What to watch on OTT: The Thursday Murders Club, Songs of Paradise and more

Vice Is Broke
MUBI

Creator of Huang’s World and Fresh off the Boat, Eddie Huang’s riveting, first-person documentary on the meteoric rise and spectacular fall of Vice Media, Vice Is Broke premiered as part of the TIFF Docs program at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. “A deeply personal, insider’s perspective from the VICE journalist, the film features a stimulating array of VICE alumni — daring reporters, meme account admins, Internet columnists, food critics, and alt-right agitators,” says its synopsis. Directed and narrated by Huang, it is an unfiltered examination of the media empire of the indie sleaze era. Meeting key writers and players from its time, Huang tracks Vice’s story from its scrappy Montreal alt-punk zine origins to its valuation at $5.7bn and up to its recent bankruptcy.

Better Man
Lionsgate Play

Directed by Michael Gracey, Better Man takes you into the world of pop phenomenon Robbie Williams. This innovative musical biopic charts the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and powerful comeback of one of Britain’s greatest pop superstars. Told uniquely from Robbie’s own perspective Better Man captures his signature wit, raw vulnerability, and undeniable charisma. Blending energetic musical numbers with emotionally charged storytelling, the film reimagines Williams’ journey from his childhood to boyband stardom in Take That, to breaking records as a solo artist while exploring the personal battles behind the fame. Williams stars alongside Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, and Alison Steadman in the movie. Better Man premieres on Lionsgate Play on August 29.

Songs of Paradise
Prime Video

This Saba Azad and Soni Razdan-starrer is a poignant tale inspired by the music, life, and journey of Padma Shri awardee, Raj Begum. Directed by Danish Renzu, the film is a tribute to the treasured voice of Kashmir and its first female playback singer, who paved the way for future generations of music artists from the valley. Presented by Excel Entertainment and produced by Apple Tree Pictures Production and Renzu Films Production, the film charts the musical journey of Noor Begum, portrayed by Saba Azad and Soni Razdan across two time periods. In a story steeped in courage, defiance of norms, and the pursuit of self-expression, Noor, a gifted young singer, dared to dream and break free from the shackles imposed on women by society during that time. The film features composition of Abhay Sopori and vocals of Masrat Un Nissa. The film, releasing on August 29, is written by Renzu along with Niranjan Iyengar and Sunayana Kachroo,

Four and Half Gang
SonyLiv

Director Krishand’s new series Sambhava Vivaranam Naalara Sangham (The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang) promises lots of action and dark humour as the story unfolds in the gritty world of Thiruvananthapuram’s underbelly. Sanju Sivaram plays the lead while Darshana Rajendran is cast as the antagonist. The story follows four young men and a short guy from a slum who aim to manage a temple festival to gain respect. They end up clashing with a gangster controlling the city’s milk and flower trades. It will be available for streaming from August 29.

Abigail
Netflix

In this horror-comedy, a group of would-be criminals kidnaps the 12-year-old daughter of a powerful underworld figure. Holding her for ransom in an isolated mansion, their plan starts to unravel when they discover their young captive is actually a bloodthirsty vampire. The film is directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. Supposed to be an adaptation of Dracula’s Daughter (1936), it is written by Stephen Shields and Guy Busick. It stars Alisha Weir as the title character alongside Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton and Angus Cloud.