What to watch this week: From a Tom Cruise thriller to a dark comedy

From espionage escapades for Tom Cruise fans to family follies and coming-of-age dramas, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our curated selection of streaming gems guaranteed to bring out the cinephile in you. 

So, grab your favorite snacks, curl up on the couch, and explore our top OTT recommendations for this week:

[Photo source: Netflix]

A dark comedy-thriller escapade with a stellar star cast, the series is helmed by Abhishek Chaubey, the critically acclaimed director of films like Ishqiya, Udta Punjab, and Sonchiriya.

Swathi Shetty, a dreamer with culinary aspirations (and questionable skills), has her sights set on restaurant stardom. However, her delicious ambitions turn sour when a murder throws her into the spotlight as prime suspect. With the heat on and her dream restaurant fading like yesterday’s broth, Swathi concocts a harebrained scheme with the help of her lover, Prabhakar.

Will Swathi cook up a clever escape from this mess or get devoured by the consequences?

Starring: Manoj Bajpayee, Konkona Sen

Where to watch: Netflix

[Photo source: Amazon Prime Video]

Tom Cruise returns as the unstoppable and charming Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, the seventh installment in the Mission: Impossible series. 

The film cranks up the action to unprecedented levels, throwing Hunt and his IMF team into a race against time to secure a weapon so destructive, it could spell doom for humanity itself.

The museum heists and gravity-defying stunts of the past installments are soon forgotten as this time, the stakes are personal. Hunt confronts not only the chilling threat of this apocalyptic weapon, but the shadows of his own past and present.

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

[Photo source: Disney Plus Hotstar]

Haunted by loss and hunted by villains, Maya Lopez, aka Echo, embarks on a thrilling journey of self-discovery in Marvel Studios’ Echo. This gritty, emotional mini-series follows the deaf Native American Choctaw after the events of Hawkeye, as she races back to her Oklahoma roots to escape New York’s ruthless underworld. 

But facing her past isn’t just about survival; it’s about embracing her heritage, reconnecting with family, and reclaiming her identity in a vibrant community. Witness Maya’s fierce spirit soar, as she grapples with darkness and rediscovers the light within.

Starring: Alaqua Cox, Chaske Spencer, Tantoo Cardinal, Devery Jacobs

Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar/Hulu

[Photo source: Netflix]

Middle school mayhem meets Italian romance in Di4ries Season 2, the binge-worthy teen show that has made for the perfect weekend watch since its first season aired back in 2022. 

Remember Marina Piccola’s epic crew? They’re back, facing the hilarious horrors of middle school with even more drama. Get ready for Pietro, Livia, and Isabel’s love story to take a sharp turn. 

Middle school’s a mess of changing voices, awkward crushes, and the looming fear of high school separation. Will their squad stay strong?

Starring: Andrea Arru, Biagio Venditti, Flavia Leone, Liam Nicolosi, Sofia Nicolini

Where to watch: Netflix

[Photo source: Peacock]

Our favorite sentient teddy bear is back, and he still swears like a sailor and drinks like a fish.

Get ready to relive the (slightly inappropriate) magic in Ted, the hilarious prequel mini-series from Seth MacFarlane. Blast back to 1993 and join the foul-mouthed teddy bear Ted (voiced by MacFarlane himself) as he navigates middle school with his hapless human bestie John. 

See John and Ted before the flashbulbs and celebrity scandals, when their friendship was just beginning (and Ted’s vocabulary was still expanding).

Starring: Seth MacFarlane, Alanna Ubach, Scott Grimes

Where to watch: Peacock/JioCinema

[Photo source: Netflix]

Get ready for the ultimate courtside experience as the fiery docuseries Break Point roars back for a second season, capturing the passion and hidden stories of tennis’ biggest underdogs. This time, the stakes are higher, the rallies fiercer, and the drama more heart-stopping than ever.

Witness the meteoric rise of Carlos Alcaraz, the teenage phenom rewriting tennis history one shot at a time. Coco Gauff’s electric showdown with Frances Tiafoe at the US Open, Nick Kyrgios’ fiery game in a thrilling Australian Open payback, and Taylor Fritz’ defense, this season has it all. 

Starring: Carlos Alcaraz, Matteo Berrettini, Taylor Fritz, Coco Gauff, Anett Kontaveit, Nick Kyrgios, Daniil Medvedev

Where to watch: Netflix

[Photo source: Netflix]

In Brisbane’s sun-drenched suburbs, childhood takes a dark turn in Boy Swallows Universe as twelve-year-old Eli Bell navigates a minefield of family chaos. 

This heart-wrenching journey of innocence facing adversity, based on Trent Dalton’s 2018 debut novel, is a powerful coming-of-age story woven from gritty realism and raw emotion. 

Prepare to be captivated by Eli’s unwavering spirit as he deals with the disappearance of his father, his mother’s addiction, with his mute brother, Gus, and his stepfather, who just happens to be a heroin dealer. 

Starring: Travis Fimmel, Simon Baker, Phoebe Tonkin, Felix Cameron, Lee Tiger Halley

Where to watch: Netflix