Get your popcorn ready! A supernatural horror flick inspired by true events starring Russel Crowe, a Hulu series based on the essay collection of Cheryl Strayed ‘Tiny Beautiful Things,’ a Thai drama capturing the culinary world of Bangkok, and many more exciting web series and films were released last month. Here’s a list of must-watch new series that premiered and movies released in April 2023. Happy watching!
The Pope’s Exorcist
Gladiator actor Russel Crowe dons the cloth and an Italian accent as he takes on the role of a Catholic priest and exorcist Fr. Gabriele Amorth in this supernatural horror flick. The film chronicles the account of Fr. Amorth, the Vatican-appointed chief exorcist of the Catholic Church, and inspired by true events and his works. Fr. Amorth seeks to perform an exorcism on a possessed young boy Henry, who puts his faith to the test.
Fr. Amorth passed away at the age of 91 and was renowned for his significant work in demonology and exorcism.
Cast: Russel Crowe, Daniel Zovatto, Alex Essoe, Franco Nero, Laurel Marsden, Peter DeSouza-Feighoney, Cornell John, Ryan O’Grady as Cardinal Sullivan, and Ralph Ineson.
Evil Dead Rise
A decade after the fourth film (‘Evil Dead’ 2013) in the Evil Dead franchise comes, ‘Evil Dead Rise’ from Irish filmmaker Lee Cronin. Beth and Ellie, estranged sisters, reconnect at Ellie’s house for a family dinner with Ellie’s three children. The night is cut short when an earthquake unearths a hidden chamber where the kids find the Book of the Dead. This evitability spawns a flesh-possessing demon entering Ellie, plunging the family into a night of anguish.
Cast: Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, Nell Fisher, Richard Crouchley, Mirabai Pease, and Anna-Maree Thomas
The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (Netflix)
The conclusion of the historical Vikings series ‘The Last Kingdom’ comes in the form of a nearly two-hour action-adventure movie. With the possibility of a united England, Utred must now uphold his vow to surrender the Kingdom of Northumbria and the castle of Bebbanburg to the late King Edward’s eldest son Aethelstan. However, Utred deems Aethelstan misguided, unworthy, and an unfit ruler. Tensions boil as Utred must choose between his loyalties for Aethelstan or face the King’s wrath. Around this time, a prophecy circulates that seven kings must die in order for England to be unified.
Cast: Alexander Dreymon, Harry Gilby, Mark Rowley, Arnas Fedaravicius, Cavan Clerkin, Laurie Davidson, Elaine Cassidy
Watch On ‘The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die’ Netflix: HERE
Hunger (Netflix)
A Thai drama capturing the culinary world of Bangkok. Aoy is a cook who runs her family’s local restaurant. Looking to dawn the chef’s toque and to earn a more promising livelihood, Aoy auditions for a position at Hunger, a fine dining chic restaurant run by Chef Paul. The realities of working at such an establishment coupled with the challenges she faces make it extremely hard for her to keep up, pushing Aoy to the edge. ‘Hunger’ currently has an 85% approval rating on rotten tomatoes.
Cast: Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying, Nopachai Jayanama, Gunn Svasti
Watch ‘Hunger’ on Netflix: HERE
Ghosted
In this romantic action-adventure comedy flick, after a brief encounter, Cole (Chris Evans) falls madly in love with Sadie (Ana de Armas) and even refers to her as ‘The One.’ Sadie consistently ignores Cole’s texts, and Cole refuses to believe she has ghosted him. He sets out to find her, only to realize she’s a secret agent, and the two become tangled in an international conspiracy.
After co-starring in ‘Knives Out’ (2019), and ‘The Gray Man’ (2022), this is Chris Evans and Ana de Armas’ third film together. The film also has appearances from Ryan Reynolds, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, John Cho, and Tim Blake Nelson.
Cast: Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Adrien Brody, Mike Moh, Lizze Broadway, Tate Donovan
Watch ‘Ghosted’ on Apple TV: HERE
Other movies released in April 2023 –
Ponniyin Selvan: II The second installment of the epic historical chronicle of the Indian Chola dynasty, based on the 1955 novel of the same name by writer and journalist Kalki Krishnamurthy. Starring Kamal Hassan, Aishwarya Rai Bachan, Yog Japee, Vikram Prabhu, Sobhita Dhulipala, and Trisha Krishnan.
Renfield: A horror comedy film based on Dracula’s deranged, fanatically loyal servant R. M. Renfield starring Nicolas Cage, Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Adrian Martinez, and Shohreh Aghdashloo.
The Super Marios Bro.s Movie: Based on the popular game franchise plugged with the voices of actors Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key Seth Rogen, and Fred Armisen.
The Diplomat
Political thriller ‘The Diplomat’ follows a career diplomat named Kate Wyler. The eight-episode Netflix series sees her in a role as an ambassador to the UK during an international political crisis. Amidst all this, Kate also attempts to save her marriage with political star Hal Wyler.
Cast: Keri Russell, David Gyasi, Rufus Sewell, Ato Essando, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, Georgie Henley, and Michael McKean.
Stream ‘The Diplomat’ on Netflix: HERE
Jury Duty
In ‘Jury Duty,’ viewers can see how an American jury trial works through the juror Ronald Gladden who has no idea that everyone around him in the courtroom and outside throughout this eight-episode series is an actor. He doesn’t know that the case is fake. Everything is meticulously planned in this docu-style comedy series. Lee Eisenberg (‘WeCrashed’) and Gene Stupnitsky (‘Good Boys’) are the co-creators of ‘Jury Duty,’ while Jake Szymanski (‘The Package’) directed the series. Eisenberg, Szymanski, Stupnitsky, Ruben Fleischer (‘Uncharted’), Cody Heller (‘Dummy’), David Bernad, Andrew Weinberg, Nicholas Hatton (‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’), and Todd Schulman served as the executive producers.
Cast: James Marsden, Kirk Fox, Maria Russell, Mekki Leeper, Trisha LaFache, Ross Kimball, Ben Seaward, Rashida “Sheedz” Olayiwola, Pramod Kumar, Cassandra Blair, Susan Berger, and Whitney Rice.
Watch ‘Jury Duty’ on Amazon Prime Video: HERE
You May Also Like ‘Dead Ringers’ on Amazon Prime Video
Citadel
Mason Kane and Nadia Sinh are elite agents at a global spy agency called Citadel. Their memories are wiped when a new spy syndicate Manticore destroyed Citadel and eight years later they live under new identities. Both Kane and Sinh are unaware of their past when Bernard Orlick who used to work at Citadel enlists their help to put a stop to Manticore’s efforts to establish a new world order.
Cast: Richard Madden, Priyanka Chopra, Leslie Manville, Stanley Tucci, Roland Møller, Ashleigh Cummings, Osy Ikhile, Nikki Amuka-Bird (‘The Outfit’) and Laëtitia Eïdo.
Find ‘Citadel’ on Amazon Prime Video: HERE
Tiny Beautiful Things
Based on the essay collection of Cheryl Strayed ‘Tiny Beautiful Things,’ centers on a writer named Clare Kinkade who becomes an advice columnist even though her life is far from perfect. She helps her readers who seek her advice using her own experiences. Clare also ends up helping herself on this journey. This series has been produced by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine.
Cast: Kathryn Hahn, Quentin Plair, Sarah Pidgeon, Tijuana Ricks, and Tanzyn Crawford.
Stream ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ on Hulu: HERE
You May Also Like: ‘Mrs. Davis’ on Peacock
Love & Death
‘Love & Death’ is a true crime limited series on HBO Max in which Elizabeth Olsen plays Candy Montgomery, who had an affair with her neighbor and friend Betty Gore’s husband. When Betty is found dead, Candy becomes a suspect.
Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, Lily Rabe, Jesse Plemons, Krysten Ritter, Patrick Fugit, Tom Pelphrey. Olivia Applegate, Kier Gilchrist, and Fabiola Andújar.
Stream ‘Love & Death’ on HBO Max: HERE
Beef
Netflix’s ‘Beef is a ten-episode comedy that sees two strangers who begin clashing after getting into a road rage incident.
Cast: Steven Yeun, Ali Wong, Young Mazino, Maria Bello, Ashley Park, Joseph Lee, Mia Serafino, and Justin H. Min.
