5 New Movies to Watch this Week: ‘The 355’ and More!

The first week of the new year is always a quiet week for new movies coming out. And this week is no exception, but I found a few films worth checking out.

Here’s a rundown of new movies coming out this week in theaters, as well as those coming out on the major streaming platforms.

New Movies Coming Out January 3 – 9, 2022

The 355 (2022)

Rating: PG -13

Release Date: In theaters nationwide on Friday, January 7th, 2022 

Summary: The 355 tells the story of a top-secret weapon that has fallen into the wrong hands, so CIA agent Mace (Jessica Chastain) gathers a group of international spies to help her find and defeat the mercenary that stole the weapon, while a mysterious woman tracks their every movement.   

What to Watch For: Just Jessica Chastain is enough, but then they added in a cast of Penélope Cruz Bingbing Fan, Diane Kruger, Lupita Nyong’o.

Word on the Street: The title comes from the codename of the female spy who worked for the American Patriots during the American Revolution. She was never identified.

My Take: I love that Jessica Chastain pitched to the director Simon Kinberg that she wanted the film to feel like a mixture of the Mission Impossible and James Bond films.

A Hero (2021) 

Rating: PG -13

Release Date: In select theaters on Friday, January 7th, 2022, and available on the Amazon Prime platform on January 21st, 2022

Summary: In A Hero, Rahim (Amir Jadidi) is in prison because he could not repay a debt. While out on a two-day leave, he comes into some ‘found money,’ and things quickly go out of control. 

What to Watch For: The film won the Grand Prize at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.

Word on the Street: The film, written and directed by Asghar Farhadi, is considered by film critics as a sure bet to make the Academy Award nominations for Best International Film. It was just announced on the Academy’s shortlist.

My Take: I will see anything from Asghar Farhadi, the Oscar-winning filmmaker of A Separation (2011).

See for Me (2021)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: In select theaters and On-Demand on Friday, January 7th, 2022

Summary: In See for Me, Sophie (Skyler Davenport) is a house sitting in a place she has never been before, an isolated vacation home. This could be a problem because Sophie is visually impaired. But with a new app called See For Me and a helpful customer service person, Kelly (Jessica Parker Kennedy), Sophie will do just fine. However, Sophie finds herself in danger when three thieves break into the home to rob the place. And now Sophie must depend on Kelly, an Army vet, to survive the home invasion.   

What to Watch For: Skylar Davenport, a visually impaired actress, is making her feature-film debut. Skylar is a well-known voice actor known for her work on Dissidia Final Fantasy NT, where she voiced Rinoa Heartilly and Valerie on Pokémon Masters.

Word on the Street: Director Randall Okita is best known for his award-winning short film The Weatherman and the Shadowboxer.

My Take: I can’t wait to see this thriller that is currently at an outstanding 83% on Rotten Tomatoes. In addition, Sci-Fi legend actress Laura Vandervoort (V, Smallville, Bitten, Supergirl) is in the film.

June Again (2020)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: In select theaters and On-Demand on Friday, January 7th, 2022

Summary: June Again tells the story of June (Noni Hazelhurst), who during a short bout of clarity from her dementia, decides to go on the run. She is on a mission to find a family heirloom, bring her estranged family together, possibly save the family business, and maybe even rekindle an old flame.  

What to Watch For: The film won two awards at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Awards, including Best Lead Actress in Film for Noni Hazlehurst.

Word on the Street: This is the first feature film for the New Zealand award-winning filmmaker JJ Winlove.

My Take: Noni Hazlehurst was in a film favorite of mine, the 2005 Cate Blanchett drama, Little Fish.

Aware: Glimpses of Consciousness (2021)

Rating: N/A

Release Date: Available On-Demand on Friday, January 7th, 2022

Summary: Aware: Glimpses of Consciousness is a documentary that explores the big questions of life: What is consciousness? Is it in all living beings? And what happens when we die?  

What to Watch For: The film won the Audience Award at the 2021 Maui Film Festival and the Jury Prize at the 2021 Illuminate Film Festival.

Word on the Street: The film follows six researchers approaching the subject from different perspectives, including investigating the consciousness of plants.

My Take: The beautiful trailer makes me excited to see this fascinating film.

What New Movies Are You Planning to Watch This Week?

And that’s your new releases for the week of January 3rd – January 9th, 2022. In our comment section below, let us know what new movies you are excited to see this week!