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It was a packed week at the movies, with some of the best and most engaging films of the year. Below is my take on a busy week at theaters. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @Knighthawk7734.

The Family Plan 2 (Apple TV)
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Monaghan, and Kit Harrington
Synopsis: This is a follow up to the 2023 film about a former assassin (Wahlberg) who’s secret life is unveiled to his wife (Monaghan) and kids when it comes back to haunt him. They worked their way to freedom, and as we pick up the Morgan family is heading to London for a cozy Christmas celebration. Things unravel when his secret half-brother (Harrington) comes back to make waves and try to take over the family business. That leads them on a wild adventure all the way to Paris. This is a fun enough streaming ride. It’s only about an hour and 45 minutes, making for a quick enough binge. If you enjoyed the blend of action and comedy for the whole family in the first one, then you’ll enjoy this one as well. It’s not particularly deep or memorable, but it’s a pleasant watch. The Family Plan 2 is now streaming on Apple TV.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for action/violence, language, some sexual material and brief drug material.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five

Rental Family (Theaters)
Starring: Brendan Fraser
Synopsis: We’re all looking for connection, especially from broken or absent relationships. We want a way to fill that hole, save face, or present something different to the world. What if there was an agency to make the possible? And what if the brokenness that’s healed wasn’t just for the clients? That’s the premise behind Rental Family, a new film that opens Friday. In it, a man who is looking for purpose finds that by filling holes in the lives of people looking for connection. It’s a beautiful idea and one that provides some hope during the holiday season. In the film, Phillip (Brendan Fraser), is an American actor living in Japan. He’s struggling to find enough work. He has a few notable parts, but he hasn’t found his true calling. It’s a lonely, somewhat solitary existence. Until he finds a new opportunity. A local company that provides rental performers to those who need a stand in for significant others or missing family needs a “sad American.” Phillip fits the bill. While his first few jobs are awkward, he eventually gets the hang of it. He finds a place he can ply his skills and make a difference. Soon, he’s paired with a young girl, Mia (Shannon Mahina Gorman), who is in need of a father to help her get into a better school. Mia’s mother (Shino Shinozaki) hires Phillip to play the role. But as he begins to bond with Mia, he begins to see his new job as something more than a performance. When he gets an opportunity for his big acting break, he’s forced to consider if he’s already found a place where he really belongs. This film comes from writer/director Hikari, who previously worked on the series Tokyo Vice and Beef. She does a nice job of creating a world and a story here. There are some nice emotional beats and an interesting journey through a place—and profession—that you don’t often see featured. Fraser does a nice job in the lead role. He’s a deeply expressive actor, which works well in this situation. The film really soars when we’re investing in Phillip’s journey, and the way he engages those around him. It’s a clever premise and one that feels right for this time of year when people are lonely, missing family, and seeking connection. Parts of it are beautiful. Some of the shots and sequences are beautiful. But it feels a little disjoined, which causes it to drag at times. I enjoyed the premise, and it’s a decent enough watch, but it fails to truly take off with the premise. Rental Family is now playing nationwide.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some strong language, and suggestive material.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five

Sentimental Value (Theaters)
Starring: Stellan Skarsgard, Renate Reinsve, Elle Fanning, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas
Synopsis: No one knows you better than family. And no one can hurt you more than family. Those are two truths that are explored in the new film Sentimental Value, which expands to more theaters this weekend. The film comes from Joachim Trier, the director behind The Worst Person in the World, and reunites the director with that film’s star, Reinsve. This another stirring collaboration with great performances that is one of the best films of the year. The film focuses on sisters Nora (Reinsve) and Agnes (Lilleaas). They are extremely close owing to the bond formed during their childhood. Agnes is a historical researcher and a mother who cares deeply for her family. Nora, the eldest, is a great actress but has a messy personal life. They come together because their mother has died. Their father, Gustav Borg (Skarsgard), is a renowned director. But he wasn’t there for his girls as they grew up. Still, his shadow and influence looms large. He re-enters their lives after his ex-wife dies and has a proposition for Nora. He’s written a new script for a comeback film, and he wants her to be the star. But she passes. Spurned but determined, Gustav tries to make up lost time with his daughters. Along the way, he finds a new potential star in Rachel Kemp (Fanning), one of the most famous actresses in the world. But as production moves forward, it opens old wounds for Gustav, Nora, and Agnes. Will it bring them together or tear them apart? Trier’s last effort was a beloved film that generated a beloved performance. This new collaboration will likely be viewed the same way. It’s an incredible story that’s beautifully told. From the shot sequences to the score, the story to the performances, it’s a deeply emotionally journey that hooks you and won’t let go. The cast here is wonderful. Fanning has a somewhat thankless role but does a great job of bringing that portion to life. Skarsgard gives a great performance, too. It’s possible both will be in the running for awards this season, and both would be worthy choices. They have some deeply emotional sequences together and really help bring this story to life. But, for me, this is about the sisters. Lilleaas gives a beautiful performance as Agnes. She goes through an emotional journey, caught between her sister and her father. The beauty of her performance, especially the way she plays of Reinsve, is incredible. Their relationship is one of the most captivating things in a very moving story. The star here is Reinsve. She is one of the most talented actresses working, turning in incredible performances the past few years. Her work in this film is incredible. She’s captivating in a way that you can’t take your eyes of Nora and you feel the depth of her struggle and journey. It’s my favorite performance of the year and should leave her a lock for a Best Actress nomination at the Academy Awards. Sentimental Value is a thoughtful and beautiful film. I was deeply moved by the story and performances, and I loved the craft. This is a film well worth seeking out that is one of the best of 2025. Sentimental Value is now playing.
Rating: Rated R for some language including a sexual reference, and brief nudity.
Verdict: Four and a half stars out of five

Train Dreams (Netflix)
Starring: Joel Edgerton
Synopsis: Life rarely turns out like you’d expect. It’s made up of moments. Some of these moments are beautiful. Some of these moments are joyful. Some of these moments are ugly. Some of these moments will break your heart. But it’s a journey, and it’s one we all take. Train Dreams, based on the short story from Denis Johnson, is about life in all its phases. The film is directed by Clint Bentley, who co-wrote the script with Greg Kwedar. It’s a thoughtful, beautifully crafted journey that doesn’t pull any punches. The film follows Robert Grainier (Edgerton), a man living a beautifully simple life. He meets Gladys (Felicity Jones), and they fall in love. They marry and find an acre of land in the open country. Robert builds them a home, but to support his new family he takes a job as a logger that leads him away for long periods of time. When he returns, his family has grown. He’s happy in his home with his wife and daughter. But he’s haunted by the often-dark things he sees while out working in the wild. He makes a plan to end that job and to find a way to support his family closer to home. But those plans never come to fruition as expected. Still, Robert presses on. He finds ways to contribute. He meets new and interesting people along the way. He experience joy and sorrow, love and loss, all while going on the journey of his life in a world that’s rapidly changing. Bentley and Kwedar teamed on the script for Sing Sing, a movie that was one of the most impactful released in 2024. That told a simple story, based on a real-life program, about men seeking hope and a second chance. It was rich, beautiful, and emotional. Train Dreams isn’t the same topic. It’s not set in the same time, place, or world. And yet, it shares that same hopeful outlook despite the struggles and tragedies of life. In different hands, this could be a difficult story to sit with. Robert’s journey is far from easy and far from joyous throughout, and yet there is beauty in it. There is a beauty that he comes to realize and appreciate as we make the journey. There’s also a lot of beauty in the way the story is told and the way it’s captured. The cinematic landscape, which features plenty of wide-open spaces, is nothing short of breath-taking. This is one of the most beautifully shot films of the year. I love the gentle score and the narration that undergirds the production. It helps you feel like you’re going along on this journey. And Edgerton does a beautiful job in the lead role, conveying so much depth often without the need for dialogue. This is well worth checking out. Train Dreams is now streaming on Netflix.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for some violence and sexuality.
Verdict: Four stars out of five

Wicked: For Good (Theaters)
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Jonathan Bailey
Synopsis: I remember when I was young and saw The Wizard of Oz for the first time. The Wicked Witch of the West, embodied by Margaret Hamilton, made an impact. That’s part of the reason the character has endured, even earning a place on the AFI list for greatest villains. We knew she was mean, scary, and green. But was there more to the story? Gregory Maguire must have wondered the same thing. He re-wrote the story of the witch—Elphaba—in his series of novels, beginning with Wicked. In fact, it re-imagined the whole story of Oz, building a richer, deeper, and more complex world. That, in turn, led to the Broadway adaptation. Which last year led to the first of two theatrical films to bring the world to life. The music and the look, crafted by director Jon M. Chu and led by stars Erivo and Grande was breathtaking. It was one of the most ambitious and most engaging films of 2024, earning a host of Academy Award nominations along the way. But how would the story end? That question is answered in Wicked For Good, which opens wide on Friday. We pick up much where we left off. Elphaba (Erivo) is an outcast and a fugitive. She’s determined to expose the truth about the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). Meanwhile Glinda (Grande) has been taped as an ambassador of Oz. She’s Glinda the Good, and thanks to Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), she even has the illusion of power. Fiyero (Bailey) is now Captain of the Oz guard. He’s leading a hunt for Elphaba, but he’s conflicted. He’s conflicted about his very public relationship with Glinda, too. Meanwhile, Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), has become governor after her father’s death. Oz is at a crossroads and the friends who once roamed the halls of Shiz University are at the center of a battle for its future. Those who’ve seen the long-running Broadway play will know where this is heading. It isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey. And this journey includes the same breath-taking production values, some moving music, and even two new, original songs. If you were a fan of the first film, you’ll want to see how this all ends. This film is shorter than the first. But it doesn’t quite reach the same heights. The production is great, with the world-building remaining a visual feast. But the story in this second film—the second half of the musical—feels a bit more disjointed. It’s a darker story, which makes it more difficult at times. Still, it soars when Grande and Erivo are on screen. They are co-leads and feel like equals in this film. Both have some incredible, magical moments. Their sequences together—which are less frequent owing to the story here—are the high points of the film. Their first reunion is beautiful, and their sequence and epic song in the Third Act are also quite moving. This is a well-made film. It’s a rousing and emotional journey. The music is incredible, and the epic scope makes it feel like something special. This is a film that should be seen and enjoyed on the big screen. It’s one of the biggest releases of the Fall and a worthy conclusion to the story. Wicked For Good is now playing nationwide.
Rating: Rated PG for action/violence, some suggestive material and thematic material.
Verdict: Four stars out of five