New to Streaming: If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Train Dreams, After the Hunt, Megadoc, and Additional Titles

      Each week, we spotlight notable titles that have just been released on streaming services in the United States. Check out this week's picks below and previous compilations here.

      After the Hunt (Luca Guadagnino)

      “It’s a minefield, Alma,” warns Yale's Dean of Humanities to Julia Roberts' Dr. Imhoff. Just days have gone by since her colleague, Hank (Andrew Garfield), has “crossed the line” with one of her students, Maggie (Ayo Edebiri). Alma, a philosophy professor nearing tenure, is grappling with the aftermath of a sexual assault that forces her to reassess her loyalties. (Maggie is her favored student; Hank is her closest friend and, notably, a former lover.) Various characters in Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt offer their perspectives on our post-MeToo society—a “shallow cultural climate” as described by Hank and “the abusive patriarchal agenda” according to Maggie. However, the Dean’s commentary comes the closest to representing the film's awkward handling of the disturbing event at its core. While After the Hunt aspires to address the concept of cancel culture, engaging with such a heavy topic isn’t equivalent to genuinely confronting it; what makes Guadagnino’s film genuinely uncomfortable isn’t the provocative themes but the way it reacts to them. – Leonardo G. (full review)

      Where to Stream: Prime Video

      Anniversary (Jan Komasa)

      Jan Komasa’s Anniversary might be a contender for the least subtle film of the year. It could also compete for the most terrifying. This ruthlessly engaging thriller gets right to the point of its message, demanding its well-known actors deliver powerful performances, even when they might need restraint. Watching it during the opening night of the Warsaw Film Festival (the Polish director’s native ground) reminded me of Michel Franco’s New Order, another harsh portrayal of a totalitarian nightmare. Moreover, it evoked memories of Paul Lynch’s Booker Prize-winning novel Prophet Song: yet another tale of a nation’s descent into fascism told through the eyes of a despairing mother. Though Anniversary may come off as overdramatic and direct, I found myself constantly engaged and unable to predict its direction. – Rory O. (full review)

      Where to Stream: VOD

      The Featherweight (Robert Kolodny)

      Robert Kolodny, known for his role in the cinematography of All the Beauty and the Bloodshed and Procession, makes his feature directorial debut with The Featherweight. The film follows the comeback of worn-out boxer Willie Pep (James Madio), who faces increasing family and business pressures. With a creatively fluid approach, the film is styled as if a documentary crew were documenting Pep's every move, including personal confessionals directed to the camera from the boxer himself. This innovative choice creates a captivating narrative link that, supported by Adam Kolodny’s grainy 60s-style cinematography, keeps the audience engaged throughout his journey. – Jordan R.

      Where to Stream: MUBI

      If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (Mary Bronstein)

      Numerous films, ranging from the classic melodrama Mildred Pierce to last year's whimsical dramedy Nightbitch, have sought to portray the distinct challenges of motherhood, emphasizing the unique bond of child-rearing. Mothers have traditionally been held responsible for their children's behavior in society. In contrast, fatherhood tends to be viewed as more discretionary, with a significantly lower bar for what constitutes being proficient at it. Though these may seem obvious points, they warrant reiteration in an American culture that vilifies birth control and abortion. The expectation is for women to bear children without offering them sufficient emotional or financial support to flourish and maintain their own identities. Recently, filmmakers have attempted to shed light on the darker aspects of motherhood, as seen in films like Tully, which address the exhaustion and loss of self that can accompany it. In Nightbitch, Amy Adams portrays a woman who becomes acutely aware of her feelings of being lost and hopeless as a stay-at-home mother, having sacrificed her career to spend more time with her son. Despite frequent cries for help, our patriarchal society encourages them to push themselves to their limits. – Jourdain S. (full review)

      Where to Stream: VOD

      MEGADOC (Mike Figgis)

      A bold filmmaking endeavor with Francis Ford Coppola—what could possibly go wrong? Or rather: imagine what might go remarkably right. While not all of his films have faced chaotic productions, the inherent turmoil of creativity he strives to harness—and the interplay that comes with his collaborators—is where he truly flourishes. Eliminate all those factors, and the outcome likely resembles Jack. – David K. (full review)

      Where to Stream: VOD

      Riefenstahl (Andres Veiel)

      It's intriguing how much the human