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A Love Actually actress looks worlds away from her iconic character in this ‘must watch’ thriller fans couldn’t get enough of

A Love Actually actress is completely unrecognisable in a “extraordinary” thriller that left fans on the edge of their seats.

German actress Heike Makatsch is best remembered for her portrayal of Mia, the flirtatious secretary who tempted her boss Harry (Alan Rickman) in the 2003 festive film.

Though the romcom is hugely iconic, its 65% Rotten Tomatoes score pales in comparison to Heike’s perfectly-rated 2024 show, Where’s Wanda?

Currently streaming on Apple TV+, the dark comedy follows desperate parents Dedo (Axel Stein) and Carlotta Klatt (Heike) as they search for their missing daughter Wanda, months after her disappearance.

Frustrated by the police’s inability to find her, the couple take matters into their own hands and begin spying on their neighbours to find answers.

Love Actually fans may take a minute to recognise Heike in the drama as she ditches her dark bob for long blonde hair.

The Apple TV drama quickly won over critics upon its debut, earning a stellar 100% score from seven reviews. Casual viewers were equally impressed, though they awarded it a less generous 68% rating.

One fan shared a glowing review, penning: “I was overwhelmingly pleased. It was genuinely funny, aesthetically gorgeous, stupendously well acted, and decidedly fresh, making a story that I don’t think has ever been told before. 11/10 well worth a watch.”

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A second agreed, praising: “This show is such a delight! I have never seen such an extraordinary mixture of genres that throws you from one corner of laughter to the other corner of crying and then also exciting puzzle-piecing. A must watch for armchair detectives!”

Someone else described it as a “fantastic,” while a fourth raved: “I really enjoyed the unexpected curveballs, dark humour and loveable characters to us unlike other shows. At times I was giggling my head off while other times I was at the edge of my seat.

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“The end makes me hope that there will be a season 2. Don’t leave us hanging please!!”

Fortunately, the German drama has been renewed for a second season, which is set to feature another eight episodes.

Where’s Wanda? is streaming now on Apple TV+

One of last year’s best action films is now ready for home viewing on Paramount+

A spectacular action movie sequel featuring an A-list Hollywood star has finally landed on Paramount+ at no additional cost to subscribers.

Potentially the final instalment in one of cinema’s most legendary franchises, the highly anticipated sequel left audiences stunned when it hit cinemas last year.

Following nearly 12 months of anticipation, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, marking Tom Cruise’s concluding performance as daring IMF agent Ethan Hunt, was added to Paramount+ on Sunday, 1st February.

Serving as a direct continuation of the seventh film in the franchise, Dead Reckoning, this thrilling spy adventure sees Ethan reuniting with Grace (played by Hayley Atwell), Benji (Simon Pegg), Luther (Ving Rhames) and various others to prevent Gabriel Martinelli (Esai Morales) from executing his plan to dominate the world’s population using a sinister AI called ‘the Entity’.

Anticipate plenty more gravity-defying stunts, intense espionage and a spectacular final confrontation in this essential action film that concludes an era with a monumental flourish, reports the Express.

Enthusiasts of the film have been singing its praises since its theatrical debut, so ensure Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning goes straight to the top of your streaming queue this week.

One IMDb user’s 10/10 review confessed: “There are no words which can describe this masterpiece.

“It has one of the most incredibly dynamic underwater and aerial stunts, edge of the seat moments. It was a sad, beautiful but hopeful goodbye to Tom as Hunt.

“One of the most powerful finale movies in the world. Cried throughout the movie. Real fans will love it.”

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Another viewer raved: “Honestly, this is one of the best films I’ve watched in a long time. From start to finish, it had me completely hooked – I was on the edge of my seat, heart pounding, palms sweating during the intense action sequences, and at other times, completely overwhelmed with emotion.

“The storyline was gripping and well-paced, with just the right balance of suspense, drama, and character development. The cinematography was stunning, capturing both the beauty of the locations and the intensity of the action in a way that pulled me deeper into the experience.”

The praise continued flowing on Letterboxd, where one user proclaimed: “The last fifty minutes of this and easily the best content of Mission: Impossible I have ever seen and it’s not even a debate.”

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“The plane sequence is not only the best stunt Tom Cruise has ever done, but it’s definitely the best in the series!!!! I was truly on the edge of my seat and my heart kept racing really hard.”

A final admirer concluded: “A truly awesome and epic finale to the franchise. Tom Cruise was born to be Ethan Hunt.

“I love everything about this final chapter in the Mission Impossible series. The stakes are higher, more developed characters, and more awesome action! The Final Reckoning has two of the most intense scenes in the whole franchise.”

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is now streaming on Paramount+.

Fans claim it is the best period drama since Mad Men

A captivating period drama with a rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating might be the perfect addition to your mid-week watchlist.

BBC iPlayer is currently streaming Australian hit drama, The Newsreader, which stars Mindhunter actress Anna Torv and Interview with the Vampire’s Sam Reid.

The duo are part of a competitive team of journalists in a 1980s Australian newsroom, with Torv playing the channel’s first female newsreader, Helen Norville.

After fighting various barriers to make her way to the top, Helen gets paired up with producer Dale Jennings (Reid).

Viewers are then thrust into the duo’s personal and professional lives as they cover major historic events such as Halley’s Comet and the AIDS crisis.

Created by Michael Lucas, the workplace drama debuted in 2021 and aired for three seasons. Each instalment earned overwhelming praise from critics and casual viewers alike.

Rotten Tomatoes reviewers awarded the drama a perfect 100% score for its first two seasons, with no score available yet for the third instalment.

Torv and Reid were showered with praise following the release, with one IMDB user raving: “The biggest news to come from the Aussie drama ‘The Newsreader’ is that Sam Reid (Dale Jennings) is sensational.”

“I suggest that his career is about to take off epically. I could see him as the next James Bond!”

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Someone else agreed: “The Newsreader is a brilliantly acted and written drama series. I absolutely love TV shows that are based around historic events and this is the best example since Mad Men.”

While a third fan shared their detailed verdict: “I consider this show a bit of a hidden gem, especially because I discovered it completely by coincidence. It’s difficult to put into words what an intense viewing experience it is.

“The backdrop setting of a 80’s newsroom is so delicious it feels like it could have been written for me personally. The rise and decay of these characters, especially the two leads BRILLIANTLY portrayed by Anna Torv and Sam Reid, is extremely captivating.”

The Newsreader is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.

An underrated horror film from 2013 starring Jessica Chastain is now available to stream on Netflix

Andy Muschietti, the director of It, has a lesser-known horror gem that’s just landed on Netflix.

First hitting screens in 2013, it boasts a standout performance from Jessica Chastain, who later took on the role of Beverly Marsh in the popular Stephen King adaptation.

The film, titled Mama, also stars Game of Thrones’ Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Yellowjackets’ Isabelle Nélisse. It tells the chilling tale of two young girls who lose their parents in a tragic incident and are subsequently raised by a malevolent entity in a dark forest.

After being rescued by their father’s twin brother, they attempt to adjust to normal life, only to find that the ominous ‘Mama’ isn’t quite finished with them yet.

Despite being Muschietti’s directorial debut, Mama didn’t exactly wow critics, earning a modest 63 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it has cultivated a dedicated fanbase who believe it deserves another look, reports the Express.

One glowing Letterboxd review proclaimed: “I could happily sit through twenty turkeys to find one diamond like this. A masterclass in modern horror.”

Another viewer enthused: “I have seen many, many horror films in my lifetime. But I have rarely (if ever) seen one that has touched me so deeply, rewarded me so profoundly, and at the same time managed to scare the everliving s*** out of me so many times in one night.

“Mama has left me shaken to my very core, in so many good ways.”

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They added: “Mama is possibly the scariest film I have ever seen, but also one of the most touching, well filmed and memorable stories in a very long time.

“More ghost story than fairytale, it’s one that is sure to haunt me for all time, and I will think twice before I turn out the lights tonight..”

The accolades kept coming on IMDb, where one fan confessed “I wish there were more movies like Mama.

“This has become one of my favorite horror movies over the years, one I keep turning to as a prime example of what the horror genre should be,” they said.

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‘Dearest gentle reader’, as the fourth season of Bridgerton follows second son Benedict love story, there’s a way to watch this fairytale-like season for less.

Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan. This lets customers watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes the new season of Bridgerton.

Meanwhile, another bewildered enthusiast questioned: “Why is this movie so underrated??

“Mama wasn’t terrible like everyone says. It was so good! The ending was super emotional and wtf-ish.”

If you’re already hooked on the recent It films, be sure to discover where it all started for horror genius Muschietti now that Mama is ready to stream.

Mama is available to watch now on Netflix.