FILM REVIEWS AND NEWS

Welcome to another monthly breakdown of what’s hitting the small screen. As we shake off the last of the January blues, Netflix is stepping up its game with a February slate that feels remarkably diverse. We’ve got a heavy-hitting documentary that’s already the talk of the film festival circuit, a high-octane Brazilian spin-off, some trademark Tyler Perry chaos, and a Spanish psychological thriller that might just be the hidden gem of the season.

It is a weekend that feels uniquely British in its distribution, offering a balanced diet of intellectual stimulation and visceral thrills. Here is what you can expect to find at your local multiplex and independent arthouse next week, or some home releases too.

This shift is perfectly exemplified in the latest offering from Amazon Prime Video, The Bluff. As we look ahead to its release on 25th February 2026, there is a palpable sense that director Frank E. Flowers has crafted something that is both a relentless thrill ride and a poignant exploration of maternal ferocity.

As we emerge from the festive haze and settle into the quiet, frosty stretch of January, the streaming giant Netflix remains our most reliable companion for those long, dark evenings. This month, the platform has curated a selection that is as eclectic as it is ambitious, ranging from sun-drenched romantic dramas and gritty crime thrillers to high-stakes live events and ethereal animation.

Stork of Hope (2026) follows the lives of two brothers who are orphaned during the Nazi occupation of Europe. Directed by Alexander Franskevich-Leie, the story is told retrospectively by Ilya, now an old man with a family of his own. He narrates the perils he and his brother endured during the Nazi occupation, highlighting the fact that he and his brother were forcibly separated.

It’s the film that has been quietly dominating film searches on streaming platforms, proving that a brutally effective neo-western can still cut through the noise of blockbuster cinema. Director Nick Rowland’s searing crime thriller, She Rides Shotgun, has been met with significant critical praise and overwhelming audience approval since its release. Now, for film fans across the United Kingdom who have been waiting patiently, the good news is that the picture is readily avai

Directed by James Marquand, this biographical spy-thriller is based on the true story of Krystyna Skarbek. Skarbek was a Polish-British intelligence agent during the Second World War. The Partisan (2024) tells the story of her conquest to fight back against Nazi Germany, as she intercepted Nazi soldiers and fought back against their occupation of Europe.