Here are all the best movies to watch over the holidays – from favourites like Elf and Paddington to the latest from Mission: Impossible and Knives Out. Plus, two of the sexiest films ever made
Daniel Craig’s quirky sleuth Benoit Blanc is again the connecting thread in this twisty Knives Out case, but writer-director Rian Johnson boldly keeps him – and the murder – off screen for a good half an hour. Instead, at its heart is Jud (a superb Josh O’Connor), a young Catholic priest who butts heads with his new monsignor, Josh Brolin’s fire-and-brimstone Jefferson. Their flock – Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington – provide starry support in an unexpectedly moving exploration of truth and belief. Simon Wardell
Out now, Netflix
Made in conjunction with Formula One’s governing body, Joseph Kosinski’s pit-lane drama smacks of the real thing. Filmed at actual grand prix alongside actual drivers, it’s a high-gloss redemption tale in which Brad Pitt’s rule-bending, has-been racer is asked to save a failing F1 team threatened with a takeover – but only has nine races to do it. Damson Idris (surely based on producer Lewis Hamilton) is the rookie with lessons learn from the older man. It’s great fun watching Pitt do his laconic charmer routine and the action is suitably spectacular. SW
