This week, the action genre takes center stage with two major streaming premieres that redefine what it means to be a hero. In one corner, we have a lone assassin fighting for vengeance in a dark, stylized world. In the other, a young student learns the path of honor and discipline from two legendary masters. These films, along with three other diverse releases, promise a thrilling week of entertainment.
First up is Ballerina, the highly anticipated John Wick spin-off that lands on Starz on September 25. Ana de Armas stars as the titular hero, a woman who uses her deadly skills to hunt down those who murdered her father. The film showcases a brutal, yet graceful, style of combat, offering a new kind of protagonist within this popular universe.
Then, on September 27, Netflix releases Karate Kid: Legends. The hero of this story is Li, a young man who finds his purpose through martial arts. Guided by the wisdom of Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and the unique training methods of Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), Li’s journey is one of self-discovery and courage as he fights to protect his community.
While those two films dominate the action space, the week offers plenty of other thrills. Hulu’s The Surfer (September 25) features a different kind of hero in Nicolas Cage’s character—an ordinary man pushed to extraordinary limits as he stands up to a group of bullies in a tense psychological battle.
The week is rounded out by two sci-fi tales. M3GAN 2.0 on Peacock turns its titular character into an anti-hero, as the killer doll is reactivated to fight a greater evil. Finally, All of You on Apple TV+ (September 26) explores the quiet heroism of love in a touching romance drama set against a futuristic backdrop.