Weekend Watch list: Top movies and shows to watch in UAE cinemas and OTT like Mohanlal's Thudarum and Ben Affleck's Accountant 2

Wondering what to watch this weekend? Sweat not, we have you covered. From murderous stalkers to math-whiz mercenaries and underdog boxers, this week's list boasts screen stories have kept us on our toes.
Whether it’s Penn Badgley’s macabre chaos in You, Ben Affleck’s bulletproof brilliance in The Accountant 2, or the quiet emotional punch of Alappuzha Gymkhana, there’s something for every kind of viewer ... Here's a round up:

In Thudarum, director Tharun Moorthy crafts a slow-burn thriller that sees Mohanlal in top form — mundu-clad, emotionally grounded, and quietly intense. As Shanmugham, a cab driver whose life unravels after his beloved Ambassador car is impounded, Mohanlal anchors the film with restrained brilliance. What begins as a gentle domestic tale shifts into a gripping commentary on institutional violence and unchecked power. While the pacing is deliberate, the payoff is worth it. Shobana lends grace as his supportive wife, even if their iconic chemistry has mellowed. The real tension comes from the menacing villains, with Prakash Varma and Binu Pappu delivering chilling performances as corrupt cops. Moorthy’s visual metaphors — especially water in all its still and stormy forms — enrich the atmosphere. Thudarum may take its time, but it rewards patience with emotional depth and a powerful Mohanlal performance that reminds us why he's still the one to watch.

Drop is what happens when your worst first date meets your worst digital nightmare. Directed by Christopher Landon and backed by Blumhouse, this tech-noir thriller stars Brandon Sklenar and Meghann Fahy as two unsuspecting daters whose night spirals into a terrifying game of digital cat and mouse. One moment they’re awkwardly ordering mocktails, the next—they’re being watched, tracked, and manipulated through their phones. Welcome to romance in the age of surveillance. Sklenar plays Henry, a soft-spoken press photographer with unexpected depth, while Fahy’s Violet is a mother with secrets she's barely holding together. It’s sharp, stylish, and uncomfortably real—because let’s face it, we’re all one “airdrop from a psychopath” away from chaos. Equal parts thriller, dark comedy, and digital-age cautionary tale, this film is one twisted ride worth watching.

Ben Affleck returns as Christian Wolff in The Accountant 2, the high-stakes sequel to the 2016 action thriller. When Treasury official Raymond King is assassinated and the message “find the accountant” shows up on his body, Agent Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) is forced to track down the one man who can crack the case. With the help of his lethal brother Brax (Jon Bernthal), Christian dives into a web of killers and corruption. Directed by Gavin O’Connor, the film premiered at SXSW to strong reviews. Expect sharp math, sharper gunfire—and yes, a third film is allegedly already in the works.

He’s back—and still narrating every twisted thought.
In its final season, You Season 5 takes Joe Goldberg back to where it all began—New York City. Now trying to live a quieter life with Kate, Joe’s past refuses to stay buried. When he crosses paths with Bronte, a woman determined to uncover his secrets, things spiral fast. Old habits resurface, and Joe is forced to confront the man he’s become. Packed with suspense, emotional reckoning, and dark twists, this season offers a gripping and fitting end to Joe’s journey. With callbacks to earlier seasons, it’s a satisfying farewell for fans who’ve followed his chilling descent from lover to monster.

In a year packed with flashy blockbusters, Alappuzha Gymkhana quietly stole the spotlight. Directed by Khalid Rahman and led by the effortlessly charming Naslen, this Malayalam gem offered a refreshing spin on the sports genre. The story follows Jojo Johnson, a student who joins a boxing club—not to fight, but to score grace marks. What begins as a joke evolves into a heartfelt tale of friendship, self-discovery, and quiet resilience. With no grand speeches or overblown drama, the film finds power in its simplicity. Alappuzha Gymkhana worked because it felt real—and that's what made it unforgettable.