RNZ: At The Movies

Nights' resident screen critic Dan Slevin is back with three picks: one in cinemas, one on streaming, and one you can watch entirely for free. Nights' resident screen critic Dan Slevin reviews Project Hail Mary, a science fiction film in which Ryan Gosling plays an unwilling microbiologist, alone on the edge of the galaxy trying to stop all the stars from dying. When he realises he's not alone, the fun really begins. In cinemas now.On paid streaming, Disney+ has Skeleton Crew, an eight-part adventure set in the Star Wars universe. Four school friends from a supposedly safe planet accidentally hitch a ride on a starship and end up at the mercy of space pirates led by Jude Law.Dan's free streaming pick is on YouTube: United States of Beauty, a 40-minute meditative film stitched together from still photographs taken aboard the International Space Station.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Film critic Dan Slevin reviews Kiwi doco No Tears on the Field, I Swear, a biography of a Tourette's Syndrome activis and Pixar's animated comedy, Hoppers.I Swear Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeWqQN3snCUNo Tears On The Field Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArCkvrgwMREHoppers Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PypDSyIRRSsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Afternoons Critic Dominic Corry is with Jesse Mulligan to share his thoughts on the latest new releases. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Kate Rodger reviews Tenor: My Name is Pati and makes her predictions for this year's Oscars winners and losersTenor: My Name Is Pati TrailerGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nights' resident screen critic, Dan Slevin, reviews Cold Storage, a fun splatter movie about a space fungus; Secret Mall Apartment, about a group of artists who live in a mall undetected for years and the acclaimed 2024 National Theatre production of The Importance of Being Earnest.Nights' resident screen critic, Dan Slevin, reviews Cold Storage, a fun splatter movie about a space fungus that escapes from containment due to global warming. Only veteran bioterror expert Liam Neeson can save the world - with the help of the minimum wage night security at the storage facility, Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell. In cinemas now.On paid streaming, DocPlay has Secret Mall Apartment, about a group of Rhode Island artists who discovered a vacant space in their grand new local mall and decided to live in it, managing to go undetected for four years.Dan's free streaming option is on YouTube: The acclaimed 2024 National Theatre production of Oscar Wilde's timeless comedy The Importance of Being Earnest is available for free on YouTube for five days only. Stars former Doctor Who, Ncuti Gatwa, and Olivier Award-winner Sharon D. Clarke.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Kate Rodger joins Jesse Mulligan to review Ryan Gosling's latest and indulge in a quick Oscars preview.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nights' resident screen critic, Dan Slevin, reviews the new Spanish road trip drama Sirāt, the second season of the John le Carré adaptation, The Night Manager and the four-time academy award nominated courtroom thriller, A Few Good Men.Nights' resident screen critic, Dan Slevin, reviews the new Spanish road trip drama Sirāt, about a father searching for his missing daughter with the help of a group of travelling ravers in North Africa. That's in cinemas now.On paid streaming, Prime Video has the second season of the John le Carré adaptation, The Night Manager, starring Tom Hiddleston as the once reluctant and now professional MI6 agent, Jonathan Pine. His quiet life observing the after hours activities of British intelligence targets is disturbed by the reemergence of surprising old faces.Dan's free streaming option is on TVNZ+: the four-time academy award nominated courtroom thriller, A Few Good Men. Ambitious military lawyer (Tom Cruise) defends two Guantanamo Marines accused of murder. Also starring Jack Nicholson.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Michelle Langstone looks at three films making waves internationally, including The Bride, Maggie Gyllenhaal's punk inspired retelling of the Bride of Frankenstein story, South Korean director Park Chan-wook's dark satire No Other Choice, and the Cannes Grand Prix winning drama Sentimental Value from Norwegian director Joachim Trier.Sentimental Value Trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKbcKQN5YrwThe Bride Trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhgcUArO3UoNo Other Choice Trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKZpuG_ezvYGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Is there too much plot in The Bride? Should some ideas be left on the page aka Charli xcx The Moment? Heartwarming goodness from Tenor: My Name is Pati. Film critic Dominic Corry has some thoughts on these new releases. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Boris Jancic joins Culture 101 to unpack Baz Luhrmann's latest Elvis documentary, revisiting the life and cultural legacy of Elvis Presley through archival material and newly assembled footage. He also reflects on key moments from this year's BAFTA Awards and what they signal for the rest of awards season. Plus, a look at streaming platform MUBI, its curated approach to cinema, and why it continues to attract audiences seeking international and independent film.EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert Movie trailerGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nights' resident screen critic, Dan Slevin, previews the 2026 Wellington and Auckland film societies' programmes. He also reviews The Swedish Connection; a drama about the Swedish and; One Title: Football in Greenland a short documentary about the 2025 Greenland Football Championship from the BBC. Every Friday Nights' film and television critic Dan Slevin joins the programme to talk about the best new releases, what's streaming and something you can watch for free. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nights' resident screen critic, Dan Slevin, reviews Wonder Man, the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Merrily We Roll Along, a recording of the 2022 Broadway revival and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.Nights' resident screen critic, Dan Slevin, reviews Wonder Man, the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as a struggling Los Angeles actor with secret superpowers (Disney+), and Merrily We Roll Along, a recording of the 2022 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's acclaimed musical starring former Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe (AroVision). Dan's free streaming option this week also stars Radcliffe, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (TVNZ+).Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Michelle Langstone reviews three new films, beginning with Emerald Fennell's much discussed adaptation of Wuthering Heights and its bold creative choices. She then explores the Māori gothic horror Mārama, highlighting its themes of colonial violence, spiritual lineage, and striking cinematography. Finally, she delves into If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, a dark portrait of a mother on the edge that blends sensory overload, surreal escapes, and a standout performance from Rose Byrne.Watch the trailers here:Wuthering HeightsMāramaIf I Had Legs I'd Kick YouGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Does 'Wuthering Heights' live up to all the hype? What's the story behind local new release 'Mārama'? Get the latest on both films with critic Kate Rodger. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nights' resident screen critic, Dan Slevin is back with more movie and TV recommendations. His picks this week are Space 1999, We Bury the Dead, Death by Lightning and This Is New Zealand. Nights' resident screen critic, Dan Slevin shares his picks of the week with Mark Leishman. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dan Slevin reviews Is This Thing On?, Bradley Cooper's comedy drama starring Will Arnett as a stand up comic navigating divorce and co parenting while rebuilding his career; the anime Scarlet, where a grieving medieval princess on a quest for revenge is pulled into a mysterious realm between life and death; and Shelter, a tense thriller starring Jason Statham as a reclusive islander forced to confront his past after rescuing a girl from the sea.Watch the trailers here:Is This Thing On?ScarletShelterGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Nights' resident screen critic Dan Slevin is back for the first Short-Cuts of 2026. He's got one pick playing in cinemas, one streaming and one you can watch for free.Watch the trailer here:It Was Just An AccidentGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Thanks for joining RNZ 'at the movies'. We're making this podcast the new home for all the movie reviews appearing on RNZ National. Join us to hear our great cast of New Zealand's best reviewers discuss the latest releases from must-see blockbusters to indie gems. BYO popcorn!Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In the very last At The Movies, Simon Morris looks back on 24 years of movies – a quarter century that started with the first Lord Of The Rings, and an Oscar for Russell Crowe, and ended with two of the biggest films of the year, both made in New Zealand – The Minecraft movie and Avatar: Fire and Ash. But mostly he picks some (very) idiosyncratic favourites over the years, including the world's smallest hit musical, the youngest action hero and the four best endings. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In the penultimate At The Movies, Simon Morris looks back over an eventful year. Apart from the usual winners and losers, he produces his personal Top Three (there seem to be four of them), his picks for the New Faces of 2025, and the traditional, annual Cate Blanchett Award for Being in Everything. Who will win this coveted award? And why has nobody in the western world heard of the biggest film of the year by a country mile? The country being China…. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Simon Morris kicks off the first of the final three At The Movies with films all connected with some old favourites. Wake Up Dead Man director Rian Johnson's career started with the neo-noir Brick back in 2005. Jennifer Lawrence, star of Die My Love, arrived five years later in 2010's Winter's Bone. And Zootopia 2 is the sequel to another favourite released in 2016. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Die My Love is a harrowing tale of a marriage under stress, with a dream team before and behind the camera. Produced by Martin Scorcese, directed by Lynne Ramsay (We have to talk about Kevin) from a book by Alice Birch (TV's Normal People), it stars Jennifer Lawrence (Hunger Games) and Robert Pattinson (Twilight) with Sissy Spacek (Carrie). Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Wake Up Dead Man is another Knives Out mystery, starring Daniel Craig as detective Benoit Blanc. Among the star-studded list of suspects are Josh O'Connor (Challengers), Glenn Close (The Wife), Andrew Scott (Ripley) and Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker). Written and directed, as always, by Rian Johnson (The Last Jedi) .Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Zootopia 2 is the long-awaited sequel to the popular animated film about a city entirely populated by animals. Will the rookie police team of bunny Judy Hopps and fox Nick Wilde discover what happened to all the reptiles? Featuring Ke Huy Kwan (Everything Everywhere All At Once) as the voice of Gary De Snake. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dead of Winter sees Dame Emma Thompson (Sense and Sensibility) shunning the English costume dramas for a gritty thriller set in the frozen North. Can she rescue a kidnapped teenager, with only her grit and determination? Directed by Brian Kirk (TV's Day of the Jackal). Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Simon Morris notes that A List stars are no longer enough to command big cinema audiences. Is it the end of the line for movies like Jay Kelly, starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler, Dead of Winter, with Dame Emma Thompson, and Prime Video's After the Hunt, starring Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Jay Kelly is a made-to-measure comedy-drama for George Clooney, about a top star wondering what he sacrificed for his career. Written and directed by Noah Baumbach (Barbie), it features Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Greta Gerwig, Isla Fisher, Jim Broadbent and many more.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

After the Hunt has ended up on Prime Video, after a promising start at the Venice Film Festival. Julia Roberts (Erin Brockovich) plays a Yale professor caught in a MeToo situation, when her student (Ayo Edebiri) accuses her colleague and best friend (Andrew Garfield) of conduct unbecoming. But there are more secrets being hidden. Directed by Luca Guadagnino (Challengers).Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Now You See Me: Now You Don't is the third in the series of tales of conjurors, robbing from the rich. This time the Four Horserman need help from three keen young magicians. Stars Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and Rosamund Pike.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Running Man is set in a world of extreme poverty where the only way out is via high-paying reality TV shows. The most popular one is The Running Man where contestants are hunted down by the general public and killed. Ben Richards (Glen Powell) has to survive 30 days. Based on a Stephen King book, it's directed by Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead).Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Simon Morris remembers the golden age of Blockbuster Videos, where failed movies could recoup their costs when they went to video. This week, a sequel to one such film Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, and a remake of another, The Running Man. Also this week, a sequel to a similar genre picture, Now You See Me: Now You Don't. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues is the long-awaited – 40 years in fact – sequel to the cult mockumentary This is Spinal Tap. Now everyone's favourite fake metal band reforms for a final stadium concert. Starring Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, with guest stars Paul McCartney, Elton John and many more. This one goes up to eleven!Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Happyend is a Japanese drama, set in the near future. Five high school rebels face the prospect of going their separate ways, while corrupt politics arrive at both the school and out in the wider world. To protest or not to protest? Written and directed by Neo Sora, son of the legendary actor and musician Ryûichi Sakamoto (Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence). Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Predator: Badlands finds a young member of the Yautja (Predator) tribe hunting on the most dangerous planet in the Galaxy. His quest: to capture a beast that can't be killed. Starring Elle Fanning as two robots, and Kiwi Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi (Red White and Brass) as the Predator.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A Little Something Extra is a hugely popular comedy from France. Two jewel robbers hide out from the cops among a party of holidaying people with disabilities. They find it harder than it looks to fit in. Starring, written and directed by Artus, it's one of the highest-grossing movies ever at home. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Simon Morris returns to a group of rather specifically targeted movies. From the recent International Film Festival, a very French farce about two crooks hiding out at a camp for people with disabilities…. And an equally Japanese film about high school rebels. And the latest Predator film seems to be changing the formula.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone (in her fourth collaboration with director Jorgos Lanthimos) star in a black comedy about a desperate young man who kidnaps a wealthy pharmaceutical executive believing that she's an alien sent to enslave the people of Planet Earth – reviewed by Dan Slevin.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Bugonia is a black comedy about an executive (Emma Stone) kidnapped after she's mistaken for an alien . Aziz Ansari's comedy Good Fortune stars Keanu Reeves as a fallen angel. Hedda is an adaptation of Ibsen's classic play starring Tessa Thompson.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dan Slevin reviews a comedy about a low-level angel (Keanu Reeves) who tries to save a struggling gig worker (Aziz Ansari) in present day Los Angeles.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dan Slevin reviews Nia DaCosta and Tessa Thompson's adaptation of Ibsen's classic play about a frustrated, ambitious and manipulative woman who goes to great lengths to support her husband's career.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Robert Sarkies directs a film about the aftermath of New Zealand's worst modern workplace tragedy – reviewed by Dan Slevin.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dan Slevin reviews Guillermo Del Toro's epic passion project, an adaptation of Mary Shelley's gothic horror about a mad scientist who believes he can breathe life into a dead flesh with disastrous results.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details