The digital industry, including streaming services and social media, often creates traps that capture user attention. One such trap is the feeling that one is 'falling behind the conversation the whole world is having.'
Examples of this phenomenon can be seen in Netflix's 'Top 10' rankings, which signal to the viewer: 'watch what everyone else is watching, and you aren't.' A similar effect is observed on social media when a viral video discussing a film or series gains a huge number of likes, comments, and shares, causing the viewer to feel excluded.
However, the author of this newsletter proposes a different view: there is no need to watch what seems like the entire world is watching. Of course, viewing is possible, but one should beware of FOMO—the English acronym meaning 'fear of missing out.' This counterargument provides context for a new section in the newsletter.
For those interested in new releases, this newsletter also features reviews and first impressions of what has appeared in cinemas and on streaming platforms this week. The new section, which could be called 'what we are watching' or 'what we are watching now,' will contain reviews and initial opinions on what captured the authors' interest.
The author emphasizes that not everything in this section will be about things that 'everyone is watching.' Although the author and his colleague constantly follow trends and new releases (such as an Emmy-winning series), sometimes they simply follow their internal impulse when choosing content. This means the choice might fall on a 2024 series that has been on the waitlist for two years.
This happened this week. The author explains that his choice was not entirely detached from new releases because he is participating in a marathon of Marvel's VisionQuest series, which is set to premiere on Disney+ on October 14th. This series concludes what Marvel called a 'series trilogy,' which began with WandaVision (2021), continued with Agatha All Along (2024), and culminates in VisionQuest (2026).
The author had already watched WandaVision and followed it during its release. He missed the Agatha All Along series in 2024 but added it to his list by the end of the same year. Then, taking advantage of VisionQuest's imminent release, he decided to watch Agatha All Along and was not disappointed. He admits that he had high expectations for the series and did not try to predict the plot development.
He was simply curious how the story of wandering witches would connect with the materialization of Wanda Maximoff's grief (Elizabeth Olsen). Whether the viewer likes it or not, the series demonstrates this, and the journey to and after this moment is at least peculiar. In the author's opinion, this is a connection to WandaVision—another unusual production from the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe).
Since it is difficult to discuss the series without spoilers, readers are advised to be prepared. Agatha Harkness (Katrina Hahn) is an ancient witch who appears in disguise in WandaVision. Initially, she is presented as Wanda's best friend in the Westview anomaly, a fictional town in New Jersey, USA.
It later turns out that the witch was behind various antics involving Wanda and Vision in the suburbs (hence the series title). Agatha desired Wanda's power. In the finale, they fight, and the witch loses. By absorbing the 'mantle' of the Scarlet Witch, Wanda not only wins the battle but also strips Agatha of her powers, trapping her in a spell.
This is how Agatha All Along begins. After Wanda's apparent death (which occurred in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness), the witch's path intersects with that of a mysterious young man played by Joe Locke (Heartstopper). He helps Agatha break Wanda's spell and convinces her to embark on the Path of Witches. Legend says that clan members who reach the end of this path 'receive what is missing.'
In Agatha's case, it is her powers. As for the young man... well, it's complicated. Watch the series to understand. Despite the lack of expectations and assumptions, it was hard not to think it would be another odyssey-style story after watching the trailer. However, diving into this series shortly after watching Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' made the parallel obvious.
Nevertheless, this does not diminish the merits of the series; it is simply the type of story it tells. The author's main conclusion is that Agatha All Along entertained him. He liked most how the plot deepened into five witches of an improvised coven opposing the Path over nine episodes. At the beginning of the journey, the group consists of certain characters, and then another witch joins the coven: Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), who acts as the Green Witch and disrupts the moral balance.
Each witch goes through her own 'character study,' some more deeply than others. But the script's effort is noticeable. The most captivating for the author was the exploration of Lily. Parallel to Nolan's films, the seventh episode, dedicated to the perception of the prophetess, reminded him of 'Memento' (one of the director's favorite films). It was a pleasure. Another detail he really liked was how the production used theatrical language (and even aesthetics at the end of one scene) at different points.
Although the author guessed the genre of the story Agatha All Along would tell, its directions surprised him, and the plot twists (yes, plural) hooked him. These are the twists that work if you don't think too much about them, especially those in the final part. But in his case, they fulfilled their function, sparking curiosity and making him want to know what would happen next.
Ultimately, Agatha All Along is not one of those smart or grand life-changing works. It is not a perfectly constructed piece according to all rules. It is a product with its own stylistic flair that entertains. And it leaves the question: how will it fit into VisionQuest? On October 14th, perhaps this mystery will begin to be solved.
Speaking of Marvel, the 'warm-up' officially began for Avengers: Doctor Doom, whose premiere is scheduled for December 17th. This is related to the fact that Avengers: Endgame was released in theaters this week. The main plot remains the same, but the new version includes about six minutes of exclusive scenes and a new post-credits scene focusing on the villain Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.). The goal of this release is primarily to serve as a bridge to the next appearance of the Avengers in the MCU.
The film, directed by David Ayer (Suicide Squad), tells the story of James Belmont (Brad Pitt), a special forces veteran who is involved in a plane crash in Alaska. Completely isolated in one of the planet's harshest regions, he has to confront the wilderness to survive. His only help is Odin, a German Shepherd and working dog he trained as a puppy in the Middle East. Together, the man and the dog face physical and emotional difficulties in an attempt to regain civilization.
In this thriller with horror elements, Pastor and trainer Virginia (Bruna Linzmeyer) organizes an exclusive retreat at a mansion for preaching female submission. Three followers win participation in the immersion. However, Hermina (Maria Galant) cannot fit into the imposed model and begins to suspect dangerous secrets of the leader.
In another dramatic storyline, two wealthy teenagers set fire to an ATM and kill a homeless woman. The crime is captured by surveillance cameras, but the perpetrators' faces are not visible in the footage. Panic sets in when the parents learn the truth. On one hand, Sandra (Margot Estiano) and Paulo (Alexandre Nero) want to cover up the case to protect their son. On the other hand, Celso (Emilio De Mello) and Anna (Hermila Guedes) advocate for turning the young people over to the police.
Joe and Raissa's best friends open a mysterious portal together on the last night before one of them moves to the United States. They end up in Nakali, a magical island full of fantastic creatures from Philippine folklore. However, the place hides danger: the longer they stay there, the more their memories begin to disappear. Now they must race against time to avoid the oblivion of friendship itself.
The young elastic pirate Luffy and his crew set out to search for the lost treasure of legendary Wunnan. The journey turns into a race against time with the arrival of the greedy villain Eldorado, who wants wealth at any cost. Using special abilities, the group must face dangerous battles to get to the gold first.