The Stream
What's new this week in television, films and music
Amanda Seyfried in "The Testament of Ann Lee"
"The Real Housewives of Rhode Island"
Sydney Sweeney in "The Housemaid"
ENTERTAINMENT
MOVIES
Amanda Seyfried probably should have been nominated for an Oscar for her performance as Shakers founder Ann Lee in Mona Fastvold's audacious and euphoric musical "The Testament of Ann Lee," which is on Hulu as of March 31. "The film is absolutely not for everyone," Jocelyn Noveck wrote in her review. "But Fastvold has undeniably created something we've never quite seen before."
Another movie that scored with critics but didn't necessarily find a massive audience in theaters was "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," which comes to Netflix on March 31. The zombie film, directed by Nia DaCosta working off of an Alex Garland script, stars Jack O'Connell and Ralph Fiennes. In his review, Mark Kennedy wrote, "The fourth entry in an ever-more engrossing franchise is absolutely bonkers — and a triumph."
For something completely diff erent, the Broadway production of "Merrily We Roll Along," starring Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliff e, arrives April 4 on Netflix.
The box office sensation "The Housemaid" will make its debut on Starz on April 1. The Paul Feig film starring Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney became a breakout hit in theaters, earning more than $396 million against a $35 million budget. Kennedy wrote in his review that it's a "delicious, satirical look at the secret depravity of the ultra-rich, but it's so well constructed that's it's not clear who's naughty or nice."
— Lindsey Bahr
MUSIC
On April 3, Grammy-nominated country singer Charley Crockett enters the "Age of the Ram," coproduced by Shooter Jennings, the third and final chapter of his "Sagebrush Trilogy." In true Crockett fashion, it's equal parts old school country storytelling and forward-thinking future-casting. Singles "Fastest Gun Alive" and "Kentucky Too Long" are good places to start — Crockett's idiosyncratic voice is all Old West flair.
Everyone's favorite Philadelphia-based, Medievalobsessed punks Poison Ruin will release a new album, "Hymn from the Hills," on April 3. Expect more of their classic sound – an inventive intersection of death rock and chain mail – with increased ferocity. The great Swedish post-punk band Makthaverskan will release its first new album since 2021's "För Allting" on April 3. Titled "Glass and Bones," the 10-track LP may very well be the best dream pop album of the year so far: Start with "Pity Party" — a fine reintroduction to singer Maja Milner's idiosyncratic vocal tone and the band's addictive guitar melodies — and build from there, to the chilly "Black Waters," to the gothic confessional "Louie" and the lead track "Won't Wait."
— Maria Sherman
SERIES
Bravo's hit reality show "The Valley" is back for Season 3 this week. The show follows former "Vanderpump Rules" cast members who traded West Hollywood for life north of Los Angeles, bringing marriages, kids, divorces and drama with them. Kristen Doute, Brittany Cartwright, Jason and Janet Caperna, Luke Broderick, Danny and Nia Booko, and Jesse Lally return. Former "Vanderpump" regulars Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz also join as fulltime cast members. The season premiere hits Peacock on April 2.
Jon Hamm is back to stealing from his neighbors. His Apple TV series, "Your Friends & Neighbors," launches Season 2 on April 3. Hamm plays a suburbanite who steals from his wealthy New York neighbors to maintain his upper-crust lifestyle. Amanda Peet, Olivia Munn and James Marsden also star.
Bravo also adds to its "Real Housewives" franchise with the debut of "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island," streaming April 3 on Peacock.
— Alicia Rancilio
