Supergirl: Blu Ray Review

Cast: Milly Alcock, Jason Momoa, Eve Ridley, Matthias Schoenaerts, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, David Corenswet
Director: Craig Gillespie

Nearly one year after director James Gunn released a revamped Superman movie to relaunch the DC Universe, House of the Dragon's Milly Alcock takes centre stage as Kara Zor-El aka Supergirl.

While Superman has found his place in the universe as a protector of planet Earth, Kara is struggling to discover and define her path. However, when her only other surviving colleague from the planet Krypton, her dog Krypto, is poisoned by space pirate Krem of the Yellow Hills (Schoenaerts) and has only three days left to live, she sets out on a quest for vengeance and to try and save him by getting an antidote.

Based on the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow eight-issue limited run comic series, Craig Gillespie's movie looks to tackle some heady themes, while trying to deepen the Superman world and lore. 

And in parts, it really shines.

Milly Alcock utterly owns what's needed of her here. The difference between her and her cousin Clark is stark. In one line, she says he sees the good in everyone and she sees the truth when asked if they're similar. Alcock's Supergirl has a lot of PTSD to explore and deal with, something that's triggered further by her life on Krypton, which is different from Kal-El's. 

While Superman showed her as a party girl, determined not to take life seriously, it soon becomes clear that it's a mask, an insight that's probably not a surprise to many, but Alcock imbues it with gravitas and heft, as well as inherent sadness after she faces a life without Krypto.

There are also some surprisingly low-key scenes between the two cousins which bookend the film, grounding both of them and probably setting up a dynamic for Man of Tomorrow, the Superman sequel that's due in 2027.

Plus, the DC Universe feels kind of low-rent too, littered with scuzzy creatures and a space menagerie of life forms that feel like they never really get much screentime in these kinds of films. Along with production designs that deliver the lower end of ships and day-to-day life that feel like they're from Mad Max, Supergirl widens the universe by not wearing rose-tinted glasses. And it's all the better for it.

However, not all of this works.

Chiefly, it's an issue of tone throughout. Moments of jokiness clash up against the more sombre themes of rage and vengeance, and it doesn't always work. 

Momoa's Lobo (a kind of beefcake vampire cross with the lead singer of KISS) just feels completely out of place in proceedings, a kind of hammy, OTT character that really adds little to the proceedings and shows up just because he can. 

And disappointingly, Eve Ridley's Ruthye, who's supposed to be the moral conflict of the story as she wrestles with the desire for revenge, just seems to be prone to be repeating her mantra in a Princess Bride Inigo Montoya way that soon loses its heft. Plus, saddled with quite a bit of forced bonding exposition to Supergirl, she feels more like a mouthpiece in this than a fully fledged individual. (An odd subplot about child trafficking also just hangs there for no real depth.)

Consequently, Supergirl feels like it lacks some of the emotional resonance it needs in an at times uneven movie that never quite allows its deep themes to rise to the top and trust its audience with them.

As a result, it's not quite as Super as it could be, but deserves to be applauded for trying something different and for Alcock's superlative performance.

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom: Film Review

Director: Steve Cox, Matthew Walker

Whether it's paying homage to countless horror films or dissing the Wombles, the latest Shaun the Sheep movie is a delight that ewe'll struggle not to laugh at.

The third outing for the loveable sheep on the big screen sees the woolly gang taking on Halloween after the last film Farmageddon saw aliens come to Mossy Bottom.

This time though, when an accident destroys the secret vegetable patch Shaun's been cultivating for the Halloween season, he turns to science to get Tiny the pumpkin he wants. But when he creates a grow-fast formula for the veg, he stores it in a bottle marked Hair Growth, which is inadvertently used by the Farmer, who's smitten with the local vet (Nina Sosanya).

Mistakenly using it, the Farmer transforms into a Bigfoot-like creature, terrifying the locals and also Shaun who realises he has to correct his mistake before it's too late.

There's no denying the inventiveness of Aardman Animations in this clever, family friendly escapade that packs in more in its 80 minutes than some films manage in nearly 2 hours.

It helps that no visual sight gag is off-limits. Whether it's apeing the Simpsons' most famous meme, paying homage to Frankenstein or The 40 Year Old Virgin, or making casual observations about cats or seeing Bitzer take out his own faeces in a plastic bag from his doghouse, via Thriller gags, a throwaway Psycho moment that substitutes strings for floss, every ounce of visual flair is poured onto the screen for maximum effect.

The end result is that Shaun the Sheep continues to carry the mantle which Aardman's been flying for some 50 years now and while he may be cruelly sidelined by Wallace and Gromit, the truth is that Shaun has one hoof squarely planted in humour throughout.

The British sense of humour is firmly on the silly side here, but there's a tender love story between the Farmer and the vet that's universal and the bond between dog and owner is one played for heart too.

Cleverly distinctive, uniquely crafted and lovingly played out, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom is perfect family fare and a sign that the inventive chaps at Aardman still have plenty of life left in them.

What's on Netflix on October

Here's everything that's streaming on Netflix in October 2026.

East of Eden (October 1)

Adapted by Zoe Kazan, Executive Producer & Co-Showrunner alongside with Jeb Stuart. 

This limited series spans generations of the Trask family starring Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist, Hoon Lee, Joseph Zada, Joe Anders and Florence Pugh as the ultimate antihero, Cathy Ames.

Hot Wheels: Infinite Rush: PS5 Review

Developed by Milestone SRL
Published by Milestone 
Platform: PS5

A bite-sized version of the Forza Horizon series it may well be, but Hot Wheels Infinite Rush's commitment to solid gaming mechanics and fun arcade racing make this colourful game a blast to play in small doses.

This latest places you in a world of Hot Wheels, islands that offer fun and racing alternatives and an open world mechanic that'll see you go from place to place, blasting around, carrying out odd missions here and there and racing to your heart's content.

Across Wheelswood, Tentacle Bay, Gearville, and Drifty Temples, the four islands of the game, there's plenty to do and also a lot to just simply pick up and play, if that's what you so desire. As a result, the game taps into the kind of fun you'd have with Hot Wheels if you were simply just going to hoon around a track for a while with some friends with their die-cast toys.

Essentially a theme park approach, the game brings a level of fun that only the grouchiest of people could deny and lets those who have played other arcade racers appreciate what's special about Hot Wheels itself. 

With some simple mechanics and around 150 cars to unlock, the game isn't really interested in presenting barriers to play, instead preferring to make it easy to simply pick up the controller and start racing. In terms of the PlayStation tech, the adaptive triggers work incredibly well as brake and accelerate pedals, with force feeling really like it's something to master as you race about.

Another nifty trick is the ability to switch cars during your pursuits by simply holding down a D-pad and selecting another option - it's quite the fun device to keep you on your toes throughout.

In terms of design and simplicity, Hot Wheels Infinite Rush has gone for an overtly colourful palette which works well for its race car world. From the orange ramps to various collectibles scattered throughout, everything's presented nicely and is visually appealing, even if some of the gameplay elements occasionally feel repetitive.

From boost pads to challenges throughout the game and the different islands, there's more than enough to do in Hot Wheels Infinite Rush - and the gotta collect em all mentality will definitely appeal to anyone who's ever picked up a pack of these cars and then spent years searching for rare models in supermarkets and toy stores.

Ultimately, this is a faithful and fun Hot Wheels game - it's one that knows what it wants to deliver and does so with ease - for bitesize, chaotic fun, it's simply unbeatable.

What's on Shudder in October

Here's everything that's streaming on Shudder in October 2026.

V/H/S/Mixtape — October 9
Ninth entry in the anthology franchise, themed around music and rhythm. 

Hallowarrior — October 16
Milly Shapiro stars as Pumpkin, the last girl on Earth

What's on Neon in October

Here's everything that's streaming on Neon in October 2026.

 Among the content on offer:

Lessons on Living with John Aiken (Coming this October)

Kill Jackie (2 October)

Ice Road: Vengeance (2025) (2 October)

Break Clause S1 (4 October)

Marshals S2 (5 October)

Eternally Yours (9 October)

Crystal Lake S1 (15 October)

Yaga S1 (23 October)

Dexter: Resurrection S2 (31 October)

…and a bunch of horror and hijinks for your Halloween fix!

Crystal Lake (Binge from October 15)

Single mother Pam Voorhees has been unable to shake her grief after her son, Jason, tragically drowned in the town lake almost a year earlier. When two strangers start digging into her past, a disturbing chain of events is set into motion, leaving the townspeople of Crystal Lake wondering: just who is Pam Voorhees?  

A prequel to the Friday the 13th franchise.

Stars: Linda Cardellini (Dead to Me, Freaks and Geeks), William Catlett (Love Is, True Story), Devin Kessler (Godfather of Harlem), Cameron Scoggins (Nashville), and Gwendolyn Sundstrom

Yaga S1 (October 23)

A private investigator arrives in a small coastal town to probe the disappearance of a young heir to a powerful fishery. As the list of suspects grows, he navigates a labyrinth of enigmatic suspects, secret lives, and ancient magic. Based on the hit play by Kat Sandler.

Stars: Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix), Hudson Williams (Heated Rivalry), Noah Reid (Schitt’s Creek), and Clark Backo

Break Clause (October 4)

This is a classic love story – proper Jane Austen, boy-meets-girl stuff. Except boy and girl break up the day they move in together and are locked into a six-month rental lease...

Directed by NZ comedian Alice Sneddon (co-writer of Starstruck) and written by Jess Bray (The Outlaws) 

Stars: Samuel Bottomley (How To Have Sex), Lara Ricote (Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping)

Eternally Yours (October 9)

From the creators of Ghosts comes Eternally Yours, a family supernatural comedy following a once-passionate vampire couple who have hit a romantic rut after several hundred years of matrimony. Though their relationship, their routines, and their coven have become dullsville, the arrival of their daughter’s human boyfriend may be just what they need to liven things up.

Stars: Ed Weeks (The Mindy Project), Allegra Edwards (Upload)

Kill Jackie S1 (October 2)

Ex-cocaine dealer Jackie Price lives luxuriously, selling fine art through sophisticated tax loopholes. However, after 20 years of anonymity, her peaceful life is upended when a squad of elite hitmen known as the Seven Demons is hired to kill her. From the creatives behind Killing Eve and Gangs of London.

Stars: Catherine Zeta-Jones (Chicago, Ocean’s Twelve), Daniel Ings (The Gentlemen, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms)

Lessons on Living (October)

Nigel Latta was one of Aotearoa’s most trusted voices. His final book, Lessons on Living, was the culmination of his life's work: three simple principles for dealing with life's ups and downs. John Aiken, resident expert on Married at First Sight Australia, carries on the conversation Nigel started, meeting inspiring New Zealanders on the metaphorical psychologist’s couch, who share their own lessons on living. With proven psychology and real-life experiments, Lessons on Living reveals what actually works when life gets messy. 

A Sky New Zealand Originals.

Proudly made with support from NZ On Air.

Marshals S2 (October 5)

The Yellowstone spinoff returns for a second season, continuing the journey of Kayce Dutton as he adjusts to life as a U.S. Marshal. Throughout the season, he combines his rancher know-how with his training as a Navy SEAL to carry out justice across the state.

Stars: Luke Grimes, Logan Marshall-Green. Arielle Kebbel, Ash Santos, Tatanka Means, Mo Brings Plenty, Brecken Merrill

Dexter Resurrection S2 (October 31)

Dexter: Resurrection season two furthers the bloody saga of Dexter Morgan, introducing us to The New York Ripper and The Five Borough Killer, and marks the return of Charley, last seen with her frail mother as they apparently drove out of New York City. Sequel to Dexter and Dexter: Original Sin.

Stars: Michael C. Hall reprises his original role from Dexter, Uma Thurman(Kill Bill), Brian Cox (Succession), Dan Stevens (Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire)

MOVIES

Ice Road Vengeance (October 2)

Big rig trucker Mike McCann travels to Nepal to scatter his brother's ashes. While on a packed tour bus, McCann and his mountain guide encounter a group of ruthless mercenaries and must fight to save themselves and the innocent passengers.

Stars: Liam Neeson, Fan Bingbing

PLAY DIRTY (2025)

AVAILABLE FROM 3 OCTOBER

Expert thief Parker takes on the biggest heist of his life, when he and his skilled crew stumble onto a score that pits them against ruthless rivalsand powerful dictators.

Stars: Mark Wahlberg, LaKeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, Keegan-Michael Key, Chukwudi Iwuji, Nat Wolff, Gretchen Mol

PRISCILLA (2023)

AVAILABLE FROM 14 OCTOBER

When teenage Priscilla Beaulieu meets Elvis Presley, the man who is already a meteoric rock-and-roll superstar becomes someone entirely unexpected in private moments: athrilling crush, an ally in loneliness, a vulnerable best friend.

Stars: Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi, Ari Cohen

GOAT (2026)

AVAILABLE FROM 19 OCTOBER

A small goat with big dreams joins the pros to play roarball, a high-intensity sport dominated by the fastest, fiercest animals in the world.

Stars: Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Aaron Pierre, Nicola Coughlan, David Harbour, Nick Kroll, Jenifer Lewis, Patton Oswalt

EDEN (2025)

AVAILABLE FROM 24 OCTOBER

Based on a true story, Eden follows three different families who settle on an uninhabited island in the Galapagos, determined to form a new utopia in a world scarred by war and fascism. They soon realise it’s not so easy to leave the world behind, and the greatest threat to survival isn’t the island – it’s each other.

Stars: Jude Law, Ana deArmas, Vanessa Kirby, Sydney Sweeney