What to watch this week: From animes to sci-fi thrillers

It’s the first week of the new year and we are prepared to dive into a vortex of thrills, chills, and dungeons. 

From monstrous mysteries in Gyeongseong to dystopian sci-fi conundrums brought to you by the talented Garth Davis, we’ve got a mix of international gems and genre-bending treats to tantalize your cinematic taste buds

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

Gyeongseong Creature: Part 2 (Korean)

Two souls forged in fire, bound by a monstrous mystery. Gyeongseong Creature: Part 2 is here with its final act unfolding in the crucible of 1945 Gyeongseong. 

Park Seo Joon embodies the captivating enigma of Jang Tae Sang, while Han So Hee breathes life into the fearless detective Yoon Chae Ok. 

Drawn together by a twisted conspiracy at Ongseong Hospital, they confront a creature spawned from the abyss of human greed. Will their combined spirit conquer the darkness, or will it succumb to the chilling hunger lurking within?

Starring: Park Seo Joon, Han So Hee, Soo Hyun, Kim Hae Sook, Jo Han Chul, Wi Ha Joon

Where to watch: Netflix

Foe (English)

In the dystopian grip of Earth’s dying breath, visionary director Garth Davis unveils Foe, a sci-fi thriller laced with psychological torment. 

Based on Iain Reid’s eponymous novel, Academy Award-nominated Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal breathe life into Hen and Junior, a couple whose idyllic seclusion on a desolate farm is shattered by a visitor. 

The stranger presents them with a life-altering proposition: Junior to a space station, Hen to a robotic companion. But in the face of extinction, love’s tendrils twist, raising the chilling question of survival. Will the couple accept this proposal?

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal, Aaron Pierre

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video 

The Brothers Sun (English)

The Brothers Sun is a black comedy action drama featuring Justin Chien as Charles Sun, Sam Song Li as Bruce Sun, and Academy Award Winner Michelle Yeoh in the crucial role of Eileen Sun. 

Following the demise of the Taiwanese triad Jade Dragons’ leader, Charles, the eldest son, journeys to the US to safeguard his brother Bruce, who remains naive and unaware of the family’s true nature. 

As Bruce grapples with the revelation about their family’s real identity, the Sun brothers must navigate the complexities of their relationship and grasp the genuine significance of family before time runs out.

Where to watch: Netflix

Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Justin Chien, Sam Song Li, Highdee Kuan, Joon Lee, Jon Xue Zhang, Jenny Yang

Society of the Snow (Spanish)

Mirroring the chilling depths of his debut, The Orphanage, JA Bayona returns with Society of the Snow, a tale of love woven into the fabric of horror. 

From a rugby match in Chile to a desperate fight for survival in the Andes, the film chronicles the 1972 plane crash that fractured lives. In the unforgiving embrace of the mountains, Bayona unveils a symphony of resilience, desperation, and moral quandaries. 

Pedro Luque’s cinematography puts the audience right between breathtaking panoramas of isolation and the suffocating confines of the wreckage, capturing the beauty and terror that coexist in the face of unthinkable odds.

Where to watch: Netflix

Starring: Enzo Vogrincic, Agustín Pardella, Matías Recalt, Esteban Bigliardi, Diego Vegezzi

Delicious in Dungeon (Japanese)

For Delicious in Dungeon, Netflix has teamed up with Japanese entertainment giant Kadokawa to serve up a new anime series. 

In the dungeon’s abyss, Laios, an adventurer, narrowly escapes with his life as a Red Dragon devours his younger sister.

Undeterred, Laios embarks on another journey, driven by the need for both currency and sustenance concealed within the depths of the dungeon. Confronted with the imminent digestion of his sister, Laios resolves to adopt a bold strategy: “Let the dungeon itself provide our sustenance!”

Navigate through slimes, basilisks, mimics, and even dragons, turning the tables by consuming those who pose a threat. In this gastronomic adventure, aim to conquer the dungeons while ensuring that food becomes an integral part of your survival strategy.

Where to watch: Netflix

Starring: Kentarô Kumagai, Sayaka Senbongi, Asuna Tomari