November ushers in a wave of premieres across major platforms, while December promises a flood of high-profile releases. The schedule includes familiar titles such as Steve McQueen’s Blitz and a screen adaptation of Juan Rulfo’s novel Pedro Páramo. Alongside these are documentary portraits of well-known and lesser-known figures, black comedies and horror stories, plus a film that examines the craft behind the Basque restaurant Mugaritz. This lineup gives audiences a broad spectrum of storytelling, from intimate character studies to sweeping historical dramas, all arriving this season across streaming services.
Shadows of power
Shadows of power is the final work from a filmmaker once celebrated for provocative, boundary-pushing dramas. Released on Movistar Plus+, the project continues Michael Winterbottom’s long-running habit of blending social observation with tense, character-driven scenes. The film centers on two pivotal figures: the daughter of one of the founding figures of the socialist Zionist movement and a seasoned British police chief named Soshama Borochov. Through their intersecting lives, the narrative probes how public power, private loyalties, and inherited memory reshape a society’s sense of justice. The performances anchor a story that moves between intimate confrontation and broader questions about accountability.
Pedro Páramo
Pedro Páramo, photographed by Rodrigo Prieto and released on Netflix, brings to life Juan Rulfo’s landmark novel through a structural approach that favors atmosphere over straightforward action. Prieto, known for collaborations with Martin Scorsese, teams with writer Mateo Gil to craft a cinematic dreamscape where a son pursues a vanished father within a town swept up in violence and rumor. The result is less about a linear plot and more about the echoes of memory, the hollowness of power, and the way place can mirror a character’s longing. The film is a clear example of how adaptation can translate a literary mood into a vivid visual experience.
The family on the couch
The family on the couch is a US-Danish-Swedish collaboration led by Niclas Larsson and featuring a starry lineup that includes Ewan McGregor, Ellen Burstyn, Rhys Ifans, F. Murray Abraham, and Lara Flynn Boyle. The project leans into the dark, dry humor characteristic of Nordic-influenced cinema and looks at the tensions that exist among three brothers and their mother. Across its runtime, the script pairs sharp dialogue with sensitive depictions of family history, while balancing warmth and estrangement. The performers bring a sense of lived-in chemistry that makes the family dynamics feel both affectionate and complicated.
Lubo
Lubo, directed by Giorgio Diritti, takes viewers to 1939 Switzerland where a street musician, played by Franz Rogowski, becomes absorbed in a perilous mission to defend the country from a possible German invasion. The man’s wife is dying, and his children are missing, raising the stakes as he navigates choices that could alter many lives. The film blends historical tension with intimate melodrama, using Rogowski’s expressive performance to linger on the human cost of upheaval. The period detail and emotional arc come together to produce a portrait of resilience under extraordinary pressure.
Anime king Miyazaki
Anime king Miyazaki is a French-produced documentary that examines the life and work of legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. The film highlights his enduring influence on global animation, with references to beloved titles such as Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away. The documentary includes conversations with Miyazaki’s son Goro and colleagues who collaborated with him over the years, offering insights into creativity, craft, and the discipline that fuels this iconic studio. The film situates Miyazaki as a central figure whose storytelling continues to shape contemporary animation worldwide.
Mugaritz: Without bread and sweets
Paco Plaza, a director known for his contributions to Spanish horror cinema, turns the lens toward the renowned Basque restaurant Mugaritz. The documentary delves into the processes, ideas, and challenges that helped elevate the restaurant into global prestige. Viewers follow the kitchen team as they experiment with dishes and concepts, observing how the menu evolves from year to year. The film emphasizes culinary artistry, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of innovation that defines Mugaritz’s approach to gastronomy.
Blitz
Blitz, the latest feature from Steve McQueen, arrives on Apple TV+. The film revisits the era of the Blitzkrieg and the terror it inflicted on wartime Britain, using McQueen’s restrained, penetrating style to explore fear, courage, and the human cost of conflict. McQueen’s recent body of work, including Shame, 12 Years a Slave, and the Small Axe projects, has established a distinct voice that continues to resonate with contemporary audiences. The streaming release makes this ambitious project accessible to a broad audience, inviting reflection on resilience in the face of widespread disruption.
The Disappeared
Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury present a new thriller set in a mountain town haunted by an ominous local myth. The story follows Virginie Ledoyen and Sandrine Bonnaire as its central characters as they navigate a landscape where fear and rumor blur lines between reality and the unknown. The film carries forward the pair’s reputation for sharp, unsettling genre work, blending atmosphere with procedural tension. Its setting and mood aim to evoke a claustrophobic sense of danger that lingers beyond the final scene.
Valentines
The Valentines is a contemporary romantic comedy about two college students who decide to end their relationships for Thanksgiving. The premise places them in a setting that intensifies emotional turbulence, forcing them to confront the consequences of their choices. Across the narrative, the film tracks the twists and turns of friendship, love, and the awkward moments that define late adolescence. The tonal balance slots between humor and vulnerability, creating a human tale about growth, endings, and new beginnings.
On the Edge
On the Edge is a documentary by Eduardo Casanova that probes a stark incident in Madrid. Casanova, known for Pieles and La Piedad as well as his acting work, centers the story on a young man who sets himself on fire in a public space. The film investigates the circumstances that led to the act, seeking to understand the social and personal factors involved. Shot over several years, the documentary unfolds gradually, giving viewers a window into a painful moment and its aftermath as the filmmaker pursues answers with a quiet, persistent approach.