Blockbuster cinema releases and must-watch OTT titles make this one of the year’s most packed entertainment weeks.
A packed entertainment weekend is on the way in the UAE, with cinemas serving up a wide mix of genres. A horror reboot, a Malayalam police thriller and a major Bollywood box-office face-off are all arriving within 24 hours of one another.
Streaming platforms are just as busy, rolling out one of their strongest line-ups of the year. Viewers can choose from a popular Netflix anthology, a K-drama period romance and a Bollywood-inspired dance comedy, among several other new releases.
Here’s a look at what’s worth watching in cinemas and on streaming platforms this week, making it easier to pick your next watch without spending ages scrolling.
In cinemas
Resident Evil
15+ · English · Action, Horror, Sci-Fi · 17 September
A routine hospital delivery turns into a fight for survival when a courier unexpectedly finds himself caught in the middle of a terrifying outbreak. With infected creatures closing in, what should have been an ordinary night quickly descends into chaos.
Directed by Zach Cregger, this Resident Evil reboot appears set to put horror and suspense at the forefront rather than relying heavily on nostalgia. For viewers who found previous film adaptations disappointing, Cregger’s horror credentials could make this new take one to watch.
Pradhama Drishtya Kuttakkar
PG15 · Malayalam · Crime, Drama, Thriller · 17 September
The investigators suddenly find themselves under investigation. Parvathy Thiruvothu steps into a police officer’s role for the first time in her career, playing a woman who joins the force following the death of her husband, who was also a cop.
After one turbulent night takes an unexpected turn, she and her fellow officers find themselves caught on the opposite side of the law and forced to confront the very system they serve.
Daayra (Hindi)
15+ · Hindi · Drama · 18 September
Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran come together on screen for the first time, playing characters who find themselves on opposing sides of the law. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, known for Raazi and Talvar, Daayra is inspired by true events and centres on two DCPs investigating a deeply disturbing case.
As the investigation unfolds, questions surrounding truth, justice and morality begin to collide. Rather than relying on high-octane action, the film promises a tense, slow-burning drama built around difficult choices and the increasingly blurred boundaries between right and wrong.
Vibe
PG15 · Hindi · Action, Comedy, Thriller · 18 September
Two chronic underachievers unexpectedly uncover a terror plot and somehow find themselves becoming the country’s unlikely last line of defence — despite being spectacularly unprepared for the job.
Kunal Kemmu writes, directs and stars in the action-comedy thriller following the success of Madgaon Express. The film also marks Preity Zinta’s major return to the screen, playing a spy tasked with transforming the hapless duo into unlikely heroes capable of taking on the threat.
Streaming this week
Lust Stories 3
Netflix · 18 September
Lust Stories returns for a third instalment, bringing together filmmakers Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj, each offering their own perspective on modern relationships.
The anthology features an ensemble cast including Radhika Apte, Konkona Sen Sharma, Aditi Rao Hydari, Vijay Varma and Ali Fazal. Across four distinct short films, the series explores desire, intimacy, relationships and the emotions people often struggle to express openly.
The Scandal
Netflix · 18 September
Son Ye-jin and Ji Chang-wook lead this lavish Joseon-era reimagining of Dangerous Liaisons, transporting the classic tale of seduction, deception and betrayal to historical Korea.
The story follows the intelligent and restless Lady Cho, who challenges her notorious playboy cousin Cho Won to seduce a young widow who has turned her back on romance. What begins as a calculated game soon becomes far more complicated as emotions enter the equation and the consequences of their wager begin to unfold.
Best of the Best
Netflix · 18 September
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan swaps the high-school drama of Never Have I Ever for the fiercely competitive world of Bollywood-fusion dance in this energetic comedy-drama.
She stars as Maya, who convinces her childhood best friend Anjali, played by Priyanka Kedia, to join UCLA’s highly competitive dance team. Their pursuit of a national championship soon puts both their abilities and friendship under pressure.
Hasan Minhaj co-writes and co-stars in a story that blends comedy and dance with themes of ambition, identity and friendship — particularly what happens when the desire to win begins to overshadow the relationships that matter most.
