Netflix has officially opened the door to Narnia.

The first trailer for Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew has arrived, offering the biggest look yet at the filmmaker’s ambitious new adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ legendary fantasy world.

Set to Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” the trailer begins in a muted London before exploding into the colorful and otherworldly landscapes of Narnia. The footage introduces young Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer as their journey takes them beyond their own world and ultimately brings them face to face with the creation of Narnia itself.

The trailer also offers new looks at Emma Mackey as Jadis, Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew and the enormous cosmic presence of Aslan, who is voiced by Meryl Streep.

Unlike previous big screen adaptations, Gerwig is beginning her Narnia story with The Magician’s Nephew, the 1955 novel that serves as an origin story for the world later explored in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The story follows Digory and Polly after magical rings transport them between worlds, eventually allowing them to witness the birth of Narnia.

Gerwig wrote and directed the film, which stars newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell alongside Mackey, Craig, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds and Streep.

Netflix is also giving the film a significantly larger theatrical rollout than its typical releases. Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will begin special IMAX previews on February 10, 2027, before opening worldwide in theaters on February 12.

The film will arrive on Netflix on April 2, 2027.

Well, this story certainly has a bone to pick with the definition of a happy family! Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story takes us back to one of America’s most infamous murder cases, where family drama gets very bloody and the question of “who did it?” comes with an axe-load of suspicion. With Lizzie Borden at the centre of the story, I was curious to see how the Monster series would put its own spin on this notorious case.

One of the things I enjoyed about this chapter of the Monster series is that it doesn’t simply focus on the famous “Lizzie Borden took an axe” story that most people already know. It tries to look beyond the headlines and explore Lizzie as a person, as well as the circumstances surrounding the murders of her father and stepmother.

I also enjoyed the appearance of Aileen, who provides another connection to the wider Monster universe. Her inclusion was an interesting touch and reminded me that this series is not only interested in the crimes themselves, but also in the infamous people behind them and the stories that have developed around their cases.

The comparison between Lizzie and Aileen is also interesting. Their stories are very different, but both demonstrate how notorious murder cases can become larger than the people involved. Their appearances add another layer to the series and its exploration of some of the most infamous names in true crime.

Unfortunately, this is where I started to feel that the series didn’t quite reach its full potential.

Lizzie Borden’s story is fascinating enough to carry a compelling series, but I found the pacing to be quite uneven. There were moments where the story had me interested and wanting to know what would happen next, but there were also sections that felt slow and dragged the overall experience down.

I also wanted more depth from some of the characters and storylines. There is plenty of material to work with, but at times it felt like the series was only scratching the surface. I would have liked to see more exploration of the relationships, motivations and circumstances surrounding Lizzie.

The atmosphere, however, works well. There is something naturally unsettling about watching a story based on real murders, particularly when the question of guilt has remained part of the fascination surrounding the case for so long.

The performances also help keep things together, and there were definitely moments that stood out. But for me, the series didn’t have the same impact that I would have hoped for from a Monster story.

The cast is definitely one of the stronger parts of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story. Ella Beatty does a good job as Lizzie, especially in showing the character’s more troubled and complicated side. She brings a quiet intensity to the role that works particularly well during the darker moments. Vicky Krieps is also impressive as Bridget Sullivan, bringing plenty of personality and emotion to a character who becomes an important part of Lizzie’s story.

Rebecca Hall and Charlie Hunnam also make an impression as Abby and Andrew Borden. Their performances help create the tension within the Borden household and make the family dynamics feel increasingly uncomfortable. Billie Lourd brings a different energy as Emma, Lizzie’s sister, and adds another layer to the complicated family relationships.

And then there is Sarah Paulson as Aileen Wuornos. Paulson is always someone who knows how to completely disappear into a character, and her performance here is another reminder of that. Even though Aileen’s story is separate from Lizzie’s historically, Paulson gives the character a strong presence and helps connect the two stories thematically.

For me, the performances are one of the reasons I continued watching even when the pacing started to drag. The cast brings enough intensity to the material to keep the story moving, even when the writing doesn’t always hit the mark.

I wouldn’t say I disliked it. There is enough here to keep fans of true crime and the Monster series interested. However, I found myself wanting more from the story, especially considering how fascinating the real-life case is.

⭐ Rating: 3/5

Final verdict: Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story had all the ingredients for a killer story, but unfortunately it didn’t always chop it up into the most gripping television show. The axe has fallen, the mystery remains, and Aileen adds an interesting connection to the Monster universe — but for me, this one was more “what the axe?” than “what a killer season!” It certainly has its moments, but ultimately, it left me wanting a little more bite.

Take a swing and watch Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story on Netflix.

The Stranger Things universe is heading back to Hawkins this week, with Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 returning for its second season on Netflix September 17.

The animated series brings Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, Max and Nikki back together for another supernatural mystery set in 1985. Season 2 picks up directly after the events of the first season as the Hawkins Investigators Club attempts to settle back into normal life.

That peace doesn’t last long.

Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 [Netflix]

With Valentine’s Day approaching, mysterious ghostly apparitions begin appearing around Hawkins alongside a swarm of strange creatures. The group must determine what is behind the new paranormal activity before another gate to the Upside Down can be opened.

The returning voice cast includes Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Luca Diaz as Mike, Benjamin Plessala as Will, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max and Odessa A’zion as Nikki. Jeremy Jordan also returns as Steve Harrington, while Brett Gipson voices Hopper.

Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 [Netflix]

Tales From ’85 expands the world of Stranger Things without continuing beyond the events of the live-action series. Instead, the animated spinoff takes viewers back to Hawkins during the winter of 1985, allowing the franchise to explore new stories featuring its familiar characters.

Season 2 will also revisit locations including Hawkins Middle School and the Palace Arcade while introducing previously unexplored areas of Hawkins, including a mine that becomes part of the new adventure.

Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Season 2 premieres September 17 on Netflix.