We’re back with our weekly What to Watch entry, and there are more than enough options to choose from, on both streaming and in theaters.
Black Adam will most likely end up at the top of the box office by the weekend’s end, but he has some competition. While they might not pull in as much as far as numbers and money go, Aftersun and Ticket to Paradise are giving moviegoers an alternative option if the superhero genre is not their usual fare of choice. Aftersun is A24’s latest film to capture the heart of viewers and critics alike, so go see it, it might be one of those people can’t stop talking about. George Clooney and Julia Roberts are attempting to reawaken the rom-com genre with Ticket to Paradise, and this is something you might want to take your parents with you to watch (depending on how their relationship is).
On the TV front, Atlanta had one of its most emotional episodes to date this week, and dare I say, one of my favorites so far this season. As far as debuts go, the BMF: Blowing Money Fast docuseries debuts this Sunday, Oct. 23 on Starz, ahead of the BMF Season 2 premiere, which is set for January. There are also a lot of binge-worthy options dropping this week if you’re in the mood to stay home. Netflix dropped Season 3 of their popular matchmaking reality show Love Is Blind, as well as their charming and heartfelt scripted series starring Zoe Saldaña, From Scratch. We wrote about the best options that this week has to offer below and tune back into What to Watch next week for what’s in store for the rest of October.
'Black Adam'
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When: Friday, Oct. 21
Where: In theaters
The Black Adam promo tour has been something serious. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has gone out of his way to do every single interview, TV, and red carpet appearance imaginable to promote his first superhero movie, so we doubt you needed any reminder that this movie was hitting theaters this weekend. Still, the film, which has been 15 years in the making, is probably the best bet if superhero action is what you’re in the mood for. The story follows an ancient Egyptian slave who is bestowed with the power of Shazam, giving him incredible strength and transforming him into Kahndaq’s hero Teth-Adam. The character initially uses his power to fight against tyrannical king Anh-Kot and ends his reign, but the death of his family leads him down a path of rage and revenge. When he’s awakened 5,000 years after being sent away, he starts wreaking havoc again, and the Justice Society of America steps in to stop him.
The film co-stars Pierce Brosnan as Doctor Fate, Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone, Noah Centineo as Atom Smasher, and Aldis Hodge as Hawkman, as well as Sarah Shahi as archaeologist Adrianna Tomaz and Mohammed Amer as her brother, Kamir. “It’s such a special experience to be a part of the universe that has never been brought to life before. That’s so cool. That’s what you dream about as a kid—making original things and putting them out into the world,” Amer told Complex at the film’s New York City premiere last week. “Not only that but it’s a great story. It’s legitimately a great story, a great movie that has a lot of depth and it’s so layered. I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it.” So far the film has received mixed reviews, so go watch it in theaters now to see where you stand on Johnson’s superhero debut. Check out our Black Adam review here and our interviews with the cast here. —Karla Rodriguez.
'Aftersun'
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When: Friday, Oct. 21
Where: Select theaters
Since its world premiere at Cannes last spring, Aftersun, Charlotte Wells’ directorial debut has been steadily staking its claim as the breakout movie of the year. With seals of approval from Barry Jenkins (who produced it), and A24 (who bought it), this deeply felt portrait of a father and daughter’s summer trip to a resort town in Turkey has all the makings of a sneaky awards contender. Normal People breakout and current internet boyfriend Paul Mescal delivers another beautifully understated performance as Calum, a young-ish dad whose life just didn’t turn out the way he wanted it to. But rather than fall into the trope of just another deadbeat dad who had a kid way too soon, Mescal’s Calum is actually a good dad to Sophie, played here by first-time actor and total revelation Frankie Corio, who Mescal immediately bonded with on set.
“It was easy to become friends,” Mescal told Complex about meeting the precocious 11-year-old. “She’s just an incredibly singular, special person. We just really liked hanging out over there.” While not totally autobiographical, Wells was inspired to write Aftersun after being struck by how young her dad looked in old photos from their family trips together. What ensues is something that feels like a meditation on truth versus memory, and a masterful debut from a thrilling new talent. —Dan Barna
'Ticket to Paradise'
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When: Friday, Oct. 21
Where: In theaters
The divorce rate in the United States is among the highest in the world, so chances are you or someone close to you will relate to Julia Roberts and George Clooney’s latest film Ticket to Paradise. In the film, the two Hollywood darlings play a divorced couple who travel to Bali for their daughter’s wedding, and team up to stop her from making the same mistake they think they made 25 years ago when they married each other. They may seem like they hate each other in the movie, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth in real life. These two are the best of friends—Clooney’s kids call her auntie Juju for crying out loud—and the chemistry and familiarity they have displayed in every joint interview they’ve done show the kind of magic you, unfortunately, don’t see much of in Hollywood pairings these days. A rom-com starring the rom-com queen herself and the man who once used to be Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor? Sign me up! And I am already desperately hoping for a sequel. —Karla Rodriguez
'Atlanta' Season 4, Episode 7
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When: Thursday, Oct. 20
Where: FX and Hulu
Atlanta’s The Final Season is moving along at record speeds and I want it to stop. Episode 7 is one of the most intimate moments we’ve seen on the series between Earn (Donald Glover) and his longtime partner Van (Zazie Beetz). Their relationship has been largely undefined throughout the series but what tethers them to each other is the daughter they share. Lottie (Austine Elle Fisher) is celebrating her sixth birthday and instead of throwing her a big, lavish party or taking her on a tropical vacation that Earn can afford now, he takes her and Van camping. As the episode progresses, the choice seems strategic. Earn is trying to corner Van so they can get to the bottom of things: What is going on with their relationship and will she move to Los Angeles with him and their kid?
Earn is growing up. When Van is evasive, he takes matters into his own hands and Glover delivers another emotionally driven performance while they are inside their tent. He tells her she’s the one he loves and that as easy as it is for someone on his level to find someone new, he doesn’t see himself with anyone else. These two have been through a lot together, and the tension between them that we’ve seen from the start is so evidently displayed during their drive into the campsite. By the episode’s end and after their conversation about committing to each other, the drive home is a lot lighter and so full of laughter and easygoing conversation that even Lottie can see how much this trip has transformed her parents.
Things are slowly falling into place in the world of Atlanta, and by the looks of it, the characters are gearing toward the happy endings they all deserve. —Karla Rodriguez.
