New to Streaming: Who by Fire, A Desert, Bono: Stories of Surrender, On Swift Horses, and Additional Titles

      Each week, we showcase remarkable titles that have recently debuted on streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week's picks below and previous compilations here.

      **Bono: Stories of Surrender (Andrew Dominik)**

      Following the polarizing release of his film *Blonde* three years ago, Andrew Dominik has returned to the more familiar ground of concert documentaries with his latest project. After its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, *Bono: Stories of Surrender*—inspired by Bono’s memoir *Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story* and the related book/theater tour—has now been released on Apple TV+.

      **Where to Stream:** Apple TV+

      **A Desert (Joshua Erkman)**

      In his atmospheric neo-noir mystery, Joshua Erkman's directorial debut *A Desert* follows a photographer searching for inspiration during a journey through the desolate American Southwest. When he encounters a couple who seem to bring trouble, he becomes entangled in a dark scheme. Although the script by Erkman and Bossi Baker feels derivative of its influences, the film effectively captures a powerful sense of mounting dread, culminating in a descent into depravity. – Jordan R.

      **Where to Stream:** VOD

      **On Swift Horses (Daniel Minahan)**

      Featuring a strong ensemble of emerging talent, *On Swift Horses*—which stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jacob Elordi, Will Poulter, Diego Calva, and Sasha Calle—premiered at TIFF last fall and has recently become available digitally following its theatrical release last month. Christopher Schobert noted in his review that it's fitting for this film to be a melodramatic tale from the 1950s, centered on same-sex desire amid a perilous context. Adapted by Bryce Klass from Shannon Pufahl’s 2019 novel, *On Swift Horses* is crafted with flair and attention to detail by Minahan, known predominantly for his work in television (*Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace*, *Game of Thrones*). At times, the convoluted narrative seems more suited for a series format.

      **Where to Stream:** VOD

      **The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Mohammad Rasoulof)**

      This film poses a question that echoes another's title: did you ever wonder who pulled the trigger? In *The Seed of the Sacred Fig* by Mohammad Rasoulof, set against the backdrop of the Jina (Women, Life, Freedom) protests in Iran, the inquiry is more sarcastic than earnest. The gun here is not tangible but metaphorical, representing the collective resolve of numerous women opposing the theocratic government and morality enforcers. The film's educational intent is unmistakable. – David K.

      **Where to Stream:** Hulu

      **Who by Fire (Philippe Lesage)**

      After his poignant coming-of-age film *Genesis*, Quebecois director Philippe Lesage broadens his scope with *Who by Fire*, a rich, intimate, and psychologically intense drama about two families on a secluded retreat grappling with career and romantic rivalries. David Katz remarked in his Berlinale review that it presents a uniquely unrequited anti-love triangle, with Lesage effectively reflecting on adolescent behavior without overly sentimentalizing it: the actions we see are raw, hesitant, and at times unfathomable, presented as though in a clinical examination setting.

      **Where to Stream:** VOD

      **The Wild Robot (Chris Sanders)**

      Last year’s top studio animation by a significant margin, *The Wild Robot* delivers a breathtaking and touching adventure. Through the narrative of a stray robot in the wilderness, it explores themes of parenting and emotion, achieving a compelling storyline despite the absence of human characters. While the script could benefit from more specificity, it compensates with sincerity and craftsmanship, featuring intricately designed environments and characters. – Jordan R.

      **Where to Stream:** Netflix

      **Youth (Hard Times) and Youth (Homecoming) (Wang Bing)**

      Concluding one of the significant cinematic endeavors of the decade, Wang Bing revealed his last two segments of the 10-hour *Youth*, highlighting the labor and difficult living conditions of textile workers in China. These segments premiered at various festivals last fall, followed by a theatrical and streaming release in the U.S. Rory O’Connor commented on the second part, *Youth (Hard Times)*, noting it imparts a sense of something monumental—a detailed view of the frayed edges of late capitalism, with still 152 minutes left and a couple of weddings to come.

      **Where to Stream:** VOD

      **Also New Streaming**

      **Prime Video**

      September 5: *You Can Live Forever*

      **VOD**

      *The New Boy*