What to watch this week: Black Doves, Godzilla Minus Zero and 4 more

The spy thriller Black Doves is back on Netflix, and critics say it has grown sharper. Around it: a monster sequel that is filling cinemas, a quiet Korean drama with festival buzz, and a Muhammad Ali series that turns a newcomer into a name to remember.

Black Doves, Season 2

Series · Netflix · November 5 · Spy thriller · 6 episodes

Critics love it Critics say the second season is sharper and sadder, carried by Knightley and Whishaw's chemistry.

For fans of Slow Horses and Killing Eve

Image: Netflix

Keira Knightley is back as Helen, a spy whose husband has just become prime minister, and Ben Whishaw returns as Sam, the hitman friend who keeps answering her calls. IndieWire calls the new season an excellent, existential spy story and singles out a flashback episode built around Sam’s grief. The Hollywood Reporter praises the chemistry of the leads, while TheWrap enjoys it but finds some twists hard to swallow. Good for anyone who liked Slow Horses.

Godzilla Minus Zero

Film · Cinemas · November 6 · Monster action

Well reviewed Bigger and louder monster fights than Minus One; the human story is weaker, critics say.

For fans of Godzilla Minus One and Pacific Rim

Image: GKIDS / Toho, key art

Takashi Yamazaki follows his Oscar-winning Minus One with a direct sequel, now in cinemas across North America and the UK. The Hollywood Reporter calls the monster fights a rip-roaring smackdown, and IndieWire thinks it beats the first film in almost every way. Empire disagrees on the human drama, which it finds more clichéd. Our critics roundup has the full picture. See it on the biggest screen you can find.

Possible Love

Film · Netflix · November 6 · Drama · 2 h 44 min

Critics love it Lee Chang-dong's first film in eight years is called a masterpiece about class and desire.

For fans of Burning and Parasite

Rotten Tomatoes ↗

Image: Netflix

Lee Chang-dong, the director of Burning, returns after eight years with a drama about two married couples from opposite ends of society whose lives collide. Jeon Do-yeon leads the cast. IndieWire calls it another masterpiece, and Variety describes it as quietly colossal, praising its wit and social insight. It is South Korea’s Oscar entry and runs close to three hours, so save it for a slow evening.

The Greatest

Series · Prime Video · November 4 · Sports biopic · 8 episodes

Well reviewed Uneven in places, but critics agree Jaalen Best makes a star turn as the young Ali.

For fans of Ali and Creed

Image: Prime Video

Prime Video’s limited series follows the young Cassius Clay on his way to becoming Muhammad Ali, made with the backing of Ali’s family. Newcomer Jaalen Best plays the lead, and Variety says the role makes him a star. The Hollywood Reporter calls the show uneven but impressive, and IndieWire finds it connects despite some familiar biopic beats. For boxing fans and anyone who liked the film Ali.

I Play Rocky

Film · Cinemas · November 6 · Biopic

Well reviewed A warm crowd-pleaser about how Rocky got made, lifted by Anthony Ippolito as Stallone.

For fans of Rocky and The Disaster Artist

Image: Amazon MGM Studios

Peter Farrelly tells how an unknown Sylvester Stallone fought to star in his own Rocky script. Anthony Ippolito plays Stallone, and nearly every review praises how closely he captures the voice. Variety calls it a cleverly crafted crowd-pleaser and Deadline ranks it among the best films about Hollywood, while Screen Daily finds it sentimental. It is in select US and UK cinemas now and opens wider later this month.

It Gets Worse

Series · Paramount+ · November 6 · Comedy · 6 episodes

Well reviewed A sharp, affectionate British comedy about friends failing at their twenties.

For fans of Girls and Fleabag

Rotten Tomatoes ↗

Image: Paramount+

Our hidden gem: a British comedy from A24 about three friends in London drifting through their twenties. Creator and star Leo Reich gets cameos from Andrew Scott and Lena Dunham. Variety calls it Girls updated for British Gen Z, and The Hollywood Reporter finds it hilariously observed. Short episodes, easy to finish in one evening.

Reported by Netflix, Prime Video, GKIDS, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, IndieWire and 6 more reviews. Compiled with AI tools.