By Isaac Atunlute
This week’s theatre and streaming options are nothing short of remarkable. The much-anticipated Old Guard 2 introduces a new roster of immortal warriors and living action. The Sandman returns, mixing mythology, horror, and sensitivity into dreamlike chaos for those who love franchise sagas that span the universe.
Thunderbolt offers espionage and betrayal on an international scale, and Ballerina follows up on the high-style violence of the John Wick film franchise with a frosty female lead. Seeking a political satire for a respite from all the seriousness, Head of State offers sharp laughs on performance and power.
Here’s what to stream this weekend:
The Sandman (Netflix)
Genre: Drama/ fantasy.
Based on the graphic novels by Neil Gaiman, The Sandman is a mix of gothic horror, fantasy, and philosophy. Upon escaping after decades of imprisonment. The king of Dreams sets to reclaim his lost equipment as he tries to rebuild his fragmented kingdom; fresh threats arise from both the mortal and the immortal realms.
The Old Guard 2 (Netflix)
Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy.
Charlize Theron reprises the battle-hardened warrior in this stylish, world-trotting sequel to the 2020 hit about a band of immortals who fight to keep their secret from being revealed and exploited. This time it’s family betrayal, and the stakes are higher as they grapple with the resurfacing of a long-lost immortal, complicating their mission to safeguard humanity.
Thunderbolts (In theaters)
Genre: Action/Adventure.
Ensnared in a death trap, an unconventional team of antiheroes—Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and U.S. Agent John Walker—embarks on a dangerous mission that forces them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Gritty, chaotic, and morally complex, Thunderbolts promises Marvel’s most conflicted team-up yet, with high-stakes consequences for every character.
Head of State (Amazon Prime Video)
Genre: Action/ thriller.
An Amazon Prime movie starring Idris Elba, John Cena, and Priyanka Chopra. The film follows the U.S. President Will Derringer (John Cena) as he embarks on his first trip to the UK to meet the British Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba). These two have a not-so-friendly and very public rivalry. However, when Air Force One gets shot down over enemy territory, they find themselves on the run and working together to thwart a global conspiracy that threatens the entire free world.
Ballerina (Peacock)
Genre: Action/thriller.
A spin-off of the John Wick series, Ballerina is a blood-soaked revenge tale with elegance and bite. Ana de Armas stars as Eve Macarro, a ballerina-assassin trained in the tradition of the Ruska-Roma, who hunts down those responsible for killing her family. The film dives deep into the shadowy underworld of assassins, fusing graceful combat with raw emotion.
This week's theatre and streaming lineup offers an exciting array of films and series across multiple genres. On Netflix, "The Sandman," based on Neil Gaiman's graphic novels, presents a blend of drama, fantasy, and horror as the King of Dreams regains lost power amidst mortal and immortal threats. Another highlight is "The Old Guard 2," where Charlize Theron returns in this action-packed sequel with themes of family betrayal among a band of immortals.
In theaters, "Thunderbolts" showcases a team of Marvel antiheroes on a mission fraught with personal challenges and moral complexity, promising intense action. Meanwhile, "Head of State" on Amazon Prime Video stars Idris Elba and John Cena in an action-packed thriller where political rivals must collaborate to thwart a global conspiracy.
Peacock's "Ballerina" adds to the mix as a spin-off of the "John Wick" series, featuring Ana de Armas in a revenge thriller. The film merges graceful combat with a gritty narrative, as a dancer-turned-assassin seeks justice for her family's murder. Each film and show offers unique stories catering to different tastes, from high-stakes action to fantasy and political satire.
