Best new movies and series arriving on NOW in September 2023

Every month, a new slate of titles is added to NOW’s library of films and TV shows—and Lillian Crawford picks the very best among them to watch. For the full list of everything arriving on the platform, scroll down.

Top Picks: TV

The Lovers (September 7)

This new series written by David Ireland and directed by Justin Martin tells an unlikely love story set in Belfast with sexy and humorous results. Supermarket-worker Janet, played by Roisin Gallagher, is pretty fed up with everything until she meets political broadcaster Seamus, played by Johnny Flynn, who already has a life in London with a famous girlfriend, played by Alice Eve. While the pair don’t exactly hit it off right away, they follow the classic rom-com narrative of breaking down each others prejudices and barriers until they fall helplessly in love. The whole series arrives on NOW all together.

Inside Greenpeace (September 17)

Founded in Canada in 1971, Greenpeace has worked internationally as one of the world’s biggest environmental protection organisations striving to save the planet. This new documentary for Sky investigates the inner workings of the organisation, from its headline-making campaigns to the everyday running of operations. Separated into five episodes, the documentary follows a group of activists within the organisation over the period of a year, gaining unprecedented access to Greenpeace’s work..

**Otto Baxter: Not a F*cking Horror Story/The Puppet Asylum (September 23)**

A powerful documentary making its way onto NOW in September tells the story of Otto Baxter, a 35-year-old man with Down’s Syndrome, over the course of six years. During this time Baxter writes and directs his own autobiography show, combining elements of comedy, horror, and musical theatre, set in Victorian London and making ingenious use of puppets. As Baxter takes control of his own narrative, external events continue to make his life a struggle, not least the death of his mother during filming. But he keeps going, revealing his unique perspective on the world.

Movies

TÁR (September 1)

One of the most hotly debated films of the year makes its way onto NOW this month, featuring a barnstorming performance from Cate Blanchett as the controversial conductor Lydia Tár. The film focuses on her preparations to record a performance of Mahler’s glorious Symphony No. 5 in Berlin, which is derailed by a series of grooming allegations made against her by former female colleagues. The result is an extraordinary examination of power structures in the world of classical music by writer and director Todd Field, deftly and enigmatically handled by Blanchett.

Knock at the Cabin (September 15)

M. Night Shyamalan is the most Marmite of directors—some embrace his films as camp horror flicks, while others criticise his clunky dialogue and absurd plot twists. Perhaps Knock at the Cabin will please both, elegantly adapting Paul G. Tremblay’s novel into a modern apocalypse chamber piece with terrific performances from Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, and Dave Bautista. Following a couple on holiday with their daughter at a log cabin, they are disturbed by a motley crew of thuggish characters who attempt to convince them that the world is going to end. It’s surprisingly moving and often genuinely scary, which keeps the audience guessing until the closing moments as to what will happen.

Spin Me Round (September 17)

Jeff Baena’s comedy sets itself up to be a sapphic drama between Alison Brie and Aubrey Plaza, although sadly this is only teased in the first half of the film. The rest is a peculiar tale about a manager at an American Italian chain restaurant who is selected to attend a training program in Italy, and the bizarre encounters she has there. The film goes in every possible inconceivable direction, but if one is willing to go along for the ride, a fun time will be had by all.