This week offers a rich tapestry of entertainment across the UK, from a long-awaited return to a post-apocalyptic Britain to a blockbuster album drop from a global rap superstar. Whether you're planning a night out at the cinema, a gig, or a cosy evening in with a new streaming series, our guide has you covered.
Cinema and Stage: From Zombie Tribes to Shakespearean Rock
The cinematic landscape is dominated by the release of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland, this sequel presents a UK almost unrecognisable from the 2002 original, where violent tribes battle for survival in a ravaged land.
Also in cinemas is the Japan-set drama Rental Family, starring Brendan Fraser as an actor who finds unexpected connection through a unique service. A profoundly moving and harrowing new film, The Voice of Hind Rajab, uses real audio to dramatise a tragic event from the conflict in Gaza.
On stage, The Royal Court Theatre launches its 70th-anniversary season with Luke Norris's intimate family drama Guess How Much I Love You?. In Stratford-upon-Avon, All Is But Fantasy offers a gig-theatre reimagining of Shakespeare's characters, while The Royal Opera House revives Wayne McGregor's acclaimed ballet Woolf Works, inspired by the writings of Virginia Woolf.
Major Gigs and Must-See Art Exhibitions
Music fans have plenty to choose from. US pop-rock veterans All Time Low kick off an arena tour in Glasgow, celebrating their latest album and enduring hits. Scottish singer-songwriter Kathryn Joseph brings her eerie, synth-laden sound to Glasgow's Òran Mór, while jazz pianist Vijay Iyer performs solo in London.
The art world sees significant openings. The British Museum in London unveils 'Hawai’i', a major exhibition featuring incredible objects like an 18th-century feathered helmet. In Margate, a brooding show curated by Tracey Emin, Crossing into Darkness, features works by Goya and Munch. London's Thaddaeus Ropac gallery presents a deep dive into the radical work of German sculptor Joseph Beuys.
Staying In: Streaming, Games and Album Releases
The streaming highlights include A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the new Game of Thrones prequel on Sky Atlantic, and Sophie Turner's heist thriller Steal on Prime Video. BBC Three offers the quirky second series of Lucia Keskin's sitcom Things You Should Have Done.
In gaming, the indie coming-of-age story Perfect Tides: Station to Station arrives on PC, alongside the beautifully drawn sci-fi action game MIO: Memories in Orbit.
The week's album releases are headlined by A$AP Rocky's Don’t Be Dumb, his first album in eight years, featuring an all-star cast of collaborators. Also out are new records from electropop artist Madison Beer, post-punk polemicists Sleaford Mods, and folk-tinged electronic musician Cavetown.
For brain food, National Geographic presents the moving documentary The Tale of Silyan, Dan Snow's podcast returns with new historical explainers, and the UsefulCharts YouTube channel offers insightful visual analyses of history and current affairs.
