Tolkien

Right now you can watch Tolkien in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on fuboTV and YouTube TV — and the chemistry between the leads carries every scene. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. With 1,554 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Nicholas Hoult's performance makes the emotional stakes feel real, not manufactured. Start it on Disney Plus whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Tolkien is worth clearing space for. The chemistry between the leads is the engine that drives everything, and Tolkien makes sure it fires. England, early 20th century. The future writer and philologist John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) and three of his schoolmates create a strong bond between them as they share the same passion for literature and art, a true fellowship that strengthens as they grow up, but the outbreak of World War I threatens to shatter it. The chemistry between Nicholas Hoult and Lily Collins is the real engine here. It was released in 2019. What makes Tolkien work is that the leads feel like people first, a couple second. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For anyone who wants romantic drama that respects their intelligence, Tolkien is a strong recommendation. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Nicholas Hoult carries the emotional throughline with real conviction. You will have strong feelings about it by the finale.