There has been plenty of conversation about Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ outstanding performance at the box office and that is sure to continue this weekend. Following last weekend’s introduction of America Chavez in Multiverse of Madness, another movie about a child with supernatural abilities is heading to theaters this week. Ryan Kiera Armstrong and Zac Efron are starring in Firestarter, which is a story about a little girl who can set things on fire with her mind. The movie will be available on Peacock and in theaters on Friday, May 13.
Jerrod Carmichael is making his directorial debut with On the Count of Three, playing in select theaters and on digital also on May 13, and it is an absolute must-watch. Hulu has really been in their miniseries bag, telling completely bizarre stories mostly based on true events. This time around Jessica Biel is starring in their latest miniseries, Candy, which could be the perfect weekend binge for any true-crime fans. If you want something a bit more lighthearted, HBO’s critically acclaimed Hacks is also back for Season 2 this week. Hit shows Atlanta and Better Call Saul were back this week with two intense episodes, and we shared our thoughts on why those two continue to be some of TV’s greatest offerings this season.
Any Selena Gomez fan should go ahead and cancel their Saturday plans because the actress is making her Saturday Night Live hosting debut on May 14, alongside musical guest Post Malone. If you’re missing awards SZN, don’t fret. The 2022 Billboard Music Awards, hosted by Diddy, are going down at 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. Keep reading for our What to Watch recommendations of the best TV and movies from this week.
'On the Count of Three'
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When: Friday, May 13
Where: In select theaters and digital
After an incredible HBO standup special that dropped last month, Jerrod Carmichael is back on our screens with his directorial debut On the Count of Three. The actor also stars in the dark comedy, which is about two depressed best friends named Val (Carmichael) and Kevin (Christopher Abbott), who are both at their wit’s end. The friends are both going through their fair share of internal and external issues they desperately want to escape, and after they both made separate attempts to end their lives, they make a suicide pact to die together. The film follows them on what would be their last day alive, showing whether they find something worth living or dying for. The story, written by Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch, focuses on mental health, the pressures of life, childhood trauma, and how friendship can sometimes be the one thing that keeps us alive—or in this case, at least not have to go through our darkest moments alone. The film takes you inside the minds of two men who are at their lowest and shows the deep impacts depression and suicide ideation can have on someone.
Carmichael has a bright future ahead of him in filmmaking. He might be a comedian at heart, but On the Count of Three proves he can be so much more. Abbott also delivers a hilarious, heart-wrenching performance, and the film also stars Tiffany Haddish, with JB Smoove and Henry Winkler, who elevate the story even further. On the Count of Three is not an easy watch by any means because of the heavy topics it covers, but if there’s anything you watch on this list, let it be this. —Karla Rodriguez
This film contains subject matter related to mental health and suicide. If you or a loved one is in crisis, please reach out to National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or the Crisis Text Line (Text TALK to 741741) to talk to someone who can help.
'Firestarter'
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When: Friday, May 13
Where: In theaters and Peacock
Universal Pictures will release their latest horror film Firestarter starring Zac Efron, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, and Gloria Reuben on Friday, May 13. The film, directed by Keith Thomas, tells the story of a young girl named Charlie McGee (Armstrong) who tries to understand how she mysteriously developed the supernatural ability to set things on fire with her mind. Efron plays Andy McGee, who is Charlie’s father. Andy also has his own supernatural powers and he does everything he can to protect his daughter and his family from the people who are after them. It’s a bit trippy to see him play the role of being someone’s protective dad, especially for those who grew up watching him in movies like High School Musical and 17 Again, but it suits him. The story is based on Stephen King’s novel by the same name and a reboot of the 1984 film adaptation, which starred a young Drew Barrymore. It gets a little intense at times, but it’s for sure a fun watch. —KR
'Candy'
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When: Monday, May 9
Where: Hulu
Jessica Biel continues to carve a lane out for herself by starring in flashy, crime-based dramas. The latest is Hulu’s Candy, which premiered all five of its episodes on a nightly basis this week. The miniseries focuses on the titular Candy Montgomery, who commits a brutal crime in 1980s Texas.
We don’t want to give away the mystery to those who are avoiding Wikipedia or who are unfamiliar but know that Melanie Lynskey—excellent in this year’s superlative Showtime series Yellowjackets—also stars as Candy’s best friend Betty Gore. Biel continues to make interesting choices with the projects she joins, and Lynskey is a terrific performer whose projects I’ll always watch. If you’re missing out on your true crime fix, perhaps some Candy can help satisfy your craving. —William Goodman
'Hacks' Season 2
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When: Thursday, May 12
Where: HBO Max
One of last year’s most pleasant surprises was Hacks, the HBO Max comedy/drama series led by the legendary Jean Smart. Smart, a stalwart of Hollywood, was long overdue for a show to anchor; her endless talent and charisma deserved to be center stage. The first season followed aging comic Deborah Vance (Smart) and her relationship with up-and-coming writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder) as both worked together for a shot at redemption. The premiere season excelled, providing meaty material for both Smart and Einbinder, and garnered Smart an Emmy win.
Now the show returns for a sophomore season which sees Ava and Vance (literally) take their show on the road as the duo begins to workshop Vance’s new act across the country. The first two episodes hit HBO Max yesterday, and we cannot wait to dig in accordingly. If Hacks wasn’t on your radar last year, make a space for it now; if the show can keep its consistent quality, it will be one of the absolute best shows on the air right now. —WG
‘Better Call Saul’ Episode 5
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When: Monday, May 9
Where: AMC
What do we know about Howard Hamlin (Patrick Fabian)? As Better Call Saul enters its endgame, the series intends to use Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk) and Kim (Rhea Seehorn)’s scheme to dig into what exactly makes Howard tick. Turns out, Howard is sharper than we all realized.
The fifth episode of this final season, “Axe and Grind,” details just how far ahead of the curve Howard is when it comes to the plots of Jimmy and ends up being a fantastic showcase for Fabian in the process. After being confronted by Cliff about his behavior over the last few weeks, Howard immediately puts it together that Jimmy is the architect of all his pain and cuts together a plan of his own. Backed into a metaphorical corner, Howard decides to come out swinging—literally—as he challenges Jimmy to a boxing match at a local gym. On another show, such a symbolic device would come across as heavy-handed, but the episode (written by Alison Tatlock and directed by Melissa Bernstein) floats like a butterfly. As if this physical altercation, the second-best fistfight to ever air on AMC, wasn’t enough, Howard gets even smarter and decides to put on a tail on Jimmy, resulting in an escalating game of cat and mouse.
But it’s not just Howard who feels as if he’s out of control. Gus (Giancarlo Esposito), whose restraint rivals Howard’s, is tired of feeling boxed in while waiting for Lalo (Tony Dalton) to re-emergence. And so Lalo does, showing up in Germany to gain some intel on Gus’ operation. It’s a brilliant stroke by the whole BCS writing staff—keeping Lalo out of the game for this long furthers both Gus’ and our curiosity about what he’s been up to—that then allows Dalton to lay out his Errol Flynn charm offensive.
“Axe and Grind” is a bit of a chess-moving episode, setting up some critical pieces to be knocked down before the series takes a brief hiatus. Yet part of the show’s strength is how even the most logical-based episodes still manage to deliver a knockout punch. —WG
'Atlanta' Episode 9
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When: Thursday, May 12
Where: FX and Hulu
Donald Glover was back in the director’s chair for this week’s episode of Atlanta. This season has so far given viewers four standalone episodes with a totally different cast and characters, telling stories about societal issues that people are facing in real life. This week’s episode “Rich Wigga, Poor Wigga” was stacked with everything from deep symbolism, irony, racism, self-hate, and a plethora of other subjects and topics that are bound to send you down a path of self-reflection—if you’re really paying attention. This week focuses on a new character named Aaron (Tyriq Withers), who is a biracial high school senior dealing with the pressures of applying to college and the daunting fear of student loans. Aaron has identity issues, and although his father is Black, he identifies more with his white side and hides his Blackness from his white friends at school. His frustrations mount when a Black businessman named Robert S. Lee promises to give a full-ride college scholarship to all the Black graduation seniors, leaving Aaron in a tough spot after he has concealed his race from his peers for so long.
Atlanta proved to be as timely as ever with this week’s episode, as the Robert S. Lee role was played by controversial YouTuber Kevin Samuels who died earlier this week. Samuels was often criticized for his views on dating and he often used his platform to disparage women—especially Black women. His performance on the show—which wasn’t half bad considering he wasn’t an actor—is just another one of this season’s celebrity cameos that took people by surprise, including Chet Hanks and Liam Neeson. Season 3 has been unexpected from beginning to end, so buckle up because the finale is next week, and only time will tell what’s in store from one of the most unconventional TV shows of all time. —KR
Selena Gomez hosts 'SNL'
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When: Saturday, May 14
Where: NBC
Did I cancel my Saturday night plans to watch Selena Gomez’s SNL hosting debut? Maybe, but that’s neither here nor there. It’s hard to believe that she has yet to host but I guess proving her acting chops on the Hulu comedy Only Murders in the Building was enough to convince the SNL producers to bring her in for a hosting gig. OG SelGo fans already knew she was both hilarious and incredibly talented as an actress since her stint as Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place so this is a no-brainer for her. Post Malone is this week’s musical guest, so this week’s SNL might be one you don’t want to miss. —KR
