New to Streaming: The History of Sound, Sorry, Baby, Ballad of a Small Player, Hedda, and More

      Each week, we showcase notable titles that have recently been added to streaming services in the United States. Take a look at this week's picks below and explore past selections here.

      **Ballad of a Small Player (Edward Berger)**

      In *Ballad of a Small Player*, we witness Colin Farrell delivering an over-the-top performance. No one does it quite like him, and overlooking this talent would be a mistake. Based on Lawrence Osborne’s 2014 novel and adapted by Rowan Joffé, Edward Berger directs Farrell as a gambler known as Lord Doyle, who finds himself in Macau, dubbed the “Las Vegas of Asia,” on the brink of financial ruin. Deep in debt, he struggles to control his impulses. At the city’s last casino willing to accept his bets, he encounters Dao Ming (Fala Chen), whom he sees as a possible solution to his dire situation. The premise is, of course, absurd—mirroring much of what *Ballad of a Small Player* offers. – Dan M. (full review)

      *Where to Stream: Netflix*

      **Hedda (Nia DaCosta)**

      Nia DaCosta’s *Hedda* is a sharp, stylish, and intense reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s play *Hedda Gabler*. Tessa Thompson and Nina Hoss shine as a web of misconstrued choices and unvoiced longings unravel at a 1950s ball. By transforming the protagonist into a queer Black woman, DaCosta’s screenplay skillfully prioritizes character dynamics over thematic messaging, producing a harmonious chaos brimming with raw emotion. – Jordan R.

      *Where to Stream: Prime Video*

      **The History of Sound (Oliver Hermanus)**

      Hearing Appalachian fiddle music performed in a French theater by a South African director is unusual, especially when depicting the tender, song-collecting romance between two American men portrayed by British actors. Thanks to Paul Mescal, it's beautifully executed. *The History of Sound*, Oliver Hermanus’s gentle tribute to New England's folk legacy—adapted from Ben Shattuck’s short story collection of the same name—delivers a drama imbued with whispers and sorrow, likely to elicit tears from anyone moved by a remarkable local voice or profound love story. Its diverse voices, styles, and melodies hint at the emergence of a lesser-known American sound. – Luke H. (full review)

      *Where to Stream: MUBI*

      **Sorry, Baby (Eva Victor)**

      Agnes’ (Eva Victor) life is characterized by a sense of stagnation. Four years after finishing grad school in rural New England, she remains in the same home and building, now working as a professor. The rare moments of joy in her life come from visits with her best friend and former roommate Lydie (Naomi Ackie), who has moved on to start a family in New York City. As Victor meticulously unravels the layers of her sharp and unsettling feature debut *Sorry, Baby*, it becomes clear why Agnes feels stuck: during her final days of grad school, she was raped by her advisor, who abandoned the town, leaving no accountability and little hope for justice or closure. – Jordan R. (full review)

      *Where to Stream: HBO Max*

      **The White House Effect (Bonni Cohen, Pedro Kos, and Jon Shenk)**

      As climate change skeptics continue to drive the world towards devastation, reflecting on key historical moments helps us understand past mistakes and possibly avoid repeating them. The thoroughly researched and alarming documentary *The White House Effect* revisits the George H.W. Bush presidency, highlighting how those in power resisted reforms that could benefit the planet and their attempts to deny scientific findings and manipulate media narratives against progress—all backed by oil companies.

      *Where to Stream: Netflix*

      **The Woman in the Yard (Jaume Collet-Serra)**

      While horror films are a significant part of this writer’s cinematic interests, there’s been a growing frustration with the genre. This stems not only from market saturation at varying budget levels but also from the self-aware tendencies of Gen X and Millennial genre fans, particularly after the mixed reception of post-*Get Out* films that feel pressured to include “metaphor.” Thus, when a new horror film manages to be not just decent but genuinely scary and intense, it calls for recognition. Such is the case with the modestly intriguing *The Woman in the Yard*. – Ethan V. (full review)

      *Where to Stream: Prime Video*

      **Also New to Streaming**

      *Kino Film Collection*

      *The Haunting of Rosalind*

      *Prime Video*

      *The Teacher*