This week brings a stellar line-up of fresh entertainment to screens across the UK, offering everything from A-list Hollywood drama and high-octane action to new music and a blockbuster gaming sequel. The selections, curated by entertainment journalists at The Associated Press, promise to cater to a wide array of tastes.
Cinematic Highlights: From Hollywood Introspection to Impossible Missions
George Clooney headlines a poignant new comic drama arriving on Netflix this Friday, 5th December. In Noah Baumbach's "Jay Kelly," Clooney portrays a charismatic film star grappling with fresh midlife regrets as his youngest daughter, played by Grace Edwards, prepares for university. A European trip sparks a profound journey of self-examination. The film, described by the AP's Mark Kennedy as "a love letter to Hollywood," also features Adam Sandler as Jay's beleaguered manager and Laura Dern as his publicist.
Fans of explosive action can look forward to the streaming debut of "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" on Paramount+ from Thursday. This latest instalment, starring Tom Cruise and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, concludes the story arc that began with 2023's 'Dead Reckoning Part One'. AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr noted that the series is often at its best when it doesn't take itself too seriously, suggesting this finale offers a mix of high stakes and signature spectacle.
The festive season also kicks off with a star-studded Christmas comedy. "Oh. What. Fun." premieres on Prime Video on Wednesday, featuring Michelle Pfeiffer as a matriarch who, tired of her family's lack of appreciation, decides to disappear. The film is directed by Michael Showalter and co-stars Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, and Dominic Sessa.
Fresh Tunes and Epic Series
In music, the Zac Brown Band releases their new album "Love & Fear" on Friday, 5th December. The record, reflecting on life's ups and downs, includes collaborations with Snoop Dogg and the legendary Dolly Parton. To mark the launch, the band will perform at the groundbreaking Sphere venue in Las Vegas, with several shows scheduled through December and January.
Meanwhile, alternative rock icon Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are treating fans to "Live God," a new release featuring live versions of tracks from their acclaimed "Wild God" album alongside classic favourites like "Into My Arms."
On the television front, Netflix introduces a new American Western series, "The Abandons," on Thursday. Set in the 1850s, the show places women at its core, with Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey starring as widowed landowners locked in a fierce dispute. The series comes from Kurt Sutter, creator of "Sons of Anarchy."
Starz also revives a classic with "Spartacus: House of Ashur," launching Friday, 5th December. Nick E. Tarabay reprises his role in this alternate-history tale, which explores what might have happened if his character survived. The series also features Tenika Davis as a powerful female gladiator.
Gaming's Long-Awaited Return
For gamers, the wait is finally over. "Metroid Prime 4: Beyond" launches on Thursday, 4th December, for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. This long-anticipated sequel sees bounty hunter Samus Aran return to a 3D adventure, landing on a hostile jungle planet while being pursued by a rival hunter. Armed with new psychic abilities and a formidable motorcycle, Samus faces a challenge that has fans eager to see if the game lives up to its revered predecessors.
With such a diverse range of premium content landing across all major platforms, this first week of December provides ample reason to stay indoors and explore new worlds, stories, and sounds from the comfort of your sofa.
