What’s Streaming This Week (5/11 - 5/18)
Welcome to When To Stream’s Weekly Preview! Every week, we take a closer look at the major film streaming releases scheduled to launch in the next 7 days. As always, release dates are subject to change.
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Here are next week’s highlights:
Monday, May 12th, 2025
HARD TRUTHS - Paramount+ w/Showtime
Synopsis: Pansy is a woman so full of rage that every interaction she has devolves into lashing out, whether at her utterly cowed husband and son, or random strangers who have the temerity to address her. In contrast, her younger sister Chantelle lives with her two vivacious daughters and plies a successful trade as a hairdresser, putting clients at their ease all day long. Yet beneath Pansy’s abrasive exterior are hints of a more fragile psyche, one motivated by fear and damaged by repressed pain.
What we like:
We still have a few 2024 releases to catch up with, but this Mike Leigh comedy-drama currently sits as our favorite of last year. An absolute masterpiece.
Marianne Jean-Baptiste gives a towering performance that’s hilarious, heartbreaking and infuriating all at once. She finds the humanity in an extremely unlikable character, and though you’d probably cross the room to avoid her in real life, you can’t take your eyes off of her here.
The entire supporting cast is excellent, with Michele Austin particularly strong. She previously had a small role in Leigh’s 2010 film Another Year (also a masterpiece).
What we don’t like:
The fact that Hard Truths was shut out at the Oscars is terrible, though not surprising. It isn’t particularly flashy, and it doesn’t have any tidy resolutions. The fact that Jean-Baptiste won Best Actress from the New York and LA Film Critics, plus the National Society of Film Critics, but was not nominated puts her in rare company. The last actress to be snubbed after winning those precursors? Sally Hawkins in Mike Leigh’s Happy Go Lucky.
Tuesday, May 13th, 2025
BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY - $19.99 Sale / TBD Rental
Synopsis: Bridget Jones navigates life as a widow and single mum with the help of her family, friends, and former lover, Daniel. Back to work and on the apps, she's pursued by a younger man and maybe – just maybe – her son's science teacher.
What we like:
Renee Zellweger returns for the fourth installment of the Bridget Jones series. And while the sequels have been mostly middling, there’s still plenty of good will left over from the original to give it a shot.
Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Emma Thompson are all back, though don’t have much screen time. Bridget’s got some new suitors: Chiwetel Ejiofor plays a teacher in her children’s school, and Leo Woodhall is the younger man she meets on a dating app.
What we don’t like:
A straight-to-Peacock release didn’t project much confidence on Universal’s part, and the film was a massive hit in theaters in the UK. Seems like the studio left a pile of money on the table not giving this a theatrical release in the US.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE - $24.99 Sale / $19.99 Rental
Synopsis: Four misfits find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they'll have to master this world while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve.
What we like:
Despite mixed reviews, the film has powered itself to a box-office total of $877M (so far) worldwide, becoming the second-highest-grossing film of 2025 and the second-highest-grossing video game film of all time.
‘Steve’s Lava Chicken’, Jack Black's 34-second song about cooking chicken with lava, became a viral hit, making it the shortest song to enter the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.
Popular YouTubers like DanTDM, Aphmau, Mumbo Jumbo, and LDShadowLady make uncredited appearances. Additionally, Jens Bergensten, one of Minecraft's lead designers, appears as a waiter. We’ve never heard of any of them (we’re old)!
What we don’t like:
A line from the film, "Chicken jockey!", sparked a viral trend where fans would cheer, dance, and even bring live chickens to theaters, leading to some screenings being halted. Our theatrical nightmare.
NOVOCAINE - Paramount+
Synopsis: When the girl of his dreams is kidnapped, everyman Nate turns his inability to feel pain into an unexpected strength in his fight to get her back.
What we like:
Jack Quaid acquits himself well in his first lead role in a studio film. Yes…he’s technically a lead in Companion…but this one has him front and center on all the posters.
So great to see Amber Midthunder here. She made a huge impression in the 2022 Predator prequel Prey.
The film received pretty good reviews, and is just the sort of mid-budget action-comedy we should have more of in theaters.
What we don’t like:
Nepo-baby discourse alert! Yes, Quaid is the son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan, and Ray Nicholson, son of Jack, also appears in the film. But we’re fans of both. And Quaid has the same kind of gene-distribution that Wyatt Russell (son of Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell) has: A seemingly exact 50/50 split between his parents. Sometimes you can see Dennis…sometimes you can see Meg. It’s quite something!
SNOW WHITE - $29.99 Sale / $24.99 Rental
Synopsis: Following the benevolent King's disappearance, the Evil Queen dominated the once fair land with a cruel streak. Princess Snow White flees the castle when the Queen, in her jealousy over Snow White's inner beauty, tries to kill her. Deep into the dark woods, she stumbles upon seven magical dwarves and a young bandit named Jonathan. Together, they strive to survive the Queen's relentless pursuit and aspire to take back the kingdom.
What we like:
Rachel Zegler was tapped for the titular role, with her casting reportedly influenced by a glowing recommendation from director Steven Spielberg, who had worked with her on West Side Story.
In this adaptation, Snow White's name doesn't reference her skin color. Instead, it's derived from a backstory where she and her parents survive a snowstorm.
The film features original songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, including "Waiting on a Wish," "All Is Fair," and "A Hand Meets a Hand," while also incorporating reimagined versions of classics like "Heigh-Ho" and "Whistle While You Work."
What we don’t like:
This looks like a horror movie to us. The CGI dwarves look terrifying, though little Dopey in the front looks like the love child of Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist in Challengers.
THE WEDDING BANQUET - $19.99 Sale / TBD Rental
Synopsis: Frustrated with his commitment-phobic boyfriend Chris and running out of time, Min makes a proposal: a green-card marriage with their friend Angela in exchange for her partner Lee's expensive IVF. Elopement plans are upended, however, when Min's grandmother surprises them with an extravagant Korean wedding banquet.
What we like:
Not a remake but a contemporary reimagining of Ang Lee’s 1993 romantic comedy, updating the narrative to reflect today's LGBTQ+ experiences. Director Andrew Ahn co-wrote the screenplay with James Schamus, who also co-wrote the original film.
The film features a talented cast of out queer actors, including Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, and Han Gi-chan.
Minari Oscar-winner Youn Yuh-jung has a supporting role in the film.
What we don’t like:
Not too much grousing about low box-office this week, but we’re disappointed this didn’t pull a broader audience in theaters. It’s currently hovering around $2M, which isn’t disastrous, but also isn’t great. Hopefully it’ll find its audience on streaming.
Thursday, May15th, 2025
PADDINGTON IN PERU - Netflix
Synopsis: Paddington travels to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.
What we like:
Dougal Wilson made his feature film directorial debut with this movie, while Paul King, director of the previous two films, served as an executive producer and contributed to the story.
While the film is set in Peru, only about 20% of the tropical scenes were shot there. The majority were filmed in Colombia due to favorable production incentives. The filmmakers used a combination of real footage and visual effects to create the Peruvian backdrop.
Hugh Grant reprises his role as Phoenix Buchanan in a funny mid-credits scene, where Paddington's bear tribe visits him in prison. Grant contributed to writing the scene, adding a touch of redemption to his character. Here’s hoping they bring him back for the next one!
What we don’t like:
Ben Whishaw reprises his role as the voice of Paddington, and Hugh Bonneville and Julie Walters are also back. But Emily Mortimer replaces Sally Hawkins in the role of Mrs. Brown. We love Mortimer, but the film does nothing to acknowledge the casting change. Give us one little subtle joke moviemakers!
Friday, May 16th, 2025
ARMAND - AMC+
Synopsis: Armand, a 6-year-old boy, is accused of crossing boundaries against his best friend at elementary school. While no one knows what actually happened between the two boys, the incident triggers a series of events, forcing parents and school staff into a captivating battle of redemption where madness, desire and obsession arise.
What we like:
The feature directorial debut of Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel world premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Caméra d'Or for Best First Feature Film.
The film was selected as Norway's entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards and was shortlisted, but ultimately not nominated.
Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve had a dynamite 2024, with standout performances in A Different Man, the Apple TV+ series Presumed Innocent, and this drama, which earned her a Best European Actress nomination at the European Film Awards.
What we don’t like:
Nepo-baby discourse alert! Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel is the grandson of master filmmaker Ingmar Bergman and legendary actress Liv Ullmann. Some incredible lineage!
THE BRUTALIST - Max
Synopsis: When a visionary architect and his wife flee post-war Europe in 1947 to rebuild their legacy and witness the birth of modern United States, their lives are changed forever by a mysterious, wealthy client.
What we like:
Brady Corbet’s third feature as a director world premiered at last year’s Venice Film Festival without distribution, but was snapped up by A24. It quickly became a critical and awards hit, eventually earning an impressive 10 Oscar nominations. It won 3: Best Actor (Adrien Brody), Best Cinematography, and Best Score.
The film’s epic scale and impeccable craft are all the more impressive given its small budget. It reportedly cost a mere $9.6M.
The Brutalist is filled with terrific performances, but we’re particularly enamored with Guy Pearce’s turn as Harrison Lee Van Buren, the industrialist who becomes the problematic benefactor to the titular character (or is Van Buren the titular character? Hmm….).
What we don’t like:
The film has been dogged by some AI controversies, including using software to improve the authenticity of Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones's Hungarian dialogue, and the use of AI to conjure a series of architectural blueprints and finished buildings in the film's closing sequence. We’re not fans of AI, but this feels like a tempest in a teapot to us.
DEAF PRESIDENT NOW! - Apple TV+
Synopsis: Discover the story of the greatest civil rights movement most people have never heard about. During eight tumultuous days in 1988 at the world's only Deaf university, four students must find a way to lead a revolution—and change the course of history.
What we like:
Co-directors Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim chronicle the pivotal 1988 student-led protests at Gallaudet University after the school’s board of trustees appointed a hearing president over several very qualified Deaf candidates.
The film employs an experimental narrative approach called "Deaf Point of View," utilizing impressionistic visual photography and intricate sound design to immerse the audience in the Deaf experience.
What we don’t like:
The majority of photo stills from the documentary released by Apple are in black and white, making it seem like the story is from a very long time ago. But the protest was in 1988, color photography was widely available! Maybe there’s an explanation in the film? Not a big deal, of course. We’re looking forward to this one.
Saturday, May 17th, 2025
I’M STILL HERE - Netflix
Synopsis: In 1971, military dictatorship in Brazil reaches its height. The Paiva family — Rubens, Eunice, and their five children — live in a beachside house in Rio, open to all their friends. One day, Rubens is taken for questioning and does not return.
What we like:
Walter Salles’ drama scored a huge upset at this year’s Oscars, beating Emilia Pérez in the Best International Feature category. A well-deserved victory, and the first ever for Brazil.
Lead Fernanda Torres was nominated for Best Actress, following in the footsteps of her mother, Fernanda Montenegro. Montenegro, who appears briefly in I’m Still Here, was nominated in 1998 for her performance in Salles’ Central Station.
The film has been an arthouse hit for distributor Sony Pictures Classics, earning over $6.2M at the US box-office.
What we don’t like:
Marcelo Rubens Paiva, son of Eunice Paiva and Rubens Paiva and author of the book the film is based on, ended up paraplegic in 1979 at the age of 20 after diving into a shallow lake and fracturing his fifth cervical vertebra.
Happy Streaming Everyone!
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If you can’t make it to Cannes…