Babies to The Drama: the week in rave reviews
Why it matters: These critically acclaimed works offer diverse, compelling narratives that resonate deeply with audiences, addressing themes from grief to societal expectations.
- Babies on BBC One/iPlayer, starring Paapa Essiedu and Siobhán Cullen, is hailed by Sarah Dempster as a "very special" and exquisitely acted drama about life after baby loss.
- The Drama, featuring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, is described by Peter Bradshaw as a "provocation" and "psychological meltdown" that delivers on its title, even as "backlash mounts over twist."
- Dear Killer Nannies on Disney+ offers Pablo Escobar’s son’s traumatic coming-of-age story, noted by Micha Frazer-Caroll for its "surprisingly emotionally-literate" exploration of adultification and trauma amidst expected action.
- Harry Clark Goes to Rome on iPlayer/BBC One is a moving pilgrimage where The Traitors winner reconnects with faith, but Lucy Mangan emphasizes the emotional impact of his relationship with his mother.
- A Woman of Substance on Channel 5, a remake starring Brenda Blethyn, is celebrated by Lucy Mangan as a "perfect homage to the age of excess" and "four-star nonsense and delight," akin to "Dallas in Yorkshire."
- Kim Novak’s Vertigo presents an intensely personal interview with the 92-year-old Hollywood star, who speaks about how Hollywood imposes male views on women.
This week's top reviews highlight powerful dramas across TV and film, with "Babies" on BBC One/iPlayer earning high praise for its compassionate portrayal of baby loss, described as "unsettling, compassionate, funny, moving, wildly unpredictable and beautifully acted." On the cinematic front, "The Drama," starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, is lauded as a provocative "jeu d’ésprit of outrage" despite mounting backlash over its controversial twist.
