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Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in «Joker: Folie à deux» – available in the VoD store from 23 January
With this new hit «Joker: Folie à deux», director Todd Phillips follows up on his successful 2019 film Joker: Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) failed as a clown and stand-up comedian in the early 1980s and ended up in Gotham's Arkham psychiatric ward after committing a bloody act on camera. This is where Harleen Quinn (Lady Gaga), who’s also imprisoned with him, becomes interested in the Joker. This results in a love affair that only comes around once in a lifetime. Even comic fans were surprised at this twist.
Spooky suspense in «Alien: Romulus» – available in the VoD store from 27 January
Horror-film director Fede Álvarez («Evil Dead») explained that he got the idea for «Alien: Romulus» from a scene that was deleted from «Aliens». It depicts some children running through the walkways of the colony and he wondered what would happen to them when they reached the age of 20: as space settlers on an abandoned space station, they’re confronted by terrifying creatures from another universe. Incredibly exciting and a must-watch for «Alien» fans!
Feel-good comedy in «Un p'tit truc en plus – A Little Something Extra» – available in the VoD store from 17 January
Paulo (Victor Artus Solaro) and his father La Fraise (Clovis Cornillac) are on the run from the police after robbing a jewellery store. When they meet a leisure group for adults with intellectual disabilities who are just packing their bags for the holidays, the duo take the opportunity to hide among them. Paulo, in particular, has to try really hard to fit into the group. This is an entertaining feel-good comedy from a French production. While the content isn’t exactly new, the acting and entertainment value make it well worth a watch.
Great Swiss cinema in «Landesverräter» – available in the VoD store from 22 January
A drifter and amateur musician, Ernst Schrämli, is promised a dream musical career in Germany if he gives the Nazis military information about Switzerland. However, his treason is discovered and he becomes the first Swiss citizen to be sentenced to death. A biographical drama about the life story of a naive adolescent. The textless, hummed film soundtracks are incredibly impactful as they reflect the emotional state of the singer(s).
Paul Mescal in «Gladiator II» – available in the VoD store from 27 January
With «Gladiator II», Ridley Scott follows on from his success with «Gladiator», which picked up five Oscars back in 2000. The sequel focuses on young Hanno (Paul Mescal), who’s taken prisoner by the Romans in North Africa. As a slave, he catches the eye of the up-and-comer Macrinus (Denzel Washington) for his gladiator racing team. It’s a successful sequel reflecting the changing balance of power in the Roman Empire: top-notch acting and breathtaking staging.
Top 5 VoD films in December
Insider tips
Cult comedy in «Saturday Night» – available in the VoD store from 16 January
Humour is when you just can’t help laughing: on 11 October 1975, a group of young comedians is eagerly awaiting the premiere of a new Saturday night show that would change TV forever. The first episode of «Saturday Night Live» is produced live in the studio. And after many bankruptcies, bad luck and breakdowns, it finally gets going. Jason Reitman pays tribute to the seventies show that spawned many US comedians and is still on the air to this day.
Want more entertainment with no ads? These and many other Video-on-Demand highlights will be available soon in the Sunrise VoD store under «Movies & Series».