This weekend, movie enthusiasts have a diverse selection of new films arriving on major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney Plus. The offerings span genres from historical thrillers and sci-fi epics to horror and black comedy, providing options for various tastes as the year progresses.
Headlining the new releases is Julian Schnabel's "In the Hand of Dante," available on Netflix. Starring Oscar Isaac, the film interweaves two narratives: a contemporary story where a writer is entangled with the mob to authenticate a manuscript, and a historical account of Dante Alighieri's political exile from Florence. The movie also features Gerard Butler, Gal Gadot, Al Pacino, and Martin Scorsese in its ensemble cast.
Disney Plus is adding "Avatar: Fire and Ash" to its library. This film continues the "Avatar" saga, following the Sully family. The movie has been praised for its expansive runtime, intricate action sequences, and introduction of compelling new characters, serving as a significant chapter in the ongoing franchise.
For those seeking scares, Shudder offers a duo of horror titles. "Forbidden Fruits," directed by Meredith Alloway and produced by Diablo Cody, is a horror-comedy set in a Texas mall, following a salesgirl drawn into the world of a coven of witches. Complementing this is "Undertone," directed by Ian Tuason, which stars Nina Kiri as a skeptical paranormal podcast host who experiences unsettling events after returning home to care for her mother.
Prime Video features "The Sheep Detectives," a unique detective story penned by Craig Mazin. The film stars Hugh Jackman as a shepherd whose sheep take the initiative to solve a farm mystery.
Several other films are available for digital rental. "Carolina Caroline" is a thriller that reimagines the Bonnie and Clyde narrative, following a woman who embarks on a volatile journey with a man after a gas station scam. The black comedy "Savage House" is set in 18th-century England, centering on aristocrats looking to improve their social standing by hosting nobility during a pox outbreak.
"Hungry," a survival horror film, places a group of tourists in the Louisiana swamplands who become prey to a formidable hippo.
Rounding out the new offerings is "Tuner," directed by Oscar-winning documentarian Daniel Roher. This thriller follows a former piano prodigy who turns to cracking safes to help his ailing mentor, leading to a life of disarray.