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What to Watch This Week | 10 Recent Works Worth Your Time

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少数派编辑部

☕️ TL;DR
Recommended recent highlights:
[Korean Drama] The Price of Confession、[Film] Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc、[Film] Ordinary Accident、[Film] A Familiar Touch、[Mexico] The Death of a Girl、[Thai Series] The Betrayal at Wat Phra Si — Season 2、[UK Series] Shetland — Season 10、[Chinese] The Big Deal Maker、[Anime] Ranma ½ Season 2、[Documentary] No Name

A few notable trailers: the first teaser for the Street Fighter live-action film, a new trailer for Extreme Judgment, the official trailer for Kaguya-sama: Love Is War — The Stairway to Adulthood, a new trailer for Fate/strange Fake, and the first teaser for The Boys Season 5.

A few entertainment news items: main visual for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run, A Step into the Past premieres December 31, Drama Stories releases its first official poster, and Supergirl debuts a teaser poster.

[Korean Drama] The Price of Confession

  • Keywords: Mystery / Crime
  • Also known as: 자백의 대가 / The Price of Confession
  • Runtime: ~50 minutes per episode × 12 episodes
  • Where to watch: Netflix; Douban link

The cost of confession.

@利兹与青鸟: Ahn Yoon-soo is accused of murdering her husband Lee Ki-dae. Although Yoon-soo insists she is innocent, she is sentenced to life in prison. Her orphanage background and her neighbors’ descriptions of a gentle Yoon-soo seem at odds with each other, hinting that she may not be as simple as she appears. Nurse Moo-eun, after years of exploitation, poisons the couple she works for. She calmly waits at the crime scene for the police to arrest her, confessing everything with chilling composure. The two women meet in prison, and Moo-eun offers to take the blame for killing Lee Ki-dae—on one condition: Yoon-soo must help her kill someone.

The series uses cold, muted tones to create a chilling atmosphere, and its visuals carry a strong sense of texture. The suspenseful narrative is tightly woven. Who is the real killer of Lee Ki-dae? How will Yoon-soo fulfill her promise? What secrets are the two women hiding? These questions draw the audience deeper, and the plot indeed takes unexpected turns, unraveling more and more cases until everything becomes increasingly enigmatic. The bloody confrontation near the end is especially memorable. Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Go-eun shine in their dual-leading roles—both adversarial and empathetic toward each other, completing their own redemption arcs through vengeance and the pursuit of truth. Beneath a gripping crime story, the drama explores themes of public shaming, prejudice, and arrogance, exposes the darkness of human nature, and ultimately lets the truth return to the light.

[Film] Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc

  • Keywords: Manga Adaptation / Fantasy / Action / Romance
  • Also known as: 劇場版 チェンソーマン レゼ篇 / Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
  • Runtime: 100 minutes, with a post-credits scene; Douban link

My heart was taken by Reze—perhaps never again will joy and sorrow feel the same.

@SHY: After defeating Katana Man, Denji—the boy who can transform into Chainsaw Man—meets Reze, a girl working at a café. Their relationship quickly deepens. Yet just as things are about to move forward between them, Reze’s hidden identity leads to an explosive turn of events. Swept up by fate, where will Denji and Reze end up?

Although this film lost “Mr. Cinematic” Nakayama Ryū—its famously beleaguered director who delivered a much-criticized TV adaptation—the new director, Tatsuya Yoshihara, picks up the mess left by his mentor and delivers a true dragon-slaying performance, achieving global acclaim and box-office success. With MAPPA returning for production—with staff largely unchanged—this theatrical version adopts a new creative direction that abandons the TV series’ pseudo-live-action aesthetic. Instead, it fully embraces the strengths of animation, channels the spirit of the original manga, and presents exhilarating visuals and direction that far surpass the TV adaptation.

Adapted from one of the manga’s most beloved arcs, the film masterfully balances atmosphere—fusing a tender, emotional love story with roaring, explosive action sequences. With a score by Kensuke Ushio placed exactly where it belongs, the film becomes an audiovisual feast. Even a person as small as a mouse can burn bright like fireworks—this cruel, aching tale lingers long after the credits roll. This triumphant theatrical adaptation not only redeems the franchise but also stands as one of the best animated films—and one of the best films—of the year.

[Film] Ordinary Accident

  • Keywords: Action / Thriller / Crime / Adventure
  • Also known as: It Was Just an Accident / A Simple Accident / Un simple accident
  • Runtime: 101 minutes; Douban link

This is anything but an ordinary accident.

@潘誉晗: One day, Narufar drives out with his wife and daughter. Midway through the trip, their car breaks down in front of a storage warehouse. After receiving help from the warehouse owner, Narufar goes inside to look for tools. The sound of his prosthetic leg scraping against the floor immediately puts warehouse employee Bashid on high alert. Years ago in prison, Bashid had been cruelly abused by a guard—and that guard made this exact sound when he walked. Believing Narufar to be that guard, Bashid plans to bury him alive in revenge. When Narufar denies the accusation, Bashid decides to gather former inmates to confirm his identity.

Although banned from filmmaking for 20 years, director Jafar Panahi secretly shot this film and ended up winning the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. During the award ceremony, Juliette Binoche praised the film for “restoring our sense of life through shared humanity and freedom,” and rightly so. Faced with the dilemma of confronting their torturer or seeking revenge, the victims’ choices command deep respect—they are not brutal people, and even after inhuman suffering, they still hold onto kindness. The film is crafted with remarkable skill. Though it does not graphically portray the violence of the past, the actors’ words make the audience feel the weight of despair all the same.

[Film] Familiar Touch

  • Keywords: Drama
  • Also known as: Familiar Touch
  • Runtime: 90 minutes; Douban link

Don’t be a witness.

@利兹与青鸟: Ruth, an elegantly dressed elderly woman, moves with practiced ease as she prepares her signature sandwich in her beautifully decorated home. Although she occasionally wears a vacant expression, nothing outwardly reveals that she is suffering from memory decline. And yet—the toasted bread meant for the plate ends up on the drying rack, and Steve, who should be recognized as her son, is instead treated as a stranger. Half coaxing and half tricking her, Steve brings Ruth to a high-end countryside care facility. The environment is tastefully warm, offering dining, reading, games, nursing, medical exams—everything one might need. The doctors and caretakers are attentive, but even so, it is difficult to feel that living here could ever be enjoyable.

With delicate cinematography, thoughtful framing, and a gentle, tranquil tone, the director sketches the emotional journey of a proud elderly woman confronting her cognitive decline—subtle and deeply authentic. Newly arrived, Ruth insists she is no different from anyone else and refuses to accept the reality of her fading memory. She clearly remembers her date of birth, her home address, the recipe for her signature dish; she can prepare a refined meal more skillfully than someone half her age, and her handwriting remains beautiful. Yet her question, “Am I going to live here for the rest of my life?” pierces the heart like an arrow. The loneliness, loss of autonomy, and helplessness wash over the audience, prompting reflection on what it means to face aging.

[Thai Series] The Believers Season 2

  • Keywords: Drama / Thriller / Crime
  • Also known as: The Believers Season 2
  • Runtime: ~60 minutes per episode × 8 episodes
  • Where to watch: Netflix; Douban link

When faith becomes a tool for crime.

@潘誉晗: One day, Win and Game are brought before Councilwoman Ai. Pointing to the lawn behind her, she claims she will build a hospital there—one that, once completed, will bring immense merit. Unfortunately, she lacks the funding and needs Win and Game to help her raise 1 billion baht within six months. It turns out that the seemingly kind councilwoman is actually the mastermind pulling all the strings. Win and Game want to refuse, but once Ai threatens their families, they have no choice but to comply. Meanwhile, after successfully escaping to the U.S., Belle begins building her own life from scratch.

Although The Believers Season 2 has slightly lower ratings compared to Season 1, the finale considered, the series is still worth recommending overall. It continues the first season’s bold spirit—unafraid to take risks with its setups—and this season escalates the scams even further, intertwining them with politics and power struggles. In Season 1, the protagonists devised scams to pay off debt; in Season 2, they act out of desperation to protect their families, bringing deeper, darker motivations into play—money laundering for the councilwoman. Exploiting people’s suffering to sell faith-based anxiety, then weaponizing that faith for profit and crime… as the Buddha said, all of this is sin.

[Thai Series] The Believers Season 2

  • Keywords: Drama / Thriller / Crime
  • Also known as: The Believers Season 2
  • Runtime: ~60 minutes per episode × 8 episodes
  • Where to watch: Netflix; Douban link

When faith becomes a weapon for crime.

@潘誉晗：One day, Win and Game are brought before Councilwoman Ai. Pointing to the lawn behind her, she claims she plans to build a hospital there—one that, once completed, would bring immense merit. Unfortunately, she currently lacks the funds. She needs Win and Game to help her raise one billion baht within six months. It turns out that the seemingly kind public figure is actually the mastermind behind everything. Win and Game initially refuse, but once Ai threatens their families, they are forced to comply. Meanwhile, Belle—who successfully fled to the United States—begins building her own career on her own terms.

Although the second season of The Believers has slightly lower ratings than the first, considering the impact of its ending, it remains very much worth recommending. Continuing the boldness of Season 1—both in subject matter and narrative structure—this season escalates the fraud schemes and links them to politics and power struggles. In Season 1, the protagonists devised scams to pay off debts; in Season 2, they must act for the sake of their families, bringing deeper, riskier motivations into play—namely, the councilwoman’s money laundering. Exploiting people’s suffering to sell religious anxiety, then weaponizing that faith to commit fraud and crimes—thus, as the Buddha says, all of it is sin.

[UK Series] Shetland Season 10

  • Keywords: Drama / Crime
  • Also known as: Shetland Season 10
  • Runtime: ~45 minutes per episode × 6 episodes; Douban link

A traditional and classical Scottish detective story.

@潘誉晗：One day, Tosh and Ruth receive a call from a colleague while on duty—there has been a murder, and the circumstances are extremely strange. The victim is a 76-year-old woman, strangled behind her own home, her body deliberately positioned facing the sea as if conveying a message. She had been dead for some time, but due to her remote residence, no one discovered her sooner. The person who finally found her was a neighbor who occasionally checked in on her and brought food. But when police investigate, they discover that this woman—who relied on her neighbor’s charity—actually had £400,000 in savings.

Season 10 of the Shetland series continues its signature slow-burn narrative style. Under its cold, austere tone, the mystery grows as biting and chilly as the Atlantic winds sweeping across one’s face. Combined with the vast, desolate backdrop of the Shetland Islands, the story carries an air of solemnity. Following a distinctly classical detective approach, the investigators adhere to the most traditional—and fundamental—logic of deduction. Starting from the victim’s personal relationships, they peel back the layers one by one. As the truth gradually emerges, so too does the complex nature of human character.

[Chinese Series] The Big Deal Maker

  • Keywords: Drama
  • Runtime: ~45 minutes per episode × 40 episodes
  • Where to watch: iQIYI; Douban link

The art of doing business: from earning a living to building a nation.

@潘誉晗：At Manchun Courtyard in Ningguta, a crowd gathers—these are medicine traders who have come for a rare thousand-year-old ginseng root. But to everyone’s shock, the ginseng mysteriously disappears. To prove his innocence, the gatherer Su Shuhe takes his own life. Witnessing this tragedy, Gu Pingyuan, who is overseeing the auction, resolves to seek justice on Su’s behalf.

Adapted from Zhao Zhiyu’s novel of the same name, the series follows the legendary rise of Gu Pingyuan—a scholar wrongfully exiled—who transforms step by step from an outcast to a fugitive to a major figure in commerce. Ningguta, a place of exile for disgraced officials in the late Qing dynasty, is a frozen purgatory in the eyes of those banished there. Desperate to escape, exiles resort to every means possible, setting the stage for the story’s initial tragedy.

Amid such harsh circumstances, Gu Pingyuan embodies the core traits of a compelling leading protagonist—using his intellect to solve problems, helping others while advancing his own goals. As he changes roles and ventures into business—establishing a foothold through banking houses, growing through tea trade, and expanding into the salt industry—he never forgets his identity and duty as a Chinese citizen. The full-scale on-location filming lends the late-Qing-era business drama rich texture, and several side storylines are equally captivating.

[Anime] Ranma ½ Season 2

  • Keywords: Manga Adaptation / Comedy / Romance / Slice of Life
  • Also known as: らんま1/2 第2期 / Ranma ½ Season 2
  • Runtime: 23 minutes per episode × episode count TBA, updated weekly on Saturdays
  • Where to watch: Netflix; Douban link

If you really hated it, you wouldn’t make it this hard.

@SHY: Centered on Saotome Ranma and Tendo Akane, whose engagement was arranged by their elders, the chaotic everyday life continues. Gosunkugi vows to find Ranma’s weakness; the master’s master, Happosai, is unsealed; Shampoo returns with her great-grandmother Cologne, followed closely by her childhood friend Mousse; and Ranma’s other fiancée, Ukyo, suddenly appears, adding fuel to the fire.

With director Kōnosuke Uda and animation studio MAPPA returning at the helm, the second season maintains standout quality. Its fresh visual style and music sustain a relaxed, pleasant viewing experience, while the content remains highly engaging. Rumiko Takahashi’s brand of absurdist comedy thrives as the cast grows—one eccentric after another takes the stage, erupting into nonstop, slapstick chaos. Amid the ever-inventive episodic stories, Ranma and Akane’s bond deepens, keeping a smile on viewers’ faces throughout.

While following the original manga’s narrative spine, the new adaptation also makes thoughtful modernizations to elements constrained by their era. Happosai—arguably the most controversial character—still embodies his lecherous nature, but boundary-crossing behaviors are significantly toned down and swiftly punished, aiming to reduce audience discomfort. By fully channeling the manga’s essence without rigidly clinging to convention, the series becomes more than a classic remade in a new bottle—it’s a romantic comedy that earns its place in a new era.

[Documentary] Nobody, But Somebody

A group of people who refuse to slide along a predetermined track.

@利兹与青鸟: This documentary is an exclusive production by SMG’s Real Media, airing on Dragon Television while also releasing weekly online every Tuesday. Over three years, the team filmed six stories about young people—among them a young film director, a professional athlete, and a blind massage therapist. Some once enjoyed moments of acclaim for their talent, yet all are ordinary people who carry dreams while remaining largely unknown. With calm, restrained camerawork, the documentary enters their lives, bearing witness to the anxieties and perseverance of a younger generation.

Each episode approaches its subject from a different perspective, revealing distinctive sparks that also reflect our own lives. Sunil, who once won the top directing prize at the Beijing Film Academy, returns to a quiet, uncelebrated routine after graduation; seen through his brother’s eyes, a father calls him “grand in thought, weak in action,” while Sunil feels his family pressures him too hard. Jiu-jitsu athlete Miao Jie, expected to retire at 22, persists until 36, trapped in a painful loop of effort and “effort that leads nowhere.” Graduates from a school for the blind studying massage come to Shanghai for internships, living vibrant lives no different from others—yet still keeping company with solitude in the dark.

Their stories are both a small slice of the many and unmistakably resilient and unique.

More

[US Series] Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty
@潘誉晗: On June 7, 2021, police received a call from a man reporting that his wife and younger son had been shot dead on their family estate. The man belonged to the Murdaugh family, a powerful local legal dynasty. As the investigation unfolded, police discovered that the caller himself was the true perpetrator. Adapted from the real-life Murdaugh family murder case, the series exposes how this family—long dominant in the local justice system—manipulated the law and concealed crimes, prompting viewers to rethink human nature and the rule of law.

[Thai Series] Prison Love Chaos
@潘誉晗: Often described as the “Thai version of Orange Is the New Black,” this series is adapted from a novel. It follows Belle, who is framed with drugs at a bar and wrongfully sent to prison, where she faces relentless oppression. During her incarceration, she meets Claire and receives her help on multiple occasions. With a strong, immersive atmosphere, the show not only depicts a taboo romance unfolding behind bars, but also portrays the stories of many female inmates. Subplots are layered with foreshadowing and hidden threads, adding a strong sense of suspense.

[US Series] The Abandoned
@潘誉晗: Jasper Valley is home to vast silver deposits, coveted by Constance Vanness, the matriarch of the powerful Vanness family. She plans to mine the silver and blast a road straight through the valley, but faces resistance from four households led by Fiona. This Netflix historical Western, set during the frontier era of the 1850s, centers on the rivalry between two formidable female leaders. Beneath a land dispute lies a deeper struggle over power—and the protection of family.

[Documentary] Even Angels Have an Internship
@利兹与青鸟: Produced by Bilibili, this documentary focuses on the growth stories of five medical students interning at Xiangya Second Hospital of Central South University. Rotating through departments such as orthopedics, breast surgery, ultrasound medicine, and cardiology, they participate daily in ward rounds, patient briefings, and assisting in surgeries. The documentary candidly presents the hardships, pressure, pain, danger, confusion, achievements, and joy of medical students, hoping to foster greater mutual understanding and respect between doctors and patients.

📅 New Trailers This Week

Street Fighter Live-Action Film — First Teaser

On December 12, the first teaser for the live-action film adaptation of Street Fighter was unveiled at The Game Awards (TGA). The film is set for a North American release on October 16, 2026. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, the cast includes Jason Momoa, 50 Cent, David Dastmalchian, Noah Centineo, Roman Reigns, Olivier Richters, Andrew Koji, and Eric André, among others. Source

Extreme Judgment — New Trailer

On December 9, the film Extreme Judgment released a new trailer and is scheduled to premiere in North America on January 23, 2026. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov and starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, the story is set in a society where AI courts have fully taken over the judicial system. Its creator, Rayven, finds himself accused of murdering his wife and must prove his innocence within 90 minutes. Source

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War — The Stairway to Adulthood — Official Trailer

On December 9, the anime Kaguya-sama: Love Is War — The Stairway to Adulthood released its official trailer, announcing that the opening theme will be performed by Masayuki Suzuki feat. Aoi Koga. The special one-hour episode is scheduled to air on December 31. Adapted from Aka Akasaka’s manga of the same name, the project is once again directed by Mamoru Hatakeyama, with Tetsuya Kawakami and Rena Iwasaki serving as chief animation directors, and produced by A-1 Pictures. Source

Fate/strange Fake — New Trailer

On December 6, the TV anime Fate/strange Fake released its “True” trailer and announced that it will begin airing on January 3. Adapted from Ryohgo Narita’s Fate spin-off novel series, the anime is directed by Shun Enokido and Takahito Sakazume, with music composed by Hiroyuki Sawano and animation production by A-1 Pictures. The story depicts a false Holy Grail War unfolding in Snowfield, a city in the western United States, following the Fifth Holy Grail War. Source

The Boys Season 5 — First Teaser

On December 7, the series The Boys released the first teaser for its fifth and final season, set to premiere on Prime Video on April 8, 2026. This is Homelander’s world, ruled entirely by his volatile will. When Butcher reemerges wielding a virus capable of wiping all superheroes off the map, he sets in motion events that will permanently change the world—and everyone in it. Source

More

The Copenhagen Test released a trailer: Starring Simu Liu and Melissa Barrera, with Thomas Brandon (Legacies) serving as writer, creator, showrunner, and executive producer. The story follows Alexander Hale, a first-generation Chinese American and intelligence analyst who discovers that his brain has been infiltrated—allowing the perpetrator to see and hear everything he experiences, as if watching a live stream from his perspective. Premieres on Peacock on December 27.

Pretend Family released a special trailer: Produced by Han Sanping, written and directed by Li Taiyan, and starring Jackie Chan, Peng Yuchang, and Zhang Jianing, with Pan Binlong and Li Ping also in leading roles. The film tells the story of a group of strangers, each with their own agendas, who accidentally come together to form a family. It is scheduled for nationwide release on January 1, 2026.

Billie Eilish: Gentle Impact Tour 3D Film released a trailer: Directed by James Cameron and Billie Eilish, with Cameron employing 3D technology to film multiple concerts from Billie Eilish’s tour this year. The film will be released in North America on March 20, 2026.

The film Just Enough released a dated trailer: Directed by Zhang Xuanpeng, with Shen Teng serving as artistic advisor, and starring Yin Zheng, Pan Binlong, Huang Cailun, Zhang Yiming, and Liang Chao. Adapted from the South Korean film Director Kim vs. Director Kim vs. Director Kim, it follows “internet-famous fake master” Jin Mao, who wins a competition by sheer luck and is then chosen by capital investors to return to his hometown and build a kung fu-themed town. The film is set to premiere on December 27. Source

📽 Film & TV News Weekly

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run — Key Visual Released
On December 9, the anime JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 7: Steel Ball Run unveiled its key visual and announced a 2026 release on Netflix. Directed by Yasuda Kimura and Hideya Takahashi, with animation by david production, the story centers on the century-spanning STEEL BALL RUN race—a horseback competition crossing the North American continent. Drawn by the promise of a $50 million grand prize, formidable adventurers enter a fierce battle. Source

A Step into the Past Set for December 31 Release
On December 10, the film adaptation of A Step into the Past released its dated trailer and poster, confirming a December 31 theatrical release. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Huang Yi, the film is executive produced by Louis Koo and co-directed by Wu Hyun-hui and Lai Chun-lung. The cast includes Louis Koo, Raymond Lam, Jessica Hsuan, Sonija Kwok, and Joyce Tang. As mentor and disciple Xiang Shaolong and Zhao Pan face off, decades of tangled grudges are finally set to reach a reckoning. Source

The Drama Story Releases First Official Poster
On December 9, A24’s new film The Drama Story, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, released its first official poster and trailer, with a North American release slated for April 3, 2026. Written and directed by Dream Scenario filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli and produced by Ari Aster, the film tells a romantic love story that takes an unexpected turn on the eve of a couple’s big day.

Supergirl Releases Teaser Poster
On December 11, DC’s new film Supergirl debuted a teaser poster and its first trailer. Adapted from the comic Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the film is directed by Craig Gillespie (Cruella, I, Tonya), with a script by actor and playwright Ana Nogueira (The Vampire Diaries, Hamilton). The cast includes Milly Alcock, Jason Momoa, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Eve Ridley. The film is scheduled for a North American release on June 26 next year.

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