This week in culture brings a thrilling mix of horror, satire, and drama, with standout releases across television, film, books, and music. From Ryan Murphy's return to form to Park Chan-wook's sharp social commentary, here are the top picks from the Guardian's best-rated reviews.
Television Highlights
If You Only Watch One, Make It ... The Beauty
Platform: Disney+
Summary: Ryan Murphy delivers a chilling horror series about a sexually transmitted virus that enhances beauty but proves lethal, leading to explosive scenes involving supermodels. This marks a return to the binge-worthy quality reminiscent of his earlier work like Nip/Tuck.
Reviewer Insight: Lucy Mangan praises it as "a return to bingeable Murphy goodness," highlighting its engaging plot and thematic depth.
Pick of the Rest: Steal
Platform: Prime Video
Summary: Sophie Turner stars in a twisty financial thriller that combines breathless action with clever storytelling, exploring layers of deceit and shifting alliances.
Reviewer Insight: Mangan describes it as "a wild ride through layers of deceit," offering both entertainment and thought-provoking moments.
You May Have Missed: The Black Swan
Platform: BBC iPlayer
Summary: A gripping Danish investigation series following a mob lawyer turned whistleblower, whose revelations had a profound impact on Denmark, showcasing television's real-world influence.
Reviewer Insight: Hannah J Davies calls it "a nail-biting series" that emphasises the power of media to effect change.
Film Highlights
If You Only Watch One, Make It ... No Other Choice
Availability: In cinemas now
Summary: Park Chan-wook's latest film is a state-of-the-nation satire from South Korea, where an unemployed paper worker devises a cunning plan to murder his way back into the job market, blending jet-black comedy with social critique.
Reviewer Insight: Peter Bradshaw notes its "effortlessly fluent, steely confidence" and ability to weave digressions and set-pieces into a compelling narrative.
Pick of the Rest
- Mercy: A sci-fi thriller starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, set in 2029, about a cop accused of murder with 90 minutes to clear his name. Bradshaw finds it "ingenious and watchable," though with some absurd twists.
- H is for Hawk: Claire Foy stars in this adaptation of Helen Macdonald's memoir, portraying a grieving academic training a goshawk. Bradshaw praises Foy's authentic performance, free from mere "acting."
- Saipan: A retelling of Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy's infamous 2002 World Cup spat, turned into an amusing psychodrama. Bradshaw highlights Éanna Hardwicke's portrayal of Keane's tense and provocative nature.
Now Streaming: Cosmic Princess Kaguya!
Platform: Netflix
Summary: An anime adaptation of a Japanese folk tale, featuring a princess who escapes the moon, presented in a trippy, high-energy style with virtual reality elements and modern touches like emojis.
Reviewer Insight: Cath Carke describes it as "TikTok-ifed with emojis and stickers exploding all over the screen," offering a unique visual experience.
Books Highlights
If You Only Read One, Make It ... Departure(s) by Julian Barnes
Summary: Barnes's final book is an autofictional exploration of love, ageing, and mortality, praised for its humane and clever approach to everyday emotions.
Reviewer Insight: Alex Clark appreciates Barnes's talent for making readers reflect on their own lives through ordinary yet profound themes.
Pick of the Rest
- Everybody Loves Our Dollars by Oliver Bullough: An expose of global money laundering, from Ciudad Juárez to Bicester Village, noted for its thorough investigation and easy style by John Simpson.
- On Censorship by Ai Weiwei: The artist argues that censorship extends beyond China, with lively discussions on artificial intelligence. Sukhdev Sandhu highlights its provocative insights.
- May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry: A debut novel blending medieval and modern narratives, described by Melissa Harrison as a "dazzling puzzle box" that challenges readers with uncertainty.
- You May Have Missed: Gunk by Saba Sams: A story of a messy three-way relationship set in a nightclub, longlisted for the Dylan Thomas prize. Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett praises its focus on working-class characters.
Albums Highlights
If You Only Listen to One, Make It ... Tessa Rose Jackson: The Lighthouse
Summary: The Dutch-British songwriter's most personal record yet, moving from dream pop to acoustic clarity, transforming loss into something quietly powerful.
Reviewer Insight: Jude Rogers finds it "inquisitive, poetic and refreshing" in its approach to emotional themes.
Pick of the Rest
- Megadeth: Megadeth: The band's final album, described by Alexis Petridis as a career-summarising redux, tuneful yet overlong, revisiting familiar strengths and grudges.
- Bach: Sonatas & Partitas: Performances of Bach's solo works praised for elegance and balance between modern tone and period style by Clive Paget.
- Ari Lennox: Vacancy: An R&B album blending jazz tradition with humour, noted by Shaad D'Souza as her most fun release yet.
- London Symphony Orchestra: Havergal Brian – The Gothic album: A 1980 live recording showcasing Danish conductor Ole Schmidt's assured handling of a colossal symphony, as highlighted by Paget.
This week's culture offerings provide a rich tapestry of entertainment and thought, from gripping thrillers to introspective memoirs, ensuring there's something for every taste.
