What's new on Neon in May

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

Duster (May 16, 1pm)

Set in the 1970s Southwest, DUSTER explores the life of a gutsy getaway driver crime syndicate that goes from dangerous to wildly, stupidly dangerous when a tenacious young agent comes into town hellbent on taking his crime family down. 

Stars: Josh Holloway (Lost, Yellowstone), Rachel Hilson (Love, Victor), Keith David (Armageddon) 

And Just Like That Season 3 (May 30, 1pm)

This new chapter of Sex and the City follows Carrie, Miranda,  and Charlotte as they navigate the journey from the  complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s – to the  even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their  50s.  

Stars: Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis 

Choir Games (May 4)

An inspiring four-part documentary series Choir Games is the story of the teenagers and conductors who make up two remarkable choirs – New Zealand Kaitāia Community Voices and the Young People’s Chorus of New York City – as they embark on a life-changing journey to the 2024 World Choir Games held in Auckland, the largest choral competition on earth. Directed by Leanne Pooley OMNZ (Valerie Adams: More Than Gold, Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls) 

Wolf Hall S1 (May 15)

This six-part historical drama chronicles the rapid rise of Thomas Cromwell, the son of a humble blacksmith who became King Henry VIII’s chief minister, as he navigated the corridors of power in the Tudor court. Based on the novels by Hilary Mantel. Stars: Damian Lewis, Jonathan Price, Mark Rylance, Claire Foy, Timothy Spall 

Movies on Neon

Gladiator II (May 27)

Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius enters the Colosseum when the emperors of Rome conquer his home. Stars: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Connie Nielson, Denzel Washington 

Smile 2 (May 4)

About to embark on a world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. 

Stars: Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Ray Nicholson

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (May 22)

What's on DocPlay in May

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

This month on DocPlay, celebrate the marvellous life of Liza Minnelli; follow the fight of a local family to preserve their carnival traditions, and binge two exclusive new series. Plus, dive in to the history of America with three new Ken Burns series: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and The Roosevelts.

1 May

The Carnival

Amid bushfires, the pandemic and punters’ changing tastes, the family behind the Bells Family Carnival fight to preserve the attraction’s century-long legacy. 

5 May

The Amazon Review Killer (Exclusive) | Series

This shocking true crime story of serial killer Todd Kohlhepp explores his troubled upbringing, and examines how his Amazon reviews often linked to his violent crimes.

Female Spies (Exclusive) | Series

A gripping six-part archive-driven series on the heroics and villainy of WWII spies, with women at the centre of high-risk operations.

8 May

Dear Zachary

This remarkable and heartbreaking 2008 doco begins as a loving scrapbook tribute to the director’s dead friend before careening into a harrowing and provocative true-crime drama.

12 May

The Hidden Spring

Divided by 4000 kilometres, a son and his dying father connect in this profoundly intimate documentary debut. Directed by Jason Di Rosso, best known as host of ABC Radio National’s The Screen Show.

15 May

Benjamin Franklin

Explore the revolutionary life of one of the 18th century’s most consequential figures.

Thomas Jefferson

A two-part portrait of America’s enigmatic and brilliant third president.

The Roosevelts

This seven-part documentary series chronicles the lives of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of the most prominent and influential family in American politics.

26 May

Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story (Exclusive)

This star-studded tribute brings into focus the dazzling, complex period of Liza Minnelli's life starting in the 1970s, just after the tragic death of her mother Judy Garland--as she confronts a range of personal and professional challenges on the way to becoming a bona fide legend. 

Sinners: Movie Review

Cast: Michael B Jordan, Miles Caton, Delroy Lindo, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku
Director: Ryan Coogler

Ryan Coogler's impressive world-building skills come to the fore in this genre-hopping story that revels in its originality before concluding in a messy mix of blood and gore.

Essentially a riff on From Dusk Til Dawn's Mexican stand-off in parts, this seductive blues-soaked story stars Michael B. Jordan doing double duty as twins Smoke and Stack who return to their hometown having made their fortune in Chicago.

Deciding to set up a juke joint, the boys set about recruiting talent to invigorate their opening night - from a local heavy to a blues player (Delroy Lindo) and their own cousin, a talented player called Sammie, aka Preacher Boy (a soulful Caton).

But what Smoke and Stack don't realise is their desire to be bigtime players in their small town - along with the divine playing of Preacher Boy - has attracted the interest of some dangerous visitors, headed up by Jack O'Connell's Remmick.

Sinners feels like one of the more original films of 2025 and is all the better for it.

Whilst not every element works in this, the atmospheric set-up, the lived-in feeling of the side characters and the sense of era wonderfully evocative from the get-go. Whether it's the slight difference between the twins (one smiles a little more, the other's more studied), Jordan allows for the subtleties to shine as his director allows for time to build around him.

And while much of the story could be seen as a metaphor for the white man stealing the blues music of the deep south, as well as colonialism, Coogler demonstrates some artful directorial flourishes throughout to keep viewers engaged.

One particular touch, set in the middle of the first night at the juke joint is just so jaw-dropping you wonder why it's not been done before. Without spoiling it, it's audacious and speaks volumes to the legacy of music and the impact of the music of the deep south. Music plays a major part in Sinners and its mix of blues and tribal lore are utterly compelling.

It's these moments that stand out in Sinners, landing head and shoulders above the more traditional horror elements that surface toward the end. And unfortunately, the film's denouement after a stand-off that seems without conclusion feels rushed, a minor creative misfire in a truly tremendous movie.

It's often said there's not enough original cinema out there. 

And while Sinners swirls the ingredients of very familiar fare throughout, the final concoction is a heady, steady mix that's well worth diving into.

Drop: Movie Review

Cast: Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Reed Diamond, Violett Beane, Gabrielle Ryan
Director: Christopher Landon

The White Lotus' second season breakout star Meghann Fahy elevates an already tightly written story that lapses into an explosion of violence after simmering throughout in this latest from the director of Happy Death Day.

She plays widowed single mother of one Violet, who's heading out on her first date night with photographer Henry (It Ends With Us' Sklenar) but who's riddled with doubts over whether to go, what to wear and if she should leave her son.

However, when she gets to the restaurant, that's the least of her worries after a series of messages sent to her phone anonymously threaten to kill her son if she doesn't murder her date....

Landon stretches the premise as far as it'll go with this tale, but wisely, using a kind of roulette charm approach to who may be sending the messages works wonders for Drop's simple premise.

Deploying stage-style lighting to drop in and out to pinpoint possible perpetrators and giving the direction a kind of play feel helps sell a story that sees the old adage "everyone's a suspect" come into play. There's a desire here to stick solely to what's expected and Drop delivers it.

Yet it would be nothing without Fahy, whose penchant for subtlety and turning on the slightest moment gives Drop an edge that it needs. With steely determination one moment and extreme vulnerability the next, she's eminently watchable throughout, her spark with Sklenar working stronger on her side than his.

But it never wants to be more than a popcorn movie, where the audience is the detective (giving it a Hitchcockian edge) looking like Violet to find where the suspect could be - with blaring on screen graphics and an over-reliance on the 21st century obsession with technology, the film's contemporary enough to hook in the younger audience, while lightly mocking the older end's uselessness with tech and not alienating those in the middle.

Perhaps the one weak point in Drop's rollercoaster ride is its sudden rush denouement, complete with explanations, boogeymen and horror violence. It feels somewhat of an affront to what's already happened, but it's the payoff the audience seeks - though whether that's a good thing remains to be seen.

Drop is worth dropping everything for - but with its occasional logic holes and its clever teasing of the situation, it's a welcome one and done for a Blumhouse outing that does exactly what it sets out to.

What's on Prime Video in May

Here's what's streaming on Prime Video in May.

Clarkson's Farm Season 4 (May 23)

Prime Video has revealed Clarkson’s Farm will return to Prime Video on 23rd May, with a new, first look at the highly anticipated fourth series. The first four episodes will launch exclusively on Prime Video on 23rd May, with two additional episodes released a week later on 30th May, followed by the final two on 6th June. 

Join Jeremy and his team as they navigate new challenges, ambitious projects, and hilarious moments at Diddly Squat Farm. After rounding off series three with the Diddly Squat gang toasting a tumultuous year, we return a few months later to find life on the farm has changed. Kaleb is on a nationwide tour, Lisa is working on a new product line, and Jeremy is left to run the farm alone. In Kaleb’s absence, Jeremy must keep Diddly on track and comes up with an idea. 

Thwarted in his attempts to open a Farm to Fork restaurant, Jeremy plans to reignite that vision and get back in the council’s good books by drawing crowds away from the farm shop. All he needs to do is buy a pub. 

However, the road to becoming a pub landlord isn’t straightforward either. Jeremy faces obstacles including derelict buildings, red tape and a picnic site with a colourful past. Cheerful Charlie lends a hand, but even he isn’t prepared for the challenges that arise once Jeremy finds his perfect pub. 

Back at Diddly Squat, the Lamborghini tractor is showing its age, and there’s a menagerie of livestock to manage - from a big new bull, a very little pig, to high-tech goats. Mother nature conspires to make this one of the toughest years ever for British farmers. But when the whole gang pulls together, anything is possible. 

Clarkson’s Farm is produced by Expectation and is executive produced by Peter Fincham and Andy Wilman. Zoe Brewer is director of production and Peter Richardson is series producer. Production has also commenced on a fifth series of the Prime Video UK Original series. 

Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 (May 22)

Nine new strangers connected in ways they could never imagine are invited by mysterious guru Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman) to join a transformational wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps. Over the course of a week, she takes them to the brink. Will they make it? Will she? Masha is willing to try anything in the interest of healing everyone involved, including herself.

Nine Perfect Strangers Season Two stars Nicole Kidman, Henry Golding, Lena Olin, Annie Murphy, Christine Baranski, Lucas Englander, King Princess, Murray Bartlett, Dolly de Leon, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Mark Strong, Aras Aydin.

Another Simple Favor (May 1)

Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) reunite on the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, for Emily’s extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman. Along with the glamorous guests, expect murder and betrayal to RSVP for a wedding with more twists and turns than the road from the Marina Grande to the Capri town square.

 

Another Simple Favour is directed by Paul Feig and stars Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, Alex Newell, Elena Sofia Ricci, with Henry Golding, and Allison Janney

Clarkson’s Farm (May 23)

Join Jeremy Clarkson and his team as they navigate new challenges, ambitious projects, and hilarious moments at Diddly Squat Farm. After rounding off series three with the Diddly Squat gang toasting a tumultuous year, we return a few months later to find life on the farm has changed. Kaleb is on a nationwide tour, Lisa is working on a new product line, and Jeremy is left to run the farm alone. In Kaleb’s absence, Jeremy must keep Diddly on track and comes up with an idea.

Thwarted in his attempts to open a Farm to Fork restaurant, Jeremy plans to reignite that vision and get back in the council’s good books by drawing crowds away from the farm shop. All he needs to do is buy a pub. However, the road to becoming a pub landlord isn’t straightforward either. Jeremy faces obstacles including derelict buildings, red tape and a picnic site with a colourful past. Cheerful Charlie lends a hand, but even he isn’t prepared for the challenges that arise once Jeremy finds his perfect pub.

Back at Diddly Squat, the Lamborghini tractor is showing its age, and there’s a menagerie of livestock to manage - from a big new bull, a very little pig, to high-tech goats. Mother nature conspires to make this one of the toughest years ever for British farmers. But when the whole gang pulls together, anything is possible.

Clarkson’s Farm Season Four launches May 23 with episodes 1-4. Episodes 5 and 6 will be available May 30, with the final two episodes available June 6.

Clarkson’s Farm Season Four stars Jeremy Clarkson, Kaleb Cooper, Lisa Hogan, Charlie Ireland.

Overcompensating (May 15)

Overcompensating is a college-set ensemble comedy about the wild, chaotic journey of Benny (Benito Skinner), a closeted former football player and homecoming king, as he becomes fast friends with Carmen (Wally Baram), a high school outsider on a mission to fit in at all costs. With guidance from Benny’s older sister (Mary Beth Barone) and her campus-legend boyfriend (Adam DiMarco), Benny and Carmen juggle horrible hookups, flavored vodka, and fake IDs. Deeply funny and personal, the show explores the lengths to which we all overcompensate while on the path to finding out who we really are.

Overcompensating created by and starring Benito Skinner. The cast also includes Wally Baram, Mary Beth Barone, Adam DiMarco, Rish Shah, Connie Britton, Kyle MacLachlan, Kaia Gerber, Julia Shiplett, Tommy Do, Alexandra Beaton, Claire Qute, Elias Azimi, Maddie Phillips and more.

The Better Sister (May 29)

The Better Sister, based on the novel by bestselling author Alafair Burke, is an 8-episode electric thriller limited series about the terrible things that drive sisters apart and ultimately bring them back together. Chloe (Jessica Biel), a high-profile media executive, lives a picturesque life with her handsome lawyer husband Adam (Corey Stoll) and teenage son Ethan (Maxwell Acee Donovan) by her side while her estranged sister Nicky (Elizabeth Banks) struggles to make ends meet and stay clean. When Adam is brutally murdered, the prime suspect sends shockwaves through the family, reuniting the two sisters, as they try to untangle a complicated family history to discover the truth behind his death.

 

The Better Sister stars Jessica Biel, Elizabeth Banks, Corey Stoll, Kim Dickens, Maxwell Acee Donovan, Bobby Naderi, Gabriel Sloyer, Gloria Reuben, Matthew Modine, and Lorraine Toussaint.

Molly-Mae: Behind It All (May 9)

The highly-anticipated Part Two of Molly-Mae: Behind It All comes to Prime Video in May. The docuseries takes viewers beyond the headlines to uncover the real Molly-Mae, following her journey after her highly publicised break-up. We’ll see Molly-Mae adapt to the challenges of motherhood, all while preparing to launch her biggest business venture to date: ‘Maebe’. In this intimate look, we uncover how these experiences have shaped her into the powerhouse entrepreneur she is today. Balancing the demands of motherhood, the weight of her brand’s success, and the high stakes of her latest business launch, this documentary offers an unfiltered glimpse into her strength and ambition. This is Molly-Mae as we’ve never seen her before - raw, real and redefining what it means to thrive under intense public scrutiny.

Motorheads (May 20)

Motorheads is about first love, first heartbreak, and turning the key in your first car. Set in a once-thriving rust-belt town that’s now searching for a glimmer of hope, the series is an adrenaline-filled story of a group of outsiders who form an unlikely friendship over a mutual love of street racing, while navigating the hierarchy and rules of high school.

Motorheads stars Ryan Phillippe, Nathalie Kelley, Melissa Collazo, Michael Cimino, Australians Mia Healey and Josh Macqueen, Drake Rodger, Uriah Shelton and more.

Octopus! (May 8)

Octopus! is a two-part documentary special narrated and executive produced by Emmy-Award winning actress and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge. It transports viewers into the otherworldly depths of one of the most intelligent and mysterious life forms on Earth as it follows the Giant Pacific Octopus from birth to death. The documentary features an eclectic mix of characters who have their own unique connections to these creatures, from the scientist trying to save them, the explorer trying to understand them, to the Emmy-nominated actor and comedian, Tracy Morgan, who is obsessed with them. Their adventures will make us laugh, cry, and question our own place on this planet along the way.

David Spade: Dandelion (May 6)

Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor/comedian David Spade will make his Prime Video stand-up comedy debut with Dandelion, his first special since 2022. With signature sardonic takes on the perils of flying, charity auctions, and the evolution of porn, Spade is sharper and funnier than ever in Dandelion.

Since his legendary tenure on Saturday Night Live, Spade’s prolific career has included classics like Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, The Emperor’s New Groove, Joe Dirt, and the sitcom Just Shoot Me!. He now co-hosts the wildly popular comedy podcast Fly on the Wall with fellow SNL alum Dana Carvey. Now, it’s time for Spade to make a triumphant return to the stage in his highly-anticipated fourth comedy special.

MAY 2025 TOP PICKS:

RENT OR BUY

BRIDGET JONES DIARY: MAD ABOUT THE BOY

(MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW TO RENT OR BUY

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD

(MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW TO RENT OR BUY

BLACK BAG

(MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW TO RENT OR BUY

SNOW WHITE

(MOVIE) COMING SOON

NOVACAINE

(MOVIE) COMING SOON

ONE OF THEM DAYS

(MOVIE) COMING SOON

STREAMING ON PRIME VIDEO

ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOUR

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

MISERY

MAY 2025 TOP PICKS:

RENT OR BUY

BRIDGET JONES DIARY: MAD ABOUT THE BOY

(MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW TO RENT OR BUY

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD

(MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW TO RENT OR BUY

BLACK BAG

(MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW TO RENT OR BUY

SNOW WHITE

(MOVIE) COMING SOON

NOVACAINE

(MOVIE) COMING SOON

ONE OF THEM DAYS

(MOVIE) COMING SOON

STREAMING ON PRIME VIDEO

ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOUR

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

MISERY

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

TEEN WOLF

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

TEEN WOLF TOO

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

AGENT CODY BANKS

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

AGENT CODY BANKS 2: DESTINATION LONDON

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

THE BIRDCAGE

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

SAPNE VS EVERYONE S1

(SERIES) 1/5/2025

THE CRITIC

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

(MOVIE) 6/5/2025

DAVID SPADE: DANDELION S1

(SERIES) 6/5/2025

PASSENGERS

(MOVIE) 6/5/2025

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS 2025

(SPECIAL) 8/5/2025

MEN IN BLACK

(MOVIE) 8/5/2025

OCTOPUS!

(SPECIAL) 8/5/2025

BAD MOMS

(MOVIE) 8/5/2025

MOLLY-MAE: BEHIND IT ALL PART 2 S1

(SERIES) 9/5/2025

HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON

(MOVIE) 11/5/2025

MEN IN BLACK II

(MOVIE) 13/5/2025

OVERCOMPENSATING S1

(SERIES) 15/5/2025

MOTORHEADS S1

(SERIES) 20/5/2025

EDGE OF TOMORROW

(MOVIE) 20/5/2025

A HAUNTING IN VENICE

(MOVIE) 21/5/2025

NINE PERFECT STRANGERS S2

(SERIES) 22/5/2025

CLARKSON'S FARM S4

(SERIES) 23/5/2025

THE BETTER SISTER S1

(SERIES) 29/5/2025

What's on Disney+ in May

Here's what's streaming on Disney+ in May.

Welcome to Wrexham Season 4 (May 16)

Disney+ announced FX’s “Welcome to Wrexham,” the Emmy® Award-winning docuseries from Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, will premiere its fourth season on Friday, May 16, exclusively on Disney+ in New Zealand. The premiere will feature the first two episodes of the eight-episode season. The key art was also released today.  

Rob McElhenney (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) and Ryan Reynolds (“Deadpool”) navigate running the 3rd oldest professional football club in the world. “Welcome to Wrexham” is a docuseries tracking the dreams and worries of Wrexham, a working-class city in North Wales, UK, as two Hollywood stars guide the future of their historic Club.

In 2020, Rob and Ryan teamed up to purchase the 5th tier Red Dragons in the hopes of turning the Club into an underdog story the whole world could root for. The world took notice and the Club achieved back-to-back promotions to bring the Reds into the English Football League’s League One for the first time in 20 years. As they continue to rise in the pyramid, the stakes get higher with a new level of intensity, competition and costs, all while the Club continues to be plagued with injury and fans demand the signing of new talent. Dedicated staff and supporters celebrate the team’s climb toward the Premiership while bracing against the new-found challenges that come with each new tier up the EFL. Will Wrexham AFC rise to the challenge and do what no team has ever done before?

Wrexham AFC Women’s Team continues to battle amongst the top teams in the Welsh Adran Premier League and strives to stand out amidst a crowded field of talented women footballers. With new players and continued support from the Club and fans, can they make a name for themselves at the top of the League?

Meanwhile, somewhere in a galaxy far away… actually, a series of towns, cities and boroughs likely across Wales, England and California, Humphrey Ker trains for a marathon. Will Wrexham AFC’s beloved Executive Director raise funds for charity, survive humiliation at the hands of the players and staff, and complete 26.2 miles without injury or chaffing?

Follow along as “Welcome to Wrexham’s” cameras bring you unprecedented access on the pitch, inside the locker room and alongside the players while the action unfolds in some of the biggest matches Wrexham AFC has ever played.

Technics AZ100 Review

Technics has game when it comes to earbuds.

Their AZ range has been consistently strong, offering sound quality that's both immersive and impressive across the brand.

The EAH-AZ100 shows no sign of bucking that trend, providing users with an experience that gives them what they need - and gives professionals who've been seeking more than just a user experience a little more too.

Announced at CES2025 in January, the EAH-AZ100s have hit a marketplace that's starting to seem crowded, but thanks to the Technics' penchant for consistency, they should be able to break through. It's helped, in no small matter, by the quality of what's provided.

With adaptive noise-cancellation and Bluetooth technology, the earbuds offer up a simple user experience that makes wearing them easy. While there's a noticeable difference in sound quality if ANC isn't engaged, overall, they're chunky enough and bassy enough to handle both calls and anything you'd want to stream. Adaptive AI certainly helps on calls, filtering out excess noise and allowing you to focus on what's incoming.

With around 12 hours of battery life without ANC on, the earbuds do have a good solid couple of days in them, but perhaps if you're having to use them regularly, that feels a little on the lower side. But when you consider the output of what they achieve, it's understandable that battery would drain. It's a little more than what previous iterations have offered, so perhaps there's an increase in scale there, but it's still somewhat hard to match up across the marketplace.

These buds are smaller, sleeker in design and as a result, sit better in the ears for longer periods of time than they would have done before. It's small touches like this that will likely not be noticed by users that are appreciated by continual owners of the Technics range - and it's no surprise with touches like that they have survived 60 years in the market.

New drivers in the earbuds also help to deliver clearer sound and again, it's a small touch from the developers, but it's had a major impact on users. Calls are crisp as well, with sound quality even better if ANC is engaged.

It may seem a little unfair to say it's business as usual for the brand, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. While some developers try to push the boat out with each new launch, Technics have veered closely to their high-end design, high-end output spec - and it's very much welcome in a crowded marketplace that quality and consistency can shine out.

Atomfall: PS5 Review

Developed by Rebellion
Published by Rebellion
Platform: PS5

Iconic 2000AD publisher Rebellion has always had an eye for the slightly skewed way of doing things - and their latest game, Atomfall, is no different.

Set in alternate Britain, where nuclear fallout covered parts of the Lake District in the UK, it's a first-person survival game that builds heavily on the likes of Fallout, but spins its own unique web of gaming difference.

From using resources to craft weapons and fighting enemies, this is a game that feels familiar, yet also somehow different as it spins its tale. With mutated creatures, a mysterious cult and your own amnesia to deal with, there's plenty to keep your gaming senses engaged throughout.

But what's different here is the methods used to pull your story together. Leads are deployed throughout, like a series of clues aimed at producing a cohesive theory as to what's going on - it's a clever way to encourage exploration while simultaneously ensuring that players are dripfed enough information to be kept engaged as you try and leave the quarantine zone. Regions open up as the clues are revealed and the game becomes deeper the more you put into it.

It means earlier parts of Atomfall are frustrating to say the least, but once it truly kicks into gear, the game has a way of gripping you more than you'd expect.

Perhaps the only downside of Atomfall is how little the survival elements are thrown in - you're never low on bullets, health or other issues that regularly form part of the genre. It's almost as if Rebellion didn't quite want to fully dive into that world.

Innately British in its outlook and humour, Atomfall is a resolutely clever entry into the genre - it shows Rebellion is casting its net a bit wider and leaning into its 2000AD anthology ethic, and the results are immersive and compelling.

JBL Tour Pro 3 True Wireless: Review

You'd think that the wireless earbuds range has probably gone as far as it could, with there being little room to innovate and all that was left was to simply continue to do what is needed.

Not so - with JBL's latest earbuds, there's been a sign that doing something a little different is on the cards and while the earbuds themselves continue to offer peak sound quality, it's the new edges that have proved to be compelling.

Using dual drivers and an improved Smart Case charging faculty, these latest make a strong - if pricey - case for being some of the best in the market currently. While they're a little on the bulky side for those who prefer economy in their ears, the fact of the matter is they do what they need to - and it's really about the sound that comes out of them that matters.

But equally, the charging case has been the biggest improvement of these buds. With an increased screen size, the graphics on it stand out more and the screen offers a display that's easier to use and also makes it easier to see at what stage charging is at and the individual buds themselves.

The buds, with their five customisable ear tips make for a piece of kit that can be used broadly by a large audience, while still maintaining their own unique personal edges. Feeling more premium plastic than just plastic themselves helps greatly, and they can comfortably sit in the ears for hours, ensuring that you don't really feel they're there.

Yet it's the Smart Case that is the biggest sell for these - with the ability to display caller ID for incoming calls, the chance to change settings a bit easier with a bigger screen and the navigation, it makes for a more streamlined experience that really does feel something worthy of the somewhat higher price tag.

The noise cancelling works solidly as well, removing rumbles from car journeys or nearby ambient sound - it's a solid package that's worth investing in. And while the current price means they're more at the premium end of the market when it comes to cost, they're a worthwhile investment because of the extra feature offers and the fact that JBL once again remains committed to quality output above all else.

Warfare: Movie Review

Cast: D'Pharoah Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Joseph Quinn, Finn Bennett, Michael Gandolfini
Director: Ray Mendoza, Alex Garland

Less a movie, more a visceral experience that feels like a first-person shooter writ large, Alex Garland's latest foray into war film territory is an intense outing that never really has an emotional core.

It follows a group of Navy Seals on a mission through insurgent territory in Iraq in 2006. It begins with the group coming together in harmony and a burst of pent up bonding as they watch Eric Prydz's Call On Me workout video that released in 2004.

In this opening sequence alone, we learn all we need to about the group's dynamics, their closeness and their camaraderie. Moments later, they're picking their way through the darkened streets to break into a family's home to set up a perfect surveillance of a nearby market. 

As the monotony of the carrying out of the job plays out, it soon becomes clear something is about to go down - and that the Seals are the target as the locals unleash a Jihad on them.

Based on Mendoza's memories of what happened, it's no surprise the film is skewed as to what occurs within the troupe. The idea of being embedded with them and being in the thick of conflict is initially dizzying - but the strong reality of being caught as fire rained down on them is thrilling in parts, but sickening in others.

There's a very forensic feeling to the film, one that holds aloof viewers on an emotional level, but connects with them on a very physical level. It leaves Warfare feeling like the kind of film that's best as an experience in a cinema - particularly in terms of the soundscape which captures every cry of the injured, every atmospheric womp of the lack of sound after a major explosion and may even catch audiences off guard after lulling them into an unearned sense of security.

But Warfare is never as engaging as it feels - technically, it's more than adept. Yet as final footage shows the directors being trained by Mendoza on how to fight in a situation like this, it becomes clear how staged it all feels, and how a ruthless adherence to facts at the time don't necessarily translate to deeply engaging drama.

In a way, Warfare is an anti-war piece in the same way that Garland's Civil War was. In much the same way as the Paranormal Activity films force us to scan the screen looking for every single movement, Warfare does the same - its sense of stillness at times is compelling to say the least.

As an in-cinema outing, it's second to none - but as a film, it's somewhat of a Bore-fare than full-on warfare.

The Amateur: Movie Review

Cast: Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Jon Bernthal, Caitriona Balfe
Director: James Hawes

A more muted revenge-driven thriller than perhaps its explosive trailer promised, The Amateur sees Mr Robot star Rami Malek showcasing his trademark nervous energy and outsider charm as Charles Heller, a CIA cryptographer whose wife is killed in a terrorist attack.

Despite his tracking down of those responsible, he is told by the powers that be within the CIA that it'll be dealt with. However, when he discovers that's anything but the case, and being wildly unqualified to do so, he sets out to exact vengeance on those who've wronged him.

It's an interesting premise for The Amateur - one that promises an avenging angel able to appear hidden in plain sight because of his own anonymity. 

But director James Hawes' film is more concerned with offering middling thrills than full-on revenge edges that would have spiked moviegoers' interests in the 1980s. It's a shame because there are frustrating hints of what could have been in this film.

A scene where Heller uses a lockpick video on YouTube to crack open a door in an apartment is rich with humour, as he scrabbles to go unnoticed and the video tells viewers to like and subscribe.

The movie could have used a few more of these moments throughout, rather than a more workmanlike script that hits the right notes, but never seems to have the joy of having done so. 

Malek is watchable though - his Heller has real potential for a franchise character, a kind of antithesis to the power dynamics of the likes of Jason Bourne, but unfortunately the script never quite cooks up enough of the ambiguity of the relationships between Heller, the trainer forced upon him (Laurence Fishburne) and the spy who Bro-loved him played by Jon Bernthal.

What transpires in The Amateur is a nice story of the unexpected underdog having their day, but without the frisson of tension and suspense, you're never anything less than 100% sure he'll make it through. 

A bit more edge could have made this unmissable - as it is, well, it's just slightly Amateur-ish.

Doctor Who: The Robot Revolution: Review

The second season of Ncuti Gatwa's tenure as the Doctor sees a reinvention of sorts - a new companion in the form of Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu), a new set of mysteries to solve and more.

But in the first episode, The Robot Revolution, writer and showrunner Russell T Davies returns to his own obsessions in many ways, pulling together a yarn that starts off grounded on Earth, but ends up in the stars.

Chandra is a nurse at the local hospital, who spends her shifts saving the doctors and generally doing a good job. When the Doctor shows up just as she's finishing, he demands to find out where she lives - for reasons that seem shady at best. But within moments of arriving on her doorstep - albeit a little too late, trouble is already brewing with Chandra being kidnapped and whisked off to another planet.

To say more about The Robot Revolution is to rob the story of its edges, and while it's fair to say that this tale is set on another planet, its roots are very much in the world we currently live in and the social conversations which are being had.

Fears this is a ripoff of the David Tennant yarn Smith & Jones persist early on with a feeling that of deja vu, but what quickly becomes clear is just how much of a duo Sethu and Gatwa are. Reminiscent of Tegan Jovanka's antagonism toward the Doctor for essentially kidnapping her, there are elements which old school fans will feel are somewhat familiar. 

Yet Sethu is no ripoff of what has happened before - sure her character apparently has connections to the Boom outing, but she's no cypher or anyone's punctuation to another story. There's an incredible scene late in the episode where Belinda unleashes on the Doctor for doing something he shouldn't have done without permission - it's an astounding moment and particularly in the aftermath, it's clear she's not in his thrall. It's in these moments that Sethu nails what the companion vibe should be with ease.

And it's not to dismiss Gatwa to say he's as good as he was last season - bouncing from grief to excitement to doing what the Doctor always does, it's another reminder of the incredible magnetism he has in moments that count - particularly when the writing is strong enough to pull him in.

A note must be made of the retro-futuristic look of the world too. It's reminiscent of both 1960s Lost In Space and Fallout's recent visual vibe, complete with Dan Dare edges and derring do. It's the small details here that stand out, rightly so.

It's too early to say what the eight-episode season will bring - but in terms of launch, this has pace and just something about it from the start that is enthralling, enticing and exciting - but expect some pushback to the central mystery of this first episode by those already angered by some of what was laid in Gatwa's first season.

Doctor Who airs on Disney+ from April 12.

The Last Of Us Season 2: Review

It's no word of a lie to say the second season of post-apocalyptic drama The Last Of Us is an emotionally exhausting experience.

While the show's first run focussed on the intense relationship between Pedro Pascal's disaffected smuggler Joel and his charge Ellie (Bella Ramsey), the second sees that beautiful bond ripped asunder by the impact of the final moments when Joel was forced to kill those about to operate on Ellie to get a cure to save the world.

The latest picks up five years after that fateful decision with the pair living - albeit strained and estranged - in the community of Jackson, a civilisation that's positively thriving in the middle of continual onslaughts from raiders and the infected.

Much like the contagion ripped through the populace, the sheer hatred between Joel and Ellie is equally as vicious, with Ramsey's sneering and unhappiness going beyond what any parent could expect from a disaffected teenager.

There's much to be said about the second season of the show, but extremely tight spoiler restrictions make it difficult. Needless to say the show's creators, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin have created something that is so eminently watchable and downright uncomfortable this time around.

All of the main players excel throughout - from Ramsey's drive as Ellie through to Pascal's tearfully led performance as a surrogate father forced to make the harshest of decisions via Isabela Merced's veritably heartfelt performance as Dina, there's much to be in the thrall of here.

Perhaps the most controversial addition, that of Kaitlyn Dever as soldier Abby barely warrants any dwelling on. Any concerns she was not of the right physicality, or had the intensity needed for her character are severely misplaced with the Apple Cider Vinegar star being compelling from the beginning.

Equally, the show's production values have clearly been upped in the season, with snowy vistas and blizzards on the screen feeling utterly claustrophobic and as downright chilly as some of the onscreen interactions as this fallout from a lie season plays out. There's action when it's needed and the splintering of stories allows for some rich seams of drama to be opened up as well. 

Sadly, there are only seven episodes in this run, and with so much dramatic potential being opened up, it feels like it's not even close enough to satiate viewers.

But rest assured, the second season of The Last Of Us builds handsomely on what the first achieved - just because there's an expanded scope doesn't mean the creators have lost sight of what mattered in the first place - character moments, human interactions and connections and an exploration of the human condition under extreme duress. 

What price do you pay for your actions, do the consequences merit them and how do you live with your conscience are all explored here - but the deepening of how they do so are nothing short of gripping viewing that's to be savoured throughout.

The Last Of Us Season 2 premieres on Neon on Monday April 14.

All seven episodes of season two were viewed for the purposes of this review.

Assassin's Creed: Shadows: PS5 Review

Developed by Ubisoft Quebec
Published by Ubisoft
Platform: PS5

The Assassin's Cteed brand has become synonymous with the idea of stealth, killing and exploration.

Over the years, various elements of the franchise have played with the template, added bits on or simply stuck to what it knows. It's all led to various iterations of the game that have had varying degrees of success.

But perhaps the 2025 version of the Assassin's Creed franchise is one of those that captures best what the game has the potential to do. Set in 16th century Japan, towards the end of the Sengoku period, the game focuses on two different characters, whose worlds collide amid tragedy.

Firstly, there's the female shinobi Naoe and secondly, there's the samurai Yasuke; both have differing strengths and weaknesses and allow different styles of gameplay when it counts. While there are elements of Ghost of Tsushima throughout (itself no bad thing), the Assassin's spin on the world is obvious from the start with the usual stealth mechanics offering new edges of gameplay.

Yet there's been a tweaking of some of the elements and additions of new mechanics - from being able to crawl through to breathing in shallow water with a reed, the developers have been keen to upgrade where necessary creating an adventure that's riddled with new parts and it's all to the better.

The story itself is engaging, yet familiar to those who have seen shows like Shogun and while the dialogue occasionally feels stilted, the combat and differing styles of play adds to a lot of the overall feel of the game amid the side quests, the seemingly endless map and the missions.

Ultimately, Assassin's Creed: Shadows is a strong re-entry into the world - and while some of it feels very familiar, the ability to play in chapters of chunks rather than feeling like it's a slog, coupled with the switching of characters when the grind kicks in, means it's a welcome return to the world.

Bring Her Back trailer releases

The first trailer for the next film from the directors of Talk To Me has been released.

From Danny and Michael Philippou, the directors of ‘Talk To Me,’ comes a soul-shaking possession horror that cannot be unseen.

 

Sally Hawkins stars in BRING HER BACK, exclusively in cinemas May 29.

 A brother and sister uncover a terrifying ritual at the secluded home of their new foster mother.

 

Starring

Sally Hawkins, Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips, Sally-Anne Upton and Stephen Phillips

 

Directed By

Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou

 

Bring Her Back was filmed in the Philippou brothers’ home state of Adelaide, South Australia.

 

Doc Edge reveals first details of its 20th anniversary programme

With winter rolling around in New Zealand, it's time for the annual Doc Edge film festival.

And it's a special one this year, with the event celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Doc Edge Festival proudly marks its 20th anniversary with the first release of films for its 2025 programme, running from 25 June to 24 August. With its Oscar-qualifying status secured for another three years, the festival continues to attract world premieres, cementing its reputation on both the local and international circuit.

The 20th-anniversary programme will be screened in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Auckland kicks off the festival with films at Bridgeway Cinema, The Capitol Cinema, and SkyCity Theatre (25 June – 13 July), while the immersive exhibition will be hosted at Silo 6. The city will also host Doc Edge's industry events (30 June – 3 July) and the prestigious Oscar-qualifying Awards Ceremony (3 July).

Doc Edge’s Virtual Cinema will also be available nationwide from 28 July – 24 August for those unable to attend in person.

The 20th Doc Edge festival promises a diverse range of bold and impactful films covering climate change, social issues, human rights, and the arts.

First Films Announcement:
World Premieres

• BEFORE THE MOON FALLS
  Dir. Kimberlee Bassford | USA | 2025 | 99 mins
  An intimate portrait of pioneering Samoan writer Sia Figiel, whose rise to international acclaim is shadowed by her struggles with bipolar disorder, childhood trauma, and personal demons. A shocking murder brings her complex journey to a tragic end.
   
• CARROUSEL
  Dir. Pascal Messaoudi | France | 2025 | 84 mins
  Our existence is full of paradoxes. In France's most polluted region, a small industrial town thrives amidst heavy industry. People swim, fish, dance, and celebrate life, despite the constant noise of trucks, furnaces, and supertankers. At the town’s entrance, Natalie’s food truck has stood for thirty years.
   
• CLICK THE LINK BELOW
  Dir. Audun Amundsen | Norway | 2025 | 1034 mins
  Exposing the murky world of online money-making gurus, where lavish lifestyles clash with broken dreams and shattered promises of wealth.
   
• THE DANCER
  Dir. Lacey Uhlemeyer | USA | 2025 | 90 mins
  The story of Ahmad Joudeh, an LGBTQI+ Syrian-born dancer, who battles war and inner conflict to discover the true meaning of home through dance.
   
• DEVILS ON HORSES
  Dir. Edward Sampson | New Zealand | 2025 | 85 mins
  Exploring the deep bond between soldiers and their horses in the harsh desert, showing how these animals provided comfort, security, and emotional stability during the horrors of war.
   
• FOOD DELIVERY
  Dir. Baby Ruth Villarama | Philippines | 2025 | 85 mins
  Documenting the Filipino fishermen, Coast Guard, and Navy as they deliver food to communities in the contested West Philippine Sea while defending their livelihoods and national sovereignty.
   
• MIGHTY INDEED
  Dir. Vanessa Wells | New Zealand | 2025 | 90 mins
  A character-driven film set in Antarctica, blending stunning wildlife and scenery while addressing climate change with wit and warmth. It follows three women over four decades as they push the boundaries of science.
   
• OS BARCOS
  Dir. Vincent Boujon | France | 2025 | 86 mins
  In a former Brazilian fishing village, the restaurant terrace of Mônica’s eatery has become a trendy spot thanks to influencers. But behind this perfect image, the residents struggle to survive amid rising tourism and wealth disparity.
   
• SHAYNI IN THE SKY
  Dir. Gabriel Garton | New Zealand, USA | 80 mins | 2024
  A BASE jumper from New Zealand returns to the Norwegian mountain where her husband died in a tragic accident. She carries his ashes, their baby, and their memories on her life-changing journey.

Other Premieres

• THE DATING GAME
  Dir. Violet Du Feng | USA, UK, Norway | 2025 | 86 mins | Asia Pacific Premiere
  In China, where eligible men vastly outnumber women, three bachelors join an intensive seven-day dating camp in a final attempt to find love.
   
• THE LIONS ON THE RIVER TIGRIS
  Dir. Zaradasht Anne Ahmed | Norway, Netherlands | 2025 | 92 mins | Asia Pacific Premiere
  Mosul, once the promised Caliphate of ISIS/Daesh, bears the scars of liberation. Can the people heal their broken souls?
   
• STRANGE JOURNEY: THE STORY OF ROCKY HORROR
  Dir. Linus O’Brien | USA | 90 mins | 2025 | International Premiere
  A deep dive into the origins and enduring impact of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a cult film that continues to resonate with audiences and pop culture.
   
• WILDBOY
  Dir. Toby Schmutzler | New Zealand, Germany | 2024 | 92 mins | International Premiere
  Brando, a young Kiwi with ADHD, embarks on extraordinary adventures across untouched landscapes, seeking purpose and escape from societal norms.
   
• YUMI – THE WHOLE WORLD
  Dir. Felix Golenko | Germany | 2025 | 80 mins | International Premiere
  Three courageous law students from the South Pacific fight for their homeland’s survival in the face of climate change and political threats.
   
• YURLU COUNTRY
  Dir. Yaara Bou Melhem | Australia | 2025 | 85 mins | International Premiere
  An intimate portrait of an Aboriginal elder's final year as he strives to preserve his culture and heal his homeland, scarred by the largest contaminated site in the Southern Hemisphere.

Dan Shanan, Director of Doc Edge, said, "Doc Edge's 20th anniversary is not just about celebrating the past—it's about pushing the boundaries of what documentary can achieve. This year's festival is a celebration of bold storytelling, with films that challenge, inspire, and ultimately transform how we see the world."

The full programme and tickets will be live from 9 May, with tickets available via the festival’s website.

Stay updated with the latest news and announcements by visiting docedge.nz and following Doc Edge on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.