The Netflix machine never stops. The streaming giant continues to release hit movies that capture a massive audience. The latest example is Apex, a riveting thriller that premiered on April 24. Apex is our top movie of the week to watch on Netflix in the U.S. because of its gripping premise and massive star power.

For the second-best thriller to watch this week, we’re traveling back to 2002 for some psychological warfare involving an actress who also happens to be an international music sensation. Rounding out this week’s selections is a charming mystery movie that channels the spirit of an Agatha Christie.

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The Thursday Murder Club

A feel-good murder mystery

I know what you’re thinking—how could a murder mystery be a feel-good story? There is a charm to The Thursday Murder Club that most thrillers cannot replicate. For starters, it begins with its notable cast, including Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie. I have a built-in connection with these actors because they have starred in movies I’ve enjoyed for decades, especially some of Brosnan’s James Bond movies.

In The Thursday Murder Club, which is based on Richard Osman’s popular novel, the story focuses on the Coopers Chase retirement village. Elizabeth Best (Mirren), who clearly has a past in government intelligence, operates a club with Ron Ritchie (Brosnan) and Ibrahim Arif (Kingsley) where they investigate cold cases. They invite Joyce (Imrie) into the club because of her medical knowledge. The club receives a current mystery when one of the building’s owners is murdered.

Again, I wouldn’t call murder a charming or delightful subject. However, the movie never becomes too graphic, and it avoids depicting violent encounters with the audience. Excuse me for the potentially ageist comment, but The Thursday Murder Club is a movie I could enjoy with my grandparents. I mean that as a compliment, though. It’s a movie that’s fun for the entire family, but it still includes the staples of a good mystery to win over the genre’s biggest fans.

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Enough

J-Lo fights back

Do you associate acting or singing more with Jennifer Lopez? At this point, I think she’s worked long enough in both industries where it’s 50–50. Though looking at her discography and filmography over the last decade, Lopez has definitely leaned more into acting. Back in 2002, Lopez could star in movies centered around her name, a rarity in Hollywood.

Enough became one of the more famous starring vehicles of that era. Waitress Slim (Lopez) meets, marries, and has a child with wealthy businessman Mitch (Billy Campbell). What started as a dream scenario turns ugly as, six years into the marriage, Mitch physically abuses Slim. Even when she tries to escape, Mitch thwarts her every effort, and the beatings continue. Ultimately, Slim decides that enough is enough (apologies for the pun) and learns how to defend herself from Mitch.

Enough is probably among Lopez’ best performances—right below Out of Sight and Hustlers. Lopez’ New York City grit and commanding presence jump off the screen. It makes me wonder what would have happened to Lopez’ career if she pursued more movies like Enough instead of pivoting to dramas and romantic comedies. The Golden Globe nominee probably made the right decision, but I’m in the camp that should’ve thrived as an action heroine.

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Apex

1-on-1 combat

Apex was made in a lab for me. OK, it wasn’t made specifically for me, but it’s the type of movie Netflix does best. Charlize Theron stars as Sasha, a rock climber grieving the death of a loved one. Theron gave arguably the single most important action heroine performance of the 21st century as Imperator Furiosa in one of the centures greatest action movies, Mad Max: Fury Road. If Theron is the star of a survival film, I’m watching it.

While traveling in Australia, Theron encounters Ben (Taron Egerton), a stranger who gives her directions to a spot in the Australian wilderness. Unfortunately for Sasha, that turned into a pivotal mistake. Ben reveals himself to be a sociopath who hunts humans for sport, and Sasha is his next target. The ensuing cat-and-mouse game becomes one of intelligence and ingenuity, where the one who outsmarts the other survives.

If you’re thinking this movie is a play on The Most Dangerous Game, you’re correct in that assessment. The stakes don’t get higher than life or death. I’m all for actors committing to the bit and going for it, which is exactly what Egerton does. He is unhinged, but it works for the character. Netflix, please make more of these kinds of movies!

Apex

Release Date

April 24, 2026

Director

Baltasar Kormákur

Writers

Jeremy Robbins

More Netflix movies to watch

Obviously, Netflix has more movies to offer. One of the exciting new movies to arrive on the streamer is Bugonia, Yorgos Lanthimos’ black comedy starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons. Elsewhere, you can try streaming Roommates, a delightful coming-of-age comedy set at college.

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Simultaneous streams

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