Best New Movies and TV Shows to Watch This Week

☕️ TL;DR

Recent recommendations: [Chinese] To Eliminate Evil, [Taiwanese Drama] Beatrice Ho’s Hellish Love Song, [Japanese Drama] The Clock Mansion Murders, [Film] Meeting the World, [US Series] The Night Agent Season 3, [Chinese] Love in the Age of Innocence, [Documentary] Guardians of Jiefangxi: Investigation Season, [Reality Show] The Trial of Tianji

Several notable trailers: One Piece Season 2 final trailer, The Boys Season 5 final trailer, first trailer for Green Lantern Corps, first trailer for Beef Season 2, first trailer for Scary Movie 6, new trailer for The Silent Friends

Several film and TV updates: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie set for mainland China release on April 3, Hello, Amélie scheduled for mainland China release on March 20, Miracle Dream Team releases its China-exclusive poster

[Chinese] To Eliminate Evil

Keywords: Drama / Mystery / Crime
Also known as: The Devil Between Us
Length: About 45 minutes (per episode) × 16 episodes
Where to watch: iQIYI; Douban link

Drugs—don’t touch them.

@潘誉晗: Policewoman Hu Wenjing finally gets a rare day off and meets two friends at a café. Unexpectedly, they walk straight into the scene of a drug deal. Although Hu reacts quickly and immediately joins the pursuit, the incident still leads to the escape of the ringleader Ding Lai, the death of a colleague, and the disappearance of the drugs. Unwilling to accept the outcome, Hu Wenjing vows to track down the culprit.

Adapted from the novel of the same name by writer Lei Mi, the series tells the story of a once-peaceful small town thrown into chaos by the emergence of a new type of hallucinogenic drug. The cast’s outstanding performances vividly bring this story to life, while the human nature embedded within it invites deeper reflection. Unlike a bustling metropolis, a small town has a limited population, yet precisely because of that, it forms a tightly woven network of relationships. Like the butterfly effect, one incident triggers a chain of consequences. In such a place, everyone is likely to cross paths—and it becomes all too easy to step, willingly or not, into the abyss of darkness.

Black and white, justice and evil, right and wrong—everyone in the series understands the boundaries in their hearts. Unfortunately, not everyone can resist the temptation of money, or sometimes they are simply forced onto a path of no return.

[Taiwan Drama] Beatrice Ho’s Hellish Love Song

Keywords: Drama / Comedy
Also known as: The Accidental Influencer: Love Me if You Dare / Beatrice Ho’s Toxic Monologue from Hell Season 2
Length: About 20–28 minutes (per episode) × 12 episodes; Douban link

Hopefully we all have friends around us with whom we can share everything—and embarrass ourselves together.

@潘誉晗: After going viral online for ranting about her ex-boyfriend while wearing a mask, He Bairui transforms into the “ex-girlfriend from hell” and unexpectedly becomes an internet celebrity. She now juggles two identities—maintaining her influencer persona online while continuing her ordinary life as an accountant at a dessert shop. In the second season, newly single He Bairui starts going on blind dates, only to find herself developing feelings for her boss. Meanwhile, when her mother discovers her online celebrity identity, the two become locked in a humorous clash of generational values.

Although the first season was nominated for several Golden Bell Awards but ultimately won none, the series still managed to win over many viewers with its bold humor and daring storytelling. The second season maintains the same stable quality as the first: the dialogue remains sharp and fearless, and the plot evolves with the times. Alongside storylines about influencers selling products online, the show humorously explores He Bairui’s chaotic influencer career—for instance, how her good figure only lands her advertisements for adult products.

With an ensemble cast of urban women as its core appeal, the series uses a witty and humorous tone to portray the friendships, romances, and family relationships of women in their thirties. Packed with jokes and lighthearted moments, it works perfectly as a stress-relieving watch.

[Japanese Drama] The Clock Mansion Murders

Keywords: Novel Adaptation / Drama / Mystery / Crime
Also known as: 時計館の殺人 / The Clock Mansion Murders
Length: About 50 minutes (per episode) × 8 episodes; Douban link

Together with the sinful beast’s remains, offer it before our gravestone to soothe my restless soul.

@SHY: Three years after the tragic Ten-Angle Mansion incident on Tsunojima Island, Egami Takayoshi has graduated from university and become an editor at a publishing house, while Shimada Kiyoshi debuts as a mystery novelist under the pen name Shishitani Kadoshi. Rumors surrounding another residence designed by the same architect, Seiji Nakamura—the “Clock Mansion”—and the ghostly girl said to wander its halls once again intertwine their paths, as a new chain of murders begins to unfold.

Following the success of The Decagon House Murders, Japan’s Hulu quickly seized the momentum and adapted the pinnacle of the “Mansion” series, The Clock Mansion Murders, into a drama. As one of the classic examples of architectural trick mysteries, the construction of the story’s setting naturally takes center stage. The production team gathered hundreds of antique clocks to faithfully recreate the intricate mechanisms of the Clock Mansion. The remarkable props and set design create a gloomy and oppressive atmosphere inside the mansion, while the chilling sequence of killings rivals that of a horror film.

Still created by the original production team, the series draws on the experience gained from its predecessor and carefully incorporates most of the novel’s details. Numerous clues are planted early on, and through a smooth dual-line narrative that moves between events inside and outside the mansion, the novel’s brilliantly crafted tricks gradually reveal themselves to the audience. The final twist is unlikely to disappoint. By fully leveraging the strengths of the visual medium to present sights and sounds that are difficult to convey in text alone, the series ranks among the best of its kind, and one can only hope that more entries in the series will receive equally worthy adaptations.

[Film] Meets the World

Keywords: Novel Adaptation / Drama
Also known as: ミーツ・ザ・ワールド / Meets the World
Length: 126 minutes; Douban link

People sometimes fall in love with someone for no reason—and sometimes dislike someone for no reason as well.

@SHY: At 27, fujoshi Mishima Yukari watches as fellow fans in her community keep getting into relationships, while she alone pours all her affection into the anthropomorphized yakiniku manga Meat Is My Life. After yet another failed group date, she ends up drunk on the street and is taken home by Kano Rai, a hostess from a nightlife bar. The two soon begin living together. Hoping to save Rai—who constantly struggles with suicidal thoughts—Yukari secretly launches the “Miss Rai Suicide Intent Reduction Plan.”

If worries that work and entertainment cannot relieve remain unresolved, can relying on men really fix them? This film ruthlessly shatters unrealistic fantasies about romance and exposes the wounds of modern life. Yukari, who has grown distant from friends and family; Rai, who feels life is meaningless; Asa, a male host trapped in an unhappy marriage; and Yuki, a writer who only writes about death… In the neon-lit district of Kabukicho, these outsiders rejected by mainstream society gather together. With respect for one another’s passions and quirks, they begin to encounter an entirely new world.

In such a diverse world, everyone deserves to explore a way of living that belongs to them. If your talent is loving someone you may never meet, or if you have a “condition” where skipping a chocolate smoothie in the morning feels unbearable—why not just live that way? Don’t let others’ judgments define you; simply do what you love. Even if your efforts bring no visible rewards, you can still find comfort within solitude. This bittersweet, oddly healing “poisoned chicken soup” may well be a remedy for today’s young people who are still searching for their place in the world.

[US Series] The Night Agent Season 3

Keywords: Drama / Action / Thriller
Also known as: The Night Agent Season 3
Length: About 45 minutes (per episode) × 10 episodes
Where to watch: Netflix; Douban link

Can the government still be trusted?

@潘誉晗: A commercial airliner flying through the night is struck by a missile, killing everyone on board with no survivors. Meanwhile, Peter receives orders to travel to Istanbul to capture a suspect. The man, a government data specialist, is accused not only of stealing classified documents but also of murdering his own superior. Yet after Peter finally apprehends him and begins questioning him, he starts to suspect that the man may have been framed. The reason the suspect fled is that, after analyzing various pieces of information, he had predicted in advance that the plane might be attacked. The success of the attack, he believes, may have been supported by a mysterious force operating within the United States.

The second season received a polarized response, leaving some fans unsatisfied. This time, however, The Night Agent clearly makes a more serious effort to explore the deeper meaning of its script. While maintaining the style and standard established in the previous two seasons, the pacing remains fast, sharp, and efficient. Beyond a more mature political conspiracy storyline, the new season also expands on Peter’s childhood and past trauma, revealing the most human quality within him: as a Night Agent, Peter is expected to remain calm and composed, but more important than being a government intelligence officer is that he is, first and foremost, a kind person.

[Chinese] Love Story in the 1970s

Keywords: Drama / Romance
Also known as: Love Story in the 1970s
Length: About 45 minutes (per episode) × 29 episodes
Where to watch: Tencent Video; Douban link

In our love story, practicality matters.

@潘誉晗: In an era when getting into university required recommendations, Fei Ni, who desperately wanted to pursue higher education, tried every possible way. Yet after four years, no matter how hard she worked, she still couldn’t secure a recommendation. Then one day, a sent-down youth who had returned to his hometown fell into a coma after rescuing someone on a rainy night. Hoping to earn recognition and finally obtain the chance to attend university, Fei Ni volunteered to take care of the heroic rescuer. That hero turned out to be Fang Muyang, her former middle school classmate whom she had not seen for many years.

Adapted from the novel The Pragmatist’s Love by writer Meng Zhong Deyi, the series is set in the 1970s and tells the story of a young factory worker, Fei Ni, and Fang Muyang, a returned sent-down youth. Their relationship begins with a marriage of convenience arranged for housing. In an era when labor was celebrated as the greatest virtue, Fei Ni’s longing for higher education seemed out of place. Yet it was precisely this drive for knowledge that gave her endless motivation in both work and life. People are selfish by nature, and striving for one’s own future is nothing to be ashamed of. Looking at reality and making practical choices does not mean love cannot still be romantic.

With careful recreations of communal apartment buildings and state-owned factories, the series immerses viewers in the atmosphere of the era. The love that grows quietly through the slow rhythm of everyday life leaves a warm feeling long after watching.

[Documentary] Guardians of Jiefangxi: Investigation Season

Keywords: Crime / Society
Length: About 50 minutes (per episode) × 10 episodes
Where to watch: Bilibili; Douban link

Don’t call me “sir”—I’m a people’s police officer.

@利兹与青鸟: The new season of this “electronic comfort food” has arrived. This year, Guardians of Jiefangxi shifts its focus away from the everyday public service cases of the Pozi Street Police Station and instead turns its camera toward the Criminal Investigation Brigade of the Yuhua Branch in Changsha. Centered on the theme of “investigation,” the series allows viewers to see more criminal cases. The documentary continues the style of previous seasons, featuring cases that are sometimes shocking and sometimes darkly humorous, while also capturing the unwavering dedication and perseverance of the officers. It’s unlikely to disappoint either new or returning viewers.

The first episode features two cases of economic crime. In the first, a housekeeper steals luxury goods worth over a million yuan; in the second, a driver addicted to online gambling repeatedly steals from his employer. Both are examples of people who repay others’ kindness with betrayal, harming those who trusted them—stories that leave viewers both saddened and reminded to reflect on themselves. These authentic and deeply human cases are part of the show’s defining charm and one of the reasons it resonates so strongly with audiences. The new season still feels comfortingly familiar.

Following the camera, viewers gain a closer look at the real investigative process of police work: from confirming the case details and screening suspects to choosing the right moment to carry out an arrest. Every step is crucial to solving a case. Stripping away the traditional image of “detectives” often portrayed in film and television, the series shows how real criminal investigators confront each case in reality.

[Reality Show] Battle of Fates

Keywords: Reality Show
Also known as: Battle of Fates
Length: About 66 minutes (per episode) × 10 episodes; Douban link

Can destiny really be interpreted?

@潘誉晗: A digital stone tablet displays the photograph of a woman. Soon after, her name, date of birth, and time of death appear on the screen. The question is: what caused her death? Five people wearing traditional Korean hanbok stand on the stage—among them are two shamans. But which two are they?

In mid-February, South Korea launched a brand-new reality show titled Battle of Fates. As soon as it premiered, the program quickly gained widespread attention and discussion on streaming platforms thanks to its novel and unusual theme. Often described as the Korean version of The Psychic Station, the show gathers 49 “destiny interpreters”—including fortune tellers, tarot readers, shamans, physiognomists, and foot readers—who use the abilities they pride themselves on to predict the fates of strangers. The ultimate winner will receive a prize of 100 million won.

Whether one calls it divine power, intuition, or inspiration, such abilities are often dismissed today as unscientific mysticism. Yet the show not only satisfies people’s curiosity but also uses this suspenseful, puzzle-like format to remind viewers that fate is full of unpredictable twists and helpless uncertainties.

[UK Series] Patience Season 2

@潘誉晗: Detective Metcalfe’s transfer has barely sunk in for Patience when the newly arrived supervisor, Detective Monroe, immediately gives her a tough welcome. The new chief does not recognize Patience’s abilities and even forbids her from participating in investigations. As a result, Patience can only secretly pursue cases with the quiet help of her colleagues. Season two of Patience continues to revolve around Patience, whose natural talent for solving crimes drives the story forward. With a case-per-episode format, tight pacing, and bright visuals, it remains an easy and enjoyable watch.

[Korean Drama] To You, Universe

@潘誉晗: A car accident takes the life of Taehyung’s older brother and Hyunsoo’s older sister, leaving behind only their 20-month-old child, Wooju. Unable to bear the thought of the baby being sent to an orphanage—and knowing that raising a child alone is far from easy—Taehyung and Hyunsoo decide to raise Wooju together. This warm and healing series tells the story of two in-laws who initially cannot stand each other but gradually grow closer while caring for their nephew. It is also a touching tale of two hearts that have lost loved ones finding family and emotional healing again through responsibility.

[US Series] Higher Learning Desire

@利兹与青鸟: A creative writing professor’s department-chair husband is reported for having inappropriate relationships with several students. While preparing for the upcoming hearing, the professor finds herself developing a sexual interest in a newly arrived assistant professor. Amid career crisis and an atmosphere of anxiety and tension, she ends up writing the novel she is most satisfied with. Told from the female protagonist’s first-person perspective, the series frequently breaks the fourth wall as she confides directly in the audience. Awkwardness, helplessness, and forced politeness are portrayed through subtle and amusing expressions, while the story explores the sense of powerlessness that comes with being left behind by the times in middle age, the fading of authority, and the gradual loss of control over life.

[Animation] Can You Help Me Clean This?

@SHY: In Atami, a hot spring town famous for its resorts, there is a small laundry shop. Its optimistic and cheerful owner, Kaname Watanaka, shares a series of charming stories with the people around her. What few people know, however, is that she lost all her memories from two years ago. While the premise may sound somewhat heavy, the series itself is actually a gentle slice-of-life anime with a relaxed pace, depicting the local culture of a tourist town while occasionally including practical tips about laundry. Although the animation production is modest, the main character—voiced by Sayumi Suzushiro—has remarkable charm that may even cleanse your soul.

[Animation] Princess, It’s “Torture” Time Season 2

@SHY: “Guh… just kill me!” Awaiting the captured princess is torture from the Demon King’s army that is said to be more terrifying than death itself. Faced with fragrant “torture devices,” can the iron-willed princess protect the kingdom’s last remaining secrets without accidentally joining the enemy’s side? Director Yoko Kanamori continues the impressive style established in the first season, blending playful performances with ever-creative comedic gags that turn familiar tropes into endlessly entertaining moments. This fantasy food comedy—perfect for watching during meals—inevitably makes viewers exclaim, “So good.”

[Animation] Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin — Kokoro’s Rice-Growing Diary

@SHY: Determined to earn Sakuna’s recognition, Kokoro decides to grow rice entirely on her own and arrives at a barren field on Hinome Island. With the help of machines she invents herself, everything seems to be progressing smoothly—but will things truly go according to plan? After Sakuna’s growth arc concluded in the main story, this sequel shifts its focus to Kokoro, who continues the grounded story of farming life while living on her own. Beyond its stable and relaxing narrative, the series also raises its yuri undertones to a new level—after harvesting rice, they even make dumplings together, making the ending all the more satisfying.

[Animation] The Mountain, The Moon Cave and The Sad God

@SHY: The four members of the virtual band Gorillaz meet in the jungle and set out to climb a mysterious mountain, embarking on a surreal and fantastical journey. Created as a special music video for Gorillaz’s ninth album, the title comes from three of its singles. The tightly interwoven visuals and music convey a philosophical sense of cyclical existence. Produced by London’s THE LINE Studio, this fully hand-drawn short film uses cel animation and blends multiple traditional techniques to capture the texture and spirit of classic animation from the 1960s.

📅 Trailers This Week

One Piece Season 2 Final Trailer

On March 2, the live-action series One Piece released the final trailer for its second season, which will premiere on Netflix on March 10. Starring Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Gibson, and Taz Skylar, the Straw Hat crew crosses Reverse Mountain and finally reaches the Grand Line. New adventures, new allies, and new enemies await them. Source

The Boys Season 5 Final Trailer

On March 6, the series The Boys released the final trailer for its fifth and final season, which will premiere on Prime Video on April 8. This is Homelander’s world now, completely subject to his unpredictable will. When Butcher reappears with a virus capable of wiping every superhero off the map, he triggers events that will permanently change the world—and everyone in it. Source

Lanterns First Trailer

On March 5, DC released the first trailer for its new series Lanterns, scheduled to premiere on HBO Max in August. Chris Mundy (Ozark) serves as showrunner, with Aaron Pierre playing John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan. When these two intergalactic police officers investigate a murder in the American heartland, they become entangled in a dark mystery on Earth. Source

Beef Season 2 First Trailer

On March 5, the series Beef Season 2 released its first trailer and is set to premiere on Netflix on April 16. Produced by A24 and created once again by Lee Sung Jin, the season stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Cailee Spaeny, Charles Melton, and Youn Yuh-jung. A young couple witnesses a shocking argument between their boss and his wife, setting off a chain reaction of escalating consequences. Source

Scary Movie 6 First Trailer

On March 2, the film Scary Movie 6 released its first trailer and moved its North American release date up to June 5. Directed by Michael Tiddes, the film stars Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Damon Wayans Jr., and Greg Wayans. Two friends once again find themselves caught in a chaotic incident involving killers, monsters, and supernatural creatures. Source

The Silent Friends New Trailer

On March 5, the film The Silent Friends released a new trailer. Directed by Ildikó Enyedi and starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Léa Seydoux, the story is set in the botanical garden of Marburg, a medieval university town in Germany. It tells three stories connected to a single ginkgo tree over the course of a century—a silent witness that observes the quiet transformations of three lives across 100 years. The film will be imported for theatrical release in mainland China.

TV anime Awashima Hyakkei new trailer: Adapted from the manga of the same name by Takako Shimura (Sweet Blue Flowers), directed by Morio Asaka (Nana), with series composition by Yasuhiro Nakanishi and produced by MADHOUSE. Set at Awashima Opera School, the series tells an ensemble coming-of-age story about girls who dream of standing on stage. It will begin airing on April 10. Source

Film Sakamoto Days official trailer: Adapted from the manga of the same name by Yuto Suzuki, directed by Yuichi Fukuda and starring Ren Meguro, Fumiya Takahashi, Aya Ueto, Mayu Yokota, Eiku Shiono, and Keisuke Watanabe, with the theme song performed by Snow Man. The story follows the everyday life of former legendary assassin Taro Sakamoto. The film will premiere in Japan on April 29. Source

Film The Lukuang Canal Murders release date trailer: Directed by Lai Chun-yu and starring Berant Zhu, Julia Wu, Chang Shih, Hsiu-shen Liang, and Chu Pak-hong. Inspired by Taiwan’s first major dismemberment case, the story follows Zhao Ziwu and Zhang Xiuxiu as they become entangled in a brutal crime. Facing a shocking series of murders, they attempt to uncover the truth behind the bloody mystery. It will be released in mainland China on March 28. Source

Documentary film Moon Landing (Part One) release date trailer: The first documentary film about China’s lunar exploration program. Wu Jing lends his voice to the narration, using his distinctive presence to connect the many shining moments within this vast system and guide audiences through China’s ambitious three-step lunar exploration strategy: orbit, land, and station. The film will be released on April 24. Source

Series Out of the Dust first trailer: The six-episode series stars Asa Butterfield and Molly Windsor, with Julie Gearey (The Prisoner’s Wife, Intergalactic) serving as creator and writer. The story follows Rosie, a woman living with her husband and daughter in an isolated Christian community. After encountering Sam, an escaped prisoner, she is forced to confront the true nature and constraints of the world she lives in.

📽 Film & TV News Weekly

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie set for mainland China release on April 3
On March 2, the animated film The Super Mario Galaxy Movie released its mainland China release-date trailer and poster, confirming a theatrical release on April 3. The voice cast includes Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Brie Larson, and Benny Safdie. Mario and his companions break through gravity and venture into the vast galaxy, embarking on an unprecedented interstellar adventure. Source

Hello, Amélie set for mainland China release on March 20
On March 2, the Oscar-nominated animated feature Hello, Amélie released its mainland China release-date trailer and poster, confirming a March 20 theatrical release. A piece of chocolate awakens Amélie’s senses, and with the careful companionship of her housekeeper Ms. Nishio, she learns to listen to the wind, feel the rain, and experience the light—discovering the wonder of growing up. The film was also recommended in What to Watch This Week (Issue 251205). Source

The Dream Team of Miracles releases China-exclusive poster
On March 5, the animated film The Dream Team of Miracles released a China-exclusive trailer and poster, with a mainland China release scheduled for March 14. Produced by basketball superstar Stephen Curry in his producing debut and created by the team behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the story follows Will, an underestimated undersized player who rises to become a legendary rookie. Carrying forward the spirit of the GOAT, he writes a comeback story fueled by passion. Source

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