New to Streaming: Blue Heron, I Love Boosters, Tuner, The Sheep Detectives, and More

      Each week, we showcase the standout titles that have recently arrived on streaming services in the United States. Check out this week's picks below and previous selections here.

      **Avatar: Fire and Ash (James Cameron)**

      James Cameron concludes a significant era in filmmaking at a time when his grand vision is becoming increasingly rare. Few directors can balance a chaotic style with clear storytelling, and even fewer achieve the level of meticulousness and dedication he strives for. With two films' worth of intricately crafted world-building, this visit to Pandora prioritizes character development over mere exposition. The film features starkly honest explorations of grief, cultural integration, and recurring violence intertwined with breathtaking visuals, as old and new actors embody their characters seamlessly. Cameron maintains his belief that an abundance of content is beneficial. – Conor O.

      **Where to Stream: Disney+**

      **Between the Temples (Nathan Silver)**

      Ben Gottlieb (Jason Schwartzman) finds himself in a state of stagnation following the sudden death of his wife in an accident. He expresses suicidal thoughts, imploring a truck to run him down and wishing to be dismissed from his role as a cantor at a Jewish temple in upstate New York. Although the premise may not seem comedic, *Between the Temples* is genuinely funny, brimming with clever jokes and a love for physical comedy, all while Ben discovers new purpose through an unexpected friendship. Nathan Silver's film, co-written with C. Mason Wells, presents a vibrant and agile storytelling style: shot in 16mm by Sean Price Williams with the ensemble's expressions directing each movement, and edited by John Magary with a lively yet structured pace, *Between the Temples* serves as a sharp, introspective commentary on navigating faith and friendship. – Jordan R. (full review)

      **Where to Stream: Hulu**

      **Blue Heron (Sophy Romvari)**

      In her feature debut, Romvari draws from her own background, depicting a Hungarian family of six as they adjust to life in a nondescript suburban area outside Vancouver. The film opens with the line, “I struggle now to remember much of my childhood,” spoken by the youngest child, Sasha (Eylul Guven), who reflects on her older stepbrother Jeremy (Edik Beddoes), a withdrawn teen with a history of self-destructive tendencies that perplex those around him. However, Romvari does not label him simply as a troubled youth. While the boy clearly struggles, he navigates *Blue Heron* as its most enigmatic character, and that complexity reveals Romvari's capacity for empathy. Instead of pathologizing his struggles—something his parents tend to do—she encourages us to embrace his experiences and immerse ourselves in his lingering silences and the imperfect memories that grown-up Sasha (Amy Zimmer) attempts to reconstruct in the film’s latter half. – Leonardo G. (full review)

      **Where to Stream: VOD**

      **Carolina Caroline (Adam Carter Rehmeier)**

      How does one discern when they shift from being good people masquerading as bad to simply being bad individuals unable to deceive even themselves? Caroline (Samara Weaving) vocalizes this concern sooner than anticipated, considering the crime spree she embarks on with new boyfriend Oliver (Kyle Gallner) begins at her initiative. She doesn’t just ponder Oliver’s advice or wonder why she has never left her familiar surroundings. Instead, Caroline actively opts to confront reality by deciding to embrace the role of an outlaw because it invigorates her. – Jared M. (full review)

      **Where to Stream: VOD**

      **Good One (India Donaldson)**

      Nearly two decades have passed since Kelly Reichardt’s *Old Joy* illustrated how nature can be a blank slate for exploring the fragility of male friendships during midlife crises. While these emotional challenges are timeless, it feels like the right moment to introduce a fresh perspective to this theme. India Donaldson’s thoughtfully observed, refreshingly patient, and beautifully crafted debut feature, *Good One*, shifts the focus to a 17-year-old girl who embarks on a camping trip in the Catskills with her father and his closest friend. Through a series of subtle details and uncomfortable glances, the drama evolves into a depiction of increasingly crossed boundaries leading to a climactic breaking point. – Jordan R. (full review)

      **Where to Stream: MUBI**

      **I Love Boosters (Boots Riley)**

      A satire on dialectical materialism (you'll understand this upon viewing the film), shallow economies, and the fast fashion phenomenon, *I Love Boosters*—the second film from rapper, activist, and director Boots Riley—delivers an energetic and comedic performance in its first two acts before reverting to action-comedy clichés in its conclusion. Perhaps it is challenging to maintain the wild energy presented in its setup, which initially delivers a sharp critique of capitalism akin to Riley’s debut film, *Sorry to Bother You