The digital debuts for action extravaganza John Wick: Chapter 4, horror prequel Pearl, slasher sequel Scream IV, and Oscar-nominated Tár lead this week’s movie heavy streaming release schedule.
MOVIES
Pearl
Apple TV (Rental) – 22 May 2023
When writer/director Ti West cast Mia Goth to play both an aspiring twenty-something pornstar as well as an elderly woman in 2022’s slasher hit X, you knew there was a plan. As was soon revealed, West had secretly shot another film back-to-back with X. Titled Pearl, this surprise film was a prequel that saw Goth (who also co-wrote the script) play the young version of the titular old lady from X, explaining her backstory and how she came to… well, I don’t want to spoil anything for those of you who haven’t seen X yet (it’s available to stream on Prime Video). All I want to say is that after a limited theatrical run local, the critically acclaimed Pearl – which saw Goth earning a ton of praise – is now finally available for digital rental on Apple TV.
Tár
Apple TV (Rental) – 22 May 2023
While it may not have converted its six nominations into wins at this year’s Oscars, Tár was still voted the best film of the year by more critics than any other release in 2022. Besides for soaring appraisals of writer/director Todd Field’s works, praise was especially levelled at star Cate Blanchett who portrays Lydia Tár, the renowned first female chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra, who sees her world unravel when she is accused of sexual misconduct. After cleaning up on the film festival circuit, the psychological drama had a limited cinematic release, but now you can rent on Apple TV to see for yourself what all the fuss was about.
John Wick: Chapter 4
Apple TV (Purchase) – 23 May 2023
How’s this for an explosive surprise? While it’s currently still playing in cinemas (and sitting fourth on the box top ten from this weekend past!), you can now watch John Wick: Chapter 4 at home! While not available for rental yet, you can purchase the film for about the cost of a single IMAX ticket on Apple TV. Not only is that incredible value for money but trust me when I say that this action blockbuster masterpiece is worth it. For this (seemingly) final installment in the beloved John Wick franchise, star Keanu Reeves, director Chad Stahelski, and the absolutely bonkers stunt team they assembled pulled out all the stops to give us bone-crunching action set-pieces the likes of which you’ve never seen before.
Scream VI
Apple TV/Google TV (Rental) – 25 May 2023
If you like your movie action more stabby and chilling, then look no further than Scream VI, the recent follow-up to 2022’s shockingly good slasher franchise revival. With a shift from murderous smalltown Woodsboro to the concrete jungle of New York City, this latest entry manages to cleverly keep things fresh as it has audiences guessing once again as to exactly who is under the iconic Ghostface mask. Reprising their roles from the previous films, Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Mason Gooding lead this latest murderfest, and they’re joined by a whole new cast as well as returning franchise favourites Courtney Cox and Hayden Panettiere.
Blood & Gold
Netflix – 26 May 2023
Generally, when we get WWII film offerings, they’re serious dramas. That is most definitely not the case for action-comedy Blood & Gold, a rip-roaring new German effort that follows Heinrich, a soldier who does not believe in his Nazi leaders’ ways and deserts to find his daughter. Unfortunately, for him, he’s found and hanged. Luckily for him though, he’s rescued by local farmer Elsa, a fellow Nazi despiser, who ropes Heinrich in to fight back against their common enemy and even rob them of some Nazi gold along the way.
Where the Crawdads Sing
Showmax – 29 May 2023
Based on Delia Owens’ best-selling novel, Where the Crawdads Sing stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kya, a rumoured “Marsh Girl” that haunts Barkley Cove. Abandoned at the age of seven by an abusive alcoholic father in the 1950s, Kya raised herself to adulthood in the wild North Carolina marshlands. Many years later, Kya has became a defiant, self-educated young woman with a keen knowledge and love for nature. When the local football quarterback hotshot’s dead body is found though, Kya’s life is turned upside down as she’s accused of his murder.
The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone
Netflix – 1 June 2023
You may have noticed an odd omission on Netflix for the last few months. While The Godfather and The Godfather Part II are both available on the streamer for some time now, the final installment in Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic mafia epic has been nowhere to be found. Given how poorly received The Godfather Part III was on its release though, some would have you believe that situation to be for the better. However, in 2020, Coppola revisited his divisive 1990 film, both splicing in and removing footage, to give the film a new beginning and end along with several re-edited plot beats, to tell the story the way Coppola and writer Mario Puzo originally envisioned it. And now you can see exactly what that vision was like as the revived trilogy finale will be added to Netflix next week.
SERIES
The Calling S1
Showmax – 26 May 2023
Created by prolific 11-time Emmy winning TV producer David E Kelley, The Calling stars Jeff Wilbusch in this adaptation of Dror Mishani’s award-winning Avraham Avraham novels. Wilbusch portrays the titular literary hero, a NYPD Detective who possesses an uncanny knack for uncovering the truth using a deep sense of spirituality and religious principles. When a seemingly routine investigation into a missing young man turns out to be a lot more than anticipated, it pushes Avraham’s belief in mankind to the limit. Oscar winner Barry Levinson directs the first two of eight episodes, all of which will be available to binge on Showmax.