It is a powerhouse week for digital premieres, spotlighting diverse heroes across several eras. On Max, the Dark Knight receives a Mesoamerican makeover in Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires, which transports the legendary vigilante to 16th-century Mexico. Joining it is the record-breaking global sensation Ne Zha 2, an animated epic that follows the iconic Chinese folk hero as he battles fate and familial expectations.
For fans of indie storytelling, the queer fairy tale 100 Nights of Hero makes its debut on VOD, bringing Isabel Greenberg’s acclaimed graphic novel to life. Meanwhile, those seeking a dose of animatronic dread can now rent Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, the latest installment in the horror-gaming cinematic universe.
Here is your comprehensive guide to the week’s most essential new releases on streaming and VOD platforms.
New on Netflix
Eden
- Genre: Survival Thriller
- Run time: 2h 9m
- Director: Ron Howard
- Cast: Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby
In this gripping survivalist drama based on historical events, a group of European settlers attempts to forge a new life on the remote island of Floreana in the Galapagos. Set against the looming backdrop of World War II, their pursuit of a desert-island utopia quickly unravels as interpersonal tensions and the unforgiving environment turn their dream into a desperate struggle for life.
New on Max
Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires
- Genre: Superhero / Action
- Run time: 1h 29m
- Director: Juan Meza-León
- Cast: Horacio García Rojas, Omar Chaparro, Álvaro Morte
This bold reimagining of the Batman mythos centers on Yohualli, a young Aztec noble who witnesses the brutal conquest of his village by Hernán Cortés. Seeking vengeance, he dons the mantle of the bat-god Tzinacan, utilizing ancient technology and martial prowess to defend Tenochtitlán from the Spanish invasion.
While the visual aesthetic is striking, the film often feels like it is prioritizing the setup for future installments over a cohesive standalone narrative. The characters occasionally lack depth—Forest Ivy serves more as a ethereal guide than a fully realized individual—but the inspired character designs and a clever, “Two-Face” inspired descent into madness for Cortés provide plenty of flair for DC enthusiasts.
Ne Zha 2
- Genre: Fantasy Adventure
- Run time: 2h 24m
- Director: Yu Yang
- Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Crystal Lee, Griffin Puatu
Following its historic run as the highest-grossing animated film of all time in China, Ne Zha 2 arrives in the U.S. with an English dub by A24. The sequel expands the legendary tale of a child born of a demon pearl, blending high-octane spectacle with poignant themes of sacrifice and the defiance of destiny.
This installment is considerably more complex than its predecessor, weaving together multiple narrative threads that delve into the mythic origins of dragons and gods. While the visual ambition is unparalleled, viewers will find the experience much richer if they have seen the first film to understand the intricate dynamics between its central characters and the cosmic forces at play.
New on Hulu
The Life of Chuck
- Genre: Fantasy / Drama
- Run time: 1h 51m
- Director: Mike Flanagan
- Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan
Master of horror Mike Flanagan takes a sentimental turn with this Stephen King adaptation. Told in reverse chronological order, the film examines the life of Chuck Krantz, an ordinary accountant whose passing coincides with the slow collapse of the world. It’s a soulful, life-affirming reflection on the impact of a single human existence, featuring a powerhouse cast including Mark Hamill and Nick Offerman.
Strange Harvest
- Genre: Horror / Mockumentary
- Run time: 1h 34m
- Director: Stuart Ortiz
- Cast: Peter Zizzo, Terri Apple, Andy Lauer
Presented as a true-crime documentary, this film investigates the ritualistic spree of a serial killer known as “Mr. Shiny.” By blending police body-cam footage, security recordings, and social media uploads, Strange Harvest follows two detectives as they uncover a trail of gore that hints at something far more cosmic and terrifying than a mere human murderer.
New on MGM Plus
Afterburn
- Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Action
- Run time: 1h 46m
- Director: J. J. Perry
- Cast: Dave Bautista, Olga Kurylenko, Kristofer Hivju
Years after a solar flare eradicates the world’s electronics, Earth is a wasteland of feudal factions. Jake (Dave Bautista) is a “treasure hunter” hired by a self-styled monarch to recover lost relics of the old world. His latest mission—retrieving the Mona Lisa—pits him against cutthroat rivals in a high-stakes, low-tech action romp.
New on MUBI
Die My Love
- Genre: Psychological Drama
- Run time: 1h 59m
- Director: Lynne Ramsay
- Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, LaKeith Stanfield
In this visceral exploration of maternal mental health, Grace (Jennifer Lawrence) finds herself spiraling into postpartum psychosis after moving to a rural Montana home. Director Lynne Ramsay captures the harrowing isolation of Grace’s experience as her internal reality begins to fracture, leading to dangerous confrontations with her husband, Jackson (Robert Pattinson).
New on Peacock
Bugonia
- Genre: Dark Comedy / Sci-Fi
- Run time: 1h 58m
- Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
- Cast: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis
Yorgos Lanthimos reunites with his Kinds of Kindness stars for this reimagining of the South Korean cult classic Save the Green Planet!. Jesse Plemons stars as a paranoid conspiracy theorist who kidnaps a powerful CEO (Emma Stone), convinced she is the vanguard of an extraterrestrial invasion intent on destroying the planet.
New on Shudder
The Jester 2
- Genre: Horror
- Run time: 1h 27m
- Director: Colin Krawchuk
- Cast: Michael Sheffield, Kaitlyn Trentham, Jessica Ambuehl
The supernatural entity known as the Jester returns for another Halloween spree. This time, he targets a lonely teenage magician, forcing her into a series of lethal, reality-bending illusions. To survive the night, she must outmaneuver a killer who treats murder like a macabre stage performance.
New to Rent
100 Nights of Hero
- Genre: Fantasy / Romance
- Run time: 1h 30m
- Director: Julia Jackman
- Cast: Emma Corrin, Nicholas Galitzine, Maika Monroe
Based on the enchanting graphic novel, this film tells the story of Cherry, whose husband enters a wager involving her fidelity. During his hundred-day absence, Cherry and her devoted maid, Hero, use the art of storytelling to stave off an unwanted suitor, leading to a blossoming, clandestine romance set against a visually stunning backdrop.
Eternity
- Genre: Romantic Comedy / Fantasy
- Run time: 1h 54m
- Director: David Freyne
- Cast: Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner
What if you had to choose which partner to spend forever with? Upon her death, Joan is presented with a metaphysical dilemma: spend eternity with her husband of six decades or return to her first love who died young. It is a whimsical, thought-provoking exploration of love, memory, and the “afterlife aesthetic.”
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
- Genre: Supernatural Horror
- Run time: 1h 44m
- Director: Emma Tammi
- Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio
The hauntings continue at Freddy Fazbear’s as a new threat, the Marionette, emerges with a sinister agenda. While the animatronics remain as lethal as ever, young Abby finds herself caught in the middle, still believing the haunted robots are her protectors rather than her predators.
While the sequel doubles down on the lore and mechanical mayhem, it occasionally stumbles under the weight of its own complex backstory. For casual viewers, the plot may feel disjointed, but for dedicated fans of the franchise, the introduction of the Marionette and the expansion of the Fazbear universe offer enough thrills to warrant a watch.
Source: Polygon
