Top Movie Choices for This Weekend: Catch 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' in Theaters, Rent 'Bugonia,' and Stream 'Caught Stealing' on Netflix.

Hello, movie lovers! Brett Arnold here, your film critic and longtime Yahoo editor, bringing you the latest edition of Trust Me, I Watch Everything. This week, audiences can catch the third installment of the Knives Out series, Wake Up Dead Man, in theaters before it streams on Netflix. Also hitting cinemas is the Oscar-talked-about Hamnet. For home viewing, Bugonia by Yorgos Lanthimos and Richard Linklater's Blue Moon are both available to rent or buy. Meanwhile, streaming services have hidden gems: The Baltimorons on AMC+ and Caught Stealing with Austin Butler and Zo Kravitz on Netflix.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

The latest Rian Johnson mystery features Josh O'Connor as young priest Jud Duplenticy, helping the charismatic Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin). A shocking murder sets local police chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis) alongside detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) to solve an unusual case. The film also stars Jeremy Renner, Thomas Haden Church, Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, and Cailee Spaeny.

Unlike its predecessors, this entry leans heavily into themes of faith, power, and manipulation, sacrificing some of the fun and sharpness audiences loved in Glass Onion and the original. While O'Connor delivers a strong performance, the ensemble cast is underutilized, and the mystery relies on extensive exposition. The resolution, though ambitious, comes across as convoluted and less satisfying than earlier films.

How to watch: Now in theaters nationwide ahead of its Netflix release on Dec. 12.

Hamnet

This drama explores the personal life of Shakespeare, focusing on his grief after the death of his son, Hamnet. Jessie Buckley leads a compelling cast, yet the film struggles with a disconnect between concept and execution, treating its historical figures more as symbols than fully realized characters. The intended emotional climaxlinking tragedy to Shakespeare's workfalls short for some viewers.

How to watch: Now in theaters nationwide.

Bugonia

Yorgos Lanthimos teams with Emma Stone in this darkly comedic and unsettling story about two conspiracy-obsessed men who kidnap a CEO they believe to be an alien. Jesse Plemons shines in his role, and Stone continues her exceptional streak. The film skillfully blends humor and tension while exploring our post-truth society and the human need for belief. The ending is both audacious and emotionally resonant.

How to watch: Available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Prime Video, and other VOD platforms.

Blue Moon

Richard Linklaters latest is a dialogue-driven character study set entirely in a bar in 1943. Ethan Hawke delivers a career-best performance as lyricist Lorenz Hart grappling with professional jealousy and self-doubt. The film beautifully explores artistry, ambition, and human imperfection in a way that theater fans and cinephiles alike will appreciate.

How to watch: Available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Prime Video, and other VOD platforms.

The Baltimorons

A heartwarming indie film about Cliff, a newly sober man, and Didi, his emergency dentist, navigating a series of unusual events in Baltimore. Michael Strassner delivers a charming, deeply personal performance, supported by Liz Larsen. This quietly poignant story emphasizes cinemas ability to find magic in small, human moments.

How to watch: Now streaming on AMC+.

Caught Stealing

Darren Aronofskys latest follows Austin Butler as an ex-baseball player dragged into a criminal underworld after a mishap involving his neighbors cat. The film balances thrilling sequences with character-driven drama, exploring addiction, failure, and survival in a gripping, darkly entertaining story.

How to watch: Now streaming on Netflix.

She Rides Shotgun

Taron Egerton stars in this crime thriller based on the popular novel about a young girl on the run with her dangerous father. The story focuses on her journey and coming to terms with her fathers choices, offering strong performances despite a formulaic script.

How to watch: Now streaming on MGM+.

Thats it for this weeks highlights. Check out the Yahoo 100 for more recommendations on popular movies and TV shows. Theres always something for everyone!

Author's Commentary: The State of Modern Cinema and Storytelling

The current slate of films and streaming options offers a mixed bag for audiences, with some standout performances and compelling narratives, but also a few that fall short of expectations. As always, the diversity of themes in today's releases proves that filmmakers are willing to tackle complex subjects, whether it's faith and power in the latest Knives Out installment or Shakespeare's personal grief in Hamnet. However, this diversity often comes at the cost of the engaging storytelling that once defined these genres.

Take, for example, Wake Up Dead Man, the third film in the Knives Out series. While it tries to differentiate itself from its predecessors with its heavy themes of faith and manipulation, it sacrifices the sharpness and intrigue that made the first two films so enjoyable. While Josh O'Connor's performance as a troubled priest is a bright spot, the film suffers from a lack of character development in its large ensemble cast and a convoluted resolution. The heavy exposition required to unravel the mystery might not be as satisfying for fans hoping for the same level of intrigue seen in Glass Onion.

Hamnet, with its deep emotional undertones, also struggles to hit the mark. While Jessie Buckley gives a strong performance, the film’s approach to Shakespeare’s grief feels more like an abstract exploration of loss rather than a deeply personal portrayal. The film seems to treat its historical figures as symbols, rather than fully fleshed-out characters, leading to a disconnect that may leave some viewers unmoved.

In contrast, films like Bugonia and Blue Moon find success by grounding their stories in specific, yet universal, human experiences. Lanthimos' darkly comedic take in Bugonia successfully taps into the absurdity of modern belief systems, while Linklater's Blue Moon is a masterful exploration of self-doubt and artistic ambition. These films offer more satisfying character studies and resonate emotionally with their audiences.

The world of indie films continues to thrive, with gems like The Baltimorons and Caught Stealing providing refreshing alternatives to big-budget fare. These films find success in their simplicity and ability to create emotionally rich, character-driven stories. Despite their limited scope, both films demonstrate the power of intimate, well-crafted narratives to leave a lasting impact on viewers.

In conclusion, while mainstream cinema seems to be grappling with a mix of ambitious but flawed projects, the indie scene remains strong, offering nuanced stories that resonate on a human level. Whether it's exploring the depths of loss, the absurdity of modern belief, or the quiet beauty of everyday life, there is still plenty of room for meaningful cinematic experiences.

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• New movies to watch this weekend: See 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' in theaters, rent 'Bugonia,' stream 'Caught Stealing' on Netflix