Also coming to streaming
Resident Evil (Netflix, from July 14)
The legendary survival horror game franchise comes to Netflix in a new and exciting eight-part series. Plenty of scares and action are in store as the story of the outbreak of the T-virus that turns its hosts into zombies and creates malformed monsters is told in two time periods. The first, set in 2022, follows the start of the outbreak and virologist Albert Wesker’s work at the sinister Umbrella Corporation. The second, set in 2036, follows Albert’s daughter Jade on the streets of post-apocalyptic London as she fights hordes of blood-thirsty zombies, gigantic spiders and enormous creatures. Lance Reddick leads the cast as Albert with Tamara Smart and Ella Balinska starring as the younger and older versions of Jade.
Persuasion (Netflix, from July 15)
Netflix’s modern take on Jane Austen arrives. There have been a plethora of screen versions of the renowned author’s works, such as Emma and Pride and Prejudice, but this time it’s Persuasion – her final completed novel – taking centre stage. Eight years after breaking off her engagement, protagonist Anne Elliot must decide between moving on with her life or following her heart when her former fiancé Captain Frederick Wentworth comes back into her life. Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy star Dakota Johnson, Peaky Blinders’ Cosmo Jarvis and Crazy Rich Asians actor Henry Golding are among the cast in British theatre director Carrie Cracknell’s film debut. Look out too for Richard E Grant, Nikki Amuka-Bird and Suki Waterhouse among the impressive supporting cast.
Flee (Disney+, from July 15)
When Danish director Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s animated documentary premiered at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, it received praise from critics and audience members alike. It certainly came as no surprise when it received three Oscar nominations – for Best International Feature Film, Best Documentary Feature and Best Animated Feature. Rasmussen himself features in the film, interviewing his friend Amin Nawabi, whom he has known since they were both teenagers. But Amin is recalling for the first time the full details of his escape from Afghanistan and arrival in Denmark, an event which has left him traumatised. Incredibly moving and yet ultimately uplifting, this is not to be missed.