Female secret agents, assemble

So, 2022 is already starting out with something different. For the first time in 15 years, the new year is not starting out with a horror movie.

Maybe the past two years have finally been horror enough.

Here’s what’s new in Milwaukeearea theaters starting Friday, as well as some of the new movies available on streaming and on demand this week.

‘The 355’

Short version: A rogue CIA agent (Jessica Chastain) joins forces with an international alliance of female agents (Diane Kruger, Lupita Nyong’o, Penelope Cruz, Bingbing Fan) to stop a mercenary with a top-secret weapon. Sebastian Stan and Edgar Ramirez co-star in this globe-trotting action movie.

Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Bistroplex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, Saukville, Showtime, Southgate, South Shore cinemas; Silverspot Cinema.

‘A Hero’

Short version: On leave from prison, where he was sent because of an unpaid debt, a man tries to square things, only to have a good deed backfire. This complex drama by Oscar-winning Iranian film master Asghar Farhadi (“A Separation”) is on the shortlist of contenders for this year’s Academy Award for best international feature film.

Where you can see it: Landmark Downer Theatre. (Note: “A Hero” is streaming on Amazon Prime starting Jan. 21.)

‘Poupelle of Chimney Town’

Short version: In a town where factory chimneys belch out so much smoke the people can no longer see the stars, a chimney sweep and a friendly monster join forces to prove that the stars are out there. Tony Hale, Stephen Root and Antonio Raul Corbo head up the voice cast in this Japanese animated fantasy, dubbed in English for U.S. release.

Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Ridge Cinema.

New movies on demand

“See for Me”: A visually impaired former skier is house-sitting at a highend, high-tech mansion when thieves break in; to fight back, she turns for help to an Army veteran on the receiving end of a security-assistance app. Skyler

Davenport and Jessica Parker Kelly star in this new thriller. Available Jan. 7.

“Algren”: This documentary follows the rise and fall of gritty 20th-century writer Nelson Algren. Available Jan. 11.

“Dawn Raid”: The acclaimed New Zealand music label Dawn Raid Entertainment is the focus of this new documentary. Available Jan. 11.

Recent releases available on demand: “Dune,” starting Jan. 11; “The Eternals,” starting Jan. 12.

New movies on streaming services

“Brazen”: A mystery novelist (Alyssa Milano) gets involved in the investigation of the murder of her sister, who It turned out had a double life as a webcam performer. Sam Page co-stars. On Netflix Jan. 13.

“Photocopier”: After she loses her scholarship when photos of her at a party turn up online, a student gets help from a photocopy store worker to figure out what happened in this Indonesian thriller. On Netflix Jan. 13.

“Dear Mother”: In this French comedy, a man discovers his heart has stopped beating, but he still can walk, talk, eat, think – but he can’t figure out why. On Netflix Jan. 11.

Recent releases debuting on streaming services: “The Tender Bar,” on Amazon Prime Jan. 7; “The Eternals,” on Disney+ Jan. 12; “Pharma Bro,” on Hulu Jan. 7; “Ailey,” on Hulu Jan. 10; “Black Bear,” on Hulu Jan. 10; “I’m Your Man,” on Hulu Jan. 11.

PICTURES ROBERT VIGLASKY/UNIVERSAL Penélope Cruz (from left), Jessica Chastain, Diane Kruger and Lupita Nyong’o are “The 355.”

FIRST RUN FEATURES Gritty American writer Nelson Algren is the focus of the documentary portrait “Algren.”

AMIRHOSSEIN SHOJAEI On a two-day leave from prison, a man in debt tries to convince his creditor to withdraw his complaint, only to have things spiral out of control in “A Hero.”