This week offers a strong mix of high-octane action and deeply personal drama, led by the intense narcotics thriller The Rip, alongside the moving family chronicle Goodbye June and the pulse-pounding live spectacle of Skyscraper Live.

Whether you are looking for a gritty crime story or a quiet, reflective evening, these picks represent the most compelling narratives currently available for UK subscribers.

If you are in the mood for a return to the classic tactical thriller, The Rip is a primary recommendation on Netflix. Directed by Joe Carnahan, the film reunites Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as a pair of Miami narcotics officers who stumble upon a derelict stash house containing $20 million (14.7m) in cash.

The film captures the humid, high-stakes tension of South Florida as the team navigates a "rip" that quickly spirals into a web of suspicion and betrayal. It is a bold, atmospheric piece that relies heavily on the long-standing chemistry between its two leads.

Elsewhere this week, Goodbye June provides a poignant shift in tone. Marking Kate Winslet’s directorial debut, the film stars Helen Mirren as a matriarch facing her final weeks, bringing her dysfunctional family together for one last, early Christmas celebration. With a cast including Timothy Spall, Toni Collette, and Andrea Riseborough, the story balances sharp, witty banter with genuine emotional weight.

It is a thoughtful exploration of reconciliation that avoids easy sentimentality, making it a standout choice for those after a character-driven drama.

For those who prefer real-life adrenaline, Skyscraper Live is an essential watch. The special follows legendary climber Alex Honnold as he attempts a free solo ascent of the 101-storey Taipei 101 building in Taiwan. Clocking in at 90 minutes, it is a masterclass in tension, capturing every unassisted move as Honnold scales the massive structure without ropes or a safety net. It’s the kind of single-sitting experience that demands your full attention.

Also worth watching is the new documentary Miracle: The Boys of '80, which arrives just in time for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Featuring never-before-seen 16mm footage, it offers a fresh, gritty perspective on the famous "Miracle on Ice" victory of the US hockey team. For fans of the platform's biggest hits, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 provides a sweeping behind-the-scenes look at the cast and crew as they navigate the final weeks of production on the show’s climactic conclusion.

For those after something lighter, the South African rom-com Love and Wine offers a delightful "rich-meets-poor" story set against the Cape Winelands, starring Bridgerton’s Masali Baduza. If you are in the mood for stand-up, the debut special from Marcello Hernández, American Boy, and Ricky Gervais’s Mortality provide contrasting but equally sharp comedic perspectives.

Finally, for the true-crime enthusiasts, the harrowing Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story and the Elizabeth Smart retrospective Kidnapped provide two very different, but equally powerful, looks at survival and resilience. Whether you opt for the sports nostalgia of Miracle or the festive charm of People We Meet on Vacation, this week’s arrivals ensure there is a narrative to suit every mood.