Welcome back to What the Hell Should I Watch?, where I sort through the week’s new releases, streaming titles, and upcoming films so you don’t have to gamble your time on trailers and algorithms.
This week’s episode is a heavy mix of genre, emotion, and pop culture detours — from bleak sci-fi and horror reboots to one of the most devastating documentaries I’ve seen in a long time, plus a surprising amount of wrestling and Marvel along the way.
🎬 Fresh For Your Eyeballs
I start with a slate of new theatrical and festival titles, breaking down what works, what doesn’t, and what’s worth your attention:
Mercy – A contained sci-fi courtroom thriller built around a man judged by an artificial intelligence. It’s a high-concept premise that leans into performance and moral questions more than spectacle, and I dig into whether it sustains its tension or collapses under its own idea.
Return to Silent Hill – The latest attempt to revive the iconic horror franchise, leaning into atmosphere and familiar imagery while struggling to recapture what made the original games so unsettling in the first place.
The Things You Kill – A dark, psychologically driven thriller that explores guilt, obsession, and violence, using restraint and mood to slowly tighten the screws.
H Is for Hawk – A quiet, reflective drama about grief, nature, and healing, adapting the acclaimed memoir into something deliberately patient and emotionally grounded.
The Voice of Hind Rajab – One of the most powerful and heartbreaking films of the year. This true story drama confronts tragedy within the Gaza strip with clarity and compassion, and I talk about why it hit so hard and why it’s essential viewing despite how difficult it is to watch.
📺 Streaming Picks
On the streaming side, I take a look at The Rip, the gritty Netflix crime thriller reuniting Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. It’s a throwback cop movie with modern polish, and I unpack where it delivers satisfying genre pleasures and where it feels like comfort food for grown-up movie fans.
📦 Also on My Radar
I also catch up with a few notable series and franchise detours:
Wonder Man – Marvel steps away from pure superhero spectacle into something more character-driven and oddly introspective, blending comedy, showbiz satire, and superpowers.
WWE: Unreal – Season 2 – A behind-the-scenes look at professional wrestling that drops kayfabe and leans into storytelling, personalities, and production reality.
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft – The animated series expands the Tomb Raider universe with action, adventure, and a surprisingly emotional core.
👀 A Taste of Next Week
Looking ahead, next episode will include Send Help, Shelter, Iron Lung, The Wrecking Crew, and Whistle — another stacked slate that promises genre chaos and tough conversations.
If you’re trying to figure out what’s actually worth watching in theatres, on streaming, or on your own shelves, this episode is about separating curiosity from commitment and finding the titles that deserve your time.
👉 New episodes drop every Friday at 9am Pacific
Steve Stebbing 