Great detective thrillers—whether based on true crime, fictional mysteries, or adaptations of popular stories—have consistently become cinematic favorites. There’s a unique enjoyment in getting lost in a well-crafted crime thriller, and many truly deserve the acclaim they receive.
Even before the first season ended, The CW had renewed Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent for two more seasons, with new episodes planned for the 2026 TV lineup. This announcement wasn’t unexpected, as the Law & Order brand is well-known to American viewers. The original Law & Order series is currently celebrating its 25th season, and SVU is in its 27th, demonstrating the franchise’s lasting popularity.
Jim O’Hanlon’s latest comedy offers a refreshing break from the typical holiday season filled with special effects-heavy blockbusters and overly serious Oscar contenders. The film also includes some unexpected musical numbers, one of which – a particularly cheeky song in the second act – is remarkably brilliant and worthy of an Oscar nomination.
The new show House of Ashur has earned a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on the first six reviews. This score is likely to change as more reviews come in, especially around its two-episode premiere on December 5th. Currently, there isn’t a viewer score available yet.
Since the early days of film in the 1920s and 30s, movies have explored war and historical events through epic storytelling. The genre has changed a lot over the years, with some of the most acclaimed films appearing in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. However, excellent war and history films continue to be made even today. Over the past 40 years, movies like Braveheart have proven to be enduring classics, and there are many others that deserve to be remembered.
Before the premiere of Spartacus: House of Ashur on Starz, I spoke with creator Steven S. DeKnight about the new series and what viewers can anticipate from this spin-off. The original Spartacus was known for its action and even surpassed Game of Thrones in terms of on-screen deaths. DeKnight, who previously ran the Daredevil series, discussed his goal of bringing the gritty realism of ancient Rome to life.
After more than ten years since the first series concluded, House of Ashur is the newest installment in the franchise, debuting on December 5th. Nick Tarabay returns as Ashur, now the central character, and he’s joined by a talented cast including Claudia Black, Ivana Baquero, Dan Hamill, Jamaica Vaughn, Graham McTavish, Tenika Davis, and Lucy Lawless.
Twenty years after it first came out, The Island is currently the ninth most popular movie on Netflix in the U.S., according to the week of November 24th to 30th. Director Michael Bay has two films in the Top 10 this week—the sci-fi thriller The Island and his 2022 action movie, Ambulance, which is at number six.
Benedict Cumberbatch has built an impressive career over the last three decades, and continues to take on diverse roles. He’s starred in everything from critically-acclaimed dramas and limited series to independent and blockbuster films, consistently earning praise from both critics and general audiences.
While most movies and TV shows are available to stream worldwide, some are only released in certain countries. This could be a deliberate choice to target a specific audience, or simply because the creators haven’t expanded distribution beyond their home country. Several miniseries, for example, are currently only available to viewers in the United States. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth watching if you get the chance.