7 New Movies to See This Week: A New Must-See Netflix Rom-Com!
This week we have a rom-com, another collaboration between Pedro Almodóvar and Penélope Cruz, a WW II spy thriller, and a fantasy film set during Louis XIV’s reign.
Here’s the rundown of new movies coming out this week in theatres, as well as those coming out on the major streaming platforms.
New Movies Coming Out January 17 – 23, 2022
The Royal Treatment (2022)
Rating: N/R
Release Date: Premieres on Netflix on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Summary: The Royal Treatment is the story of Izzy (Laura Marano), a New York hairdresser. She is given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work at the wedding of a famous and charming prince (Mena Massoud). This prince is getting married out of duty and not because of love. When the sparks start flying between them, will Izzy pick the job and the money it brings over her attraction to the prince?
What to Watch For: Laura Marano is best known for her role as Ally Dawson in the long-running TV show Austin & Ally.
Word on the Street: The film is directed by Rick Jacobson, who has directed a number of TV shows, including Ash vs. Evil Dead, Spartacus, Baywatch, and Xena: Warrior Princess.
My Take: I am always up for a good rom-com.
Parallel Mothers (2021)
Rating: R
Release Date: In select theatres on Friday, January 21, 2022.
Summary: Parallel Mothers is about Janis (Penélope Cruz), a well-known photographer living in Madrid. She has a fling with an archaeologist (Israel Elejalde), and she becomes pregnant. Janis gives birth on the same day as another single mom, 17-year-old Ana (Milena Smit).
From that chance meeting, the two women become close, and that friendship, which by chance develops and complicates their lives, changing the two women forever.
What to Watch For: This is the eighth time that director Pedro Almodóvar and Penélope Cruz have worked together on a film. Cruz got her first Academy Award nomination in 2007 in Almodóvar’s Volver.
Word on the Street: The film is up for eight Goya Awards, Spain’s main national annual awards for cinema.
My Take: I have been a big fan of Penélope Cruz since early on in her career when she starred in the Sci-Fi mystery Open Your Eyes (1997).
France (2021)
Rating: N/R
Release Date: In select theatres on Friday, January 21, 2022.
Summary: In the film France, France de Meurs (Léa Seydoux) is the country’s most popular news personality, popping around the world in war-torn countries and interviewing the latest celebrity in the studio. Caught up in her own celebrity status, France will have her life changed when she accidentally strikes a motorcyclist with her car.
What to Watch For: Léa Seydoux has appeared in Inglourious Basterds (2009), Midnight in Paris (2011), and as Sabine Moreau in Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011). Seydoux won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance in Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013).
Word on the Street: The film was in competition for the Palme d’Or Award at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.
My Take: Writer/director Bruno Dumont has always been a little hit or miss for me, though I did really enjoy his 2006 film, Flanders.
Munich- The Edge of War (2021)
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: Premieres on Netflix on Friday, January 21, 2022.
Summary: At the start of Munich – The Edge of War, the world is on the brink of war as Hitler is preparing to invade Czechoslovakia. The British government, led by Neville Chamberlain (Jeremy Irons), is attempting to reach a peaceful settlement. Hugh Legat (George MacKay), a British civil servant, and Paul von Hartmann (Jannis Niewöhner), a German diplomat, are old friends. And both have traveled to Munich for an emergency conference to try and broker peace. These two friends are about to find themselves at the center of a political subterfuge that could change the safety of themselves and the world.
What to Watch For: The film is inspired by two real people, a German diplomat, Adam von Trott zu Solz, and a British scholar, A. Rowse. Trott was later in the war caught up in the attempt to assassinate Hitler, and after the attempt failed, he was executed.
Word on the Street: George MacKay is coming off his award-winning role as Lance Corporal Schofield in the WWI film 1917.
My Take: I love the history of WWII and can’t wait to see this film.
The King’s Daughter (2022)
Rating: PG
Release Date: In theaters nationwide on Friday, January 21, 2022.
Summary: The King’s Daughter is a tale about Louis XIV (Pierce Brosnan), the most powerful monarch on the planet. Obsessed with his own mortality, he seeks, with the help of his spiritual advisor (William Hurt), to find the key to immortality. Believing that mermaids hold the key to everlasting life, Louis XIV wants to capture and steal a mermaid’s life force. Louis XIV’s daughter, Marie-Josephe (Kaya Scodelario), has discovered such a creature. And she will do everything she can to keep the mermaid safe from her father’s evil clutches.
What to Watch For: Some of this film was shot in the Palace of Versailles, including an extensive dance sequence inside the Hall of Mirrors.
Word on the Street: Kaya Scodelario and Benjamin Walker, who plays Marie-Josephe’s love interest, are married in real life. They share their first on-screen kiss in this film.
My Take: One of my all-time favorite actors, Julie Andrews, narrates the film.
Simple Passion (2020)
Rating: N/A
Release Date: In select theaters on Friday, January 21, 2022.
Summary: Simple Passion is a film about Hélène (Laetitia Dosch), a single mom, starts an affair with a Russian diplomat, Aleksandr (Sergei Polunin). At first, Hélène enjoys these encounters with Aleksandr when he comes into town. But then, Hélène becomes so obsessed with him that it becomes overwhelming. The result? Hélène neglects both her job and her son.
What to Watch For: The film was nominated for Best Picture at the 2020 San Sebastian International Film Festival.
Word on the Street: Laetitia Dosch is best known for her award-winning performance as Paula in the 2017 film Jeune femme.
My Take: I enjoyed writer/director Danielle Arbid’s 2017 film Peur de rien, so I won’t miss this film.
Redeeming Love (2022)
Rating; PG-13
Release Date: In theaters nationwide on Friday, January 21, 2022.
Summary: In Redeeming Love, Angel (Abigail Cowen) is the daughter of a woman (Nina Dobrev) who was forced into prostitution. Angel is now on the same path as her mother until she meets Michael (Tom Lewis). Michael believes that love can conquer any problem or obstacle set in their way.
What to Watch For: The film is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Francine Rivers.
Word on the Street: Abigail Cowen is known for her roles in Stranger Things and The Fosters. She also appears in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina as Dorcas.
My Take: I am a big fan of the Sabrina series, so I can’t wait to see what Abigail Cowen does in this role.
What New Movies Are You Planning to Watch This Week?
And that’s your new movies that releasing for the week of January 17 – January 23, 2022.
In our comment section below, let us know what new movies you are excited to see this week!
I will look out for Parallel Mothers because I’m a fan of Pedro Almodovar (and Penelope Cruz), and the plot sounds fascinating.
These all look good except for The King’s Daughter. A friend of mine screened it recently and just based on his review alone I don’t want to watch it. It sounds like a mess. But I have to watch Parallel Mothers!