United News of Bangladesh

The first part of the final season of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things has drawn strong reactions from critics, with many praising its emotion and excitement while others say the show has lost some of its spark. Several reviewers described the first four episodes of season five as highly entertaining. The Times said the new instalments are filled with “proper jeopardy and bags of emotion,” while the Guardian wrote that the series’ “luxurious final run” delivers moments that will thrill long-time fans. Not all critics agreed. USA Today said the show shifts between “thrilling and annoying,” and The Atlantic described much of the new content as “largely joyless and grim.” Netflix briefly crashed after the episodes were released in the United States on Wednesday and in the United Kingdom early Thursday. Three more episodes will arrive at Christmas, followed by the series finale around New Year. The show is nearing its final showdown as the now-grown heroes of Hawkins, Indiana prepare to face Vecna in what could be their last battle. Some fans woke up early to watch the new episodes as soon as they dropped. One viewer told BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat that she was “gripped” throughout and glad she made time to binge-watch at dawn. Many critics praised the series for staying true to its 1980s adventure style. The Standard called it classic entertainment filled with humour and heart. Empire wrote that the show “knows exactly what it is” and has not lost its sense of fun. BBC Culture said the fourth episode is “Stranger Things at its best,” predicting a strong finish if the rest of the season follows the same direction. The Telegraph said the show continues to deliver “top-rank comfort viewing” and could still offer a satisfying ending. Some reviewers, however, noted that the cast has aged while the story has struggled to grow with them. Slate wrote that the show feels stuck in place, and the Hollywood Reporter said it may be time for the teenage characters to “grow up and move on.” Others argued that the new season packs in too many characters and plotlines. IndieWire and Nerdist both said the episodes are overly long, with too much happening at once to maintain focus. Three additional episodes are set for release on Christmas Day in the United States and Boxing Day in the United Kingdom. The final episode will stream on New Year’s Eve in the US and New Year’s Day in the UK.   Source: BBC

Fans of Friends are getting a wave of nostalgia as the long-lost final episodes of its spin-off Joey have finally been released nearly 20 years after the show went off air. According to Variety, the last eight episodes of the 2004 NBC sitcom — starring Matt LeBlanc as the lovable Joey Tribbiani — are now available on the show’s official YouTube channel. These episodes never aired in the United States before the series was cancelled in 2006. The series also featured actors Drea de Matteo, Paulo Costanzo, Jennifer Coolidge and Andrea Anders. Joey followed the character’s move from New York to Hollywood to pursue his acting dreams, where he reconnects with his sister Gina and her 20-year-old son Michael. Created by Shana Goldberg-Meehan and Scott Silveri, the series opened strong with 18.6 million viewers, but interest faded over the first two seasons. Although NBC brought the show back briefly in March 2006, it was pulled again after only one episode aired. Looking back on the spin-off’s struggles, Friends executive producer and director Kevin S Bright told Variety that Joey’s character shifted too far from what made him a fan favourite. “On Friends, Joey was a womaniser, but he was also loyal and dependable. In Joey, he became someone who couldn’t get a job or ask a girl out. He became a mopey character moving in the wrong direction,” he said.   Source: NDTV

There’s something magical when winter pairs perfectly with Netflix, as the entertaining content line-up warms up the cold days and nights. The December 2025 slate of Netflix Originals brings a rush of fresh movies, series, and animations, as well as a bunch of long-awaited sequels. With genres spanning action, fantasy, thriller, adventure, comedy, romance, horror, and drama, Netflix aims to cherish audiences of every taste in the last month of the year. So let’s unwrap the Netflix Originals lineup that turns December 2025 into pure cinematic comfort. 10 Must-watch Netflix Originals Premiering This December . Troll 2 | Fantasy Adventure | December 1, 2025 A Norwegian mountain rumbles again in ‘Troll 2’, penned by Espen Aukan, with Roar Uthaug directing. The Motion Blur production, known as the largest production in Nordic film history, returns to the mythology that first stirred audiences in 2022. Read more: Upcoming South Indian Movies in November 2025: Top 12 Releases The fantasy movie centres on Nora, Andreas, and Captain Kris who are thrust back into chaos when another ancient troll awakens. As cities brace for ruin, the trio finds help in unexpected corners, piecing together courage as vast as the landscapes they protect. Ine Marie Wilmann, Jon Ketil Johnsen, Mads Sjogard Pettersen, Kim S. Falck-Jorgensen, Sara Khorami, Aksel Almaas, Trond Magnum, and Gard B. Eidsvold portray the pivotal roles. The Abandons | Western Action | December 4, 2025 In the rugged stillness of the 1850s American frontier, ‘The Abandons’, a creation of Kurt Sutter under the Sutter Ink production. The western TV series focuses on Fiona Nolan, an Irish immigrant haunted by loss, believes she can heal her emptiness by adopting four orphans. Her dream of building a family, however, collides with a darker reality. Aristocrats from across the ocean lay claim to her Oregon land, dragging her into a moral and physical war she never sought. Read more: New Bollywood Movie List for November 2025: 10 Best Hindi Films The ensemble includes Lena Headey, Gillian Anderson, Lucas Till, Aisling Franciosi, Nick Robinson, Diana Silvers, and Lamar Johnson. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (Final Season) | Animated Action | December 11, 2025 The popular animated series ‘Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft’, inspired by the iconic video game, approaches its end with Season 2. Lara’s journey spirals deeper into the lost histories of Orisha, uncovering relics that whisper of power and peril. A shadowy billionaire pursues the same secrets, forcing Lara into a race where every clue could destroy her or the world around her. Hayley Atwell returns as the voice of Croft, joined by Karen Fukuhara, Earl Baylon, Allen Maldonado, O-T Fagbenle, and Richard Armitage. Behind the project stand Crystal Dynamics, Legendary Television, DJ2 Entertainment, Powerhouse Animation Studios, and Panda Burrow. Man vs Baby | Comedy Family | December 11, 2025 Some disasters arrive quietly, wrapped in charm and chaos. That’s exactly the case for ‘Man vs. Baby’, the latest quirky comedy from Rowan Atkinson, who once again finds trouble in the most ordinary places. Following the events of ‘Man vs. Bee’ (2022), Trevor Bingley is back, this time housesitting a lavish London penthouse. But instead of an insect, he’s left to manage a far more unpredictable companion: a baby. Read more: New Korean Drama Lineup for October 2025: The 10 Biggest Releases Alanah Bloor joins the cast as Trevor’s daughter Maddy, a role previously played by India Fowler. Under the writing of Atkinson and William Davies, the slapstick show boasts David Kerr as its director. Had I Not Seen the Sun (Part 2) | Romantic Thriller | December 11, 2025 What begins as a prison interview spirals into something far more haunting in ‘Had I Not Seen The Sun’, a two-part Taiwanese series from Make a Deal International Production. A documentarian’s meeting with a serial killer ignites strange dreams and eerie encounters with the ghost of a dead student. Read more: South Indian Films Releasing in October 2025: 12 Must-watch Pan-Indian Lineup Directors Chiang Chi-Cheng and Chien Chi-Feng, with Chi-Feng co-writing alongside Lin Hsin-huei, shape the narrative into a slow descent between memory and madness. The cast, Moon Lee, Tseng Jing-hua, Lyan Chen, Umin Boya, Chiang Chi, Yao Chun-yao, and Shih Chih-tian, grounds the story with unnerving realism.

HBO is developing a television series based on the 2005 dystopian thriller V for Vendetta, with Pete Jackson set to write the adaptation, according to a report by Variety. The franchise originated as a comic serial written by Alan Moore and illustrated by David Lloyd. It first appeared in the British anthology Warrior in 1982 before DC Comics took over its publication in 1988. Set in a dystopian Britain ruled by the fascist Norsefire party, V for Vendetta follows an anarchist known as V, who seeks to spark a revolution against the regime with the help of Evey Hammond, a young woman he rescues from the secret police. The story was previously adapted into a 2005 film directed by James McTeigue, starring Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Stephen Rea and others. The new HBO series will be executive produced by James Gunn and Peter Safran of DC Studios, along with Ben Stephenson of Poison Pen and Leanne Klein of Wall to Wall Media, part of Warner Bros Television Studios UK. Warner Bros Television will produce the project.   Source: NDTV

Stranger Things stars Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour drew major attention as they laughed and hugged on the red carpet during the Stranger Things 5 premiere in Los Angeles, even as reports surfaced alleging Brown had filed a harassment complaint against Harbour. Netflix shared a clip of the two actors, both dressed in black, exchanging smiles and laughter while posing for photos. The caption read, “David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown arrive together for one last Stranger Things premiere.” The Daily Mail earlier reported that Brown had lodged a complaint accusing Harbour of harassment and bullying before filming began for the final season. The report claimed that the complaint included extensive documentation and prompted an internal investigation lasting several months. Neither Brown nor Harbour has publicly commented on the allegations. Netflix also declined to issue a statement but sources told the outlet the company remains focused on the show’s upcoming release. “It will be a theatrical event. Nothing is going to overshadow this—not even the leading man’s private life,” a Netflix source was quoted as saying. Brown and Harbour have worked together since 2015, when she was just 11 years old. Reflecting on their bond, Harbour once said, “Millie and I have always had a special relationship because I knew her when she was so young.” Brown has described their dynamic as deeply emotional, saying in a 2018 interview, “We go through so many emotions; we get angry, we reconcile—we’re like father and daughter. It’s raw and real.”   Source: NDTV

Super Sentai, the Japanese superhero series that gave birth to the world-famous Power Rangers franchise, is reportedly coming to an end after 50 years, local media said on Thursday. According to reports, the show’s broadcaster TV Asahi is discontinuing the long-running series as income from merchandise sales and events can no longer cover its high production costs. However, the channel declined to comment on its “future programming,” the Asahi Shimbun reported. First launched in 1975, Super Sentai featured five young heroes who transform into colour-coded fighters to save the world from alien invaders — a concept that later inspired the US adaptation Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in the 1990s. Over the decades, the show became deeply rooted in Japan’s pop culture, helping launch the careers of numerous actors and fueling a massive toy and merchandise industry. For audiences abroad, Super Sentai served as a gateway to Japan’s vibrant superhero and comic culture, with similar shows such as Choudenshi Bioman and Hikari Sentai Maskman gaining cult followings in countries like the Philippines. Each season of Super Sentai introduced a new team — three men and two women — led by a red-suited fighter, with the others dressed in green or black, blue, yellow, and pink. Every episode followed an action-packed sequence, often ending with the heroes’ robot clashing with a giant alien. The original Power Rangers series, adapted by producer Haim Saban, aired from 1993 to 1996 and spawned numerous spin-offs. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times in 2017, Saban recalled that the idea was initially rejected by TV networks. “Every selling season, I would go out and offer it to the networks — and would get kicked out of the room. They told me how crazy I was,” he said. News of Super Sentai’s possible conclusion has saddened fans and celebrities alike. Popular actress Keiko Kitagawa shared an article about the show’s cancellation on X (formerly Twitter), captioning it “despair,” which quickly went viral with more than 15 million views. Yasuhisa Furuhara, who played one of the Super Sentai fighters, said he felt proud to be part of its long history. “I’m proud to be part of history,” he wrote. Fans across generations expressed their sorrow online. “My parents watched Super Sentai when they were kids, and now I do too. I’ll miss it,” one user wrote. Another commented, “If Super Sentai ends, what will the next generation of boys watch?”   Source: BBC

The latest promo from Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 17 features comedians Sunil Grover and Krushna Abhishek lighting up the stage with their trademark humor. The long-running quiz show, hosted by Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, has been winning hearts since its August 11 premiere with a mix of knowledge and entertainment. In this fun-filled episode, Grover and Abhishek appeared as special guests and brought their comedic flair to the hot seat, sparking laughter throughout the studio — including from Big B himself. One standout moment in the promo shows Sunil Grover hilariously performing his 2017 comedic song Mere Husband Mujhko Pyaar Nahi Karte. He also showcased his sharp mimicry skills by impersonating Amitabh Bachchan — complete with matching attire. Taking over the host’s chair, Grover joked with the real Bachchan, who moved to the contestant's seat. “Looking at him, it feels like I’m talking to myself,” quipped Amitabh, amused by Grover’s lookalike act. Continuing the comedy, Grover asked a tongue-in-cheek question in typical KBC style:“How much smaller is Choti Diwali compared to Badi Diwali? Or is it just short in height, and that’s why it's called ‘Choti’?”The playful question had both the audience and the host roaring with laughter. Grover even mock-scolded an audience member who attempted to leave mid-show. Later in the episode, Grover and Abhishek had a light-hearted chat with Amitabh. Krushna joked about their usual roles in The Great Indian Kapil Show, saying,“This is the one time I can call him 'Sunil bhai' — otherwise, on our show, we’re playing sisters every week!” The episode blends comedy with camaraderie, making for a memorable and laughter-packed segment on the iconic quiz show. Source: NDTV

Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and Ana De Armas have ended their relationship after dating for less than nine months, according to a report by The Sun. Sources say the couple decided to remain friends after realizing that “the spark had gone” between them. A source close to the actors told The Sun, “Tom and Ana had a good time together, but their time as a couple has run its course. They are going to remain good friends but they aren’t dating anymore. They just realized they weren’t going to go the distance and that they are better off as mates.” The report added that both handled the breakup in a “mature and adult” manner. The couple had been planning to collaborate on a supernatural thriller titled “Deeper”, but some reports suggested the project was put on hold due to the breakup. However, sources confirmed that De Armas has already been cast in Cruise’s next film, and they will continue to work together professionally. Movie Review: ‘Blue Moon’ — Ethan Hawke shines in Linklater’s tender tribute to a forgotten lyricist Cruise and De Armas made their relationship public during a Vermont getaway, and later vacationed together in Madrid and London. Their romance attracted media attention during helicopter rides piloted by Cruise. The couple also attended events together, including David Beckham’s 50th birthday party and an Oasis concert at Wembley Stadium. Previously, Ana De Armas dated Ben Affleck for ten months, while Cruise’s last high-profile relationship was his marriage to Katie Holmes. He was also previously married to Mimi Rogers and Nicole Kidman. Source: NDTV

Netflix has long mastered the art of keeping audiences waiting, watching, and endlessly scrolling for more. The November 2025 lineup ushers in a wave of new movies and returning series, expanding familiar worlds while unveiling fresh ones. Genre-spanning mystery, thriller, sci-fi, adventure, crime, comedy, and action make the catalogue feel daring. Let’s explore the top ten Netflix Originals premiering in November 2025; each stands out for its hype. 10 Must-watch Netflix Originals For This November . Death by Lightning / Period Drama / November 6, 2025 Created by Mike Makowsky, ‘Death by Lightning’ reimagines Candice Millard’s Destiny of the Republic. The miniseries reconstructs the brief but consequential tenure of President James A. Garfield. It depicts his reluctant rise to power to the fatal encounter with his obsessive admirer, Charles J. Guiteau. Read more: New Korean Drama Lineup for October 2025: The 10 Biggest Releases Michael Shannon leads the cast with his signature intensity, joined by Matthew Macfadyen, Nick Offerman, Betty Gilpin, Bradley Whitford, and Shea Whigham Bighead Littlehead Productions and Slater Hall shape the project under the direction of Matt Ross. The Vince Staples Show / Satire Comedy / November 6, 2025 Vince Staples pushes his performance further with his latest season of ‘The Vince Staples Show’, this time with a six-episode return, one longer than its predecessor. Staples navigates the emotional wreckage following a tragic death. His search for peace feels less like a quest and more like a confrontation, shadowed by echoes of his own past. Read more: South Indian Films Releasing in October 2025: 12 Must-watch Pan-Indian Lineup Besides starring in the show, Staples also co-created it along with Ian Edelman and Maurice Williams. Nate Jones and Vanessa Bell Calloway join Staples as the show’s rotating cast of recurring faces. Khalabo Ink Society, Section Eight Arthouse, and Edelgang Worldwide drive the production. As You Stood By / Crime Drama / November 7, 2025 Adapted from Hideo Okuda's 2014 novel ‘Naomi and Kanako’, ‘As You Stood By’ boasts Kim Hyo-jeong as writer and Lee Jeong-rim as its director.  Produced by StudioS, Ghost Studio, and Mizi Film, the South Korean series stars Lee Yoo-mi, Jeon So-nee, Lee Moo-saeng, Jang Seung-jo, and Lee Ho-jung. Read more: Bollywood Hindi Movies List for October 2025: Top 10 Biggest Premieres The series follows two women, suffocated by a world that offers them no escape, who make an irreversible choice and must live with the shifting shadows that follow. Mrs Playmen / Biography / November 12, 2025 Directed by Riccardo Donna, ‘Mrs Playmen’ thrives under the writing team that includes Eleonora Cimpanelli, Chiara Laudani, Sergio Leszczynski, Mario Ruggeri, and Alessandro Sermoneta. The Italian series centers on Adelina, the audacious woman behind Italy’s provocative magazine, Playmen. It portrays the paradox of 1960s–70s Italy – a society torn between rigid morality and a growing hunger for liberation. Amid censorship and backlash, Adelina’s vision fused eroticism with intellect, redefining how femininity was seen and sold. Bankrolled by Aurora TV, the biopic series stars Mark Lewis, Daniela Glasgow, Francesco La Mantia, and Francesca De Martini. Read more: Best 10 Amazon Prime Originals Coming in October 2025 The Beast in Me / Crime Thriller / November 13, 2025 Starring Matthew Rhys, Claire Danes, Brittany Snow, and Natalie Morales, ‘The Beast in Me’ flourishes with Gabe Rotter as its creator.  Besides serving as the showrunner of the miniseries, Howard Gordon also contributes as an episode writer along with Daniel Pearle, Erika Sheffer, C.A. Johnson, Ali Liebegott, and Mike Skerrett. The mystery miniseries focuses on author Aggie Wiggs as she mourns her son’s death while probing into her neighbour’s missing wife. Teakwood Lane Productions, Rotterworks, Telemachus Productions, Conaco, and 20th Television bring the project to fruition. Read more: Netflix Originals Coming in October 2025: Top 10 Binge-worthy Releases

Ashneer Grover, the Indian entrepreneur and reality TV star known for Shark Tank India and currently hosting the streaming show Rise & Fall, has reportedly received an offer to join Bigg Boss 19, hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. On Friday, Ashneer shared a screenshot of the email on his Instagram Stories, revealing the approach from the show’s makers. The email, sent by Rohit Gupta, Senior Casting Coordinator of Bigg Boss Season 19, invited Ashneer to participate as a wildcard contestant. It read: "We are delighted to contact you regarding an exclusive opportunity to join the show as a wildcard contestant. Your dynamic personality, engaging social media presence, and unique appeal have caught the attention of our casting team, making you a strong candidate for this exciting role. As a wildcard contestant, you would have the chance to enter the Bigg Boss house mid-season, bringing fresh energy and perspective to the show." While Ashneer’s official response to the offer is unknown, he posted the email online with a lighthearted comment: “Haha! Salman bhai se pooch le!! Mai to free ho jaaunga tab tak. Ye 'mail merge' kisi ki to naukri khayega” (Haha! Ask Salman bhai! I’ll be free by then. This ‘mail merge’ will take someone’s job). He implied that his commitments to Rise & Fall would be completed before he could potentially join Bigg Boss 19. Ashneer and Salman share a history from Bigg Boss 18’s ‘Weekend Ka Vaar’ episode, where Ashneer appeared as a guest and faced a confrontation with the host over previous remarks. Ashneer had claimed in a podcast that he was denied a photo with Salman and that he had negotiated down Salman’s brand ambassadorship fee for BharatPe from INR 7.5 crore to INR 4.5 crore. Salman contested these claims, saying he didn’t recall meeting Ashneer. Ashneer responded, insisting he went peacefully and that his public comments were exaggerated but not disrespectful.   Source: NDTV