Latest news with #VforVendetta
Metro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Dystopian thriller dubbed 'provocative and disturbing' now streaming on Netflix
A 'disturbing' thriller film with a star-studded cast is now available to stream on Netflix. With a cast made up of Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Stephen Fry, John Hurt, and Rupert Graves, V for Vendetta was released in 2006 and directed by James McTeigue. Set in a dystopian totalitarian Britain, it follows a masked freedom fighter known simply as V (Weaving) who uses terrorist tactics to fight the oppressive regime. When he saves Evey (Portman) from the secret police, he gains a new ally in his fight against the tyrannical government. It is based on the DC graphic novel series of the same name, and anti-establishment political groups have adopted V's iconic Guy Fawkes mask over the years to promote their beliefs. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. V For Vendetta was a box office success, raking in $134.7 million (£90M) worldwide against a budget of around $50M (£36.7M). To mark its 20th anniversary, the film has arrived on Netflix for users to stream right now. It holds a 73% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics' consensus reading: 'Visually stunning and thought-provoking, V For Vendetta's political pronouncements may rile some, but its story and impressive set pieces will nevertheless entertain.' Cinefilia wrote in their review: 'Not only do I think it's a pretty prophetic cult film, but it's also fast-paced and highly entertaining narrating its dystopia about the anarchist vigilante wearing the Guy Fawkes mask to fight a totalitarian regime.' Oulook dubbed it 'a bizarre, farcical, political allegory-cum-thriller,' while USA Today said it was 'visually exhilarating, provocative and disturbing.' New York Post added: 'Just when we were ready to give up mainstream movies as braindead, along comes the controversial and gleefully subversive V for Vendetta, a piece of corporate-sponsored art that will have audiences rooting for a bomb-throwing anarchist.' 'Whether you're mindless or Mensa, you'll find stuff here to challenge and trouble you, the way a good piece of speculative fiction should,' TIME Magazine said. summarised: 'V for Vendetta is the ballsiest major Hollywood motion picture I've seen this young millennium.' Speaking to IndieLondon, Star Wars icon Portman explained what it was about V for Vendetta that attracted her to the project. 'It was very interesting for me to consider the mindset of someone who goes from being non-violent to being drawn towards using violence to express her political beliefs,' she explained. More Trending 'I enjoyed the fact that it was a complicated journey that can be interpreted on many different levels – maybe she's being manipulated, maybe she's finding her true self, and just developing pragmatism over idealism. 'I appreciated the complicated view of what would make someone want to do this sort of thing.' V For Vendetta is streaming now on Netflix Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Superman's new Lois Lane hopes latest superhero reboot 'does the fans proud' MORE: Netflix star apologises after 'leaking major spoiler' 6 months before finale MORE: Netflix thriller climbs up top 10 with new season despite being labelled 'tripe'
Tom's Guide
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Netflix just added a gripping dystopian thriller movie — and there's never been a better time to watch it
In the words of Olivia Rodrigo, 'it's brutal out here' (yes, I've had the pop stars' Glastonbury headline set on repeat this week). I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds the current state of society in general more than a little concerning, and that's where 'V for Vendetta' comes in. This 2005 dystopian action-thriller arrives on Netflix this month and presents a future vision of the United Kingdom where the country is ruled through media propaganda and extreme suppression. Okay, so things aren't quite that bad in the U.K. in 2025, but still, the movie's commentary on a cruel, totalitarian government feels more timely than ever. Putting the politics of the comic book movie aside, taken on its own merits, it's still a gripping watch, anchored by excellent leading performances from Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving. Plus, John Hurt pops up in a supporting role, which is a nice bit of synergy, considering the 'Alien' star also featured in the most popular movie adaptation of 'Nineteen Eighty-Four," pretty much the biggest name in dystopian fiction. So, if you're looking for an engaging action-thriller movie with something worthwhile to say, this week, here's why 'V for Vendetta' should be at the top of your Netflix watchlist. Based on the popular DC Comics graphic novel of the same name by Alan Moore, David Lloyd and Tony Weare, 'V for Vendetta' takes viewers to a future Britain ruled over by the Norsefire party. It's ruthless leader, High Chancellor Adam Sutler (Hurt), ensures the population is controlled using totalitarian methods like propaganda and public executions. Evey Hammond (Portman) works for a state-influenced TV network, but her life is thrown into chaos when she encounters V (Weaving), a mask-wearing vigilante who is working to spark a revolution. After aiding V's escape from Norsefire enforcers, Evey becomes a public enemy and must go into hiding. Slowly developing a bond with V, the pair are hunted down by a police inspector (Stephen Rea). But as he gets closer to uncovering V's whereabouts and his mysterious past, he begins to wonder if he's become a pawn in a corrupt system. 'V for Vendetta' was already a great movie in 2005, and its message about the power that the general population can wield when united under a worthy cause is increasingly worth listening to. Plus, its nods to propaganda and the dangers of misinformation are undeniably relevant in our current social media age, where 'fake news' can spread unchecked like wildfire. But as noted, even divorced from its core message, 'V for Vendetta' is a rip-roaring thrill ride that packs well-choreographed action and a gripping plot with plenty of reveals and some seriously slick moments. I particularly enjoy the ending, which ties it all together neatly. V's Guy Fawkes mask has become a rallying symbol for several anti-establishment groups over the past two decades, which has served to only enhance the movie's enduring reputation. It's a slick and effective dystopian thriller with plenty of substance beyond the fast-paced action and well-paced plot. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a strong 90% score from viewers, and while the critics score is a little lower at 76%, the site's consensus reads, 'Visually stunning and thought-provoking, 'V For Vendetta's' political pronouncements may rile some, but its story and impressive set pieces will nevertheless entertain.' Not quite feeling this one, or seen it already? Here's a guide to everything new on Netflix in July 2025, which includes plenty of watchlist-worthy movies and bingeable TV shows. Watch "V for Vendetta" on Netflix now
Daily Record
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix latest 'must-watch' film for royal fans with star-studded cast
The Other Boleyn Girl, which is currently available to stream on Netflix, stars two of Hollywood's biggest actresses and has been praised by viewers for its 'very good' acting. The understated period drama The Other Boleyn Girl, released in 2008 and featuring Scarlett Johansson alongside other top-tier talent, has been praised for its "very good" performances. Set in the 16th century, it tells the story of royal affairs. At the heart of the film is Mary Boleyn, once a consort of King Henry VIII, and her sister Anne, whose ultimate fate was to face execution by the same king. It is now currently available to stream on Netflix. A critic from Rotten Tomatoes observed: "With all of the dukes, earls, counts, viscounts, countesses, and whatnot to keep track of, The Other Boleyn Girl will probably appeal primarily to fans of British royalty and all of the associated hoopla that goes along with it." Dipping into an era thick with scandal, the storyline delves into the dramatic episodes that culminate in Anne Boleyn's harrowing downfall, depicting her union with the monarch as fraught with treachery and anguish. The beheading of Anne Boleyn in 1536 on charges of treason marked a pivotal moment, setting alight the sparks of the English Reformation, as reported by the Mirror. Natalie Portman plays the ill-starred Anne Boleyn, Scarlett Johansson embodies Mary, while Eric Bana takes on the role of King Henry VIII. Following her celebrated performance in the memorable V for Vendetta, Portman embraces the bygone epoch with hair extensions for her role. Commentators have remarked: "Very good acting from both Portman and Johansson. An overall good watch. Not periodically sound, but the execution was very good." The Other Boleyn Girl compellingly recasts a family entrenched in political machinations, vying for influence over the king. The film not only offers a window into the alleged off-stage drama within the Royal Family, but also sets itself against a pivotal chapter in British history, marking the era when Henry VIII made divorce part of the country's narrative. Despite the consensus that the performances are a highlight, the movie has encountered its fair share of critics. A spectator remarked: "I found the movie to be very entertaining. I don't know what happened in the past history for the events that occurred, but the movie itself was quite good." Upon its release, The Guardian awarded the production a respectable three stars out of five, dubbing it a "flashy, silly, undeniably entertaining Tudor romp". Someone in the audience noted the film as a "routinely narrated story". They added: "Here it is told well with a great cast delivering performances that are trying to keep pace given the squeezing of so much into such a relatively short time frame. Yes, it takes liberties with the original how else do you retell it? Certainly worth a watch."
Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Indian Express
How a near perfect diamond heist was ‘foiled' 2 months later — due to old prison mates' betrayal
From creating a triple failsafe to hide his identity, to learning tradecraft from jailhouse 'experts', a first-time diamond thief nearly got away with stealing 11,655 precious stones in Gujarat. Described by an investigator as the case 'with the highest probability of not being solved,' the heist was executed by a highly skilled repeat offender who had previously been jailed for petty thefts and house break-ins. Last month, he allegedly stole 11,655 diamonds weighing 130.55 carats and worth Rs 60.83 lakh from a polishing unit in Rajkot. Then, he disappeared for nearly two months, with multiple investigative teams hitting dead ends — until an overlooked clue led to the capture of a suspect. On Friday, May 29, Rajkot City Police's Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) announced the arrest of 34-year-old Ajay Jagdish Lallu Nayka, a resident of Umarpada in Surat, for stealing the diamonds on the intervening night of April 10-11. In early April, police said, Nayka began surveying the Bhaktinagar area of Rajkot, known for its cluster of diamond polishing units. After identifying a vulnerable unit, he allegedly hid tools in a shed next door, ensuring they were out of sight. Nayka allegedly made two failed attempts on consecutive nights due to people being present at the site. On the third night, April 10, he 'succeeded'. Carrying a bag of clothes and masks, he allegedly broke into the vault using the specialized cutting tools and stole the diamonds. 'We were completely blind,' said Inspector Jadav. He said Nayka had employed three layers of identity protection: first, the accused wore a Guy Fawkes mask — popularised by the 1982 graphic novel V for Vendetta and its 2006 film adaptation. Second, Nayka allegedly disabled and removed the security control room's Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and hard disk. Third, he changed his clothes inside and walked on the road divider to evade surrounding CCTVs. 'Most CCTVs aren't angled to capture the divider or don't have sufficient range, especially at night,' said an investigator. After reviewing footage from over 100 cameras, police found no usable images of Nayka. The triple failsafe had worked, right until he failed to sell the diamonds. In May, Nayka travelled to Vapi and Surat to sell the diamonds on the black market. But the diamond industry, being tightly knit, had already been alerted statewide. Unable to enter the legitimate or even black market, he turned to the grey market. 'He had researched how to steal diamonds, but not how to sell them,' said ACP B B Basiya. Nayka didn't know the stones' value and received 'wildly different price quotes', which confused him. Fearing exposure, he decided to wait until the case went cold. He allegedly hid the diamonds in an abandoned factory and returned to Umarpada. 'With no CCTV and no phone usage by Nayka, we had to explore other tactics,' said an officer. Investigators began tracing sellers of the specialized cutting tools used in the heist. 'There are four firms selling the drill machines and six selling the variable spanners. Nayka bought both locally in Rajkot but paid in cash, without bills,' the officer said. This lack of documentation stalled progress once again. These no-bill purchases, often done to evade taxes, are now under scrutiny. Local police are investigating retailers who sold tools to Nayka without invoices. 'Stealing diamonds from reinforced safes requires expert-level precision using magnetic drills, cutters, and variable spanners,' said PI M R Gondaliya of the Crime Branch. Police questioned 15 suspects previously involved in diamond heists, including three jailed for a 2023 case in Mahudi Taluka. All three were in the same Rajkot Central Jail barracks as Nayka, during his 2024 imprisonment for a house break-in. 'These men told us Nayka had been very curious about their methods,' said PI Jadav. 'He asked detailed questions about tools and techniques. They unknowingly trained him.' Already familiar with fabrication tools, Nayka allegedly combined this jailhouse knowledge with YouTube tutorials to sharpen his skills. With Nayka's arrest and recovery of the hidden diamonds, the case has now been transferred to the Bhaktinagar police station for further investigation.
New York Post
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Natalie Portman reveals why she prefers living in Paris with her kids over Los Angeles: ‘Very good at privacy'
Natalie Portman prefers to raise her family in The City of Light as opposed to under the Hollywood stars. The 'Black Swan' actress, who moved to Paris in 2014, revealed she loves living in a European city that's bustling but has a culture that's polite and 'very good at privacy.' 'Even when it's cold and gray, there's always some incredible exhibit or concert or dinner party or writers in town; something fascinating and stimulating happening… and the frequent vacations are so clutch!' Portman told fashion outlet Net-a-Porter on Monday. 4 Natalie Portman and her family moved to Paris in 2014. WireImage Portman, 43, pushed back on a stereotype about how French residents are rude, pointing out the 'weird' social differences between the US and France. 'I find the people here are actually incredibly friendly – you just have to know how to interact, so that we're not the ones being rude,' Portman said. 'Now, when I go back to the US, I'm like, oh, I would go into a store and not say hello to everyone there? It's weird.' The 'V for Vendetta' star insisted that cultural differences do not equal rudeness. 'I think we have an assumption that Western cultures are all the same, and kind of evened out by all this pop culture that everyone consumes,' Portman claimed. 'It's not true: it's extremely specific here.' In 2014, Portman ditched Los Angeles and moved to Paris alongside her then-husband Benjamin Millepied, whom she met when he was a choreographer and dancer on the set of 'Black Swan.' The Oscar winner shares two children, Aleph,13, and Amalia, 8, with Millepied. 4 Portman loved how Parisians are 'very good at privacy.' Reynaud Julien/APS-Medias/ABACA/Shutterstock But the couple ended up calling it quits and finalized their divorce in March 2024 after Millepied had an alleged affair with a 25-year-old climate activist named Camille Étienne. The actress is now reportedly dating French musician Tanguy Destable. Portman stayed in France following the breakup with Millepied and praised how parents raise kids in France. 'All the kids that come to my house are, like, 'bonjour Madame' – and give me the bise [cheek-to-cheek kiss],' Portman told the outlet. 'And before they leave, they are, like, 'thank you for having me' – and if I'm not nearby, they'll come and find me to say it.' 4 Portman is reportedly dating a French musician after she finalized her divorce from Benjamin Millepied in March 2024. AFP via Getty Images Portman was born in Jerusalem, Israel, and rose to fame as a teenage star acting in films like 'Heat,' 'Mars Attacks' and 'Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.' She's not the only star who ditched the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles for a better family life. In 2014, Matthew McConaughey and his wife, Camila Alves, planted their roots in Austin, Texas. 4 Stars like Millie Bobby Brown and Matthew McConaughey left Los Angeles for a different lifestyle. Instagram / Millie Bobby Brown The 'Interstellar' actor, who was born and raised in the Lone Star State, said he always planned to return and raise a family and to be closer to his mother and two older brothers, who also live in Texas. 'I wanted them to have what I grew up around… There's a solid… amount of common sense that runs through it, it's untalked about, but we understand it here,' McConaughey told 'Today' in 2014. 'Stranger Things' actress Millie Bobby Brown swapped Hollywood for farm life in rural Georgia with her husband Jake Bongiovi, the son of singer Jon Bon Jovi. The couple tied the knot in May 2024 and Brown insisted that she loved the lifestyle during a March 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, but added that the country life is not easy. 'If you're not picking up horse s–t or washing a cow with your bare hands, then that life is not made for you. At all,' she told the outlet.
