October 10, 2025 arrived with a surprising mix of films and shows across theatres and streaming platforms. Some titles carry the weight of a legacy, others ride the wave of true crime fascination or remote drama. All of them battle for attention in a crowded entertainment landscape. Below is a look at what’s arrived and why they might matter.
- Tron: Ares: Legacy Meets AI in Physical Space
The third chapter in the Tron Series and the sequel to the Joseph Kosinski’s directed Tron: Legacy, which gained cult status for its visuals and Daft Punk’s acclaimed score, returns this Friday with title, ‘Tron Ares’. In this film, rather than staying inside the grid, this chapter sends an advanced program into the real world to confront humanity with artificial intelligence. The release is global, with 3D, IMAX, Dolby Cinema and other premium formats in play.
Jared Leto leads as Ares, a program crossing dimensional boundaries with ambitious implications. Visual effects have always defined the Tron franchise. This time, the challenge is merging digital spectacle with real-world stakes. Some early reviews say it improves on “Legacy” in terms of narrative weight and scale.
The film also stars Past Lives fame, Greta Lee, who plays Eve Kim. Her performance is a frequent highlight in reviews, praised for grounding the film’s high concept in humanity. Jeff Bridges returns from the previous films and standup comedian Hasan Minhaj stars in the film.
One of the most talked-about elements is the choice of Nine Inch Nails (Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross) to compose the film’s score. This marks the first time the duo is credited under their band name rather than individually. The soundtrack album was released on September 19, 2025. Critics say the score is a standout. The industrial-rock textures contrast sharply with the sleek neon visuals, and the music is often singled out as the most consistent aspect of the film.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, Tron: Ares holds a 53 % on Rotten Tomatoes from 95 critic reviews. On Metacritic, the film scores 49 out of 100, reflecting “mixed or average” reviews. Critics are divided. Many praise the visual ambition and the fresh musical direction, but bemoan the film’s lack of narrative coherence, shallow character arcs, and reliance on nostalgia. Some reviews suggest the score sometimes overshadows the storytelling, rescuing scenes that otherwise feel underpowered. However, fans have called it a great experience on a big screen.
- The Smashing Machine: Biopic Ambition, Emotional Cost
The Smashing Machine (2025) traces its lineage to the 2002 documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr, which presented a raw, visceral portrait of Kerr’s rise and clash with addiction and personal demons in the world of MMA fighting. The new film adapts that real life into narrative form, trying to balance spectacle with introspection.
Johnson’s portrayal of Mark Kerr is frequently cited as the film’s anchor. Critics call it transformative, surprising, and unlike much of his earlier work. In Financial Times, Johnson “bares his soul in bruising fighting drama,” capturing both physical force and internal fragility. Financial Times Emily Blunt plays Dawn Staples, Kerr’s romantic partner during pivotal early phases. Blunt herself has described watching Johnson take on the role as “life-changing,” recognizing the emotional risk and intensity he embraced. At Venice, the film reportedly received a 15-minute standing ovation, and Johnson was moved to tears, suggesting festival audiences embraced his dramatic shift.
The film currently sits at 72% approval on Rotten Tomatoes and is certified as fresh. The film releases in Premium Large Screens.
- Search: The Naina Murder Case — Crime, Psychology, and Indian Adaptation
On the OTT side, Jio Hotstar brings “Search: The Naina Murder Case” this Friday. The series adapts from Danish inspiration (The Killing), set in India with a deeply rooted local context. It centres on a teenager’s death, a police officer (played by Konkona Sensharma) leading the investigation, and suspects drawn from the victim’s circle: friends, teachers, and politicians. Konkona Sen Sharma, who captivated audiences with her remarkable performance in the 2024 hit Killer Soup, is once again making headlines. The acclaimed actress is set to return to the screen with Search: The Naina Murder Case, a gripping crime thriller and mystery drama.
The show’s structure spans six episodes; two drop Friday, and the rest follow weekly. Tone is cautious, not sensationalist. The makers seem keen to preserve tension rather than overload with twists. But in a crowded true crime and thriller space, standing out will require not just story but heart. For Indian audiences, it carries appeal: familiar setting, moral ambiguity, and characters you may already feel you know. For global viewers, the adaptation angle provides both curiosity and challenge.
- The Last Frontier — Remote Drama, Survival Stakes
Apple TV+ premieres its ten-episode drama “The Last Frontier” starting October 10, with two episodes debuting immediately. Set in Alaska, the show revolves around a plane crash in a remote area. Frank Remnick (Jason Clarke) must contend with survivors, including violent convicts, in a harsh environment.
This is not just survival drama. The series will explore human desperation, moral fractures, and how isolation tests character. The environment becomes another antagonist. Every Friday, a new episode arrives until December 5. Viewers will get a slow burn rather than serialised shock. The film received 57% approval on Rotten Tomatoes.
For those who love layered suspense and landscape as a storytelling tool, The Last Frontier may prove a surprise gem.
