The magic is back—and it’s casting a powerful new spell. HBO has officially announced the lead trio for its highly anticipated Harry Potter original television series. After an extensive global search, the wands have been handed to Dominic McLaughlin (Harry Potter), Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger), and Alastair Stout (Ron Weasley)—three young, breakout talents ready to bring the wizarding world to a brand-new audience.
The Magic Behind the Casting
Showrunner and executive producer Francesca Gardiner, alongside director and fellow executive producer Mark Mylod, shared their excitement in a joint statement:
“After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It’s been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.”
(Credit: Aidan Monaghan | HBO)
A Faithful Reimagining of the Beloved Books
The series promises a faithful adaptation of the original Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling, who returns as an executive producer. Each season will chronicle one book, offering deeper dives into the storylines and characters that enchanted generations of readers.
This exciting new take will premiere exclusively on Max, expanding its reach into upcoming launch territories including Germany, Italy, and the UK. Meanwhile, fans can continue to enjoy the original film collection—also streaming on Max.
An All-Star Creative Team
Alongside Gardiner and Mylod, the production boasts an impressive team:
David Heyman, returning from the original films, for Heyday Films
Produced by HBO in association with Warner Bros. Television
Streaming Details: Start Your Wizarding Journey Today
Relive the magic now on Max. Subscribe starting at only ₱149/month or ₱1,040/year via max.com, the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store. You can also access Max through Cignal, Smart, or PLDT Home.
Let the Sorting Begin!
Whether you’re a long-time Potterhead or discovering Hogwarts for the first time, the new HBO Original series is set to reignite your love for spells, friendship, and the fight against dark magic. Stay tuned—something magical this way comes!
The buddy cop genre is not a new one but ‘Nine Puzzles’ turns the genre over its head when one of the buddies happens to be the prime suspect of a gruesome series of murders that points to a serial killer. Headlining Kim Da-mi and Son Suk-ku, this thrilling new show dropped its first 6 episodes last May 21 and will be dropping the next 3 episodes on May 28 and then the final 2 episodes on June 4. This fast-paced suspense thriller is unique in the way the character dynamics have been set up.
In the show, Kim Da-mi plays Yoon E-na, a high school student who was the first person to find her uncle’s murdered body. No witnesses, no evidence of a forced entry, Yoon E-na became the prime suspect but because there is no evidence or witnesses, E-na’s charges were dropped. The investigator, Kim Han-saem (Son Suk-ku) insists that she’s the culprit. 10 years later, E-na is now a criminal profiler and discovers a murder victim that is somehow connected to her uncle’s murder 10 years ago by a mysterious puzzle piece. While Kim Han-saem still insists she’s the killer, Yoon E-na takes on the case and sticks close to Kim Han-saem, the only person she trusts (even if the feeling isn’t mutual).
Traumatized by finding her dead uncle’s body and questioning her own innocence, Yoon E-na goes to therapy while putting on a child-like exterior that is misread by everyone around her. She’s focused only on her work and in getting what she wants and she’s getting on everyone’s nerves. The person she annoys the most is Kim Han-saem, whose only unsolved case is that of her uncle. He goes along because he feels that he will catch her red-handed but as victims start to pile up, the serial killings are leading up to a bigger story.
Director Yoon Jong-bin does an amazing job at creating the mood and really pushing this world into the genre. The world is dark and gritty. There’s no one to trust and every episode has a new discovery that keeps the audience guessing at every turn. It’s fast-paced, not giving in to unnecessary plot points so that the investigation is always at the forefront, but writer Lee Eun-mi manages to find spaces in the investigation to really play with the characters of Yoon E-na and Kim Han-saem. Their banter is funny but lays the groundwork for the friendship that starts to blossom between the two. Kim Han-saem is not entirely sure of her innocence but he becomes a believer of her profiling skills.
And this where the show finds moments of brilliance. Director Yoon Jong-bin recreates every murder from the perspective of E-na or Han-saem, who is trying to deduce how the murder happens. The world turns black and either of the cops becomes the culprit for the reenactment to show how they are understanding the killer. It’s probably been done before but it works for this show. Also, Yoon is not afraid to pull back every now and then to let the show be funny.
Kim Da-mi is at her wheelhouse. I’ve seen her playing big characters before like ‘Itaewon Class’ and ‘Our Beloved Summer’ so playing E-na is a piece of cake for her. She imbues her with so much child-like exuberance but still manages to telegraph how emotionally vulnerable she is. It’s all a front and there are moments when the character thinks no one is watching that she can let her guard down just a bit. She really nails it in the last two episodes of the series. It’s something you really wait for.
On the other hand, Son Suk-ku turns this gruff, rough around the edge’s maverick investigator into someone familiar and endearing. He has a good heart that he’s trying to hide, and Son does a really good job at giving us glimpses of it without revealing it to the people around him in a scene. The dynamic he has with Kim makes the show work.
Rounding up the cast is a strong ensemble including Kim Sung-kyun (‘Reply 1988’, ‘Moving’) and Hyun Bong-sik (‘Gangnam B-Side’, ‘Sweet Home’). But the other standout here is Yoon E-na’s therapist played by Park Gyu-young (‘Celebrity,’ ‘Sweet Home,’ “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’). She is trying to have a professional relationship with Yoon E-na as her therapist but E-na is constantly pushing against the boundaries. Park Gyu-young tries to maintain her stoicism in front of such a chaotic patient and how it shifts and turns as the story progresses is also something to watch out for.
‘Nine Puzzles’ is quite a fun ride with lots of twists and turns and a wonderful set of leads that gives us a partnership to root for. While the first two sets of episode drops are satisfying, the last two feels rush and could have used another episode to really flesh out that ending. One more episode to have managed the pace could have done the show a lot of good but as it is, it’s a winner for Disney+.
My Rating:
Nine Puzzles is streaming now on Disney+. Get hooked on the pulse-pounding twists and dynamic duo of Yoon E-na and Kim Han-saem, jump in and solve the mystery today!
ClickTheCity was invited to an exclusive virtual press conference for Disney+’s new crime K-Drama Nine Puzzles, featuring stars Kim Da-mi (Itaewon Class, Our Beloved Summer) and Son Suk-ku (My Liberation Notes, Big Bet). Joining the leads were supporting actors Kim Sung-kyun (Reply 1988, Moving) and Hyung Bong-sik (Gangnam B-Side, Gyeongseong Creature), alongside director Yoon Jong-bin.
‘Nine Puzzles’ is a crime drama where Kim Da-mi plays Yoon E-na, a high school student who was the first person to find her uncle’s murdered body. No witnesses, no evidence of a forced entry, Yoon E-na became the prime suspect but because there is no evidence or witnesses (or motive), E-na’s charges were dropped. The investigator, Kim Han-saem (Son Suk-ku) insists that she’s the culprit. 10 years later, E-na is now a criminal profiler and discovers a murder victim that is somehow connected to her uncle’s murder 10 years ago by a mysterious puzzle piece. Kim Han-saem must work with her while still suspecting her for being the culprit in a chase over a mysterious set of serial killings that involves the police and other high-profile targets.
It’s a unique buddy-cop dynamic with Yoon E-na hides her trauma by acting cold and child-like, which infuriates the gruff and tough Kim Han-saem, who cannot shake the feeling that Yoon E-na is the killer. The interplay of this creates an interesting relationship between the two and fuels the show’s heart and soul.
During the press conference, the most striking thing to notice is Kim Da-mi, who looks awkward and aloof throughout the photo session at the beginning of the session. Son Suk-ku and other cast are chill, unafraid to get silly or cute when doing their poses for the photographers, but Kim Da-mi is quiet and is working hard to try and give a sincere smile. It’s such a far-cry from her characters in her previous works like ‘Itaewon Class’ and ‘Our Beloved Summer,’ where she plays characters that are larger than life; people with big personalities – much like her character in the show, Yoon E-na. Later, it is revealed that Kim Da-mi is a huge introvert, which explains her reserved nature. Son Suk-ku, when asked about his working relationship with Kim Da-mi, said “Kim Da-mi and I are very similar. We are both introverts and we are both no-frills so it was easy to work together.”
Kim Da-mi, on the other hand, is grateful for Son Suk-ku for his professional approach, which she appreciated. She said, “When I saw Son Sok-ku for the first time, he was friendly, and he came up to me and talked about the show and how we can rely on each other. I really appreciated that.”
There’s so much chemistry amongst the cast that was present at the press conference. In the show, Hyun Bong-sik plays the youngest, as his character is the latest addition to the violent crimes unit, and so he is treated like everyone’s junior, even Yoon E-na. “I usually play the head of the police department,” says Hyun, “so this was new for me. I really liked the script.”
It’s the script that also drew Kim Da-mi to the show. “I read the script in one-go,” she says. She was so invested in the story that she knew she had to do it. For Son Sok-ku, it was because he’s a huge fan of the director. When he was asked to be a part of the cast, he said “of course.” The same for Kim Sung-kyun, who had worked with director Yoon Jong-bin before, 14 years ago, and calls it “like a reunion.”
Director Yoon Jong-bin knew he wanted Kim Da-mi for Yoon E-na the moment he saw the script. He admits that Yoon E-na can be a frustrating character to follow but immediately thought of Kim to play her because “she could play this character without the audience hating on her.”
The child-like quality of Yoon E-na can be off-putting. Especially since she is also a prime suspect and her dismissive nature to other people’s emotions or the current situation can make her seem apathetic and even more suspicious. For Kim Da-mi, her approach was to to use E-na’s trauma to define her. “E-na is kind of stuck in that time period,” she says, referencing the show’s opening scene when E-na discovers her uncle’s dead body. “She is vulnerable inside,” she continues, “but has childish characteristics. She says what she wants and does what she wants.”
When asked by the reporters on-site how Kim Da-mi sees the relationship between Yoon E-na and Kim Han-saem, Kim softens and smiles. She takes a while to answer the question and then says, “He becomes someone she can’t live without.”
The cast is very careful about spoilers. When you watch the show, you will notice so many twists and turns throughout the investigation that keeps you on your toes. It never goes where you think it does and so the whole time at the press conference, they were so careful about giving anything away.
At some point, Son Suk-ku just talks about how he put his character together like how he was able to influence Kim Han-saem’s use of beanies throughout the show. “I like wearing beanies,’ admits Son, “so I asked the director if his research says investigators can’t wear beanies and when he said that it doesn’t break any rules, I started wearing them in the first few episodes.” The director like it so much that they wrote it into the script.
The chemistry was so strong, and you can see this in the show, how well the actors play off each other. But it wasn’t easy for director Yoon Jong-bin to do this. He tells the story: “I like to bring the cast together and have a meal and drink. It creates organic chemistry but it was so difficult with this cast because Son Suk-ku and Hyun Bong-sik doesn’t drink and Kim Da-mi is an extreme introvert.” But he was able to manage something because what he ended up with is a cast that worked so well-together that the show shines because of their dynamics.
Disney+ has just unveiled the sizzling first look, teaser trailer, and key art for “All’s Fair,” the hotly anticipated new Original legal drama from prolific creator Ryan Murphy—coming soon exclusively to the platform.
Set in the high-stakes world of divorce law, “All’s Fair” follows a group of fierce, whip-smart female attorneys who break away from a male-dominated firm to start their own game-changing practice. These women don’t just fight for their clients—they fight for each other, navigating cutthroat cases, shifting loyalties, and explosive personal lives along the way. In this courtroom, love is war, and power is everything.
The powerhouse cast includes Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash-Betts, Teyana Taylor, Matthew Noszka, with the iconic Sarah Paulson and Glenn Close.
From 20th Television in association with Ryan Murphy Television, the series is written, directed, and executive produced by Ryan Murphy himself, alongside an impressive roster that includes Jon Robin Baitz, Joe Baken, Jamie Pachino, Lyn Greene, and Richard Levine. Stars Kim Kardashian, Glenn Close, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash-Betts, and Sarah Paulson also serve as executive producers. Anthony Hemingway directs and executive produces, with Kris Jenner, Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, Scott Robertson, and Nissa Diederich rounding out the team.
With robust parental controls, Disney+ ensures a family-friendly experience for all viewers. Customizable settings allow subscribers to limit access to mature content, including PIN-protected profiles and Junior Mode options for younger audiences.
Get ready—“All’s Fair” is bringing the drama, the glamour, and the fire to Disney+ soon.
Marvel fans, brace yourselves—something brilliant is coming your way. The teaser trailer and official poster for the highly-anticipated Marvel Television series, “Ironheart,” have just been unveiled, and it’s safe to say the hype is officially real.
Launching exclusively on Disney+ on June 25, 2025, “Ironheart” stars Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, a genius inventor whose self-made iron suits are reshaping the next generation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Meet Riri Williams: A New Era of Genius and Grit
Riri made her debut in 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and now she’s stepping fully into her own power. With brains, boldness, and brilliance, Riri brings a fresh twist to the Iron legacy—this time, through the eyes of a Black teenage prodigy from Chicago.
“Ironheart is such a great character in publishing,” said Coogler. “In 2016, Brian Michael Bendis created a character who would be a successor of sorts to the Iron Man legacy. In the comic book, Riri Williams and Tony Stark had a relationship—she was a student at MIT who came from an almost polar opposite background as Tony, but they came together in their passion to better society. Eventually, the character gets her own identity as Ironheart, and other writers like Eve Ewing picked up from there, taking Riri Williams to Chicago.”
Tech Meets Magic in Marvel’s Most Inventive Storyline Yet
Set in the aftermath of Wakanda Forever, “Ironheart” returns us to Riri’s hometown of Chicago, where ambition meets arcane. As she perfects her cutting-edge armor, she crosses paths with Parker Robbins aka The Hood, played by Anthony Ramos—a mystical wildcard with charm and danger to spare.
With technology clashing against magic, Riri must navigate new threats and personal trials, all while building a name for herself beyond the shadows of Iron Man.
A Star-Packed Cast and Visionary Team Behind the Scenes
Joining Thorne and Ramos are an impressive ensemble:
Produced in collaboration with Proximity Media, “Ironheart” promises to deliver a powerful mix of heroism, heart, and heritage. The countdown begins now—June 25, 2025 is when the next generation of Marvel heroes takes flight.
Stay tuned, because Riri Williams is ready to leave her mark—and it’s going to be unforgettable.
Follow for More Updates
For the latest news on Marvel’s “Ironheart,” teasers, interviews, and exclusive drops, keep it locked to ClickTheCity and Disney+.
I’m not at all a Star Wars fan. I do enjoy a few of the films but none of them really got to me except for ‘Rogue One.’ It’s only ‘Rogue One’ that got me to understand and feel what it was the Rebellion was fighting for. It gave the whole franchise the meat and emotional punch that I felt was missing from that universe. All this talk of the Skywalkers and the Sith Lords and it all felt so compact and fictional. I can understand why some critics have called it a space opera. It wasn’t until ‘Rogue One’ that the authoritarianism of the Empire became palpable. It wasn’t just concepts thrown around. You could see it: the tyranny and the terror. And it wasn’t a special saviour coming to save the day. It was the everyday revolutionary who wanted change.
It’s why of all the Star Wars series on Disney+, the only ones I followed were ‘The Mandalorian’ (only until season 2) and ‘Andor.’ The first season of Andor was just pitch perfect for me. A true-blue science fiction story with great world building, memorable characters (with great performances by the actors portraying them), and a plot that detailed the challenges of putting together a rebellion while an empire slowly turns fascist. ‘Andor season 1’ gave us a in-depth look into the origins of Cassian Andor, the male protagonist of ‘Rogue One’ and how he became a part of the Rebellion. It was an origin story that showed us why one must stand up to tyranny at all costs.
On the second season, Andor (Diego Luna) is now awake and radicalized but he is also burnt out and jaded from all the horrors he has seen and been a party of. He is still doing missions for Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgard) while questioning his own part to play.
The 12-episode season is released 3-episodes per week. With the first 9 having already dropped, and the last 3 to be aired next week; ‘Andor’ has proven itself to be the most grounded of the Star Wars properties. Through the first 9 episodes, we see Andor try to keep his family together – Bix (Adria Arjona), Brasso (Joplin Sibtain), and Wilmon (Muhannad Bhaier) – while navigating his complex relationship with Luthen. Luthen is trying to keep the Rebellion one step ahead of the Empire working with his assistant Kleya (Elizabeth Dulau) and Senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly). On the other side, Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) is given an opportunity to work on a secret project that allows her to use her new lover Syril Karn (Kyle Soller) as an agent in the contested planet of Ghorman.
Played out over four years, with each new three episodes happening one year later from the previous, what ‘Andor Season 2’ does is build from the extensive world building that was already laid out in season 1 and then shows us the full ramifications of the price and the cost of a revolution and, on the flipside, what authoritarianism can do to those who blindly follow it, until they are no longer blind and must reconcile in their own participation of tyranny.
While a lot of the later episodes of the season start to push for a narrative that Andor is meant or destined to make things happen – a bit Skywalker-ish, for my taste – it’s left ambiguous enough and just implied that it doesn’t take away from Cassian Andor’s everyman quality that makes this show so captivating. Mon Mothma is no Princess Leia. Luthen Rael is not as flashy or charming as Han Solo. And they shouldn’t be. These are the rebel fighters who are doing the dirty work day-to-day trying to keep the spirit of revolution alive so that oppression does not take over from the ruling class. The show brings us to various locations and worlds, the CGI-quality is the best I’ve ever seen from a Star Wars show, but it is also so intricate that you can pick up the commentary that it has on our everyday world. The indulgence and the lavish set up of the capital of Coruscant versus the old world and traditional designs of Ghorman or another world that is just filled with fields and fields of grain. The contrast between the corrupt city versus the outer worlds that are producing things of value who are the bearer of the Empire’s need for control.
We know that this show will lead straight into ‘Rogue One’ and we know how that movie ends but we are still left captivated by the turn of events that forces Cassian Andor to do what he does in the later film. The film is powered by what drives people to risk everything, to risk all for the freedom of all. I’m amazed at how this show can make real the desire to want real change for the world and to look at tyrants and authoritarian regimes like the Empire and call it out for its propaganda and greedy, abusive, and exploitative methods for control.
There’s a fan favourite from ‘Rogue One’ who has made an appearance at the end of episode 9, and we’ll get to see more of them in the last three episodes, as well as a fantastic look into the origins of two of the show’s most interesting characters. ‘Rogue One’ and ‘Andor’ are the two shows that makes Star Wars, and all of its films feel big and important because prior to this, the terms “rebels” and “empire” were just abstract words thrown about to determine who is good and bad. But now, in ‘Rogue One’ and ‘Andor’, we can really feel the danger, the urgency, and the hope that this franchise is grounded on. Revolutions are hard. You must risk everything, but it is worth it. ‘Andor’ makes me see this and entertains me at the same time.
My Rating:
Stream Andor Season 2 on Disney+ now and witness the gritty fight for freedom!
May’s scorching heat is no match for Netflix’s sizzling lineup of new shows and films hitting your screens in 2025! As Manila swelters, it’s the perfect excuse to stay indoors, kick back, cozy up with a cold drink and binge the latest streaming shows and films. From The Devil’s Plan’s brainy battles to Fear Street: Prom Queen’s creepy thrills and Tastefully Yours’ sweet sparks, there’s a story for every Pinoy binge-watcher. Ready to plan your watch party? Here’s your ClickTheCity guide to Netflix’s must-see picks this month. What’s topping your list?
The Devil’s Plan pits a Go legend, poker pro, Hollywood actor, news anchor, and lawyer against each other in a high-stakes battle of wits. Who’ll outsmart the rest? Perfect for fans of Squid Game’s strategic chaos.
Why Watch? Mind-bending fun that’ll keep you guessing.
Shadyside High’s 1988 prom is a bloodbath! Underdog Lori battles cutthroat rivals for prom queen, but a killer’s picking off candidates. Starring Fina Strazza and Ariana Greenblatt, this Fear Street chapter is peak retro horror.
Why Watch? Creepy vibes for your late-night binge.
Our Unwritten Seoul (Series) Launch Date: May 24
Twin sisters—one from Seoul, one from the countryside—swap lives in this fun, fish-out-of-water drama. Chaos and heart ensue!
Why Watch? A light, bingeable gem.
F1: The Academy (Sports Series) Launch Date: May 28
Reunited as teens, two childhood friends fall deeply in love, experiencing the joy and heartache of a first romance that will change their lives forever.
Tastefully Yours (Series) Launch Date: May 12
Sparks–and maybe love–fly in Jeonju’s tiny little restaurant. A food conglomerate heir obsessed with finding the best recipes finds them, and love, in a one-table restaurant.
Dear Hongrang (Series) Launch Date: May 16
When a long-missing heir returns with lost memories, love and suspicion entwine. Is he truly Hongrang, or a stranger disturbing hearts and family ties?
MarJo is back! Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin ignite ‘90s nostalgia in this kilig-packed rom-com. Joy (Jolina) jets to Valletta, Malta, to convince her ex, Ced (Marvin), to walk their daughter, SC (Loisa Andalio), downthe aisle. Their plan to delay SC’s wedding to Joey (Juan Karlos Labajo) sparks old flames. Directed by JP Habac, it’s a heartfelt nod to Labs Kita… Okey Ka Lang? fans. Manila’s rom-com lovers, get ready!
Why Watch? A funny, heartfelt nostalgia fest. #ExExLovers
GRIPPING THRILLERS
Love, Death & Robots: Volume 4 (Series) Launch Date: May 15
Dinosaur gladiators, messianic cats, string-puppet rock stars — it can only be Love, Death + Robots. The fourth volume, presented by Tim Miller (Deadpool, Terminator: Dark Fate) and David Fincher (Mindhunter, The Killer), sees Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2, Season 3’s “Kill Team Kill” return as supervising director for ten startling shorts showcasing the series’ signature, award-winning style of bleeding-edge animation, horror, sci-fi, and humor. Buckle up.
Devon thinks her sister Simone has a really creepy relationship with her new boss, the enigmatic socialite Michaela Kell. Michaela’s cult-ish life of luxury is like a drug to Simone, and Devon has decided it’s time for an intervention, but she has no idea what a formidable opponent Michaela will be. Told over the course of one explosive weekend at The Kells’ lavish beach estate, Sirens is an incisive, sexy, and darkly funny exploration of women, power, and class.
Dept. Q (Series) Launch Date: May 29
A brash but brilliant detective (Matthew Goode) leads a cold case unit in this Edinburgh-based drama by the writer and director of “The Queen’s Gambit”.
MORE FOR YOUR MUST-WATCH LIST
Unseen: Season 2 (Series) Launch Date: May 2
In the wake of tragedy, Zenzi is forced to trust those who put her behind bars. Will her newfound desire for freedom finally put her grief to rest?
Full Speed: Season 2 (Sports Series) Launch Date: May 7
In the race for the 2024 NASCAR championship, this high-octane documentary series gets closer than ever to the drama on and off the track.
Blood of Zeus: Season 3 (Series) Launch Date: May 8
An ambitious but overlooked teacher wants to be head of a prestigious school, but must climb a slippery ladder of lies and corruption to reach the top.
At a private school where gambling determines social status, a skillful new student with a mysterious past is shaking things up — and betting on revenge.
When a neighbor’s au pair vanishes from her wealthy suburb, Cecilie seeks answers — and unravels secrets that shatter her seemingly perfect world.
Tyler Perry’s She The People (Series) Launch Date: May 22
As she tries to shine in politics, Mississippi’s first Black lieutenant governor must manage her zany family and overcome a boss who’s stuck in the past.
Lost in Starlight (Film) Launch Date: COMING SOON
When an astronaut leaves Earth for Mars, the vast infinite space divides star-crossed lovers in this animated romance that crosses the cosmos.
With temperatures continuing to soar across the country, Netflix’s May 2025 lineup is a welcome escape from the scorching outdoors. From explosive mysteries and twisted love stories to high-speed sports drama and animated cosmic adventures, it’s the perfect time to chill—literally and figuratively—with your next favorite binge. So stay cool, stay hydrated, and let Netflix take care of the entertainment.
There’s something about that timing of ‘G20’ that makes it more layered and nuanced than it really is. Announced in November 22, the production met delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strike in 2023, the shoot finally began in January 2024 and ended in March of that year. How would director Patricia Riggen, screenwriters Caitlin Parrish, Erica Weiss, Logan and Noah Miller, and producer-star Viola Davis have known that Kamala Harris was to run for president just that July? And that she would lose in November. So, the imagery of Viola Davis as a former military war hero turned President of the United States has statements of could-have-beens and should-have-beens.
In ‘G20,’ Davis plays Danielle Sutton, the President of the United States, who has to lead the G20 summit in South Africa to push for digital currency to help farmers in sub-Saharran conditions worldwide. But the G20 summit is hijacked, and the world leaders are taken hostage by Edward Rutledge (Anthony Starr), a mercenary who wants to rest the world’s economy by calling out all government’s corruption and calling everyone to action by taking their money out of banks and into crypto to take the finances out of government control. Sutton manages to escape and must now use her military training to save herself and the other world leaders of the G20. What complicates matters is that Sutton’s son and daughter are also at the G20, after her daughter Serena (Marsai Martin), cause a scandal back in the US. Coincidentally, Serena is also a computer hacker, which becomes an advantage for Sutton later in the film.
Clark Gregg, Viola Davis, Elizabeth Marvel
There are shades of ‘Die Hard’ in ‘G20’ and maybe even ‘Air Force One,’ but what ‘G20’ lacks is a full commitment to the silliness of the former or the self-awareness of the latter. ‘Die Hard’ works because it wasn’t meant to be a serious movie. It was serious action, and it was fun watching Bruce Willis take on a hostage situation in his bare feet against a large group of terrorists. It did not have high ambitions, but it was so pure in its drive for entertainment that it worked.
Viola Davis
‘Air Force One,’ reflects the end of the American and Russian Cold War and the film managed to navigate those sentiments while giving us a thrilling action piece inside an airplane and it’s always good to see Harrison Ford when he’s committed to the role. Viola Davis has the charm and the gravitas of both Willis and Ford but the film played on too many recognizable tropes – the hacker daughter, the reliable and loyal bodyguard, the traitor – that it didn’t feel too fresh or exciting. At the same time, with the current situation of the world and of America today, it’s so hard-pressed to imagine, even fictional, of America being the savior of anything.
Ramón Rodríguez, Viola Davis, Elizabeth Marvel
With the current state of geopolitics today, ‘G20’ feels tone deaf and ridiculous as it continues to present itself as the hero in situations of war and conflict. While Rutledge’s actions are to his own benefit and is a sham, his premise that many of the world’s governments are lying to us and exploiting us isn’t as far off as we’d like to think. There are new paradigms at play that is making us think about the world and how our lives are governed in new ways that the film feels like it’s asking us to keep things in the status quo.
Viola Davis
It’s unfortunate because Viola Davis is such a powerhouse. Her Danielle Sutton is tired and exhausted, and you can see it in her face, in her posture. The work of the president is weighing on down on her and it’s causing a rift with her children, and she carries it in her gait, her stride. She’s such a pro and she know exactly what kind of movie she’s in and she’s playing it hard without going off synch with the film’s overall tone. I just wished the material was something that could have been extremely fun and entertaining for her and for the audience. The fight scenes were great and there were some really hard-hitting actions, which is always a good thing but there is a gloss in ‘G20’ that takes away from the fear and the thrill. It’s trying to sell us an old story of American possibility, one with a deserving female president of color, but it is unable to create a fiction so compelling that we forget the reality.
My Rating:
Stream G20 now on Prime Video and explore its intense saga.
Prime Video announced the premiere date and debuted new tease art and video for Season Three of its global hit series,The Summer I Turned Pretty. The teaser features ‘Daylight’ from the album Lover and ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ from the album Red (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift. The third and final season of the beloved coming-of-age drama will launch on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, and feature 11 episodes, streaming exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Led by showrunners Jenny Han and Sarah Kucserka, the new season continues to follow Belly as she navigates first love, growing up, and the bonds that shape us. The series is executive produced by Han, Kucserka, and Karen Rosenfelt, alongside Paul Lee, Hope Hartman, and Mads Hansen for wiip. The Summer I Turned Pretty is a co-production between Amazon Studios and wiip.
Based on the best-selling book trilogy from Jenny Han, the Prime Video drama has become a cultural sensation and captured the hearts of fans around the globe. Season One debuted in summer 2022 and become the #1 show on Prime Video premiere weekend. Season Two debuted in summer 2023 and more than doubled Season One’s viewership within three days of launch.
The Summer I Turned Pretty is a multigenerational drama that hinges on a love triangle between one girl and two brothers, the ever-evolving relationship between mothers and their children, and the enduring power of strong female friendship. It is a coming-of-age story about first love, first heartbreak, and the magic of that one perfect summer.
Jenny Han is the No. 1 New York Times best-selling author of the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before andThe Summer I Turned Pretty series. Her books have been published in more than 30 languages. For television, she created two new series based on her books—Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty, which she executive produces and co-showruns, and the Netflix series XO, Kitty, a spinoff of the To All the Boys universe, which she also executive produces. For film, she executive produced all three films in Netflix’s global hit To All the Boys trilogy. Han lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Get Ready for Stranger Things, Wednesday, One Piece, Squid Game, Happy Gilmore 2, Wake Up Dead Man, and So Much More!
Streaming LIVE on Netflix May 31 at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT
Mark your calendars, because Netflix is about to set the stage ablaze! On May 31st, the can’t-missNetflix TUDUM 2025 event will be streaming LIVE directly to fans worldwide. Broadcasting from the iconic Kia Forum in Los Angeles, TUDUM promises an electric night full of exclusive reveals, jaw-dropping performances, and unforgettable moments.
About TUDUM 2025: A Global Celebration of Fandom
TUDUM 2025 is not just an event—it’s a phenomenon. Designed to honor the passion and creativity of fans around the globe, TUDUM brings together the biggest stars, creators, and surprises from your favorite Netflix shows and movies.
From shocking first looks to surprise cast reunions and powerful musical performances, TUDUM 2025 will be the ultimate fan experience. Whether you’re obsessed with Hawkins, can’t get enough of Nevermore Academy, or love the twisted mysteries of Benoit Blanc, there’s something spectacular in store for everyone.
Why You Can’t Miss TUDUM 2025
With the world’s most passionate fans and today’s hottest stars under one roof, TUDUM 2025 is shaping up to be Netflix’s biggest celebration yet. Expect epic announcements, exclusive clips, behind-the-scenes secrets, and an atmosphere so electric you’ll feel it through the screen!
So, grab your popcorn, rally your crew, and tune in LIVE for an unforgettable night where fandom truly comes alive.
