Watching

Destroyer

Taking on a role that is the polar opposite of her character in Big Little Lies, Nicole Kidman stars as Erin Bell, an LAPD detective whose past job as an undercover gang member comes to life along with the many secrets that were thought to be buried in the intense crime drama film Destroyer (March 14). Featuring many twists and huh? moments, this film and Kidman’s outstanding performance will keep you enthralled.

The Curse of the Weeping Woman

In his directorial debut, Michael Chaves puts his cinematic spin on the Spanish folklore of La Llorona and brings it to the big screen in his supernatural horror flick The Curse of the Weeping Woman. Telling the tale of widowed social worker Anna, who is roped into a case due to the striking similarities between that and the macabre occurrences terrifying her family, she discovers that La Llorona has latched herself onto Anna. With a star-studded cast including Linda Cardellini and Raymond Cruz, if you’re after something spooky, this will be one for you. Out in cinemas April 18.

Brightburn

Described as a “Superman horror movie”, James Gunn’s superhero/horror/sci-fi mashup has all the conventions of your typical superhero flick – baby crash-lands on earth from an unknown world, gets adopted by childless parents and develops unique powers that can be used for the betterment of mankind etc. – however, opting to deviate from the ‘happy ending’ ‘save the world’ characteristic that is synonymous with superhero blockbusters, Brightburn (out on May 23) instead takes a darker turn. As Brandon Beyer, adopted son of the Beyer parents (played by Elizabeth Banks and David Denman) grows, so does an evil within him which results in his powers being used for something sinister.

Listening

The Japanese House – Good at Falling

Rocking the moniker The Japanese House, solo artist Amber Bain’s latest music release Good at Falling has been a long time coming, but after what has felt like forever, Bain’s debut 13-track album is finally out. Following on from her critically acclaimed EPs Pools To Bathe In; Clean; Swim Against The Tide and Saw You In A Dream the indie-pop songstress and UK native has teased fans with her upcoming album by releasing the singles ‘Lilo’ and ‘I Saw You In A Dream’ which have been met with a warm reception.

Lana Del Rey – Norman F*cking Rockwell

In what will be her sixth studio album, Lana Del Rey’s highly anticipated Norman F*cking Rockwell (out on all major streaming giants March 29) sees the queen of moody tunes unleashing 11 tracks which, going off the early releases of a few (hello ‘Mariners Apartment Complex’), is tapped to be a hit. Penning the name for the album in March 2018, Del Rey described her new album as “deeply introspective and some sad girl sh*t”.

The 1975 – Notes on a Conditional Form

Brit indie-rockers The 1975 are in fine form churning out a seemingly never-ending string of albums, and their latest album Notes on a Conditional Form taps into the signature vibes that we’ve come to love from the lads. Teaming up with Dirty Hit – who is set to release the tunes come this May – and other musos including the likes of Amber Bain from The Japanese House, the album drops in May. Keep your eyes and ears peeled.

Reading

The Hunting Party – Lucy Foley

Drenched in suspense and tension, this novel will keep you on edge right to the very end. What starts as a well-intended New Year’s getaway takes a sinister turn as nine friends are embroiled in a scandal.

The Border – Don Winslow'

Don Winslow’s The Border is a high-octane ride with protagonist Art Keller back in the eye of the storm as his appointment to the higher ranks in the DEA brings to light secrets that were thought to have been buried.

Playing

Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

The first one took the gaming world by storm with its killer graphics, fluid gameplay and attention to detail. Now fans can rejoice – Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 is dropping on all major consoles (March 15). Set seven months after its predecessor, players are tasked with battling in the civil war which has erupted between the remaining survivors and the villainous factions. tomclancy-thedivision.ubisoft.com

Days Gone

After many a delay, the hotly anticipated Days Gone will be up for grabs come April 26 on PlayStation. Set in the rugged and volcanic scarred high-desert surrounds of the Pacific Northwest, the open-world adventure game sees you, the player, take on the character Deacon St. John. You’ll be fighting, surviving and putting your stealth skills to the test against the Freakers – mindless and feral creatures who have fallen victim to the global pandemic that wreaked havoc among the human population – and the remaining human population who are just as dangerous. bendstudio.com/games/days-gone/