April’s watchlist seems volatile in the best way possible, with many films and TV shows ready to tip over. Fame, power, survival, or the surreal, each title forces its central protagonist into an inescapable pressure cooker. Whether it’s the local supernatural film Mikael: Pemburu Dua Alam or The Boys returning with more superhero antics, there’s spectacle versus emotion all at play this month. Here’s what to add to your watchlist.
Zahir Omar is back with his second feature film, starring Remy Ishak as Mikael, a cop battling crime and demons. Written by seasoned screenwriter June Tan, it’s a local movie that aims to get Malaysians into cinemas for a good time, with a broad appeal through its blend of horror, action, and comedy.
When Mikael is drawn into a murder investigation, it turns into a supernatural battle for the fate of the world. Norreen Iman, Fabian Loo, and Alicia Amin co-star as the unlikely crew joining his quest to stop the Ruler of Djinns from world domination. The case quickly turns into a race to find an ancient artefact before the barrier between worlds gives way.
Chris Pratt once again voices the sunny but scrappy Mario, while Anya Taylor-Joy lends Princess Peach a grit that guides her well. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, this animated sequel to the beloved video game expands their galactic adventures beyond the 2023 film The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Moving away from the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario travels through space on a much greater quest. As a chain of space rifts starts to combine distant worlds, Mario and Luigi (Charlie Day) are sent across unstable planets to repair the gateways that keep them whole. Bowser (Jack Black) hijacks the rift to expand his golden rule outside a single kingdom, so the brothers must get him in check before entire realms come crashing together.
Part of the long-running Star Wars franchise, created by George Lucas and produced by Lucasfilm, this animated TV series follows Darth Maul’s post-war arc. Sam Witwer returns to voice the powerful Sith Lord, set after Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008–2014, 2020).
Maul rebuilds his criminal network, targeting rival groups like the Pyke Syndicate. He seizes the fugitive Jedi Devon Izara (Gideon Adlon), aiming to mould her as his apprentice. Meanwhile, her master, Eeko-Dio Daki (Dennis Haysbert) and detective Brander Lawson (Wagner Moura) pursue her in a rescue attempt as Inquisitor Marrok (A.J. LoCascio) closes in from the Empire.
Created by Eric Kripke, the mind behind Supernatural, The Boys' fifth and final season continues the satirical superhero drama. Karl Urban returns as Billy Butcher, a ruthless anti-hero driven by revenge. Antony Starr reprises his role as Homelander, the unstable leader of The Seven, a corporate-controlled team of superheroes.
After the finale of season four, Butcher is left with a fractured team as he escalates into open conflict against Vought International, a superhero corporation. He publicly exposes information about Homelander, pushing the battle between the Supes and the authorities into the spotlight. The Supes are now controlled by the government and watched by the media, so every assault is broadcast live, and their war becomes a public power struggle.
In Jonah Hill’s bleak dark comedy, Outcome, Hollywood ego and image take a tumble. Keanu Reeves plays Reef Hawk, a once-great Hollywood star, whose crafted public persona begins to crumble. On top of directing, co-producing, and co-writing the screenplay, Hill also stars as Ira Slitz, Hawk’s crisis lawyer, who tries to contain the fallout when his client spirals.
Hawk is blackmailed with a mysterious video that threatens his career and pushes him into a public apology tour. As he moves through it, he faces industry figures he once dismissed, along with former collaborators and ex-lovers, all under constant media scrutiny. Each stop pulls him deeper into the fallout, turning the tour into a search for the extortionist.
Directed by Peter Farrelly, this raunchy action comedy stars Mark Wahlberg and Paul Walter Hauser as Brad Lewison and Elijah DeBell. Set in the world of global sports marketing, it follows two rival executives vying for a sponsorship deal. During the World Cup Final, it quickly becomes an international incident, and they must find a way out of Brazil alive.
After the booze-fuelled pitch goes viral, they’re sacked and publicly blamed for igniting a FIFA-linked scandal. The hilarious duo races to restore their reputation, as regulators, corporate executives, and media outlets investigate. With pressure closing in from every side, their escape plan starts to look as chaotic as the scandal itself. Any effort at repairing the damage rebounds, amplifying the crisis into a global PR storm.
Directed by Yim Pil-sung, this South Korean crime-thriller-black-comedy series is a landlord’s worst nightmare. An obsessive would-be owner, Ki Su-jong (Ha Jung-woo), and his wife, Kim Seon (Im Soo-jung), plan to secure ownership of an apartment at any cost.
Things go swiftly awry when Su-jong agrees to fake a hostage situation in his apartment building for ransom money. The scheme pulls in tenants, criminals, and outsiders who each exploit the chaos. Once the building is a crime scene, both their plan and Su-jong’s home slip through his fingers.
In the second season of Beef, the backdrop shifts to a more brittle world of power and prestige. Oscar Isaac plays Joshua Martin, a general manager who enforces order within the elite social system of Monte Vista Point Country Club. Charles Melton stars alongside him as Austin, an aspiring personal trainer working within that world of status and influence.
Joshua and Lindsay Cray-Martin (Carey Mulligan), a wealthy couple, are blackmailed by Ashley (Cailee Spaeny) and Austin with a recording of an argument between them. This sparks a feud between Joshua and Austin, putting the former’s position at the country club in jeopardy. Lines blur between loyalty and self-interest, as tensions rise and the staff and patrons begin taking sides, turning internal politics into open division.
From child star to worldwide icon, this biographical film traces Michael Jackson's personal and musical journey. His nephew, Jaafar Jackson, plays the role of the dubbed ‘King of Pop’—burdened by his family’s legacy and Michael’s later controversy. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, he looks past the glitz to explore what was real about Michael’s rise to stardom.
The movie charts The Jackson 5, a Motown sibling pop group, followed by Michael’s debut as a solo performer. With his signature ‘Hee-Hee’ energy, the famous moonwalk and synchronised performances turned every show into a magnetic moment. From the Thriller red leather jacket to his iconic rhinestone glove, Jaafar embodied his uncle fully. Stay tuned for the sequel!
Set on a quiet island in New England, Widow’s Bay follows a cut-off community where every town dweller believes it’s cursed. This comedy-horror series blends eerie suspense with dark humour across ten episodes. While leading the story’s descent into small-town paranoia, as Mayor Tom Loftis, Matthew Rhys also serves as executive producer.
In a secluded town, a rational-minded mayor rejects claims that the place is cursed, determined to restore its reputation. To achieve this, Mayor Loftis partners with property developers to market the island as a hidden getaway. The twist: tourists vanish overnight, tour boats mysteriously flip over, and locals claim to see creatures in sealed-off sights.
Esquire Malaysia
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