Your Complete Entertainment Guide for the Week Ahead
This week's entertainment landscape offers a rich tapestry of options for both going out and staying in. From classic children's literature brought to life on the big screen to arena-filling pop concerts, there's something for every taste and preference across cinema, music, art, theater, streaming, gaming, and intellectual pursuits.
Going Out: Cinema Highlights
The Magic Faraway Tree brings Enid Blyton's beloved children's fantasy series to cinemas with Simon Farnaby adapting the story for the big screen. The film follows a family who relocates to the countryside and discovers a magical tree that transports them to fantastical realms, featuring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy as Mr. and Mrs. Thompson.
They Will Kill You presents a chilling eat-the-rich horror narrative directed by Kirill Sokolov, starring Zazie Beetz as an ex-con who answers a deceptive help wanted advertisement only to encounter a demonic New York apartment complex with sinister sacrificial requirements.
Splitsville offers an unromantic comedy exploring ethical non-monogamy through the experiences of two couples navigating complex relationship dynamics, featuring Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, Kyle Marvin, and Michael Angelo Covino.
Orwell: 2+2 = 5 is Raoul Peck's award-winning documentary examining George Orwell's enduring literary influence and the disturbing parallels between his work and contemporary political strategies, narrated by Damian Lewis.
Going Out: Live Music Events
5 Seconds of Summer brings their arena tour to Glasgow, Birmingham, and London, showcasing material from six albums that span pop-rock to experimental dance sounds. The Australian band continues to demonstrate remarkable career longevity with these high-energy performances.
Manchester Punk Festival features over 140 bands across seven venues, offering something for every punk enthusiast with headliners including hardcore noise merchants Fucked Up and San Francisco punks Dead to Me.
The Bad Plus performs at London's Barbican Hall, celebrating the music of Keith Jarrett's 1970s American Quartet with saxophonist Chris Potter and pianist Craig Taborn.
Martha Argerich & Dong Hyek Lim present a piano duet performance at Royal Festival Hall, featuring works by Schubert, Mozart, and Rachmaninov with the legendary Argentinian pianist joined by her Korean protege.
Going Out: Art Exhibitions
Konrad Mägi at Dulwich Picture Gallery showcases the Estonian modernist's pixelated landscapes and intense portraits that draw from pointillist and expressionist traditions, offering a unique perspective on northern European scenery.
Joan Eardley at Modern Two in Edinburgh examines the Scottish painter's gritty yet romantic depictions of post-war urban streets and windswept landscapes, revealing her honest approach to capturing Scottish life.
Yasmine Robinson at CCA Derry presents abstract paintings with fierce, impassioned color work that evokes both German expressionism and romantic English color traditions.
Dia Al-Azzawi at Richard Saltoun Gallery in London features the British-Iraqi artist's cool, elegant semi-abstract style influenced by Matisse and Picasso, drawing inspiration from Arabian Nights and classical love poetry.
Going Out: Stage Productions
Copenhagen at Hampstead Theatre presents Michael Frayn's intricately woven play about the mysterious wartime meeting between physicists Werner Heisenberg and Niels Bohr, directed by Michael Longhurst and starring Alex Kingston and Richard Schiff.
Phoenix Dance Company: Interplay at Leeds Playhouse offers a quadruple bill including Suite Release, which celebrates 90s hip-hop culture, and Why Are People Clapping?, a playful piece based on Steve Reich's Clapping Music.
Tom Davis brings his standup comedy to Dorking Halls and on tour, blending his signature loud characters with psychological introspection in his unique goofy-geezer style.
Private Lives at Royal Exchange Manchester features Blanche McIntyre's revival of Noël Coward's vitriolic comedy about a divorced couple honeymooning at the same hotel, with a sparkling cast including Jill Halfpenny.
Staying In: Streaming Recommendations
Babies on BBC One/iPlayer presents Stefan Golaszewski's moving drama about miscarriage and toxic masculinity, starring Paapa Essiedu and Siobhán Cullen as a couple grappling with loss.
Your Friends & Neighbors on Apple TV continues Jon Hamm's portrayal of Coop, a suburban grifter facing new challenges from a suspicious neighbor played by James Marsden.
XO, Kitty on Netflix returns for season three of Jenny Han's YA romance about a Korean-American student experiencing culture shock after moving to Seoul.
The Young Offenders on BBC One/iPlayer begins its fifth series with the chaotic Irish comedy following reunited friends Jock and Conor as they navigate trouble in their hometown.
Staying In: New Game Releases
Super Mario Bros. Wonder for Nintendo Switch 2 offers enhanced multiplayer features in one of the weirdest and most creative 2D Mario games, complete with elephant transformations and trippy level designs.
Hozy for PC combines elements of Unpacking, PowerWash Simulator, and The Sims in a soothing experience where players clean, renovate, and decorate neglected houses with diorama-style visuals.
Staying In: Album Releases
Raye – This Music May Contain Hope features the independent artist's second album including the retro-soul stomper Where Is My Husband! and tear-stained ballad Nightingale Lane, following her recent Brit and Grammy awards success.
Charlie Puth – Whatever's Clever! presents the US singer-songwriter's fourth album with featherlight production, sweet love songs, and collaborations including Japanese superstar Hikaru Utada and saxophonist Kenny G.
Robyn – Sexistential marks the Swedish pop icon's return after eight years with playful hook-up bops and emotional odes to motherhood, further cementing her place in pop music history.
Snail Mail – Ricochet showcases Lindsey Jordan's 90s alt-rock influences as she channels adult life experiences into widescreen tracks following vocal surgery and acting debut in I Saw the TV Glow.
Staying In: Brain Food Recommendations
The Overturn podcast examines families fighting for loved ones affected by potential miscarriages of justice, highlighting concerning fractures in the legal system and the challenging journey toward resolution.
History of Simple Things YouTube channel explores the fascinating production processes behind everyday items like oregano and almond milk, along with the etymology of common terms.
The Saltmakers on BBC World Service investigates how climate change is affecting the traditional salt production methods of Gujarat's Agariya tribes, documenting the destabilization of ancient ways of life.
