Beatrice

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The Gist -

Following the latest batch of Epstein files released on January 30, the spotlight is back on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson for their association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are reportedly standing by their parents, but their relationship with Andrew in particular is "very strained and hard," a source told Hello!.

"It's sad for them, but the real tragedy is for the victims," royal biographer Robert Jobson told the outlet.

Even amid the latest scandal surrounding their parents, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, following the most recent tranche of the Epstein files, a new report indicates that Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are still standing by their father and mother.

On January 30, the U.S. Department of Justice released the latest batch of the Epstein files, which not only included the former Duke and Duchess of York but also Beatrice and Eugenie, albeit only in association with emails and photographs sent to Epstein by their parents. In one email, Sarah indicates that her daughters will join her for a Miami lunch with Epstein—though it was just days after his release from prison in 2009; at the time, Beatrice and Eugenie were 20 years old and 19 years old, respectively. Regardless, as a source told Hello!, "The sisters are not abandoning their father."

Princess Eugenie, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and Princess Beatrice in 2013.

Getty Images

"They aren't turning their backs on him," the friend added. "But everything is obviously very strained and hard."

Veteran royal biographer Robert Jobson told the outlet that Beatrice and Eugenie "must be overwhelmed and aghast by this." Of their mother, he added, "What was she thinking? Taking her daughters—the late Queen [Elizabeth]'s granddaughters—to meet this vile, convicted animal? It really beggars belief."

Andrew and Sarah surrendered their Duke and Duchess of York titles in October; by the end of the month, King Charles had stripped Andrew of all of his royal titles and privileges, though Beatrice and Eugenie retain their princess titles and Her Royal Highness stylings. Following the latest Epstein files drop, both Andrew and Sarah have moved out of their 30-room mansion in Windsor, Royal Lodge, with Andrew heading for the Sandringham estate and Sarah "lying low at an overseas spa while considering her future and where she is going to live," according to Hello!.

Sarah Ferguson and ex-Prince Andrew in 2025

Getty

"She is in a bad way and feeling very guilty," Jobson said. "The last time I was in touch with her, she was worried about her mental health and mulling over the 'what ifs.'" Jobson continued, "The girls have been very sympathetic to her, but that might start to unravel. You have to wonder if they will ever be seen in public with her again."

Beatrice and Eugenie's decision to spend Christmas with King Charles and the royal family at Sandringham "speaks volumes," he added. "It might be hard to rebuild what they had. It's sad for them, but the real tragedy is for the victims."

Jobson told People that Beatrice and Eugenie trusted Andrew in that he had done nothing wrong, and "they feel pretty duped by the whole thing," he said.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie in 2018.

Getty Images

"I do think they believed their father, and now it has all backfired," he added. "I know that Eugenie, especially, has found it very difficult." He continued, "They are older and mothers themselves now and will be thinking this is appalling."

"I have sympathy for them," Jobson said. "It's not their fault who their parents were associated with."

According to a source speaking to The Times, Beatrice and Eugenie are "likeable, they carry themselves well, and work hard at their jobs." Longtime royal biographer Ingrid Seward also told the outlet that the sisters "will be worried and saddened for both their mother and father, though, and anxious about the future for them."

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie on April 23, 2025

Getty

"They both absolutely adore their father and want the best for him," a source who has worked closely with the family told The Times. "But they also crave privacy as much as possible."

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&34;It was like the last week of shooting, and I was so tired,&34; Buckley tells EW. Jessie Buckley reveals she broke a bone filming pivotal The Bride! scene: 'So swollen' (exclusive) &34;It was like the last week of shooting, and I was so tired,&34; Buckley tells EW. By Sydney Bucksbaum :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/headshotb5dc24df8d5d43d1a16c9ce0e0383119.jpg) Sydney Bucksbaum Sydney Bucksbaum is a staff writer at . She has been working at EW since 2019 and is a published author.

"It was like the last week of shooting, and I was so tired," Buckley tells EW.

Jessie Buckley reveals she broke a bone filming pivotal The Bride! scene: 'So swollen' (exclusive)

"It was like the last week of shooting, and I was so tired," Buckley tells EW.

By Sydney Bucksbaum

Sydney Bucksbaum

Sydney Bucksbaum is a staff writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2019 and is a published author. Her work has previously appeared in *TV Guide Magazine*, E! News/E! Online, *The Hollywood Reporter*, Mashable, Bustle, IGN, DCComics.com, Inverse, *The Daily Northwestern*, and more.

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February 4, 2026 9:00 a.m. ET

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Jessie Buckley in 'The Bride!'. Credit:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Coming back from the dead can be hazardous to your health.

*The Bride! *star Jessie Buckley put her entire body on the line to bring to life writer-director Maggie Gyllenhaal's bold new take on the Bride of Frankenstein. She even broke a bone while filming a pivotal scene, yet she kept going through the pain.

"The hardest scene, just because I actually broke my toe, was like the last week of shooting, and I was so tired," Buckley tells **. "[In the scene] there was this gun firing, and I just overextended my toe by falling backwards too many times. And I had to come in and do the scene the next day, and my toe was the size of a tree."

Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley in 'The Bride!'.

Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros.

Buckley laughs as she remembers how gruesome the injury looked, and how it actually helped her portray her undead character in a surprisingly appropriate way.

"It was just so swollen, but that's also fun," she adds. "And I'm meant to have one leg shorter than the other anyway, so it probably helped."

Buckley plays the titular monster opposite Christian Bale in Gyllenhaal's highly anticipated second film (following her 2021 directorial debut, *The Lost Daughter*).* *Inspired by James Whale's 1935 horror *The Bride of Frankenstein — *or, more specifically, a tattoo that Gyllenhaal once saw on a stranger's arm of Elsa Lanchester's iconic version of the character, streaked beehive hairdo and all — the punk-rock romance is a daring twist on the classic tale of Frankenstein's monster (Bale) seeking a companion.

Christian Bale and Maggie Gyllenhaal talk reuniting for 'The Bride!' after 'Dark Knight'

Christian Bale reveals why he 'would scream like crazy' while filming 'The Bride!'

Here, "Frank" seeks out mad scientist Dr. Euphronious (Annette Bening) to dig up and reanimate a woman's corpse to create something more significant than the silent, failed experiment that only appears in roughly three minutes at the end of the original movie. As this new Bride comes to life, her passion, curiosity, and disinhibition captivate Frank, and the two self-proclaimed monsters fall in love.

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

But they also unintentionally embark on a crime spree that would shock even Bonnie and Clyde, and ignite a cultural revolution fighting injustices against women everywhere.

"They think they know it, but they don't know it," warns Bale, who reunites with Gyllenhaal nearly 20 years after starring together in *The Dark Knight*. "It's a great, kick-ass, bold, original film. This is real cinema."

*The Bride!* hits theaters March 6. Read more on the movie in EW's cover story here.**

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From Kratos to Thor, the world of the hit gaming franchise is coming to life. God of War TV cast: See the actors sidebyside with their video game characters From Kratos to Thor, the world of the hit gaming franchise is coming to life. 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. EW's editorial guidelines on February 9, 2026 11:28 a.m.

From Kratos to Thor, the world of the hit gaming franchise is coming to life.

God of War TV cast: See the actors side-by-side with their video game characters

From Kratos to Thor, the world of the hit gaming franchise is coming to life.

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

on February 9, 2026 11:28 a.m. ET

Ryan Hurst cast as Kratos in 'God of War' TV series. Credit:

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty; Sony Interactive Entertainment

Amazon's live-action *God of War* TV series continues to forge its cast.

The adaptation of the mega-popular PlayStation video game franchise brings the characters of Kratos, Atreus, Thor, Odin, and various figures from myth to live action. With a two-season order already in place, preproduction is currently underway in Vancouver ahead of a filming start later this year.

From showrunner, writer, and executive producer Ronald D. Moore, *God of War* will begin to adapt the storyline that began with 2018's game of the same name from Santa Monica Studio and continued with the 2022 follow-up *God of War Ragnarök*. Emmy-winning director Frederick E.O. Toye (S*hōgun*, *The Boys*) will helm the first two episodes.

Let's meet the cast.

Ryan Hurst, Kratos

Ryan Hurst will play Kratos in the 'God of War' TV series.

Justin Lubin/Prime

Ryan Hurst already has a connection to *God of War*. The veteran of *Sons of Anarchy* and *The Walking Dead* played the original Thor in *God of War Ragnarök*, released on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in 2022. Hurst will now play the lead role of Kratos in live-action form.

Though the show will begin with the events of 2018's *God of War*, the character arrives with a history that goes back to the original 2005 video game.

Kratos began as a Spartan warrior and a servant of Ares, the Greek god of war. After Ares tricked him into killing his family, earning him the nickname "the Ghost of Sparta," Kratos embarked on a mission to slay his tormenter and become the new war god. Across multiple games, he faced numerous figures — human, monster, and immortal alike — until he battled against Zeus himself and the full force of Mount Olympus.

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Meet the 'Mortal Kombat' cast and their video game characters

When we meet Kratos in the 2018 game, he's left the Greek world behind to live in Scandinavia with his new wife, Faye, and their son, Atreus. Upon Faye's death, the father and son set out to spread her ashes, a journey that will bring them into conflict with the Norse gods of Asgard, test Kratos' already strained relationship with Atreus, and dig up traumatic memories from his past.

Terrence C. Carson voiced Kratos in the games from 2005-2013, after which Christopher Judge took over, including *God of War* and *God of War* *Ragnarök.*

Callum Vinson, Atreus

Callum Vinson cast as Atreus in 'God of War' TV series.

Meg Vinson; PlayStation

Callum Vinson, the child actor who landed the role of young Jason Voorhees in Peacock's *Friday the 13th* prequel TV series *Crystal Lake*, will play the role of Atreus, Kratos' son, in *God of War*.

Atreus, 10, grew up in a remote forest cabin in Scandinavia, isolated from the rest of the world and raised almost entirely by his mother Faye. While Kratos is much more known for his brute strength, Atreus is a capable archer — a skill that comes in handy for players of the video games.

He also has an affinity for animals "and is intensely curious about what lies beyond the confines of his forest home," per a character description. "After his mother's death, Atreus is left with a cold, distant father who he barely knows and who knows little about him in return. Nonetheless, Atreus yearns for his father's approval and is desperate to prove he is strong enough to survive in a harsh and dangerous world."

*God of War* marks Vinson's third project for Sony Pictures Television after the upcoming third season of Netflix's *The Night Agent* and Peacock's *Long Bright River*.

Max Parker, Heimdall

Max Parker cast as Heimdall in 'God of War'.

David Reiss; Sony Interactive Entertainment

After the cancellation of Netflix's *Boots*, for which he delivered a standout performance as Sergeant Liam Robert Sullivan, actor Max Parker joins *God of War* as the god Heimdall.

The deity and son of the All-Father, Odin, has the ability to anticipate what's about to happen, which makes him a formidable opponent. "Handsome and dynamic, he feels unappreciated by his father and underestimated by the rest of the family, and as a result, Heimdall is constantly looking for ways to improve his position in the hierarchy and increase his stature and power," a character description reads.

Heimdall appeared in *God of War Ragnarök*, in which Scott Porter (*Ginny and Georgia*, *Friday Night Lights*) played the part.

Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Thor

Ólafur Darri Ólafsson cast as Thor in 'God of War'.

Eric Charbonneau/Getty; Sony Interactive Entertainment

Known internationally for roles in *Severence* and *Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga*, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson will succeed Hurst in the role of Thor, the Asgardian god of thunder.

The character featured prominently in *God of War Ragnarök*. He's described as "a mountain of a man who has weathered many a battle in his time but whose actions in a war fought long ago now haunt his waking hours."

The show's character summary continues: "Once the loyal soldier of Asgard and his father's right-hand man, Thor is now but a shadow of his former self as he drowns himself in alcohol and tries not to think of the price he paid. Keeping his wife and children at arm's length has only deepened his isolation, but the power (and danger) of the god of thunder is still there just beneath the surface."

Ólafsson previously tangoed in the world of Norse myth with the animated Netflix series *Twilight of the Gods*. He also has some gaming credits from lending his voice to *Assassin's Creed: Valhalla*, *The Last Worker*, and *Total War: Warhammer III*.

Teresa Palmer, Sif

Teresa Palmer cast as Sif in 'God of War' TV series.

Brendon Thorne/Getty; Sony Interactive Entertainment

Meet Thor's one and only.

Teresa Palmer, known for her work on *A Discovery of Witches*, will play Sif, a mortal woman who was raised to god status when she wed the god of thunder. The actress' casting was first reported by the Hollywood trades, and Amazon has since confirmed Palmer in the role.

"Sif still feels like an outsider among the other gods in Asgard," according to a character description. "She has three children, who she loves dearly, but she was unable to stop her husband's descent into self-loathing and misery following the tragic events of a war in the distant past. Above all, Sif is a survivor who has navigated the often cruel and capricious world of the gods through her own intelligence and confidence."

Mandy Patinkin, Odin

Mandy Patinkin cast as Odin on 'God of War'.

Dia Dipasupil/Getty; PlayStation

Mandy Patinkin of *The Princess Bride* and *Homeland* fame will play the king of the Asgardian gods, known as the Aesir, on *God of War*.

Dubbed "the All-Father," Odin "is not physically imposing or particularly god-like, but looks can be deceiving," reads the character description. "He is the most powerful Aesir god, a patriarch who leads with an iron fist, and an unrivaled seeker of knowledge. When it comes to seeking out prophecy, Odin is paranoid, manipulative, and dangerous — he will do anything to try and prevent Ragnarök, the Norse end of days. He serves as a formidable antagonist to Kratos."

Alastair Duncan, Mimir

Alastair Duncan will return as Mimir in 'God of War' TV series.

David LaPorte; Sony Interactive Entertainment

*God of War* video game actor Alastair Duncan will reprise his role of Mimir, companion to Kratos and Atreus, in the live-action TV series.

Known for his cheery disposition, expansive intellect, and quick wit, Mimir used to serve as the advisor to Odin but was banished to eternal confinement in the trunk of a tree. Self-described as the "Smartest Man in the World," Mimir seeks atonement for the terrible deeds he committed in the All-Father's name.

Duncan voiced Mimir starting in 2018's *God of War*, followed by *God of War Ragnarök* and the *God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla* DLC.

Jeff Gulka, Sindri

Jeff Gulka will play Sindri in 'God of War' TV series.

Kevin Clark; Sony Interactive Entertainment

Jeff Gulka, a character actor seen across TV shows like *The X-Files*, *Once Upon a Time*, and (most recently) *Laid*, will portray dwarf Sindri on *God of War*.

A blacksmith by trade, Sindri is known for forging incredible gear. "Neurotic, helpful, and extremely germaphobic, Sindri is the complete opposite of his cranky, foul-mouthed brother and business partner, Brok," Amazon's character description reads.

In the games, Sindri was played by actor Adam J. Harrington, and his shop serves as a weigh station for players to upgrade and buy new items.

Danny Woodburn, Brok

Danny Woodburn will play Brok in 'God of War' TV series.

Gregg DeGuire/Getty; Sony Interactive Entertainment

Speaking of Sindri's brother...

Danny Woodburn, who appears opposite Liam Hemsworth in the final two seasons of Netflix's *The Witcher*, will play Brok, the other dwarven blacksmith of great renown but who has a contentious relationship with his sibling.

Described as brash, irreverent, and gruff, Brok was alienated from his community when he helped build a super-weapon. Woodburn follows Robert Craighead, who voiced Brok in the games.

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

*This article will be as more casting is confirmed.*

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Uplifting Oscar winners and endless time loops are a few of the experiences in store in this list of comedy films that are mustwatch. The 16 best comedy movies on Hulu Uplifting Oscar winners and endless time loops are a few of the experiences in store in this list of comedy films that are mustwatch. By Kevin Jacobsen and Andrew Walsh on February 4, 2026 8:52 a.m. ET :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/thelmajunesquibbquizladyawkwafinapalmspringsawkwafina0114253224820aed784bc5918f1815e088b9e9.

Uplifting Oscar winners and endless time loops are a few of the experiences in store in this list of comedy films that are must-watch.

The 16 best comedy movies on Hulu

Uplifting Oscar winners and endless time loops are a few of the experiences in store in this list of comedy films that are must-watch.

By Kevin Jacobsen

and Andrew Walsh

on February 4, 2026 8:52 a.m. ET

June Squibb as Thelma Post in 'Thelma'; Awkwafina as Anne Yum in 'Quiz Lady'; Andy Samberg as Nyles in 'Palm Springs'. Credit:

Magnolia Pictures; Michele K Short/20th Century Studios; Jessica Perez/Hulu/Courtesy Everett Collection

Life is hard, and we could all use a mental vacation sometimes. From reveling in the raunchy gags of *No Hard Feelings* (2023) to enjoying the heartfelt laughs of *Thelma* (2024), we've got your comedy needs covered from coast to coast, with a variety of genre destinations in between.

Here are the best comedy movies streaming on Hulu.

Anora (2024)

Mark Eydelshteyn as Ivan 'Vanya' Zakharov and Mikey Madison as Anora 'Ani' Mikheeva in 'Anora'.

Courtesy of Neon

Much like the journey its title character goes on, *Anora* is a wild ride of emotions, part screwball comedy, part meditation on the American class system, and part absorbing character study. Tying it all together is Mikey Madison, who plays a stripper/sex worker living in Brooklyn's Brighton Beach who meets and soon marries the son of a Russian oligarch. Things take a turn for the worse when her new husband's family learns of the marriage and makes great efforts to tear them apart. Madison is an utter revelation in a role that won her an Oscar — of which the film won four others, including Best Picture. —*Kevin Jacobsen*

Where to watch *Anora*: Hulu

**EW grade:** B+

**Director:** Sean Baker

**Cast:** Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan

Fire Island (2022)

(From left to right) Bowen Yang as Howie, Joel Kim Booster as Noah (sitting), Tomás Matos as Keegan, Matt Rogers as Luke, Margaret Cho as Erin (sitting), and Torian Miller as Max in 'Fire Island'. Jeong Park/Searchlight Pictures

Jane Austen's novel *Pride and Prejudice* gets a queer, Millennial makeover in *Fire Island*, the debut film from comedic multihyphenate Joel Kim Booster. Booster stars as Noah, a broke thirtysomething with a longstanding tradition of vacationing with his friends on Fire Island. When the group learns their house mother (Margaret Cho) plans to sell her home, the friends are forced to confront their love lives and class issues during their last week together. *Fire Island *also stars *Saturday Night Live*'s Bowen Yang as Howie, Noah's neurotic best friend. A clutch casting choice, Yang imbues the film with some of its most memorable comic sequences.

EW's critic writes, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a very small swimsuit must be in want of a rom-com to call his own; *Fire Island* sets the stage, messy and sweet, and lets its freak flag fly." —*Andrew Walsh*

Where to watch *Fire Island*: Hulu

**EW grade: **B

**Director: **Max Barbakow

**Cast: **Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, Conrad Ricamora,, Margaret Cho, Matt Rogers******

Happiest Season (2020)

Kristen Stewart as Abby and Mackenzie Davis as Harper in 'Happiest Season'. Lacey Terrell/TriStar Pictures

In 2020, actress, writer, and director Clea DuVall pulled us out of our collective pandemic funk with the gift of *Happiest Season,* a queer holiday rom-com released on Hulu. Co-written with actress Mary Holland and directed by DuVall, *Happiest Season* follows Abby (Kristen Stewart) as she goes to meet her girlfriend Harper's (Mackenzie Davis) parents and spend Christmas at their family's home. The visit is only slightly complicated by the fact that Harper's conservative family — including her perfectionistic mother Tipper (Mary Steenburgen) and her mayoral candidate father (Victor Garber) — don't know she's gay...or that she's dating Abby. Hijinks ensue, feelings are hurt, and the city of Pittsburgh has never looked more inviting.

With a monster cast that includes Alison Brie and Holland as Harper's eccentric sisters, Aubrey Plaza as her ex, and Dan Levy as Abby's best friend, *Happiest Season *manages to be, as EW's critic puts it, "a smart, heartfelt comedy whose small flaws are easily blotted out by bigger charms." —*A.W.*

Where to watch *Happiest Season*: Hulu

**EW grade: **B+

**Director: **Clea DuVall

**Cast: **Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy********

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

(Clockwise from top left): Mary Lynn Rajskub as Pageant Assistant Pam, Greg Kinnear as Richard Hoover, Paul Dano as Dwayne Hoover, Tony Collette as Sheryl Hoover, and Abigail Breslin as Olive Hoover in 'Little Miss Sunshine'. Fox Searchlight/Courtesy Everett Collection

This little Sundance-darling-that-could is as quirky and charming as the yellow Volkswagen van the Hoovers use for their road trip to California. The film centers on a chaotic family as they drive from New Mexico to bring young Olive (Abigail Breslin) to a child beauty pageant, in which she desperately wishes to compete. Plenty of dysfunction occurs along the way, including persistent van troubles, which only compounds the stress for mother Sheryl (Toni Collette), workaholic father Richard (Greg Kinnear), and Sheryl's brother Frank (Steve Carell), who is struggling with depression. And that's not even taking into account Olive's older brother Dwayne (Paul Dano), who has taken a vow of silence, and Olive's beloved grandpa Edwin (Alan Arkin), who has a heroin addiction. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Little Miss Sunshine*: Hulu

**Directors:** Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris

**Cast:** Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin, Alan Arkin

A Nice Indian Boy (2025)

Karan Soni as Naveen Gavaskar and Jonathan Groff as Jay Kurundkar in 'A Nice Indian Boy'.

Courtesy of Levantine Films

The pressure to have your parents accept you for who you are is a common struggle — especially when you're gay and come from a traditional family. As this sweet romantic comedy explores, Naveen Gavaskar (Kanan Sonik) knows this feeling all too well, fretting over having to introduce his white fiancé, Jay (Jonathan Groff), to his family. While things don't entirely go as planned and their relationship is put to the test, Naveen gradually becomes more comfortable in his skin and learns to reconcile these two important areas of his life. While *A Nice Indian Boy* may have its formulaic moments, the chemistry between Sonik and Groff makes it a total joy. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *A Nice Indian Boy*: Hulu

**Director:** Roshan Sethi

**Cast:** Karan Sonik, Jonathan Groff, Sunita Mani, Zarna Garg, Harish Patel

Nightbitch (2024)

Amy Adams as Mother in 'Nightbitch'.

Searchlight Pictures

In this dark comedy, an overstressed stay-at-home mom (Amy Adams) fears she may be turning into a dog. Yes, seriously. While the concept makes it sound like a farce directed by the Farrelly brothers in the early-2000s, *Nightbitch* is, in reality, a clever, surprisingly tender examination of motherhood that gives Adams her best role in years. Horrified yet fascinated by her sudden transformation, Adams' character, credited only as "Mother," gradually begins to embrace her new identity. EW's critic calls *Nightbitch* "a frank dissection of female rage and post-pawrtum (sorry, not sorry) fracture." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Nightbitch*: Hulu

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Marielle Heller

**Cast:** Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, Arleigh Snowden, Emmett Snowden, Zoë Chao

No Hard Feelings (2023)

Andrew Barth Feldman as Percy Becker and Jennifer Lawrence as Maddie Barker in 'No Hard Feelings'. Macall Polay/Columbia Pictures

While *No Hard Feelings* may have been sold as a raunchy comedy, the film has an underlying sweetness that makes for a well-rounded experience. But don't get us wrong, the film's setup certainly provides plenty of broad, laugh-out-loud humor: Jennifer Lawrence stars as Maddie, a 32-year-old Uber driver desperate for money. She finds a Craigslist ad from a wealthy couple hoping to hire a woman to date (and perhaps do more with) their inexperienced 19-year-old son, Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman), before he goes to college. Maddie's attempts to court Percy lead to hilarious results, though they soon come to appreciate each other over the course of the summer.

The film proves Lawrence's adeptness as a comedic star, fully committing to even the most ludicrous of scenes. "*No Hard Feelings* is a welcome addition to a dwindling genre," writes EW's critic, "and a reminder that Lawrence is one [of] Hollywood's best (and funniest) leads." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *No Hard Feelings*: Hulu

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Gene Stupnitsky

**Cast:** Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Benanti, Natalie Morales, Matthew Broderick**

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

Chris Thomas King as Tommy Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson as Delmar O'Donnell, George Clooney as Ulysses Everett McGill, and John Turturro as Pete in 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?'.

Buena Vista/Courtesy Everett Collection

The Coen brothers transport Homer's totemic poem *The Odyssey* from the Mediterranean coast to 1930s Mississippi in this highly entertaining musical dramedy. The episodic journey begins with three convicts, led by Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney), who escape prison in search of buried treasure. Their quest sees them encountering a blind seer who helps them on their path, a river baptism, and a radio station where they record a hit song, with numerous hiccups along the way. Featuring a soundtrack so exceptional it won the Grammy for Album of the Year, *O Brother, Where Art Thou?* is a quirky, visually striking romp from two of our best working directors. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *O Brother, Where Art Thou?*: Hulu

**Directors:** Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

**Cast:** George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman, Holly Hunter**

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On the Count of Three (2022)

Christopher Abbott as Kevin and Jerrod Carmichael as Val in 'On the Count of Three'. United Artists

Jerrod Carmichael made his feature directorial debut with this dark comedy in which he stars alongside *Girls* alum Christopher Abbott. The duo play friends who make a suicide pact, but decide to spend one last day doing whatever they want and resolving prior issues. Despite its dark premise, Carmichael finds the right tone to deliver an authentic portrait of friendship as his Val and Abbott's Kevin are able to find simple joys in life, even through the pain. "The movie settles into the blackest kind of buddy comedy," EW's critic writes in the review, "a lacerating slice of nihilism rooted in real despair, and real I-love-you-man tenderness, too." Plus, the film's expert use of Papa Roach's "Last Resort" certainly leaves an impact. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *On the Count of Three*: Hulu

**EW grade: **B+

**Director: **Jerrod Carmichael

**Cast: **Jerrod Carmichael, Christopher Abbott, Tiffany Haddish, J.B. Smoove, Lavell Crawford

Palm Springs (2020)

Cristin Milioti as Sarah Wilder and Andy Samberg as Nyles in 'Palm Springs'. Jessica Perez/Hulu

Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Milioti) are stuck at a Palm Springs wedding that will literally never end. While Nyles is resigned to his fate, Sarah — the maid of honor — is desperate to escape this desert hell. Directed by Max Barbakow with a script from Andy Siara, *Palm Springs* adds a trippy time loop twist to the rom-com genre. This existential comedy — which broke Sundance sales records by 69 cents (nice) — uses its sci-fi hook to explore what it really means to forgive yourself and let go of the past. Then there's the standout performance from J.K. Simmons as deranged wedding guest Roy, who manages to be inspiring, terrifying, and hilarious all at once. Still, it's the budding romance between Milioti and Samberg that will make you want to revisit *Palm Springs* again and again. —*A.W.*

Where to watch *Palm Springs*: Hulu

**EW grade: **B+

**Director: **Max Barbakow

**Cast: **Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, J.K. Simmons******

Quiz Lady (2023)

Awkwafina as Anne Yum in 'Quiz Lady'.

20th Century Studios/Courtesy Everett Collection

Part of the appeal of this charming, Emmy-winning TV movie from Jessica Yu is in seeing its stars stretch beyond their typical roles. Awkwafina, often cast as the brazen comic relief, plays anxious game-show aficionado Anne, while the typically hyper-competent Sandra Oh plays Anne's messy older sister Jenny. They are reunited after their mother flees the country on a gambling streak, and after a loan shark comes out of the woodwork, the sisters come up with a scheme for Anne to go on her favorite game show to get enough money to pay him back. Awkwafina and especially Oh excel in their against-type roles, creating a believable chemistry that goes beyond silly antics; their bonding allows them to confront old traumas and get to a more hopeful place as sisters. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Quiz Lady*: Hulu

**Director:** Jessica Yu

**Cast:** Awkwafina, Sandra Oh, Will Ferrell, Jason Schwartzman, Holland Taylor

Rye Lane (2023)

David Jonsson as Dom and Vivian Oparah as Yas in 'Rye Lane'. Everett Collection

Fresh off a splashy, well-received premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, this British rom-com centers on Dom (David Jonsson) and Yas (Vivian Oparah), who meet in a gender-neutral bathroom and bond over their recent breakups. Walking around Rye Lane Market in South London, they discuss life and love as their bond inevitably grows closer. While rom-coms of this variety have existed for decades and decades, critics were universal in their praise of *Rye Lane* as an invigorating addition to the genre. There is a warmth and vibrancy to the film, with first-time feature director Raine Allen-Miller infusing her South London setting with specificity and genuine affection, and Jonsson and Oparah have the kind of complementary energies that make such films so magical. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Rye Lane*: Hulu

**Director: **Raine Allen-Miller

**Cast: **David Jonsson, Vivian Oparah

Thelma (2024)

Richard Roundtree as Ben and June Squibb as Thelma Post in 'Thelma'.

Courtesy of Sundance Institute; Photo by David Bolen

Hell hath no fury like Thelma Post (June Squibb) scorned. After being duped by a phone scam, 93-year-old Thelma goes on the warpath to find those involved and get back her money. Of course, it's not easy for her to navigate the streets of Los Angeles (having lost her driving privileges), so she takes an old pal across town via motor scooter to help her hunt down the culprits. Hilarious and quietly moving in equal measure, *Thelma* provides Squibb with the first leading role of her career and she makes the absolute most of it, delivering a complex performance as a woman who refuses to let age slow her down. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Thelma*: Hulu

**EW grade:** B+

**Director:** Josh Margolin

**Cast:** June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey, Malcolm McDowell

Triangle of Sadness (2022)

Charlbi Dean as Yaya and Harris Dickinson as Carl in 'Triangle of Sadness'. Neon

*Triangle of Sadness* comes after a slew of similarly delicious "eat the rich" satires in recent years, from *Parasite* (2019) to *The White Lotus* to *The Menu* (2022). Ruben Östlund, whose previous class commentaries include *Force Majeure* (2014) and *The Square* (2017), won the Palme d'Or for writing and directing this audacious comedy about a pair of dating models who set sail on a luxury cruise that ends in disaster. (Think *Titanic*, but with a lot more bodily fluids.) As EW's critic raves in the review, *Triangle of Sadness* is "not the funhouse mirror we need for these ridiculous times, maybe, but one we deserve."

Östlund's film went on to score Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, though curiously not nominated was Dolly de Leon, whose forceful presence in the film's third act makes for a wildly unpredictable ending. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Triangle of Sadness*: Hulu

**EW grade: **B+

**Director: **Ruben Östlund

**Cast: **Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean, Dolly de Leon, Woody Harrelson, Zlatko Burić

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Meg Ryan as Sally Albright and Billy Crystal as Harry Burns in 'When Harry Met Sally'. Everett Collection

Writer Nora Ephron and director Rob Reiner have tragically passed, but this seminal romantic comedy will live on forever. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan star as platonic friends who bump into each other at various points over the course of a decade and gradually fall in love. Starting with the question of whether heterosexual men and women can be friends without sex getting in the way, the film cleverly explores gender dynamics and evolving priorities, serving as a gold standard for rom-coms for decades to come. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *When Harry Met Sally*: Hulu

**Director:** Rob Reiner

**Cast:** Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Carrie Fisher, Bruno Kirby

Wicked Little Letters (2023)

Olivia Colman as Edith Swan and Gemma Jones as Victoria Swan in 'Wicked Little Letters'.

Sony Pictures Classics

This British mystery comedy, based on true events, is as deliciously naughty as its title suggests. Olivia Colman stars as Edith Swan, a repressed, religious Englishwoman who lives with her parents in 1920s Britain. After receiving a series of profane letters in the mail, her family seeks answers and accuses their Irish neighbor — a single mother named Rose (Jessie Buckley) — causing a scandal around their seaside town of Littlehampton. Yes, it's comparatively low stakes compared to other films on this list, but it's good, cheeky fun, ideally watched on a lazy Sunday afternoon. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Wicked Little Letters*: Hulu

**Director:** Thea Sharrock

**Cast:** Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Anjana Vasan, Joanna Scanlan, Gemma Jones

- Movie Reviews & Recommendations

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Movie"

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Source: Movie

Published: February 09, 2026 at 06:38PM on Source: MANUEL MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

From untangling tall tales to sweeping romances, get ready for all the drama on Netflix. The 24 best drama movies on Netflix From untangling tall tales to sweeping romances, get ready for all the drama on Netflix. By Kevin Jacobsen and Sammi Burke on February 4, 2026 9:51 a.m. ET :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/Netflixdramamovies032724506959c285ca41a3be21595593bff2ae.jpg) Florence Pugh as Elizabeth 'Lib' Wright in 'The Wonder'; Robert De Niro as Frank Sheeran in 'The Irishman'; Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank in 'The Power of the Dog'.

From untangling tall tales to sweeping romances, get ready for all the drama on Netflix.

The 24 best drama movies on Netflix

From untangling tall tales to sweeping romances, get ready for all the drama on Netflix.

By Kevin Jacobsen and Sammi Burke

on February 4, 2026 9:51 a.m. ET

Florence Pugh as Elizabeth 'Lib' Wright in 'The Wonder'; Robert De Niro as Frank Sheeran in 'The Irishman'; Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank in 'The Power of the Dog'. Credit:

Aidan Monaghan/Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection; Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection; Kirsty Griffin/Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

One of the best characteristics of drama films is how seamlessly they combine with any other genre. Maybe you're in the mood for a straight suspenseful couple of hours, but perhaps you're dreaming of swoon-worthy elements — you want the love interests to have to work to *earn* them, though — so you go for a romantic drama. Or maybe you're looking for something to tug on your heartstrings, so you sit down to a coming-of-age tale.

From historical fiction to modern docudramas, here are the best dramas available to stream on Netflix.

12 Years a Slave (2013)

Chiwetel Ejiofor (center) as Solomon Northup in '12 Years a Slave'.

Jaap Buitendijk/Fox Searchlight Pictures

The true story of Solomon Northup's 12-year struggle as an enslaved man is dramatized with staggering power in this epic historical drama. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Northup, a violinist who is kidnapped by white men and sold into slavery. Toiling away for years without seeing his wife and kids, Northup tries to retain hope of salvation while dealing with virulent racism and abuse. Directed with sobering clarity by Steve McQueen, *12 Years a Slave* is "agonizingly magnificent," writes EW's critic, "a new movie landmark of cruelty and transcendence." The film went on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, a first for a Black director. —*Kevin Jacobsen*

Where to watch *12 Years a Slave*: Netflix

**Director:** Steve McQueen

**Cast:** Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sarah Paulson

Benedict Cumberbatch as Colonel Mackenzie in '1917'. François Duhamel/Universal

Sam Mendes immerses us in the hell of war in this visceral drama set in the heart of World War I. Lance corporals William Schofield (George MacKay) and Tom Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) are tasked with relaying an important message to a superior to call off a scheduled attack that would put British troops in harm's way. Schofield and Blake traverse the precarious battlefields of northern France, and Oscar-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins' expert camerawork makes the film appear to be shot with only two uninterrupted takes. As EW's critic writes, this trick "effectively drops the viewer into the center of the story and compels them to stay there." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *1917*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Sam Mendes

**Cast:** George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023)

Rachel McAdams as Barbara Simon and Abby Ryder Forston as Margaret Simon in 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.'. Dana Hawley/Lionsgate

It took more than 50 years for Judy Blume's beloved coming-of-age novel to be adapted to film, but its themes remain as universal as they were all those years ago. Set in 1970, the film follows 11-year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) as she grapples with the many changes in her life, from moving to a new town to the turbulence of puberty. Through it all, her mother, Barbara (a never-better Rachel McAdams), deals with her own struggles while trying to have a better relationship with her daughter than she had with her parents. The result is "an endearing portrait of girlhood," writes EW's critic, "an adaptation that's well worth the wait." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Kelly Fremon Craig

**Cast:** Rachel McAdams, Abby Ryder Fortson, Elle Graham, Benny Safdie, Kathy Bates

Boy Erased (2018)

Théodore Pellerin as Xavier and Lucas Hedges as Jared Eamons in 'Boy Erased'. Focus Features

Jared (Lucas Hedges) grapples with the horrors of a gay conversion therapy program in this sobering, underrated drama. Based on a true story, the film delves into Jared's struggle with his sexuality, his continued trauma over an incident in college, and his complicated relationship with his homophobic father. While undoubtedly a difficult watch, *Boy Erased* is ultimately a story of resilience, with an achingly vulnerable performance by Hedges.

"There's no doubt that the film's heart is solidly in the right place," writes EW's critic. "And if there is even one confused kid — or mother or father — who sees *Boy Erased* and gains an extra ounce of understanding as a result, then it will have done a real service." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Boy Erased*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Joel Edgerton

**Cast:** Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Joel Edgerton, Joe Alwyn

His Three Daughters (2024)

Natasha Lyonne as Rachel, Elizabeth Olsen as Christina, and Carrie Coon as Katie in 'His Three Daughters'.

Sam Levy/Netflix

The grieving process is different for everyone, as we see in this potent indie drama. Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, and Elizabeth Olsen star as estranged sisters who reunite at their father's apartment to prepare for his impending death. Tensions run high as one sister is accused of callously wanting to inherit the (rent-controlled) apartment, another has difficulty summing up their father's life in his obituary, and the third feels caught in the middle. Coon, Lyonne, and Olsen all make a meal of writer-director Azazel Jacobs' well-observed dialogue, evoking the unique bond of sisterhood with devastating clarity. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *His Three Daughters*: Netflix

**Director:** Azazel Jacobs

**Cast:** Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen

I'm Still Here (2024)

Fernanda Torres as Eunice Paiva in 'I'm Still Here'.

Adrian Teijido/Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

This moving, Oscar-winning drama follows one woman's resilience through one of Brazil's most tumultuous eras. Based on a true story, the film focuses on Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres), a wife and mother whose politician husband disappears under Brazil's military dictatorship in the '70s. Spurred to find answers, Eunice goes to great lengths to find her husband and becomes a renowned activist over the ensuing decades. Torres delivers a masterclass performance, winning a Golden Globe and earning an Oscar nomination, with the film itself taking home the award for Best International Feature Film. —*K.J.*

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

**Director:** Walter Salles

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

I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)

Jesse Plemons as Jake and Jessie Buckley as Young Woman in 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things'.

Mary Cybulski/Netflix

If you're looking for structure or a linear story with a clearly defined ending, then Charlie Kaufman's *I'm Thinking of Ending Things* might not be the right film for you. Written and directed by Kaufman and adapted from Ian Reid's novel by the same name, the film is a psychological thriller that traffics in the surreal, shifting fluidly between narrative and free association, all grounded in excellent performances by the film's actors.

Jessie Buckley stars as the Young Woman — her name and occupation changing frequently — who contemplates ending her seven-week relationship during a Thanksgiving trip to meet her boyfriend Jake's (Jesse Plemons) parents at their farmhouse. There is an explanation for all the absurdity — but you might not catch it on the first viewing. *—Sammi Burke*

Where to watch *I'm Thinking of Ending Things*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director: **Charlie Kaufman

**Cast: **Jesse Plemons, Jessie Buckley, Toni Collette, David Thewlis

The Irishman (2019)

Robert De Niro as Frank Sheeran in 'The Irishman'. Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

Longtime collaborators Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro reunited for this 2019 gangster epic, about the real-life hitman Frank Sheeran and his experiences working for the Mafia. Spanning several decades, the film tracks Frank's evolution from truck driver to trusted gunman for crime boss Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci) and bodyguard for the infamous Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). Despite his professional success, his home life deteriorates, particularly his relationship with his daughter.

While its 209-minute runtime may be daunting, the film moves along at an entertaining clip (thanks in part to master editor Thelma Schoonmaker), and the viewer's patience is rewarded with a haunting conclusion that recontextualizes all that came before. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *The Irishman*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B+

**Director:** Martin Scorsese

**Cast: **Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Anna Paquin

Lion (2016)

Nicole Kidman as Sue Brierley and Sunny Pawar as Saroo Brierley in 'Lion'. Mark Rogers

Finding your way home is impossible when you don't realize you're lost. Such is the case for Saroo (Sunny Pawar), a child found in Calcutta and raised in Tasmania by adoptive parents. It's not until Saroo reached his 20s that he remembers that he isn't actually from Calcutta — he was found there after being separated from his mother and brother as a young boy. Now aware of the family that might have been missing him this whole time, Saroo embarks on a journey to find the village where he was born. **** Based on the autobiography by Saroo Brierley, *Lion* offers outstanding Oscar-nominated performances from Dev Patel, who plays Saroo as an adult, and Nicole Kidman, who plays his adoptive mother. —*S.B.*

Where to watch *Lion*: Netflix

**Director:** Garth Davis

**Cast:** Dev Patel, Sunny Pawar, Rooney Mara, David Wenham, Nicole Kidman

Marriage Story (2019)

Scarlett Johansson as Nicole, Azhy Robertson as Henry, and Adam Driver as Charlie — the Barbers — in 'Marriage Story'. Wilson Webb/Netflix

Noah Baumbach reached new heights with this bittersweet examination of a relationship in the aftermath of a breaking point. Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver star as Nicole and Charlie, artists in the entertainment industry whose amicable separation soon turns into a nasty divorce and fight for custody over their son. The film even-handedly explores the nature of relationships and societal expectations, with two fully committed performances at its center (plus a scene-stealing, Oscar-winning turn from Laura Dern as Nicole's lawyer). EW's critic calls *Marriage Story* "a movie that somehow makes its intimacy seem like a radical act, one messy, heart-wrecking moment at a time." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Marriage Story*: Netflix

**EW grade: **A–

**Director:** Noah Baumbach

**Cast:** Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Laura Dern, Alan Alda, Ray Liotta

May December (2023)

Natalie Portman as Elizabeth Berry and Julianne Moore as Gracie Atherton-Yoo in 'May December'.

Francois Duhamel/Courtesy of Netflix

Todd Haynes' mesmerizing film defies genre, blending psychological drama and ironic satire as it unravels. Natalie Portman stars as Elizabeth, a television actress who travels to the home of Gracie (Julianne Moore) — a woman she's set to portray in a film — to study her. Gracie was tabloid fodder in the '90s for her sexual relationship with a boy named Joe, whom she met when he was 13, while she was 36 (loosely inspired by the real-life story of Mary Kay Letourneau). All these years later, the couple is married with three kids, but the arrival of Elizabeth leads a now-grown-up Joe (Charles Melton) to reexamine his relationship, while Gracie gradually becomes resentful of the actress insinuating herself into their lives. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *May December*: Netflix

**EW grade: **A–

**Director:** Todd Haynes

**Cast:** Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, Charles Melton

On the Basis of Sex (2018)

Felicity Jones as Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 'On the Basis of Sex'. Focus Features

This biopic about Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a compelling saga of a trailblazer in her early years. Felicity Jones portrays the future Supreme Court justice as a young law student looking to make her mark on the world — and frequently running into roadblocks due to her gender in a male-dominated society. She eventually becomes a law professor and sets out to challenge sex-based discrimination, making a name for herself as an equal rights advocate in the process. EW's critic writes that *On the Basis of Sex* "represents a noble attempt to showcase the roots of how deeply her efforts and passions would come to alter the fabric of American life." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *On the Basis of Sex*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Mimi Leder

**Cast:** Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Sam Waterston, Kathy Bates

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The Outrun (2024)

Saoirse Ronan as Rona in 'The Outrun'.

Martin Scott Powell/Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Saoirse Ronan took on one of her most challenging roles to date with this quietly absorbing independent drama. The four-time Oscar nominee plays Rona, a young Scottish woman struggling with alcoholism who returns home after an extended stay in rehab. While she tries to adjust to a newly sober life, Rona is haunted by her past as she battles the urge to drink. It's a powerful showcase for Ronan, who's rarely played in such dark territory before. As EW's critic writes, she "elevates the film to a moving tale of overcoming one's demons and learning to savor life as it comes." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *The Outrun*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Nora Fingscheidt

**Cast:** Saoirse Ronan, Paapa Essiedu, Nabil Elouahabi, Izuka Hoyle, Stephen Dillane

The Piano Lesson (2024)

Danielle Deadwyler as Berniece and John David Washington as Boy Willie in 'The Piano Lesson'.

David Lee/Netflix

The theatrical work of August Wilson is ripe for cinematic adaptation, as proved by the Oscar-winning dramas *Fences* (2016) and *Ma Rainey's Black Bottom* (2020). *The Piano Lesson* continues in that tradition of accomplished actors making meals out of Wilson's remarkable writing about the Black experience, this time with a slight horror bent. The film largely takes place in 1936 Pittsburgh, where the dysfunctional Charles family argues over what to do about their family's most treasured heirloom, a piano acquired by their enslaved ancestors.

Packed with rigorous performances — particularly by Danielle Deadwyler — *The Piano Lesson* is a stirring family saga about the tension between honoring one's history and moving forward to chart a new path. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *The Piano Lesson*: Netflix

**EW grade: **A–

**Director:** Malcolm Washington

**Cast:** John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, Corey Hawkins**

The Power of the Dog (2021)

Kodi Smit-McPhee as Peter Gordon and Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank in 'The Power of the Dog'. Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

Simmering with tension, Jane Campion's moody revisionist Western is a transfixing examination of power and control — and the lengths to which a boy will go to protect his mother. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Phil, a spiteful rancher who torments his brother's (Jesse Plemons) new wife (Kirsten Dunst) and her sensitive teenage son, Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee), against the backdrop of 1920s Montana. As Phil plays psychological mind games on his farm's new inhabitants, Peter quietly calculates how to get back at his uncle after discovering a buried secret. The widely-acclaimed drama earned a whopping 12 Oscar nominations, including acting nominations for all four central performances, with Campion becoming only the third woman to win Best Director. —*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

Private Life (2018)

Paul Giamatti as Richard Grimes and Kathryn Hahn as Rachel Biegler in 'Private Life'. Netflix

This emotional dramedy from Tamara Jenkins follows a middle-aged couple and their painstaking efforts to have a baby. With Richard (Paul Giamatti) having sperm issues and Rachel (Kathryn Hahn) struggling with in vitro fertilization, the couple is desperate for solutions. After their niece, Sadie (Kayli Carter), goes to live with them, Rachel considers asking her for help, leading to awkward family tension when Sadie's parents find out. Emotionally honest with just the right dash of humor, *Private Life* is a poignant slice of family drama anchored by Hahn's vulnerable performance. As EW's critic writes of the film, "It's about perseverance, compassion, and empathy." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Private Life*: Netflix

**EW grade: **A–

**Director:** Tamara Jenkins

**Cast:** Paul Giamatti, Kathryn Hahn, Kayli Carter, Molly Shannon, John Carroll Lynch

The Room Next Door (2024)

Tilda Swinton as Martha and Julianne Moore as Ingrid in 'The Room Next Door'.

Courtesy of TIFF

Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar brought his signature flair for melodrama to this, his English-language feature debut. Tilda Swinton stars as Martha, a woman with terminal cancer who enlists her friend and former colleague, Ingrid (Julianne Moore), to join her at a country house where she plans to end her life. While the subject matter is bleak, Almodóvar balances the darkness with a tenderness and sensitivity that comes from a career of exploring women's lives at their most intimate. EW's critic praises *The Room Next Door* as "a heartfelt portrait of friendship: its cozy familiarity, deep warmth, and inevitable sense of unknowability." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *The Room Next Door*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B+

**Director:** Pedro Almodóvar

**Cast:** Tilda Swinton, Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Alessandro Nivola

Shiva Baby (2020)

Rachel Sennott as Danielle in 'Shiva Baby'. Utopia

Depending on who you are, this acclaimed indie will either play as a hilarious cringe comedy or an anxiety-inducing horror drama. Rachel Sennott stars as Danielle, a college student struggling to balance her chaotic life, as she attends a shiva observation. Amid dozens of prying questions from other attendees about her future, she is mortified to see her sugar daddy at the shiva with his wife, whom she did not know about. "Enter *Shiva* at your own risk," EW's critic quips of the dramedy, "a hell of Danielle's own making maybe, but still a witty, jittery trip." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Shiva Baby*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Emma Seligman

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

Society of the Snow (2023)

Various characters in 'Society of the Snow'.

This harrowing thriller tells the wild true story of a Uruguayan rugby team whose charter flight to Chile crash-landed in the Andes in 1972. The team was forced to survive unbearably harsh conditions within the snowy mountains, with some even resorting to cannibalism. Director J.A. Bayona depicts their struggle with bracing realism as they try to maintain their spirits and sanity as they try to make their way back to civilization. As Bayona told EW in 2023, "To me, it's more about emotional survival. It's not only physical survival. It's to understand that there's something bigger than yourself."* —K.J.*

Where to watch *Society of the Snow*: Netflix

**Director:** J.A. Bayona

**Cast:** Enzo Vogrincic, Matías Recalt, Agustín Pardella, Felipe González Otaño, Luciano Chatton

Still Alice (2014)

Julianne Moore as Alice Howland in 'Still Alice'.

JoJo Whilden/Sony Pictures Classics

After decades of brilliance onscreen, Julianne Moore won an Oscar for this wrenching drama, delivering yet another soul-baring performance as a woman struggling with Alzheimer's disease. As Alice Howland, a linguistics professor, Moore embodies her character's internal struggle with heartbreaking accuracy. EW's critic observes, *Still Alice* "grapples with this maddeningly ruthless affliction with remarkable compassion and grace." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Still Alice*: Netflix through Feb. 28

**EW grade:** B+

**Directors:** Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland

**Cast:** Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth, Hunter Parrish

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

Gwyneth Paltrow as Marge Sherwood, Jude Law as Dickie Greenleaf, and Matt Damon as Tom Ripley in 'The Talented Mr. Ripley'.

Phil Bray/Paramount Pictures

Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel *The Talented Mr. Ripley* has been adapted in multiple forms over the years — including a Netflix miniseries in 2024 — but this 1999 psychological drama remains the best. Matt Damon stars as the enigmatic Tom Ripley, a young man hired by a concerned father to travel to Italy and convince his playboy son, Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law), to return home to New York. After getting swept up in the sun-kissed Dickie's lifestyle, Tom becomes obsessed with him, and his mission takes a dark, unsettling turn.

EW's critic praises *The Talented Mr. Ripley* as "an enticing, intelligent, well-shaped picture about the extreme perils of class envy and sexual panic." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *The Talented Mr. Ripley*: Netflix

**Director:** Anthony Minghella

**Cast:** Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Train Dreams (2025)

Joel Edgerton as Robert Grainier in 'Train Dreams'.

Courtesy of Netflix

This elegiac indie drama may center on an ordinary laborer as he lives a quiet existence, but his life is no less meaningful than the most extraordinary of people. Joel Edgerton stars as Robert Grainier, a humble family man working construction on what will become the Spokane International Railway, tracking many decades of his life as he grapples with profound loss against the backdrop of early-20th century innovation. Intimate yet mythic in its approach, *Train Dreams* earned near-universal praise from critics and earned four Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Song for Nick Cave's title theme. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Train Dreams*: Netflix

**Director:** Clint Bentley

**Cast:** Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon, William H. Macy, Clifton Collins Jr.

The Wonder (2022)

Florence Pugh as Elizabeth 'Lib' Wright in 'The Wonder'.

Aidan Monaghan/Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

Following the Great Famine in 19th-century Ireland, British nurse Lib (Florence Pugh) is called to look after a girl who has not eaten in months, claiming to be fed with "manna from Heaven." As villagers come to be in the presence of a seemingly holy girl, Lib meets a journalist (Tom Burke) who suspects it all to be a ruse.

Tackling themes of science vs. faith and family trauma, this period drama nearly tips over into gothic horror, brimming with moody atmosphere. Pugh, too, EW's critic notes, "is pretty much perfectly cast, an actress with such a keen emotional presence that she tends to cut through pretense and triviality like a hot knife." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *The Wonder*: Netflix

**EW grade: **B

**Director:** Sebastián Lelio

**Cast:** Florence Pugh, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Tom Burke, Niamh Algar, Elaine Cassidy

Y Tu Mamá También (2001)

Maribel Verdu as Luisa Cortés, Diego Luna as Tenoch Iturbide, and Gael García Bernal as Julio Zapata in 'Y Tu Mamá También'.

IFC Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

This naturalistic coming-of-age dramedy put writer-director Alfonso Cuarón on the map as one of the true artists of his generation. Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna play teenage friends who take a road trip through Mexico with a married-but-jilted woman in her late 20s (Maribel Verdú). As they get to know her and she gets to know them, the trio becomes increasingly intimate with each other and forms a messy love triangle. EW's critic calls *Y Tu Mamá También* "sad, funny, sexy, and altogether marvelous," noting it's "so organic that the road trip, magical as it is, feels in a way realer than life." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Y Tu Mamá También*: Netflix

**Director:** Alfonso Cuarón

**Cast:** Maribel Verdú, Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna

- Movie Reviews & Recommendations

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Movie"

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Source: Movie

Published: February 09, 2026 at 06:38PM on Source: MANUEL MAG

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