Movies Update: Skarsgards aplenty

Plus, a shocking, Oscar-nominated desert thriller hits theaters.

View in browser|nytimes.com February 6, 2026 SUPPORTED BY APPLE TV By Mekado Murphy Hey, movie fans! It's a Skarsgard week of sorts in the film world. Our Projectionist columnist, Kyle Buchanan, spoke to Stellan Skarsgard about his Oscar-nominated role in "Sentimental Value" (in theaters and available on demand), in which he plays a filmmaker who has a strained relationship with his daughters. Fresh off a Golden Globe win, Skarsgard spoke about the demands of awards campaigns: "If you're a good artist, you should not have to be a good self-promoter," he said. The actor's son Alexander Skarsgard is in the spotlight this week as well. Having just hosted "Saturday Night Live," he is starring, alongside Harry Melling in the B.D.S.M.-tinged comedy "Pillion," out this weekend. In her critic's pick review of the movie, Jeannette Catsoulis wrote, "With immense sensitivity, the screenwriter and director Harry Lighton, making his feature debut, stages sequences that deepen the characters and expand our understanding of their lives." Outside of Skarsgard news, the shocking desert thriller "Sirat," which received two Oscar nominations, has come to theaters, and is also a critic's pick. In her review, The Times's chief film critic, Manohla Dargis, wrote that the movie is "an assertion of life in its raw totality." And if you're looking for something to watch at home, the critic Robert Daniels, offers 10 selections for Black History Month that highlight the range and evolution of Black film. Enjoy the movies! Jason Nocito for The New York Times The Projectionist Why Stellan Skarsgard Wasn't Sure He Could Handle 'Sentimental Value' After a stroke four years ago, the actor has changed how he approaches performances, including the one he's become an awards favorite for. By Kyle Buchanan and Jason Nocito A24 Critic's Pick 'Pillion' Review: An Opposites-Attract 'Dom-Com' A shy young man is captivated by a hunky biker in this bold, funny and achingly tenderhearted B.D.S.M. romance. By Jeannette Catsoulis Neon Critic's pick 'Sirat' Review: A Shocker in the Desert The Galician director Oliver Laxe delivers a mesmerizing thriller about a man's search for his lost daughter, set amid raves in the punishing Sahara. By Manohla Dargis A MESSAGE FROM APPLE TV For Your Consideration "Come See Me in the Good Light" is an Academy Award® nominee for Best Documentary Feature. Streaming on Apple TV Watch Now CRITICS' PICKS Sony Pictures Classics Critic's Pick 'The President's Cake' Review: Party Politics Shot in Iraq, this period piece depicts a young girl's efforts to prepare for a celebration of Saddam Hussein's birthday. By Ben Kenigsberg Les Films du Nouveau Monde/Strand Releasing Critic's Pick 'Calle Málaga' Review: Living an Even Better Life The Spanish actor Carmen Maura shines as a widow forced to sell her childhood home in Morocco in this film by Maryam Touzani. By Lisa Kennedy Obscured Releasing Critic's Pick 'Starman' Review: What's Really Out There? The theories laid out by the aerospace engineer Gentry Lee in this new documentary may blow your mind. By Glenn Kenny MOVIE REVIEWS Regine Mahaux/Amazon MGM Studios 'Melania' Review: 20 Stage-Managed Days in the Life of the First Lady Directed by Brett Ratner, the documentary shows a woman deeply concerned with her appearance who rarely lets us behind her facade. By Manohla Dargis Netflix Documentary Lens Chess With an Extra Dash of Excitement: A Female Star's Story Framed as a sports tale, "Queen of Chess," directed by Rory Kennedy, recounts the life of Judit Polgar, who battled sexism as much as rival players. By Alissa Wilkinson John Armour/Lionsgate 'The Strangers: Chapter 3' Review: Devils in Disguise The final installment in the trilogy reboot of "The Strangers," a genuinely terrifying 2008 home invasion film, brings the masked nonsense to a close. By Erik Piepenburg GKIDS 'Kokuho' Review: Over Decades, an Artist's Life This nearly three hour historical drama became Japan's highest grossing live action film of all time, and for mostly good reason. By Brandon Yu Angel Studios 'Solo Mio' Review: Wishful Thinking in Italy After being left at the altar, Matt (Kevin James) finds himself alone in Rome. But don't worry, he'll quickly find an Italian woman to fall for him. By Calum Marsh Vertical 'Dracula' Review: Fangs and a Lot of Fragrance Luc Besson's extravagantly silly twist on the timeless monster, played by Caleb Landry Jones, is deliciously operatic but ultimately a letdown. By Chris Azzopardi Kino Lorber 'Jimpa' Review: In Search of a Queer Education A nonbinary teenager pays a visit to their grandfather, a gay professor, in this intergenerational story that slips from sweet into cloying. By Natalia Winkelman NEWS & FEATURES Jono White for The New York Times How a 'Harry Potter' Star Went From PG to B.D.S.M. The actor Harry Melling shed his image as Harry's cruel cousin, Dudley Dursley — and his clothes — to star in the queer romance "Pillion." By Sarah Bahr George Etheredge for The New York Times 7 Brothers, an In-Law and a Movie Dream These siblings (and an in-law) turned their childhood love of Hollywood into a family enterprise that has resulted in "Solo Mio," starring Kevin James. By Sarah Bahr Grasshopper Film & Arbelos Films Rewind In 'Nadja,' Dracula's Daughter Goes Downtown This triumph of low-budget filmmaking will shimmer for a week at Brooklyn Academy of Music. By J. Hoberman The New York Times Why the Future of the Movies Lives on Letterboxd The entertainment industry is in crisis, but a social platform for film enthusiasts is thriving. Is it changing the way we watch? By Alexandra Kleeman STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Janus Films 10 Movies to Stream for Black History Month Watch these selections that highlight the range and evolution of Black film. By Robert Daniels Leah Gallo/Disney Enterprises 5 Children's Movies to Stream Now This month's picks include the newest installment in a sci-fi saga for teenagers and a feature version of a beloved TV show for tots. By Dina Gachman Song Kyoung-sub/Netflix Five International Movies to Stream Now This month's picks include a Korean political satire, an Indian thriller set in the world of dog-breeding, a biopic of a Czech athlete-turned-porn star and more. By Devika Girish Christopher Barr/Netflix The Best Movies and TV Shows Coming to Netflix in February A new series from the creator of "Derry Girls" and an inside look at the world of competitive ice dancing are among the highlights this month. By Noel Murray Prime The Best Movies and TV Shows Coming to Disney+, Amazon, HBO Max, Peacock and More in February The docuseries "Soul Power" and "The Muppet Show" arrive, and "Dark Winds," "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters," "Scrubs" and "John Oliver" return. By Noel Murray How are we doing? We'd love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to moviesupdate@nytimes.com. Like this email? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here. 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