What's on DocPlay in July

Here's everything that's streaming on DocPlay in July.

3 July

Johatsu: Into Thin Air • Exclusive

In Japan, thousands of people disappear voluntarily every year. And there are companies ready to help those who want to disappear without a trace and start a new life somewhere else. Meet some of them in a film that soberly examines a modern phenomenon.

6 July

For National NAIDOC Week 2025, DocPlay is proud to present a collection of films that champion Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander culture, and share vital perspectives on our shared history. The below films are free to view in Australia from 6-13 July (no subscription required).

Connection to Country

The Dark Emu Story

Incarceration Nation

Like My Brother

Ningla-Ana

Still We Rise

Voice

Winhanganha

14 July

Architecton • Exclusive

Award-winning director Viktor Kossakovsky’s striking new documentary takes audiences on an extraordinary journey through the material that makes up our habitat: concrete and its ancestor, stone.

17 July

Richard Linklater

Slacker. Indie filmmaker. Oscar nominee. Writer, director, producer, actor Richard Linklater is all these things and more, a poster boy for the fiercely independent style of filmmaking that emerged out of Austin, Texas in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Senses of Cinema

The cultural life of late 20th century Australia through the rise, fall and afterlife of the Filmmakers' Co-operatives. 

The Story of Film: A New Generation

A decade after The Story of Film: An Odyssey, Mark Cousins returns with an epic and hopeful tale of cinematic innovation from around the globe.

21 July

One to One: John & Yoko • Exclusive • AU only

An inside look at John Lennon and Yoko Ono's time living in Greenwich Village, and Lennon's only full-length, post-Beatles concert. 

24 July

Mayor

A look at the life of Musa Hadid, the charismatic mayor of Palestinian city Ramallah, who aspires to lead the city into the future.

28 July

Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

A musician from San Francisco finds meaning to his life when he starts to care for dozens of wild parrots. The beloved break-out hit celebrates 20 years since its theatrical release.

The Pool - available to stream in NZ

New Zealand films coming to 2025 NZIFF

The NZIFF has revealed a clutch of New Zealand movies coming to the 2025 festival.

Among the lineup is Kiwi horror-comedy The Weed Eaters, about a group of carnivorous tokers, shadowy gothic psychodrama Went Up the Hill, comedy-romance in a crumbling theatre, Workmates, and Kaikohe Blood & Fire, a story of how the grassroots combat sports scene is transforming lives in the Northland town.

Also on the Māhutonga strand, TOITŪ Visual Sovereignty follows curator Nigel Borrell on a journey to create a groundbreaking large-scale exhibition of Māori art, and

Notes from a Fish follows a struggling writer on a comic odyssey through the underbelly of Auckland’s rare fish black market.

Kiwi music fan? You won’t want to miss Life in One Chord, a documentary about punk renegade and Dunedin Sound pioneer Shayne Carter. Narrated by broadcaster Carol Hirschfeld (Shayne’s idea), the film takes viewers on a self-deprecating tour of Dunedin suburbs, setting the scene for Shayne’s trademark colourful tales.

And speaking of music legends, Anchor Me: The Don McGlashan Story lets us in on the lesser-known sides of the man behind some of the country’s biggest hits. From Don’s early days playing gigs at student flats, to fronting The Mutton Birds and making it big, this film from acclaimed documentarian Shirley Horrocks delves into the highs, lows, backstage antics and deeply personal insights from the homegrown star.

We’re excited to have two documentary features from pioneer filmmaker Dame Gaylene Preston at this year’s festival! Grace: A Prayer for Peace is a slice-of-life portrait of one of Aotearoa’s greatest living artists, Dame Robin White. Alongside musings on her work from her younger years and scenes from time spent in Japan and Kiribati, much of the film focuses on seventy-something Robin as she is now, at the height of her artistic powers and still moving her practice forward.

As part of the Treasures strand, we’re also featuring War Stories Our Mothers Never Told Us, three decades on from its 1995 debut. The acclaimed documentary includes candid wartime recollections from seven women who navigated life-changing challenges during World War II, as well as stories of resilience and hope.

Bati, the first ever Fijian feature to screen at NZIFF, will premiere at this year’s festival! Beautifully filmed in Suva and the highlands of Namosi, the film tells the story of an aspiring boxer who gets into the ring to support his struggling family. Made with heart and infused with Fijian spirit, Bati also boasts a soundtrack of local faves including InsideOut, Sailasa Tora, Matanibola and the Viwalu Family Gospel.

We've made a change to one of our most important competitions and combined what were previously two separate collections. Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts and New Zealand’s Best have been merged into a single, inclusive competition, Ngā Whanaunga: Aotearoa New Zealand’s Best. This year, we have a stellar lineup of finalists carefully selected from 88 submissions.

What's on Shudder in July

Here's everything that's streaming on Shudder in July.

Push – Shudder Original Film

New Film Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Friday 11 July

Haunted by the memory of her late fiancé, Natalie Flores (Alicia Sanz, El Cid) finds herself 8 months pregnant and in desperate need of a new start. Determined to regain her sense of self, she moves to America and uses her real estate license to take on a challenging listing. However, she soon discovers her new beginning may be a deadly end when she catches the eye of a sadistic killer (Raúl Castillo, Smile 2) at her open house. 

After becoming stranded at the property, Natalie falls into premature labour, starting a physiological ticking clock as she must find a way to escape before she gives birth.

Monster Island – Shudder Exclusive Film

New Film Premieres on Shudder and AMC+ Monday 

25 July

Based on Malay Folklore and drawing inspiration from Creature From the Black Lagoon, this creature feature is set in World War II. A Japanese ship transporting prisoners of war to occupied territories for slave labour.  After being torpedoed by allied submarines, a Japanese soldier and a British POW are stranded on a deserted island and soon discover that they’re being hunted by a ferocious mythological creature, the Orang Ikan. 

Both the soldier and POW realize that they must work together to survive the unknown, despite their differences. Starring Dean Fukjioka (Fullmetal Alchemist) Callum Woodhouse (All Creatures Great & Small).

Hell Motel – Shudder Original Series

New Episodes Every Tuesday Until Season Finale 

29 July Exclusively on Shudder, AMC+ 

From the creators of Slasher, this all-new horror anthology series, starring Emmy® Award-winner Eric McCormack, sees a group of 10 true crime obsessives invited to the opening weekend of the newly renovated Cold River Motel, the site of a 30-year-old unsolved Satanic Mass Murder. History repeats itself when the guests get stranded and start getting knocked off one by one during a murder spree that grows exponentially more gruesome than the original with each kill.

NOS4A2 – Shudder Exclusive Series

Series Binge Premieres Thursday, 24 July 

Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ 

Vic McQueen (Ashley Cummings, Citadel) is a young, working-class artist who discovers she has a supernatural ability to track the seemingly immortal Charlie Manx (Zachary Quinto, American Horror Story). Manx feeds off the souls of children, then deposits what remains of them into Christmasland – a twisted Christmas Village of Manx’s imagination where every day is Christmas day and unhappiness is against the law. Vic must strive to defeat Manx and rescue his victims – without losing her mind or falling victim to him herself.

NEW ADDITIONS TO SHUDDER’S FILM LIBRARY

1 July

Puppet Master

After being contacted by their mysterious former colleague, four psychics arrive at a secluded hotel where they are stalked by a group of murderous puppets.

Puppet Master II

The puppets return and hunt paranormal researchers in an attempt to take their brain fluid for their master, Andre Toulon. 

Puppet Master III

A puppeteer’s ability to bring inanimate objects to life attracts the attention of Nazis during World War II. 

The ABCs of Death 

A 26-chapter anthology that showcases death in all its vicious wonder and brutal beauty. 

7 July

Trash Humpers

Follows the lives of a small group of elderly sociopaths in Nashville, Tennessee. 

The Chaser

A disgraced ex-policeman who runs a small ring of prostitutes finds himself in a race against time when one of his women goes missing.

What's on Neon in July

Here's everything that's streaming on Neon in July.

Outrageous (Wednesdays from July 30)

Public scandal. Political extremism. Personal heartache. Based on the true story of the Mitford sisters who played by their own rules – with sometimes devastating consequences. Set against the gathering storm clouds of the 1930s, this is a family saga like no other. The Mitford’s as they really were: unapologetic, outrageous and utterly human. 

Licence to Drive (July 2)

Learner drivers with disabilities tackle the road in a bid to gain the independence that driving brings – and like all learner drivers, there’s never a dull moment! A Sky New Zealand Originals production, from the makers of Wheel Blacks: Bodies on the Line, Sweet Productions. Made with the support of NZ On Air. 

Movies 

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (July 7)

With a mysterious villain outmatching their abilities in every way, Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails seek an unlikely alliance to protect the planet. Stars: Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba, Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Shemar Moore, James Marsden 

Lee (July 20)

The story of American photographer Lee Miller, a fashion model who became an acclaimed war correspondent for Vogue magazine during World War II. Stars: Kate Winslet, Andy Samberg, Alexander Skarsgard, Marion Cotillard 

Better Man (July 26)

The true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of one of the greatest entertainers of all time, Robbie Williams.  Stars: Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, Alison Steadman, Kate Mulvany 

Joker: Folie A Deux (July 1)

Awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker, Arthur Fleck is  institutionalised at Arkham State Hospital. Struggling with his  dual identity, Arthur meets the love of his life, Harley Quinn,  and finds the music that's always been inside him. 

Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson,  Catherine Keener, Zazie Beetz, Steve Coogan, Harry Lawtey,  Leigh Gill 

JULY - NEON TV  

CONTENT BY DATE 

01 Blue’s Clues & You S1-3 

01 Bubble Guppies S6 

01 Butterbean’s Café S2 

01 Dora and Friends: Into the City! S2 01 Days of our Lives S61 

02 The Loud House S4-6 

02 Rugrats (2021) S1  

02 Spongebob Squarepants S10-13 02 Nicole Kidman, Eyes Wide Open  02 Mia Farrow – Shadows & Light  02 Licence To Drive S1 

09 Outback Farm S1 

16 Glenn Close: A Feminist Force 

16 Martin Scorsese, The Italian-American Master 23 Kate Winslet: A Quest for Authenticity 24 Murdoch Mysteries S16-17 

28 The Last Musician of Auschwitz 30 Outrageous S1 

JULY - NEON MOVIE  CONTENT BY DATE 

01 Joker 

03 Practical Magic 

04 Monster Summer 

05 Richard the Stork and the Mystery of the Great  Jewel  

05 Sniper: The Last Stand  

07 Sonic The Hedgehog 3 

09 10 Lives 

10 Panda Bear in Africa 

10 Ambush 

11 The Canterville Ghost (2023) 

11 Assassin's Plan 

12 Just Go With It 

14 5lbs Of Pressure 

16 Cash Out 

18 Ghost Rider 

19 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 19 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 20 Lee 

22 Dirty Pretty Things 

24 Crank: High Voltage 

25 Lord of Dogtown 

26 Better Man 

28 The Lobster 

29 Funny Girl

31 Red Mole: A Romance

JULY – MAX ON NEON TV  CONTENT BY DATE 

01 Murder Under The Friday Night Lights S4 04 Polyfamily S1 

04 Mystery at Blind Frog Rach S4 07 Krypto the Superdog S1 

07 Grizzy and the Lemmings: World Tour S4 11 Super Mega Cakes S11 

14 Jellystone! S3 

14 My Adventures with Superman S2 21 Tom and Jerry Tales S1 

27 Toxic S1 

28 Bug Bunny Builders S2 

29 1000lb Sisters S6 

29 1000lb Sisters: Clapback  

29 Expedition Bigfoot S5 

31 Chowder S2-3 

31 Tom and Jerry Tales S2

JULY - MAX ON NEON MOVIE CONTENT BY DATE 

01 Joker: Folie A Deux 

07 Superman: Doomsday 

30 The Commandant's Shadow 

Kōkā : Movie Review

Cast: Hinetu Dell, Darneen Christian, Te Kohe Tuhaka
Director: Kath Akuhata-Brown

Released in time for the Māori New Year and with a venerable lead in Hinetu Dell, Kōkā has its heart in the right place – but a flawed execution of a thin story prevents it from really rising above good intentions.

Dell is Māori kuia elder Hamo who, as the film begins, appears to be on her death bed. Rising from it, Hamo leaves hospital only to inadvertently hit local delinquent Jo. Forced into helping her, Hamo's ripped off by Jo who steals her car, makes her an associate to theft and ultimately is robbed blind.

But when Hamo sees Jo is beaten in police custody, she takes her under her wing as they head to their ultimate destination, troubled as she is by past relationships and decisions.

Director Kath Akuhata-Brown's bilingual story is blessed with some uneven performances at best and a story that seems to have one foot in the spiritual world and one in a more broad brushstrokes world that borders at times on caricature. Consequently, while Dell delivers an earnestly studious and quiet performance, the film struggles with its own strength of identity.

Yet when it slows and moves into the wilds of New Zealand and away from some of its more broader moments, Kokā delivers a visually stunning (if occasionally overly CGI-rendered) world of stars in the sky and spiritual edges, perfect for the Matariki release date.

However, with a paper-thin story that wants to be both road movie and odd couple, along with the film's insistence in indulging its story holes, Kōkā feels like it could have been much more, a springboard for a discussion about poverty, generations and racism.

Yet, Kōkā fumbles some of those, dwelling on frustrating flashbacks that don't quite offer enough depth to supplement the story or help secure it in the pantheon of te reo Māori cinema.

Elio: Movie Review

Cast: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña, Remy Edgerly, Brad Garrett, Jameela Jamil and Shirley Henderson

Director: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi and Adrian Molina

Elio feels exactly like the kind of film Pixar would make in the face of accusations of going woke.

But it's actually a beautifully put together ode to our place in the universe, feeling alienated and Voyager, the first probe sent into space. Albeit with some largely forgettable characters the moment it's done, something which is sad to relay.

Kibreab plays the recently orphaned Elio, a space obsessive who longs for aliens to abduct him because it's better than being offloaded on his aunt (Saldaña). However, when first contact is made, Elio finds himself whisked away to the Communiverse, "where tolerance and open-mindedness" rule. But he soon finds himself out of his depth when he volunteers to try and negotiate with a warlord (Garrett) who's intent on destroying them all.

With its adulation of the space race (there's never been this many mentions of the Voyager craft since the first ever Star Trek movie) and its examination of the message of are we alone in the universe, Pixar's latest has the depth it needs on hand. 

But it largely eschews that to dwell on Elio's trauma of loss, and his anger and lack of acceptance at what's happened to him. While also throwing in messages about bullying, what it means to be unique and the sad "what if there's nothing in me to want" attitude of an orphan - there's a lot to juggle here, and not all of it is successfully done in this.

It's beautiful to look at and while it's packed with sci-fi references for celluloid lovers (Terminator 2, Invasion of the Body Snatchers to name but two), there's a general feeling that most of the main characters aren't as memorable as some of Pixar's previous output.

It's a shame because as Elio plays out, it's a magically enjoyable experience - albeit one that's more or less forgotten the moment it's ended. Perhaps it speaks to the problems Pixar has with its output currently - it's still chasing another character that will stand the test of time.

But while it does that, it produces little nuggets like this that revel in existential angst - and parallel perhaps some of the uncertainty Pixar itself faces as it tries to find its own identity in 2025 and beyond. 

Borderlands 4 release date, pre-orders unveiled

The first details of Borderlands 4 release date and its pre-orders have been unveiled.

Its worldwide launch will be on 12 September, 2025. The game is releasing on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store, and will also be coming to Nintendo Switch 2 later in 2025.

There will be three editions of Borderlands 4: Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, and Super Deluxe Edition.

• Standard Edition (AUD$109.95) includes:
• The base game
• Deluxe Edition (AUD$159.95) includes:
• The base game
• Bounty Pack Bundle, featuring four post-launch DLC packs
• Firehawk's Fury Weapon Skin
• Super Deluxe Edition (AUD$199.95) includes:
• All content from the Deluxe Edition
• Vault Hunter Pack, featuring two new Vault Hunters and Story Packs
• Ornate Order Pack, featuring new gear, weapons, and Vault Hunter cosmetics

Players who pre-order the game will receive the Gilded Glory Pack, which includes one Vault Hunter Skin, one Weapon Skin, and an ECHO-4 Drone Skin.

Borderlands 4 Now Available for Pre-Order; Post-Launch Content to Include Story Missions and All-New Vault Hunters

Boldest Borderlands to date launches September 12, starting at AUD$109.95

June 17, 2025 – Today, 2K and Gearbox Software announced that Borderlands® 4 is now available for pre-order. The next instalment in the critically and commercially-successful franchise that started a new genre of games will launch worldwide on September 12, 2025 via PlayStation®5 (PS5®), Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. It will also be coming to Nintendo Switch 2 later in 2025.

“I’ve been blown away by how high the team at Gearbox have raised the bar for Borderlands 4,” said David Ismailer, President of 2K. “The development team crafted a premium AAA adventure that evolves the series’ gameplay and storytelling in new ways, while delivering on the quintessential Borderlands looter-shooter experience fans know and love.”  

 

"Borderlands 4 is the most excited the team and I have ever been to launch a Borderlands game," said Gearbox founder and President Randy Pitchford. "Borderlands 4 is the best entry point for new players while also being a heartfelt love letter to fans of the original games."

Players will take up the mantle of one of four new Vault Hunters, each with unique abilities that, combined with literally billions of weapons, introduce even more ways to crush, bash and destroy enemies. With the biggest Borderlands world ever, brand new traversal mechanics help them explore the sprawling planet Kairos to face off against the tyrannical Timekeeper and his Order.

Additionally, players can look forward to a robust roadmap of free and paid post-launch content rolling out following the launch of Borderlands 4 so they can continue their adventures on Kairos. Depending on which content pack they own, paid DLC can include two new Vault Hunters, all-new regions of Kairos, new story missions, side missions, challenges, enemies and more. Full details will be revealed at a later date.

Borderlands 4 offers three editions of the game: Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, and Super Deluxe Edition.

All editions are available for pre-order today and will release worldwide on September 12, 2025. Players who pre-order one of these editions will receive the Gilded Glory Pack*, which includes one Vault Hunter Skin, one Weapon Skin, and an ECHO-4 Drone Skin.

• The Standard Edition includes the base game and will be available for AUD$109.95 on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store.
• The Deluxe Edition will feature a variety of bonus items and will be available for AUD$159.95 on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store.
• This edition includes the Bounty Pack Bundle**, featuring four separate post-launch DLC packs, each with distinct areas, new missions, and unique bosses; four Vault Cards with unique challenges and rewards; new gear and weapons; four new vehicles, and Vault Hunter cosmetics; and the Firehawk's Fury Weapon Skin.
• The Super Deluxe Edition will include all bonus digital content from the Deluxe Edition and will be available for AUD$199.95 on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store.
• This edition also includes the Vault Hunter Pack***, featuring two new Story Packs, each featuring a new Vault Hunter, story, and side missions; two new map regions; new gear and weapons; more Vault Hunter cosmetics; and new ECHO-4 cosmetics.
• Additionally, it offers the Ornate Order Pack with four Vault Hunter Skins, four Vault Hunter Heads and four Vault Hunter Bodies.

Borderlands 4 is rated MA 15+. Additionally, once purchased on Steam or Epic Games Store, the game will also be available to play on NVIDIA GeForce NOW.

For the latest information on Borderlands 4, wishlist the game, visit www.borderlands.com, and follow the game across YouTube, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

Gearbox Software is a 2K studio. 2K is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).