New to Streaming: Paul Thomas Anderson, Happyend, Dracula, The Naked Gun, and More

      Every week we spotlight notable titles that have recently become available on streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s picks below and previous summaries here.

      **The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire (Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich)**

      Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich's debut feature, The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire, seeks to emphasize its primary literary themes and historical backdrop but instead diverts attention towards its dreamlike elements and natural occurrences—the "wind in the trees," if you will. The titular character and her more renowned spouse, Aimé Césaire, were pioneers of the négritude movement, which aimed to enhance the dialogue between Francophone literature from colonized nations and their African roots, portraying this in a flexible, surrealistic manner. Rooted in extensive research and collaborations with academic experts and the Césaire family, Hunt-Ehrlich’s ambitious formal structure still hinders a full grasp of these endeavors: the emotional experience tends to overshadow complete comprehension. The lively Caribbean music and torch songs featured in the soundtrack clearly indicate that it’s a ballad, not a didactic lecture on Suzanne Césaire. – David K. (full review)

      **Where to Stream:** The Criterion Channel

      **Phantom Thread and Boogie Nights (Paul Thomas Anderson)**

      Two highly acclaimed films from the director of what’s to be the best film of 2025 are now streaming on the Criterion Channel. When Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread was released, I noted, “Despite a very egocentric element in [Day-Lewis’] character, an elite fashion designer, there’s also a nuanced tenderness and comedic warmth that breathes vivid life into this ever-shifting relationship drama. Engaging and playful, it effortlessly toggles between romantic, unsettling, and humorous tones. Phantom Thread is characterized by the women in Reynolds’ life (played by the remarkable Vicky Krieps and Lesley Manville), and it’s delightful to watch their intricate psychological interplay develop.”

      **Where to Stream:** The Criterion Channel

      **Dracula (Radu Jude)**

      Radu Jude ranks among the decade's top filmmakers. His latest work, Dracula, ostensibly satirizes Vlad The Impaler—the most famous Romanian—who appears in various forms throughout. However, the primary target is AI learning models. The film revels in the potential crudeness and folly of technology while igniting fears about its various capabilities. Jude has crafted a film that is both intentionally crude and juvenile, though I’m not entirely convinced it’s humorous enough to escape those same labels. A bit too self-satisfied and indulgent, Dracula takes an extensive 186 minutes to convey its message; while fans of his more farcical style may find enjoyment in its rhythms, I found it challenging to overlook its shortcomings. – Rory O. (full review)

      **Where to Stream:** VOD

      **The Films of Oliver Laxe and Hong Sangsoo**

      If you managed to see Oliver Laxe’s astonishing Sirāt last year before its February release, you’ll likely want to explore his earlier works. You All Are Captains, Mimosas, and Fire Will Come are now available for streaming through Metrograph, alongside a couple of gems by Hong Sangsoo: in water and In Our Day.

      **Where to Stream:** Metrograph at Home

      **Happyend (Neo Sora)**

      An ominous start with the phrase, “Something big is about to change,” sets the tone for director Neo Sora’s debut fiction feature. Happyend is set in the near future, transforming Tokyo into an expansive playground for high school seniors who gather around childhood friends Yuta (Hayato Kurihara) and Kou (Yukito Hidaka). Life is blossoming, with a promising future ahead for these teenagers, even as the city continually braces for a catastrophic earthquake. Daily drills and false alarms disrupt an otherwise seamless rhythm as Yuta and Kou assemble their classmates at their Music Research Club—a more enjoyable extracurricular than a practical one. With a fully equipped classroom available at all times, the group cultivates a safe microcosm to share their love for electronic avant-garde and enjoy themselves. – Savina P. (full review)

      **Where to Stream:** VOD

      **The Naked Gun (Akiva Schaffer)**

      Gather 'round, everyone, as I reminisce about a legendary time when the world was a wondrous place filled with local hangouts called “movie theaters.” Inside, surrounded by strangers, we could all revel in the laughter provoked by comedies crafted by movie studios—yes, those very entities that now produce franchises you might experience today and forget by tomorrow once made films that sparked cultural phenomena and humorous lines that you'd quote with friends until you felt breathless from laughing. The Naked Gun transports us back to that revered era; it might just be our last chance to experience something as delightful together. You could recount countless hilarious lines or describe unforgettable