This week's cultural landscape offers a thrilling mix of high-stakes drama, introspective documentaries, and musical nostalgia, all handpicked from the Guardian's most acclaimed reviews. From the claustrophobic tension of a hijacked Berlin metro to the raw emotion of a legendary boxing family, there's something to captivate every audience.
Must-See Television: Tension on the Tracks and in the Ring
The small screen delivers powerful narratives this week. The standout is the return of Idris Elba in the second series of Apple TV's thriller, "Hijack." This time, the action shifts to the Berlin underground, where Elba's character finds himself trapped on a metro train seized by terrorists. Critic Lucy Mangan promises viewers "another rollicking ride" in this tightly wound suspense drama.
Meanwhile, BBC iPlayer hosts a surprisingly poignant sporting story in "The Eubanks: Like Father, Like Son." This documentary delves into the complex and strained relationship between boxing legend Chris Eubank and his son, Chris Eubank Jr., as the latter prepares for a fight against Conor Benn. Mangan notes the film's moving portrayal of their attempts to connect, describing it as "enough to make you weep."
Also on iPlayer, Dennis Kelly's prison drama "Waiting for the Out" earns high praise for its gripping and vulnerable storytelling. The series focuses on a teacher in prison, with Phil Harrison commending its "thoroughly well-written and performed characters."
Cinema and Streaming: Zombies, Gaza, and Brain Colliders
Film offerings range from apocalyptic horror to hard-hitting docufiction. In cinemas now, "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" marks the fourth chapter in the popular franchise. Directed by Nia DaCosta, it features Ralph Fiennes and Jack O'Connell facing off against zombies. Peter Bradshaw applauds the "pure death-metal craziness" and "real energy" of this latest instalment.
Provoking profound reflection is Kaouther Ben Hania's "The Voice of Hind Rajab," a docufiction that reconstructs the killing of a five-year-old girl in Gaza using real audio of her final pleas. Bradshaw calls it a work of "startling audacity" that powerfully blends reality and reconstruction.
On the streaming front, Netflix offers the Ben Affleck and Matt Damon reunion in "The Rip," an action thriller about cops finding $20m. Critic Benjamin Lee labels it a "propulsive enough four-beers-in watch" – perfect macho pulp for a Friday night. For something more cerebral, Ben Wheatley's "Bulk" sends a reporter to meet an oligarch with a "Brain Collider," in a film packed with pop culture references.
Albums and Books: Britpop Nostalgia and AI Intimacy
In music, Robbie Williams takes centre stage with his new album "Britpop," where he finally explores the sound he yearned for after leaving Take That. Alexis Petridis finds a "swagger and sparkle" in the melodies, making the results "hugely enjoyable." Meanwhile, Sleaford Mods release their 13th album, "The Demise of Planet X," with Dave Simpson highlighting a hauntingly catchy collaboration with Gwendoline Christie.
The literary world presents intriguing topics. The week's top book pick is James Muldoon's "Love Machines," which explores the strange world of relationships with AI. Reviewer Tiffany Watt Smith notes Muldoon's refusal to belittle those seeking intimacy with "synthetic personas." Other notable releases include Aimee Donnellan's history of the weight-loss drug Ozempic, "Off the Scales," and Joanna Kavenna's philosophical novel "Seven."
On stage, Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro are touring the UK, delivering what Daniel Dylan Wray describes as a "piercing and arresting" mix of pop, rock, and metal, finding renewal after a rough period.
