What to watch: We’re mad about Mikey

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Get ready to hear Mikey Madison’s name a lot this Oscar season.
Maybe you’ve seen her in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood or the 2022 “Scream” reboot ― both killer roles, if we’re being honest ― but she really comes into her own in the Sean Baker’s indie dramedy “Anora.” Or maybe religious horror is more your thing? Say what you want about Hugh Grant’s romantic comedy career, but the man plays a good baddie in “Heretic.” Both are big recommendations this week, though we’re also breaking down some good TV in case you need an escape, now or during the stress of the holidays.
Now on to the good stuff:
Did the kids really need their own “Pretty Woman?” They get one with “Anora,” which stars Madison as a Brooklyn erotic dancer who elopes with the son of a Russian oligarch. His powerful parents are displeased, and our heroine gets pulled into an all-night chase through the streets of New York. After winning the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, “Anora” has serious Oscar best-picture heat behind it, Madison’s already a best-actress favorite and Yura Borisov turns in a scene-stealing supporting turn as a quietly kind henchman. Still, the film’s juggling of romantic drama, screwball comedy and thoughtful character study doesn’t completely work. (Peep my ★★★ review).
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My pal Patrick Ryan invited Madison to our New York studio for a chat, and she told him about how the character of Ani was a “departure from anything I’ve ever done.” In addition to coming in with a detailed backstory for Ani, Madison studied Russian, learned pole dancing and shadowed dancers at clubs. “I really wanted to do these women justice; I didn’t want to let them down.”
In the darkly funny (and quite chatty) horror flick “Heretic,” Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East play young Mormon missionaries who knock on the door of seemingly kindly English gentleman Mr. Reed (Grant). They’re invited in, but instead of the promise of blueberry pie, the girls are forced to endure a night full of religious conversation, absolute terror and pop-culture references. It’s a film that nicely balances thought-provoking themes and B-movie camp, and Grant is pitch-perfect as a cardigan-clad menace who makes some salient points about religion and philosophy.
I Zoomed with Grant for a fun Q&A: We talked about the inspirations behind “Heretic,” his early years as a rom-com leading man and his more recent penchant for character-actor roles that lean antagonistic. “Very often those were the places where I was able to bring my enthusiasm for freaks, weirdos (and) damaged, evil people to the screen,” he says.
This week has been emotionally A LOT for some folks. And we’re heading into the holiday season, which can be really stressful in all sorts of ways. Having TV shows as comfort food isn’t just a good idea, it’s a great one. Me, I have “Law & Order: SVU” playing in the background most of the time since it’s on almost 24/7 (thanks, USA Network!) and I feel better knowing Benson, Stabler and friends are out there fighting the good fight.
TV critic Kelly Lawler put together a list of silly, happy things to stream if the election was exhausting, but it’s good enough to keep handy now and into the year in case you’re ever feeling down and/or unstable with the state of the universe. (Of her picks, you can’t go wrong with “Psych” and “Doctor Who.”)
Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me? Email [email protected] and follow me on the socials: I’m @briantruitt on Bluesky, Instagram and Threads.