Tom Hardy’s superhuman character returns for one last adventure in “Venom: The Last Dance,” while Ben Wheatley pits a group of kids against zombies in a new TV series. As we dive into what’s happening in cinema, music, art, and more, here’s a closer look at the latest offerings for your weekend plans.
**Cinema Highlights**
*Dahomey* explores the return of 26 royal treasures from the kingdom of Dahomey to modern-day Benin, blending fact with fiction. Directed by Mati Diop, the film won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year.
*Echoes in Time,* running at BFI Southbank from October 28 to New Year’s Eve, features an exciting lineup of Korean films, including rare prints and restorations curated by Young Jin, Eric Choi, and Goran Topalovic, coinciding with the London Korean Film Festival from November 1 to 13.
In *Venom: The Last Dance,* Tom Hardy reprises his dual role as investigative journalist Eddie Brock, who is still host to the alien symbiote, giving him superhuman powers. This installment is touted as the last in the trilogy, suggesting a potential reboot could feature Paul Mescal in the near future.
*The Front Room* showcases Kathryn Hunter as a mother-in-law from hell in this psychological horror film, where themes of pregnancy and religious cults weave through Belinda’s challenging postpartum journey.
**Gig Scene**
Charlotte Day Wilson, who gained fame through collaborations with BadBadNotGood and Daniel Caesar, is set to perform in Manchester on October 29, Bristol on October 30, and London on October 31. Her enchanting soul music, highlighted in her recent album *Cyan Blue,* continues to gain recognition.
Canadian rock band Sum 41 kicks off their final tour promoting their last album *Heaven :x: Hell* starting October 26 in Leeds, packing their setlist with fan favorites like “Fat Lip” and “In Too Deep.”
US saxophonist Donny McCaslin, known for his work on David Bowie’s *Blackstar,* will perform in North Shields on October 26, with an impressive lineup featuring bassist Tim Lefebvre.
Catch the Mid Wales Opera’s touring show *Pagliacci/Clowns* from October 29 at the Taliesin Arts Centre, showcasing a cast of five in a new English translation of Leoncavallo’s tragedy.
**Art Exhibitions**
At the V&A South Kensington, *Energy* runs until May 18, showcasing the interplay between light and human energy through powerful photographic works.
Fans of the Italian Renaissance won’t want to miss *Drawing the Italian Renaissance* at the King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace from November 1 to March 9, featuring intimate sketches by masters like Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci.
*Land Sea Sky* at The Box in Plymouth brings together diverse interpretations of landscape, featuring works from JMW Turner to Ingrid Pollard, and runs until January 12.
**Theater Productions**
Vittorio Angelone’s new show, continuing his anthropological inquiries into identity, performs at The Wardrobe in Leeds on October 27.
The Belfast International Arts Festival features *The Gate House* by Michael McEvoy on November 1-2, exploring family history through dance.
Don’t miss *A Streetcar Named Desire,* returning to the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh until November 9, which pairs Tennessee Williams’ classic with a captivating jazz score.
Teaching kids about friendship and adventure, *The Vanishing Elephant* is a family-friendly production at the Grand Opera House in Belfast from October 31 to November 2.
**Streaming**
On October 27 at 9 pm, don’t miss *Generation Z* on Channel 4, a comedy-horror series from Ben Wheatley featuring Sue Johnston and Robert Lindsay as care-home residents turned zombies.
*Storyville: Eternal You,* airing on BBC Four on October 29, examines the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and creating digital avatars of deceased individuals—a reflection on our increasingly complex relationship with technology.
On Netflix, *The Diplomat* returns on October 31 with Keri Russell’s ambassador navigating political tension and conspiracy, while *The Manhattan Alien Abduction* on October 30 investigates a woman’s alleged extraterrestrial encounter from 1989, blending documentary and intrigue.
**Gaming**
Fans of *Call of Duty: Black Ops 6* can dive into nostalgic action set in the ’90s, available on multiple consoles now, while *Life Is Strange: Double Exposure* releases on Tuesday, bringing a new supernatural mystery to life.
**Music Albums**
Laura Marling releases her eighth solo album, *Patterns in Repeat,* showcasing her trademark delicacy and lyrical depth. Halsey’s *The Great Impersonator* reveals raw personal layers in the wake of her health struggles, while Underworld returns with *Strawberry Hotel,* offering a mix of energetic beats and sonic experiments.
Amyl and the Sniffers tackle modern crises in their latest release, *Cartoon Darkness,* echoing punk rock’s rebellious spirit.
**Podcasts and Reads**
The podcast *Ear Hustle* provides a revealing look at life within California’s prisons, while *Iraq’s Secret Women’s Shelters,* airing on BBC World Service on October 31, highlights the struggles and courage of women supporting survivors of domestic abuse.
This weekend is packed with engaging options for cultural enthusiasts—whether you’re stepping out for a film, concert, theatrical production, or staying in to explore new streaming content, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
