What to watch this week: From Guy Ritchie to dragon lairs

This week is an action-packed one featuring the latest Sriram Raghavan thriller, a satirical comedy packed with dry humor, a fantasy escapade with dragons and dungeons, and much more. 

So, grab your remote, settle in, and prepare to be captivated by these must-watch shows.

Here’s a rundown of this week’s new releases:

Merry Christmas

The champion of Indian neo-noir action thrillers, Sriram Raghavan, is back with another engaging thriller. 

Two strangers, Albert and Maria, collide at a restaurant on Christmas Eve in 1980’s Bombay. Maria, accompanied by her daughter Annie, finds herself unexpectedly drawn to Albert. As the night deepens, their connection intensifies, but a dark turn awaits them. Will this festive encounter become a nightmare? 

Starring: Katrina Kaif, Vijay Sethupathi, Tinnu Raaj Anand, Sanjay Kapoor

Where to watch: Netflix

The Regime

Created by Will Tracy, writer of acclaimed dramas like Succession and the cult favorite The Menu, this series brings to life the story of a fictional female dictator.

The charismatic Chancellor Elena Vernham is a secluded and increasingly unstable leader of a fictional European nation in this satirical dark comedy series. As paranoia grips her, Elena forms a bond with soldier Herbert Zubak,  whose influence fuels her descent into tyranny. 

A funny take on how a democratic country can descend into tyrannical madness, Elena’s recklessness is bound to have devastating consequences for her country and its people.

Starring: Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Guillaume Gallienne, Martha Plimpton, Andrea Riseborough, Hugh Grant

Where to watch: JioCinema

Damsel

Princess Elodie is a dutiful young woman who agrees to marry a handsome prince in a lavish ceremony. However, the ceremony ends in an unexpected twist as Elodie is thrown into a pit with a fire-breathing dragon by her new family, as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt. 

Generations of young women have met their fate in this dragon’s lair, but Elodie isn’t going down without a fight. This action-packed fantasy tale is sure to make for an interesting weekend watch. 

Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Ray Winstone, Nick Robinson, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Angela Bassett, Robin Wright

Where to watch: Netflix

The Gentlemen

A spin-off of the 2019 film by the same name, The Gentlemen follows Eddie Halstead. The young heir has just inherited his deceased father’s sprawling estate. But beneath the rolling hills lies a shocking truth: a thriving cannabis empire built by the notorious Mickey Pearson. 

Can this straight-laced soldier navigate the ruthless world of British gangsters and claim the lucrative operation for himself?

Guy Ritchie’s signature style shines in this one – rapid-fire conversations, layered characters, and slick direction – creating a world of gritty crime that feels both real and strangely exhilarating. 

Starring: Theo James, Ray Winstone, Kaya Scodelario, Giancarlo Esposito, Peter Serafinowicz

Where to watch: Netflix

Argylle

Elly Conway is a reclusive novelist who finds solace in writing her spy novels. She soon finds her fictional world bleeding into reality as her latest stories start mirroring the activities of a dangerous underworld network. Aiden, a mysterious operative enters the scene then, claiming to protect her. 

Thrust into a covert world of mystery and intrigue, Elly and her cat Alfie must now decipher friend from foe, all while navigating a life more thrilling than even she could have imagined. 

Starring: Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video