Newshot What to Watch This Week | 10 Recent Works Worth Your Time
👀 N Works Recommended
- Recent highlights: [Film] Possible Love, [Film] The Black Ball, [Film] Happy Birthday, [Chinese Drama] The Great Long March, [British Series] War Season 1, [Japanese Drama] ROCK PAPER LANDMINE, [Japanese Drama] Aibou Season 25, [Japanese Drama] My Sweet Home, [Documentary] Blue Planet III, [Reality Show] See You Later
- Trailers worth watching: Blade Runner 2099 final trailer, The Incredible Re-Adventures of Cliff Booth new trailer, The Lord of War 2 new trailer, A Cat's Venetian Journey official trailer, Yuru Camp△ Season 4 official trailer
- Film & TV news: Dune 3 new poster, The Wicker Man confirmed for mainland China release, Spy×Family Season 4 & new theatrical film set for 2027, Harry Potter series new poster, James Gunn steps down as DC Studios co-chair
For past recommendations, click here or tap the tag #What to Watch This Week at the end of the article; for more themed watchlists, click here. For more in-depth film & TV content, follow our spin-off column "What to Watch Café." If you have other suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments—thank you all for your love and support of the "What to Watch" column.
[Film] Possible Love
- Also known as: 가능한 사랑 / Possible Love
- Where to watch: Netflix; Douban link
@Liz and the Blue Bird: At a coworker's funeral, Ahn Mi-ok and Choi Ho-seok meet documentary filmmaker Lee Ye-ji. Perhaps out of curiosity about Ye-ji's class, perhaps to open a window into her husband's mental illness, Mi-ok agrees to be interviewed by Ye-ji. Ye-ji's documentary focuses on workers' lives after mass layoffs, and Choi Ho-seok—laid off, a veteran of a major strike, and suffering from PTSD—is undoubtedly the best subject for the film. Ye-ji also does everything she can to build a good relationship with her third-generation-wealthy husband Sang-woo and Mi-ok's family, and where will this friendly, stiff, and utilitarian relationship ultimately lead?
The film runs through the documentary's shooting process, examining how the camera's ubiquitous presence forms a subtle power relationship that divides the different worlds represented by the two families, and also poses a creator's dilemma—when focusing on others' trauma, is one giving love and understanding, or consuming pain? Mi-ok recounts her painful past in calm words with a smile on her face; a plain life can be painted with poetic imagery under the memory of love, and together with Jeon Do-yeon's delicate performance, it lets viewers who have never experienced such things understand their forbearance, anger, pain, and speechlessness. Through a documentary shoot, the film depicts the typical faces of three social classes in Korea, narrating the desperate resistance and struggle of the lower class, the hypocrisy, ignorance, and arrogance of the upper class, and the happiness they crave but cannot possess.
[Film] The Black Ball
- Keywords: Drama / LGBTQ+ / History
- Also known as: La bola negra / The Black Ball
- Runtime: approx. 160 minutes; Douban link
@Pan Yuhan: In 1932, due to rumors about his homosexuality, Carlos is cast a "black ball" by his club, signaling opposition to his membership. In 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, the forced-conscripted trumpeter Sebastián receives orders from his superior hoping he will gather information while caring for prisoners of war, and in the course of their time together, he develops unusual feelings for a handsome prisoner. In 2017, Alberto discovers his grandfather's secret after inheriting his estate.
On August 18, 1936, poet and playwright Federico García Lorca was executed by the military. In official documents, the authorities used Federico's homosexuality to press charges against him. Ninety years later, two directors took a mere four-page fragment of Federico's manuscript, "The Black Ball," as inspiration and adapted it into this film of the same name, which went on to win the Best Director award in the main competition at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
The 160-minute film, through the intertwined fates of three men, tells forbidden loves that take place in three different eras, and this epic story also threads together Spain's history. The film lingers long after it ends—restrained yet tender, with a question about desire and human nature hidden in every highly artistic frame.
[Film] Happy Birthday
- Also known as: هابي بيرث داي / Happy Birthday
- Where to watch: now in theaters; Douban link
I just want a birthday candle.
@Pan Yuhan: Eight-year-old Toha works as a child laborer for a wealthy family in Cairo. Young as she is, she is already quick and capable at daily chores. The family's daughter is named Nelly, about the same age as Toha, so the two naturally play together. Nelly's birthday is approaching, and she is full of anticipation. That excitement soon rubs off on Toha, who has never celebrated a birthday, never had a birthday party, let alone eaten cake, blown out candles, or made a wish. So she tries with all her might to help Nelly pull off this birthday party—only because she wants to get one of Nelly's cake candles to make a wish.
At this year's Beijing International Film Festival, Egyptian newcomer director Sara Gohar's "Happy Birthday" delivered a film that left many viewers reflecting. In just an hour and a half, the film simply records one day in the life of an eight-year-old girl, yet in this lightest and calmest of ways, it tears open the truth of two classes within one city. It turns out that similar ages do not mean the same fate; it turns out that two lives can exist within a single space. It turns out that even an eight-year-old child can grow up in a single day.
[Chinese Drama] The Great Long March
- Keywords: Drama / History / War
- Runtime: approx. 45 minutes (per episode) × 60 episodes
- Where to watch: Tencent Video / iQIYI / Migu Video; Douban link
@Pan Yuhan: To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army's Long March, the 60-episode major revolutionary television series "The Great Long March" aired on CCTV-1 last month. Taking the Central Red Army's Long March as its main storyline, the series adopts a panoramic narrative approach, fully presenting the sweeping feat of the First, Second, and Fourth Front Armies and the 25th Red Army as they fought their way across thousands of miles.
The Red Army's Long March, though a key knowledge point on textbook pages during our school years, cannot be simply contained within those few pages—not the hardships and tragedy along the way. Therefore, to better convey the epic weight of this Long March road, the production team used the most down-to-earth methods: retracing the Long March route 3 times, a script of over 700,000 characters, a 457-day shooting period, more than 700 historically restored sets at 1:1 scale, over 300,000 props, more than 30,000 costumes, and over 30 million characters of historical materials consulted. The meticulously researched series is detailed, authentic, and breathtaking—and so we see the soldiers' plain straw sandals, the Battle of the Xiang River with its "three years without drinking the Xiang River water, ten years without eating its fish," the Zunyi Conference, and this weighty chapter of extraordinary years—the great Long March road that belongs uniquely to the Red Army.
[British Series] War Season 1
- Also known as: War Season 1
- Runtime: approx. 50 minutes (per episode) × 8 episodes
- Where to watch: HBO Max; Douban link
How many real-life divorce battles did this remind you of?
@Liz and the Blue Bird: Morgan is an entrepreneur who built a social media platform worth millions of pounds, and his wife is Hollywood star Kara. This celebrity couple at the peak of their careers has long been at odds beneath the surface, and a divorce battle sensational enough to shake the nation is about to erupt, handled respectively by the top firms Carter Kars and Bourne Taylor. Young lawyer 约翰尼 has had a rough time finding work in London and, after many twists and turns, joins Taylor and Bourne's firm, entering the team handling this divorce case—only to stage a "Mission: Impossible" of her own, adding yet another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile case.
As a series, "War" focuses each season on a different legal case, and Season 1's team includes directors who have helmed acclaimed works such as Sex Education, Harlots, and Extraordinary—a sign of the show's ambition and production assurance. The cross-cutting of three main character threads is well-paced, not only enriching the story but also presenting the entire case from multiple perspectives so that nothing is left out—making it hard to tell who will win until the very last moment. Everyone pulls out all the stops, seeking clues to the other side's intentions and trying to seize the upper hand; from makeup and styling to talking points, every detail must be prepared and rehearsed in advance; the firm's elite offices become war rooms, and streets and parks may serve as meeting spots for the lawyers.
[Japanese Drama] ROCK PAPER LANDMINE
- Keywords: Novel adaptation / School / Mystery
- Also known as: 地雷グリコ / ROCK PAPER LANDMINE
- Runtime: approx. 50 minutes (per episode) × 6 episodes
- Where to watch: Prime Video; Douban link
@SHY: To help her class secure the most coveted rooftop stall at the school festival, first-year high schooler Mato Iyamori and her friend Himuka Kouda challenge the student council to the "Gullible Smoke Showdown," a game no one has ever won. From then on, new troubles keep coming, and Mato, drawn into all sorts of novel games, battles her way through one challenge after another—until she faces her junior high school classmate Eku Amaki and unearths buried memories.
After watching so many nerve-wracking death games, a proper intellectual battle with no danger to life feels like a breath of fresh air. Original author Yugo Aosaki, known for slice-of-life mysteries, builds on classic games like rock-paper-scissors, poker, and the wooden man game by adding simple, easy-to-grasp original rules and designing layered, twist-filled psychological duels. Rather than relying on luck, the story cleverly exploits rule loopholes and human weaknesses to weave logically clear, dramatic reversals, sweeping the original novel through a host of mystery awards in 2024.
Whether life itself or snacks and drinks are on the line, it's worth giving it your all. What matters isn't the stake, but who you're fighting for—and for the seemingly flippant Mato, what she truly cares about is a major highlight. Lead actress Nanase Mori captures the character's quirky charm, and her chemistry with her co-stars is equally enjoyable; the delicious character dynamics make the story even more appealing. This slightly chuunibyou youth intellectual battle is fresh in style and full of fun—here's hoping a sequel arrives soon.
[Japanese Drama] Aibou Season 25
- Keywords: Drama / Mystery / Crime
- Also known as: 相棒 season25
Article title: What to Watch This Week | 10 Recent Works Worth Watching
Main text:
- Runtime: about 50 minutes (per episode) × 20 episodes; Douban link
@潘誉晗: A murder suddenly occurs inside a high-end Japanese restaurant, and the victim is the current Prime Minister's aide. Sugishita Ukyo of the "Special Mission" division and his partner Kameyama Kaoru go to the crime scene to investigate. The investigation does not go smoothly; aside from the many difficulties of the case itself, they must also consider the interests of the country's highest authority and the related national regime. Meanwhile, a student Kaoru once taught in Salween has come to Japan to study, and he receives a plea for help from the student: the student's assistant teaching professor at university has mysteriously disappeared. This professor is an expert in online information, and just a few days before his disappearance, the computer of the ambassador of Badria to Japan was hacked.
Season 25 of the Japanese national criminal investigation drama "Aibou" arrives as promised this autumn. Since its premiere, the series, which has set countless records, has passed a quarter of a century. To celebrate this incredible 25th anniversary, the first two episodes feature a special case that directly uses the victim's special identity as the Prime Minister's aide to strike at the darkness inside the national system and touch the country's secrets and taboos. More twist-filled stories maintain the series' solid, weighty, and profound standard. Although Kaoru's departure is regrettable, the return of the second-generation partner Kobe Takashi is still a pleasant surprise.
[Japanese Drama] My Sweet Home
- Also known as: マイ・スイート・ホーム
- Runtime: about 55 minutes (per episode) × 6 episodes; Douban link
Even just once, I want to try becoming someone different from myself.
@潘誉晗: Haruka, Natsuki, Akie, and Fuyumi were once inseparable friends whose names happen to form the four seasons of the year. Unfortunately, in the end, Fuyumi drifted further and further away from the others. Although Fuyumi disappeared from their circle of life, the other three sisters still regularly gathered with their husbands and everyone else. Until one day, they learn of Fuyumi's death. After attending the funeral, thinking of Fuyumi's lament, "Even just once, I want to try becoming someone different from myself," the three decide to swap partners for two weeks.
Stable partners and a comfortable life—the kind of easy life anyone would envy—can sometimes become a regret in the heart: is there another possibility for my life? The seemingly slightly absurd setup actually points directly at what middle-aged people struggle with. We always remind ourselves not to over-romanticize the roads we never took, but when it comes to the shape of another version of our own life, we are ultimately curious.
A trustworthy cast combination, plus excellent cinematography, brings a feeling of great warmth in the heart. The friendship of middle-aged women does not fade with time, and this bold restart of life by middle-aged people is also full of courage.
[Documentary] Blue Planet Season 3
- Also known as: Blue Planet Season 3
- Runtime: about 60 minutes (per episode) × 6 episodes
- Where to watch: Bilibili / Youku Video / Tencent Video; Douban link
A classic 25 years in the making returns!
@利兹与青鸟: The "Blue Planet" series had a 16-year gap between the first and second seasons, and unexpectedly, 9 years later, BBC Earth has brought us a third season. This time, the production team spent four years, using newer filming technologies such as drones, conducting more than a hundred field tracking sessions and thousands of hours of underwater filming, capturing countless spectacular moments never seen before and solving the mysteries behind their behavior. This season is still narrated by David Attenborough; the Chinese-dubbed version is narrated by Liu Cong, who previously voiced Moss in "The Wandering Earth 2."
The documentary is divided into six episodes: Tropical Seas, The Vast Open Ocean, Seasonal Seas, Polar Seas, The Dark Deep Sea, and Future Seas. Each episode contains about a dozen small stories, focusing on uncommon species with unique appearances and their survival wisdom. Australia's adorable tawny nurse sharks possess a rare cooperative hunting ability, and a bottlenose dolphin over 40 years old has mastered trap-feeding techniques; the coral reefs of the Red Sea resemble a gorgeous underwater city, where fish of different species can cooperate in hunting.
The documentary's excellent editing can create the illusion that "all marine life is so camera-ready." The score led by Hans Zimmer is sometimes playful and lively, sometimes tragic and grand, giving the stories fuller emotion and allowing viewers to immerse themselves and be shocked, marveling at the wonders of the ocean world.
[Reality Show] I Miss You
- Also known as: I Miss You
- Runtime: about 120 minutes (per episode) × 12 episodes
- Where to watch: Mango TV; Douban link
Can friends really walk together for a lifetime?
@潘誉晗: The program's name is cleverly chosen—"later there will be a time for friends"; at last there is a time to meet again, so at this moment of reunion, old friends can finally speak openly. The English title "I Miss You" means both I miss you and I missed you. The production team invited four groups of old friends who parted due to conflicts to embark on an 18-day journey. Witnessed by vast plateaus, snow mountains, canyons, and grasslands, they open their heart knots.
Actually, when Hunan TV first announced it was going to make this program, no one was optimistic about it. Yet it was precisely such an unanticipated program with a modest budget that, by the third week of its official broadcast, almost drained the entire market share of variety shows. Many viewers invested genuine feelings in this reality show because, in the four different groups of guests, they saw many shadows of themselves and old friends. Those former heart knots and misunderstandings, the doubts and regrets left unspoken because of youthful pride, trapped not only their friends but also themselves. And in the guests' pain, we finally discover that friendship is not only an intimate relationship but also full of jealousy, possessiveness, and regret—the word "love" has still been occupied by romantic love for too long.
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[American Series] The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3 @潘誉晗: Five years after the fall of Eregion, the struggle between the Elves and Sauron has reached its most intense point. Sauron, seated in Barad-dûr, decides to forge a One Ring to rule all of Middle-earth. The third season of the "The Lord of the Rings" series, which released four episodes in its first week, is unambiguous; the series, now hitting its stride, directly launches into this season's main storyline. The sense of oppression—"once the ring is forged, Middle-earth is doomed"—makes the atmosphere of the series even more solemn.
[British Series] Northumberland Mysteries @潘誉晗: A monk at the monastery is found brutally murdered in the garden, and the police cast suspicious eyes on 约瑟夫, who volunteers at the monastery, because when questioned, 约瑟夫 always says only one thing: "No comment." To prove innocence, 约瑟夫 decides to investigate the truth alone. Meanwhile, female police officer Rose, an Oxford graduate, also becomes acquainted with 约瑟夫, who has been in prison, through this case. The one-case-per-episode story unfolds around this unlikely pair, with a brisk pace and tight plotting.
[Japanese Drama] The Eugenia Mystery @SHY: On August 26, 1973, a birthday banquet at the prestigious Aozawa family of physicians turns into a poisoning case that kills 17 people; only the blind eldest daughter, Aozawa Hisako, and the maid Okimi survive. Thirty-two years later, freelance writer Tabo Tomoko visits eyewitness Saga Makiko to investigate the truth of the tragedy that was hastily closed with the murderer's suicide. Adapted from Onda Riku's award-winning mystery novel, this work uses the recollections of those involved decades later to piece together a Rashomon-style full picture of the incident; beneath a calm tone hide dark secrets that make one shudder.
[Film] In the Waves @SHY: AJ, a 洛杉矶 boy who loves skateboarding and painting, falls in love with Kristin, a girl obsessed with surfing. The inseparable pair imagine a beautiful future, until cruel fate sweeps in. Adapted from the real experiences of the original picture book author, this work continues the consistently excellent artistry of French animation, rendering Blender-made CG into lively two-dimensional images, with a color design that is visually pleasing. It fully depicts a deeply unforgettable romance and interprets how, after losing a loved one, one can find the meaning of life again; the rising and falling waves reflect life.
[Documentary] Fool Me Hard @潘誉晗: To better investigate online romance scams, journalist Mariana "goes deep into the tiger's den," fabricating an identity as an antiques dealer and waiting for scammers to "walk into the trap." Instead, she uncovers an even more criminal black-market industry chain. It feels like watching a mini crime film, watching a clever female journalist bravely go undercover. Although the documentary is not long, its record of human nature is still very much worth heeding for us living in the age of AI and internet media.
[Reality Show] The New Stanford Prison Experiment @潘誉晗: In the 1970s, Stanford University psychology expert Zimbardo led a special project. He selected 24 university students, divided them into a guard group and a prisoner group, and experimented with the question of whether a person, if given power, will become corrupt. This time, Netflix puts this project into practice again and places the volunteers in a real prison. The documentary is bold and daring; it is hard to say whether the experiment succeeds, but its display of prison life is still touching.
📅 New Trailers This Week
"Blade Runner 2099" Final Trailer
On November 10, the series "Blade Runner 2099" released its final trailer and will launch on Prime Video on November 25. Starring 亨特·莎弗 and 杨紫琼, in 2099, 洛杉矶, Cora, who becomes a "Blade Runner" in order to end her life on the run once and for all, is forced to partner with Olwen, a replicant with only days left to live, to hunt down a fugitive. Source
New Trailer for "The Adventures of Cliff Booth"
On November 6, the film "The Adventures of Cliff Booth" released a new trailer. It will be released in North America on November 25 and launch on Netflix on December 23. Directed by David Fincher and written by Quentin Tarantino, it focuses on stuntman Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt, and tells the story of his dealings in Hollywood as a fixer on set. Source
New Trailer for "Lord of War 2"
On November 11, the film "Lord of War 2" released a new teaser trailer and will be released in North America on January 22. Directed by Andrew Niccol and starring Nicolas Cage and Bill Skarsgård, arms dealer Yuri Orlov faces off against his son Anton, who has not only inherited his father's arms business but also formed a mercenary army to fight for the United States in the Middle East. Source
Official Trailer for "A Cat's Venetian Adventure"
On November 13, Pixar's all-new animated film "A Cat's Venetian Adventure" released its official trailer and will be released in North America on March 5, 2027. Directed by Enrico Casarosa ("Luca"), it follows black cat Nilo, who falls into trouble after owing a debt to the godfather of cats and is forced into an unexpected friendship that may ultimately lead it to achieve its goal. Source
Official Trailer for "Laid-Back Camp Season 4"
On November 6, the TV anime "Laid-Back Camp Season 4" released its official trailer and is set to begin airing in April 2027. This work is adapted from the manga of the same name by Afro; Season 3 director Tosaka Susumu continues to direct, Sugiura Masashi handles series composition, Tateyama Akiyoshi handles music, the production company changes to FuRyu Pictures, and the theme songs are still performed by Asaka and Sasaki Eri. Source
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Movie The Thomas Crown Affair trailer: Directed by and starring this year's Oscar Best Actor Michael B. Jordan, written by Drew Pearce (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw), with Jon Batiste composing the score, produced by Amazon / MGM Studios. The story follows a former FBI ace agent investigating the theft of a famous Van Gogh painting, who unexpectedly becomes entangled in a decade-old international case. Opens in North America on March 5 next year.
New trailer for the movie Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama: Directed by Nitesh Tiwari (Dangal), with music by Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire) together, visual effects by Oscar-winning team DNEG, adapted from the first half of the classic epic Ramayana by Valmiki, with a potential release in mainland China.
Stranger Things: Tales from '85 trailer: This Stranger Things spin-off is planned to air in 2028, is a prequel in nature, set in 1955 in Marion, Nevada, with new locations and new characters, created by Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers and writer Kate Trefry, and will be filmed in New Mexico.
TV anime Minami-ke: From Now On first trailer: Adapted from the manga of the same name by Koharu Sakuraba, directed by Junichi Kitamura, series composition by Takamitsu Kono, produced by LIDENFILMS, the fifth season after a 14-year gap, continuing to depict the daily lives of the three Minami sisters Haruka, Kana, and Chiaki, scheduled to begin airing in April 2027. Source
Animated film Ray Gunn: Dark Star City new trailer: Directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille), with voices by Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson, in a future world where humans and aliens live together, private detective Ray Gunn gets entangled in a thorny case, launching on Netflix on December 18. Source
📽 Film & TV News Weekly
New Poster for *Dune 3*
On November 9, Dune 3 released a new poster. The film stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Robert Pattinson, and Anya Taylor-Joy. The story jumps directly to 17 years after Dune 2; Paul Atreides has become the emperor ruling the universe, yet is trapped in the holy war he himself launched and the backlash of his prescient abilities. Set for release in North America on December 18 and in mainland China on December 31.
*The Wicker Man* Confirmed for Mainland China Release
On November 9, the film The Wicker Man was confirmed for a mainland China release, with the mainland title changed to Weaving a Husband, release date to be determined. The film stars Oscar-winning actress 奥利维娅 Colman and 亚历山大 Skarsgård, telling the story of a fisherwoman who finds a husband made of wicker, and this unconventional love stirs up anger, jealousy, and an uproar in a conservative small town.
*SPY×FAMILY* Season 4 & New Theatrical Film Set for 2027
On November 8, SPY×FAMILY announced the production of TV anime season 4 and a second theatrical film, and released a teaser visual drawn by character designer Satoshi Kadowaki, with both works to be unveiled in 2027. TV anime season 4 is directed by Yasuhiro Akamatsu, with series composition by Aya Takaha, co-produced by WIT STUDIO × CloverWorks, and details of the theatrical film are to be announced later. Source
New Poster for the *Harry Potter* Series
On November 9, the HBO original series Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone released character posters. The first season has 8 episodes and will begin airing on December 25. Original author J. K. Rowling serves as executive producer, with Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, Alastair Stout, and others starring, presenting in full Harry's coming-of-age journey as he first steps into the wizarding world. Source
James Gunn Steps Down as DC Studios Co-Head
On November 10, DC Studios announced that co-chairs and CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran are departing, and former Marvel executive Jeremy Latcham will serve as president and chief creative officer. According to reports, projects already in production such as Superman 2: Son of Tomorrow will continue, but other DCU plans will largely be scrapped, and Lanterns will not be renewed for a second season. Source
