Top ten films and shows like Shah Rukh Khan's 'Jawan' and horror film 'Nun II', to watch this weekend

Wondering what to watch this weekend? We have you covered. From gothic horror films like 'Nun II' in UAE cinemas to Shah Rukh Khan's bombastic blockbuster film 'Jawan', there's a good catalogue of content up our streets.

Jawan: This is beloved Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan’s show all the way. He plays father and son in this star-studded spectacle, directed and written by Atlee. Khan plays a fierce soldier and a determined vigilante/Robin Hood figure on a mission to weed out corrupt politicians and business tycoons in this glossy blockbuster material. It’s an engaging anti-establishment saga that hits all the sweet spots. Despite its three-hour runtime, ‘Jawan’ entertains, thanks to the collective star power on display. Cameos from the likes of Deepika Padukone, Sanjay Dutt, and an elaborate evil turn from South Indian actor Vijay Sethupathi keeps the plot moving. This is also your chance to see South Indian actress Nayanthara with Khan, both formidable stars in their own right. They may not have much chemistry together, but it’s always heartening to see A-listers from North and South India unite. Also, be sure to suspend belief at some over-the-top twists. The thumping background music score, larger-than-life song and dance sequences, and explosive stunts make it a good watch.

Virgin River, Season 5 (Netflix): Are you in the mood for an incredibly escapist and quaint romantic fare? You are in luck because season 5 of Virgin River has just dropped. This feel-good series explores themes of love, loss, healing and the sense of belonging in a rural-set up with a keen eye. Set in a the fictional small town of Virgin River in Northern California, the series follows Mel, a nurse and midwife, who moves to Virgin River looking to heal from a personal tragedy. Her new life and the quirky residents of Virgin River forms the spine of this benign, but charming series. As expected, there’s a lot of drama packed in the new season including a wildfire set to ravage Virgin River and Mel’s high-risk pregnancy.

Changeling (Apple Tv+): Here’s a series that explores the complex and sometimes harrowing journey of parenthood. It raises the provocative and profound question: ‘What if babies, in all their innocence and cuteness, are actually monsters that unknowingly test the limits of their parents’ love and sanity? This sobering and satirical premise is likely to resonate with an exhausted parent out there. The series, based on Victor LaValle’s 2017 novel, takes you into the life of Apollo Kagwa, a rare-book dealer, who embarks on a journey of fatherhood with Emma, played by Clark Backo. Exceptional performances power this dark drama.

Sitting In Bars With Cake (Amazon Prime Video): Why not take a stab at this inoffensive tale of two best friends in their twenties looking for love in creative ways? The show chronicles the love-seeking travails of besties Jane (Yara Shahidi) and Corinne (Odessa A’Zion) in the cusp of quarter-life crisis in Los Angeles. Corrine and Jane are polar opposites with the latter being a sparkling extrovert. Jane her home baker, shy friend who’s pushing to baking cakes so that it can be peddled in bars. The idea is to meet new interesting people. The move takes a sobering twist when one of the friends is diagnosed with cancer. Take a bite out of this one if you are in the mood for a sweet, coming-of-age tear jerker.

Scam 2003: The Telgi story (Sony Liv): This is the second installment from the Scam franchise. The first part entitled ‘Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta’ story, based on a true-life con, was a big hit. The latest one focusses on Abdul Karim Telgi, a fruit vendor from Karnataka, who was the mastermind of an alleged fraud worth over $650 million involving printing and selling fake government legal papers. The fake stamp scam was in the spotlight for a long time and this series chronicles the key twists.

Aarya 2 (Disney+): Billed as Sushmita Sen’s comeback vehicle, ‘Aarya’ is the story of a family in Rajasthan involved in drug trade. Sen, who plays the titular role, is in command here as she’s reluctantly pulled into the nefarious trade when her husband, played by Chandrachur Singh, gets brutally shot down. Aarya is forced into the world of narcotic dealers to protect her loved ones. If you are in the mood for a gripping storyline and a family drama set against a web of crime and deceit, then this one is right up your street. Sen as the resourceful businesswoman, who gets embroiled with criminals, is a riveting watch.

RDX (UAE Cinemas): Why do the three young men get into scrappy fights in this film is something you may not figure out, even after watching the film, but it’s still an interesting piece of cinema. Starring Shane Nigam, Neeraj Madhav, and Antony Verghese, this tale of two brothers and their best friend has got enough to keep it engaging. The film will transport you to the late 1990s Kerala and gang wars that dominated that space. Be warned, this guts and glory chronicles can be hard to stomach as the violent scenes are brutal, but the endearing performances elevate this film. The bro-code among the three musketeers-styled gang Robert, Dony, and Xavier (RDX) adds to the appeal.

Aakhri Sach (Disney +) Starring Tamannah Bhatia, this thrilling series sees her play an investigative officer in Delhi. She’s on call to investigate a cluster suicide/murder case. Bhatia as the tired and exhausted cop, grappling with personal troubles, is a treat to watch. The series explores mental health, trauma, and spirituality deftly. New episodes drop every Friday.

Nun II (UAE cinemas): A demon named Valak takes the form of a sinister habit-clad woman with viperlike teeth and glowing eyes. This spook-fest, a part of ‘The Conjuring’ universe, brings back the iconic malevolent entity, Valak and will appeal to all those who jump scares and horror. The movie masterfully builds tension, but the plot may feel familiar.

Jailer (Amazon Prime and UAE cinemas): Playing both in local theatres and on Amazon Prime Video now, Rajinikanth’s new film ‘Jailer’ is here to stay. The superstar, who’s revered by millions of South Indians, plays a retired jailer who is forced to return to the scene when his son, a diligent cop, goes missing. This forces his character to step back into his murky past. If you are a fan of his studied histrionics, then this starry spectacle is right up your street.