Lucky Review: Anya Taylor-Joy’s Daft Thriller is Classic Summer Viewing Luciana “Lucky” Armstrong (Anya Taylor-Joy) is a conwoman on the run, scampering across the US in a fashionably rumpled sateen blouson while evading the FBI and a ruthless crime boss. Her boyfriend has stolen the proceeds of their multimillion-dollar heist, leaving her stranded and pursued by law enforcement and his formidable mob-connected mother, Priscilla (Annette Bening). The Apple TV series, based on Marissa Stapley’s novel, follows her chaotic attempts to survive, relying on her jail-bound father, John (Timothy Olyphant), for advice. John, a gum-chewing recidivist, offers cryptic tips like “read the room” and “trust no one,” which only exacerbate Lucky’s predicaments. The plot unfolds as a relentless chase scene, with Lucky darting through crowds, escaping explosions, and outsmarting criminals. She scams a sobbing gran, sets fire to a goon’s cowboy boots, and dodges agents like Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor’s world-weary FBI agent Rand. Her father, who calls himself “Jaaaahn,” swans around prison in a tiny vest, dispensing wisdom like “Every person’s got a rhythm. If you can learn to play it, you can make ’em dance.” His advice is as useless as the show’s attempts to balance absurdity with earnest moralizing. The series thrives on its own nonsense—preposterous coincidences, unexplained explosions, and a script that leans into its own chaos. Yet it also tries to grapple with serious themes, like victimhood and societal judgment of women who betray one another. This duality results in a tone that skitters and flails like a baby giraffe on an ice rink. The script is erratic, and the theme music, performed by Fiona Apple, is described as “a blunderbussed elk,” further emphasizing the show’s tonal instability.#anya_taylor_joy #apple_tv #timothy_ophlyant #priscilla #anette_bening
Brad Pitt’s The Adventures of Cliff Booth Gets Netflix Release Month Brad Pitt’s The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a sequel to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, is set to debut on Netflix in August 2026, according to Deadline. The film follows the character played by Pitt, Cliff Booth, and is directed by David Fincher, with a script written by Quentin Tarantino. The cast includes Timothy Olyphant, Scott Caan, Elizabeth Debicki, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Carla Gugino. Netflix has included the film in its 2026 slate alongside Greta Gerwig’s Narnia adaptation, which will have a limited IMAX release starting November 26 in 90 countries. However, Netflix has not confirmed a wide theatrical rollout for The Adventures of Cliff Booth. The streaming platform’s film chairman, Dan Lin, emphasized the company’s focus on streaming, stating, “We are a streaming-first company. The strategy works really well for us.” He also mentioned plans for special theatrical events, noting, “We’re looking to do special things in theatrical, but just give us some time.” The project reportedly began development after Netflix acquired Tarantino’s script early last year, with Fincher attached to direct and Pitt reprising his role. Filming took place from July 2025 to January 2026, and Tarantino estimated the production budget at around $200 million. Netflix executives highlighted past theatrical experiments, such as event screenings for Stranger Things and One Piece, and referenced ongoing discussions about theatrical engagement, including the KPop Demon Hunters Singalong event. The film’s release aligns with Netflix’s broader strategy to balance streaming and theatrical initiatives, particularly after the conclusion of its partnership with Warner Bros. and the Academy Awards.#netflix #brad_pitt #quentin_tarantino #david_fincher #timothy_ophlyant
