STACK #253 November 2025

MOVIES & TV PREVIEWS

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WHAT’S OUT THIS MONTH? With the silly season fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about gifts and stocking fillers. This month brings plenty of exciting new releases for everyone. Beyond the titles featured elsewhere in this issue of STACK , here are a few more hot contenders to explore. Words Glenn Cochrane

STAR TREK: SECTION 31 AID RELEASE DATE: Nov 5 GENRE: Sci-f i FORMAT: BD, DVD

THE KING OF KINGS Roadshow RELEASE DATE: Nov 12 GENRE: Family FORMAT: DVD

EDITOR’S PICK RELAY AID RELEASE DATE: Nov 5 GENRE: Thriller FORMATS: BD, DVD Director David Mackenzie, known for hard-hitting films like Starred Up , Hell or High Water and Outlaw King , returns with a gripping new thriller starring Riz Ahmed, Lily James and Joel Edgerton. The story follows a professional fixer who uses a relay service – originally designed for the deaf – to protect whistleblowers by concealing their identities. When he partners with a biotech scientist exposing a dangerous corporate secret, things quickly spiral out of control. Smart, suspenseful and eerily timely, fans of taut thrillers won’t want to miss this one. Don’t let it fly under your radar.

In Star Trek: Section 31 , Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh returns as Emperor Philippa Georgiou, now recruited into the shadowy Starfleet unit known

The King of Kings is Angel Studios’ first foray into animated filmmaking, following their acclaimed live action projects like Sketch , The Last Rodeo, and Sound

as Section 31.Set between the eras of the original crew and the Next Generation, the film sees Georgiou haunted by her past as she leads a black-ops team on a mission that threatens the Federation itself. Directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi ( The Fourth Kind ), it trades classic Trek idealism for covert action and moral ambiguity. A bold shift for the franchise - whether you’re locked in or sceptical, it’s one to experience.

of Freedom . This epic retelling of the life of Jesus combines stunning animation with a stellar voice cast, including Uma Thurman, Oscar Isaac, Kenneth Branagh, Ben Kingsley, and Pierce Brosnan. The film blends reverence, adventure and emotional depth, bringing timeless stories to life in a fresh, visually striking way. With its rich storytelling and star-studded performances, The King of Kings is a standout debut that showcases Angel Studios’ expanding creative ambitions.

SPLITSVILLE MADMAN RELEASE DATE: Nov 19 GENRE: Comedy Romance FORMAT: BD, DVD Splitsville is a sharp, chaotic comedy that flips the script on modern relationships. When Carey (Kyle Marvin) is blindsided by his wife Ashley

NORMAL PEOPLE Roadshow RELEASE DATE: Nov 12 GENRE: TV drama FORMAT: DVD

Normal People is a critically acclaimed, emotionally charged TV series based on Sally Rooney’s acclaimed novel. Following Marianne and Connell from their final

(Adria Arjona) asking for a divorce, he turns to his best friend Paul (Michael Angelo Covino) and his wife Julie (Dakota Johnson) for support - only to discover they’re in an open marriage. What follows is a wild, screwball spiral of jealousy, awkward hookups, and emotional chaos. Directed by Covino ( The Climb ), the film blends absurdity with dark humour, offering a candid, no-holds-barred look at love and boundaries.

days in school through university, it explores love, identity, and the complexities of human connection with raw honesty. Daisy Edgar-Jones ( Where the Crawdads Sing ) and Paul Mescal ( Gladiator II ) deliver heartfelt performances, capturing the intensity and vulnerability of first love with remarkable nuance. With understated direction, sensitive writing, and naturalistic performances, Normal People offers a poignant, relatable portrayal of young adulthood and the lasting impact of relationships.

BRIDE HARD AID RELEASE DATE: Nov 5 GENRE: Comedy FORMAT: DVD

THE CO-ED KILLER Eagle RELEASE DATE: Nov 12 GENRE: TV documentary FORMAT: DVD The Co-Ed Killer (the story of serial killer Ed Kemper ) arrives at the perfect time for true crime fans, riding the wave of interest sparked

Bride Hard came and went quickly in cinemas, missing a lot of people’s radars, but it’s a wild, entertaining ride worth catching. Directed by

Simon West ( Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider ), the movie delivers high-octane thrills with an abundance of comedy. Rebel Wilson stars as a secret agent forced to juggle a top secret mission and her best friend’s wedding. Fun fact: Screen legend Colleen Camp also produced the film. Packed with action and unexpected twists, Bride Hard is a lot more fun that its fleeting cinema run might suggest.

by Monster: The Ed Gein Story and the Mindhunter series. This unflinching, hardcore, R-rated thriller dives deep into the mind of the infamous serial killer, delivering chilling performances and intense, unsettling sequences. It’s a dark, uncompromising look at one of America’s most notorious criminals, designed strictly for devoted true crime enthusiasts – definitely not for everyone, but essential viewing for those drawn to the genre’s grimmer side.

HOSTILE TAKEOVER Eagle RELEASE DATE: Nov 12 GENRE: Action FORMAT: DVD

THE CUT Roadshow RELEASE DATE: Nov 12 GENRE: Thriller FORMAT: DVD The Cut stars Orlando Bloom in his second boxing role, following The Calcium Kid , delivering a gritty, adrenaline-fuelled performance as a fighter

Action movie stalwart Michael Jai White ( The Dark Knight, Undisputed II ) stars in this hard-hitting thriller in the vein of John Wick and

Nobody . He plays a sharp-witted hitman whose cover is blown when he’s caught at a workaholics meeting, sparking suspicion from his crime boss employer. Suddenly, he becomes the city’s most wanted, with assassins closing in from every corner. Over a taut 86 minutes, fists fly, bullets blaze, and tension never lets up. Stylish, relentless, and expertly choreographed, Hostile Takeover is a must-see for die-hard action fans.

navigating the highs and lows of the ring. The film also features John Turturro and Caitríona Balfe, adding depth and intensity to the drama. Directed by the award-winning filmmaker behind Cashback and Anthropod , The Cut blends sharp storytelling with visceral, hard-hitting fight sequences. With its mix of character driven drama and electrifying boxing action, it’s a knockout experience that will resonate with sports fans and cinephiles alike.

36 NOVEMBER 2025

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