TV
If you only watch one, make it …
La Mesías
Available now on Mubi
A wild, darkly funny Spanish TV mega-hit about estranged siblings Enric and Irene who discover that their brothers and sisters have formed a viral Christian pop band.
Reviewer: “This isn’t a series you will forget in a hurry… truly bizarre … it is a rather ambitious feat.” — Hannah J Davies
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Pick of the rest
Stolen Babies
Available now on BBC iPlayer
A blood-boiling documentary addressing the experiences of women forced to give up their babies for adoption due to societal pressures.
Reviewer: “The dehumanisation, the cruelty is unfathomable.” — Lucy Mangan
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Turning Point: Generation 9/11
Available now on Netflix
A documentary reflecting on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, exploring the aftermath and its global effect.
Reviewer: “Perhaps they will turn in the right direction.” — Lucy Mangan
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You may have missed …
Tea With Judi Dench Featuring Sir Ian McKellen
Available now on Now TV, Sky Arts
A charming hour with Judi Dench and Ian McKellen sharing tea and fond memories, filled with heartfelt moments.
Reviewer: “I will not so much as breathe heavily in their direction lest anything go wrong.” — Lucy Mangan
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Film
If you only watch one, make it …
Late Fame
In cinemas now
Willem Dafoe stars as a bohemian aging poet in this adaptation of an Arthur Schnitzler novella, exploring themes of regret and renewal.
Reviewer: “An intimate movie acted with effortless grace by Dafoe.” — Peter Bradshaw
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Pick of the rest
Super Nature
In cinemas now
A unique crowd-sourced collage film that combines human and animal footage from around the world.
Reviewer: “All credit to director ED Sayers… clever vision.” — Leslie Felperin
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Lomu
In cinemas now
A nuanced tribute to rugby’s first superstar, Jona Lomu, exploring the emotional turmoil behind his gentle exterior.
Reviewer: “Fascinating viewing.” — Andrew Pulver
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The Death of Robin Hood
In cinemas now
Hugh Jackman stars in a dark reinterpretation of the legendary figure, showcasing impressive craftsmanship in directing.
Reviewer: “Impressive craft here.” — Benjamin Lee
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Now streaming
Mayday
Available now on Apple TV
A Cold War bromance featuring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh in a high-stakes tale filled with thrilling action.
Reviewer: “Who knew Branagh could bust out martial arts moves?” — Peter Bradshaw
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Books
If you only read one, make it …
Switzy by Emma Cline
Reviewed by Chris Power
A portrait of a man with Alzheimer’s traveling to a euthanasia clinic, blending horror, beauty, and absurdity.
Reviewer: “The last pages will probably stay with me forever.”
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Pick of the rest
Anita Brookner: Art and Life by Hermione Lee
Reviewed by Lucy Atkins
A reappraisal of the Booker-winning author, showcasing insights into her life and work.
Reviewer: “This astute and tireless biography succeeds.”
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The Future Starts with Us by Gordon Brown
Reviewed by Gaby Hinsliff
Exploring the link between global crises and community breakdown.
Reviewer: “What could be just another nostalgic argument is tempered by Brown’s insights.”
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The Golden Hours by Louisa Young
Reviewed by Ella Risbridger
Continuing the beloved Cazalet Chronicles into the 1960s.
Reviewer: “The gamble has paid off: The Golden Hours is a total delight.”
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The Bridge by Colm Tóibín
Reviewed by Alexandra Harris
A sequel focused on an isolated young man in the Catalan Pyrenees.
Reviewer: “Tóibín’s unsentimental prose is flawlessly matched.”
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A Death of One’s Own by Terry Eagleton
Reviewed by Kathryn Hughes
Witty literary reflections on mortality.
Reviewer: “Eagleton lets his capacious mind loose.”
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You may have missed …
Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs
Reviewed by Ralf Webb
An insightful biography that emphasizes Baldwin’s relationships.
Reviewer: “Boggs’s research is exhaustive.”
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Albums
If you only listen to one, make it …
Adéla: Prima
Out now
The Slovakian artist’s debut album intertwines 2000s hedonism and industry sleaze with insightful commentary.
Reviewer: “She differentiates herself with meta-commentary on what it is to be a female pop star.” — Alexis Petridis
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Pick of the rest
Chat Pile: Who Loves the Sun
Out now
The band blends sludge-metal with alt-rock while exploring societal desensitization.
Reviewer: “There’s enough here to renew faith they’ll get there.” — Alastair Shuttleworth
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Kaija Saariaho: Vista, Saarikoski Songs, Three Preludes
Out now
Exploring previously unrecorded works by the Finnish composer in sensitive performances.
Reviewer: “Each bears Saariaho’s idiosyncratic fingerprints.” — Clive Paget
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Sairie: Beneath the Spreading Tree
Out now
An exquisite debut mixing psych-folk influences with depth and darkness.
Reviewer: “The musicianship is fantastic throughout.” — Jude Rogers
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Now touring …
Katseye
The O2, London; playing Co-op Live, Manchester on 6 September
A K-pop hybrid girl band delivering energetic performances on their UK tour.
Reviewer: “The focus is very much on the songs themselves.” — Michael Cragg
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