Latest news with #K.O.
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Netflix's most-watched films this week include Tyler Perry's Straw and true crime thriller A Widow's Game
Netflix's latest weekly viewing figures have revealed a major success story. Tyler Perry's emotional drama Straw has drawn over 74.2 million views in just two weeks, making it the platform's most-watched film of the year so far. Other entries in this week's top 10 include gritty thrillers, hard-hitting documentaries, and animated favourites. Here's a look at the top 10 Netflix movies globally this week Tyler Perry's gripping new film follows single mother Janiyah Wilkinson (Taraji P. Henson), whose day spirals into chaos as she struggles to care for her ill daughter. Viewers have praised its raw emotional weight and shocking twists. Currently streaming on Netflix. This French action-thriller stars Ciryl Gane as Bastien, an ex-MMA fighter drawn back into danger to help a grieving widow find her missing child. Set in Marseille's criminal underworld, K.O. combines tension and emotion with fast-paced action. Watch on Netflix. Mark Monroe's documentary examines the 2023 Titan sub tragedy. Through interviews, whistleblower accounts, and archived footage, it unpacks the events that led to the fatal expedition. Available on Netflix. In this Mexican sci-fi romance, two physicists are transported from 1966 to 2025. As they adapt to a modern world, their relationship and identities are tested. The film stars Lucero and Benny Ibarra. Streaming on Netflix. Gerard Butler stars as a commercial pilot forced to land on a hostile island. With a fugitive (Mike Colter) by his side, he must protect passengers from militants. Now on Netflix. This documentary revisits the 2021 crowd surge at Travis Scott's concert in Houston. It compiles survivor accounts, 911 audio, and event footage to explore what went wrong. Watch on Netflix. Jerry Seinfeld's 2007 animated comedy continues to charm audiences. Barry the bee takes on the human race in a bizarre, honey-fuelled legal drama. Streaming on Netflix. This Spanish-language thriller tells the chilling true story of nurse Maje and her role in a 2017 murder. A tale of betrayal, wiretaps, and cold calculation. Available on Netflix. In this buddy comedy, Kevin Hart trains white-collar criminal Will Ferrell for prison life. Cameos include T.I., John Mayer and Jimmy Fallon. Watch now on Netflix. Adolescence is currently the most-watched Netflix film of 2025, with over 74 million views. Titan: The OceanGate Submersible Disaster and Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy are leading in documentary viewership. Yes, all titles listed are available for streaming on Netflix in most regions.
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
K.O on the country's issues and owning the ‘goat' tag
K.O. spoke to The Citizen just days before the release of his fifth studio album as a solo artist, Phara City. K.O spoke to The Citizen about his upcoming fifth studio album. Picture: mrcashtime/Instagram Compared to his contemporaries, rapper KO is a modest fella. He doesn't fully own up to the Greatest Of All Time (Goat) tag that's always bestowed on him by his fans. 'This is something that people are actually pushing me towards and actually owning up to,' the soft-spoken rapper tells The Citizen. ALSO READ: K.O finally gets his Metro FM award in his home province K.O owning the G.O.A.T tag 2025 marks K.O.'s 19th anniversary in the industry. He stared out as a member of the rap trio Teargas, which, in its own right, had an impact on the country and was part of watershed moments in South African hip hop through collaborations with other artists. He ticks the longevity box; his music has had an impact outside of the hip-hop community through songs such as Sete and Caracara, and his calibre as a rapper is of a high standard. 'If we're narrowing the conversation down to things like that, definitely, I start owning up to who I am in the space.' He says he was more concerned with making good music than comparing himself to others. 'All these things [his accolades], I was more focused on just doing great things rather than looking at the score board to say, hey, am I in the top five, where am I now?' Real name Ntokozo Mdluli, KO spoke to The Citizen just days before the release of his fifth studio album as a solo artist, Phara City. ALSO READ: REVIEW: Riky Rick's last album 'Boss Zonke Forever' epitomises his passion for young people Phara City The term 'phara' or sometimes spelt as 'para' can be defined as a homeless person who lives off their hustle on the streets. Some definitions describe a phara as a person who has a home but overcomes life's harsh environment through his hustle on the street. 'Yes, it says Phara City and some people might think I'm talking about Joburg, but I'm actually talking about the country as a whole,' shares K.O. K.O says South Africa has become an environment where a phara would only survive. 'Unfortunately, it [South Africa] has become almost like a Sodom and Gomorrah in real time because we see all kinds of things,' shares K.O. South Africa is one of the most unequal nations in the world, with a high unemployment rate and a country that fails to protect its most vulnerable. 'The country has been tarnished on the world stage, in terms of how people perceive who we are as a country, our politics. 'Even internally, as citizens, there are so many things we're critiquing- the lack of leadership, corruption, illegal immigrants,' says K.O., sharing the thought behind the album concept. The 13-track album will be released on Friday. Some of the standout songs from the project include Cross Night and No Chorus. On the latter, K.O. shows off his bravado as a rapper, basically giving the middle finger to his competitors. Through the album, K.O. says he is holding a mirror up to the country's face for reflection. However, despite his criticism, K.O. also shows the celebratory side of South Africa. 'We still celebrate, we still party, we still fall in love, we still hustle and continue with life even outside of these challenges that we are subjected to. I talk about that side of things.' ALSO READ: 'Their win is South Africa's win': Deputy Minister Peace Mabe celebrates TxC's BET award K.O's collaborative nature K.O. has something that very few artists have: a collaborative spirit. Even at the height of the AKA and Cassper Nyovest beef, K.O. still managed to work with both artists. 'I've never been one who's confrontational, I've always just stood my ground,' says K.O. He also demonstrated that he isn't an ageist, being open to working with younger artists like Blxckie and Maglera Doe Boy. This is both a business move and something natural to him. He provides an example of how brands like Adidas can collaborate with other fashion brands, such as Gucci. 'As an artist, you need to go and do things with other artists, because you get to introduce yourself to their following and vice-versa,' he says. Some of K.O.'s memorable work has been a collaborative effort. From his most recent hit Sete with Young Stunna and Blxckie to 2014's Skhanda Love with Nandi Mngoma and Caracara with Kid X. On his 2017 album SR2, he collaborated with House music producer Black Coffee on SA Rising. 'I think it's beautiful when we see people who've shaped society together because we get to send the right vibrations to the rest of the people.' ALSO READ: Amapiano vocalist Thatohatsi loses voice due to 'unexpected' illness K.O's music taste His openness to working with others also reflects his musical taste. When asked what he's been listening to recently, he mentions genres like Afrobeat and R&B. 'I have a very wide and broad sense of musical taste because you'll find me one minute listening to Afrobeat, listening to Blxckie, listening to Summer Walker, R&B and go back and pull out some stuff from yesteryears,' he says. 'I've been listening to a lot of Frank Ocean this year and obviously some of the Kendrick stuff he's done…but I like a lot of R&B, like Leon Thomas.' He says he doesn't only listen for pleasure but also for inspiration. 'On this album [Phara City] I went as far back as listening to the very first Mase album because there was a certain bag that I was trying to get into, stylistically.' The Mase album is Harlem World, released in 1997. He says he captured this '90s hip-hop and R&B fusion on Phara City through his collaboration with Blaq Diamond on the song Phara Love. NOW READ: 'I'm not gonna lie, this is rocking me': Prince Kaybee opens up about health battle
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix fans keep watching 'amazing new take on a classic' despite low rating
Fans have been singing its praises despite initial reviews Netflix viewers can't stop watching a 'must see film' that offers a fresh spin on a classic tale. The 2018 release, Robin Hood, has surprisingly become one of the most viewed titles on the platform, despite a meagre 14% rating. At the time of writing, it currently sits in second place in the top ten films most watched by subscribers in the UK. It's sandwiched between recent releases Tyler Perry's Straw in the top spot and French action thriller K.O. in third. Robin Hood is a radical reinterpretation of the timeless story of the outlaw who robbed from the rich to give to the poor. In this version, Taron Egerton, known for his roles in Kingsman, Rocketman and Carry-On, portrays Lord Robin of Loxley. He seeks revenge after returning from the Third Crusade to discover that the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham, played by Rogue One's Ben Mendelsohn, has declared him dead and seized all his property, reports Surrey Live. According to Empire's review of the film, Robin's journey mirrors that of Bruce Wayne becoming Batman. Egerton's rendition of the character even starts being referred to as 'The Hood'. He is trained by Jamie Foxx's character Yahya or John. Meanwhile, Robin also attempts to win back his girlfriend Marian, played by Eve Hewson, who later starred in Netflix's The Perfect Couple. Marian is now with another man, Will Scarlet, portrayed by Jamie Dornan, who is actually a member of the Merry Men in the original tales. Despite the somewhat tepid critical reception of the film, Netflix audiences have found reasons to be entertained. One admirer took to the internet to express their thoughts, stating: "This is a must see movie. Its a new take and twist of the classic tale of Robin Hood and breathes life into the legend once again. It might not be the most historically accurate remake of the tale but that is part of its charm." They pressed on, saying: "Solid stunts and despite all the hate the movie has endured none can question the hard work and love the whole cast and crew put into it. Their extraordinary archery skills are way beyond just CGI. In fact they were trained by famous archer Lars Anderson and can more than handle themselves around a bow and arrow." Another enthusiast commented: "I thought this film was incredible. An amazing new take on a classic. The immense number of Robin Hood films were starting to repeat one another and it was frankly getting tired, but this brought the movies back alive for younger audiences that perhaps haven't been too engaged in the previous versions. With a brilliant cast, some of which are popular, well known actors, and others who are rising stars, I think the production is incredible." One person even suggested: "Outside of the legendary (Disney) cartoon, this is the best Robin Hood out there." Meanwhile, another voiced a congruent opinion: "It was so much better than expected. It was a different take on the old Robin Hood movies." However, not all viewers were impressed. One disgruntled film-goer echoed the critics' sentiments, stating: "Everything was just as bad as the trailer promised. Don't watch this unwatchable piece of garbage. It will haunt your eyes forever."
The Review Geek
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
K.O. (2025) Movie Review – A sleeper hit for Netflix?
A sleeper hit for Netflix? Another week rolls around and, of course, another Netflix action thriller hits the platform. Like a well-oiled machine, the streaming giant doesn't look like it's about to stop pumping out these hits any time soon. There are already plenty of options in this field, with bigger-name titles like The Old Guard, The Gray Man, and Extraction mixed in with under-rated hits like Burn Out and Badland Hunters. Trying to stand out is not easy. That unenviable task falls to French director Antoine Blossier. For the most part, K.O. is quite happy to revel in its mediocrity—offering little in the way of originality, but playing things competently enough across its 85-minute runtime to make for an enjoyable watch all the same. The premise of K.O. clings to all the usual tropes you'd expect from a flick like this, jumping straight into the action. Here, we follow aspiring MMA fighter Bastien, who finds himself in the ring with his bitter rival, Enzo. The pair go toe-to-toe in a relentless and pretty brutal sequence that immediately sets the tone and mood for the rest of the movie. Bastien's fight ends in tragedy when he counters a triangle hold into a full-on slam to the mat. Enzo's head crunches against the canvas, and unfortunately, he passes away as a result. Guilt-stricken, Bastien hangs up his gloves and disappears into exile. Fast-forward two years, and our reclusive hero is called back into action by Enzo's widowed wife, Emma. Her son, Leo, has gone missing after getting mixed up in the drug trade, and it seems he may be the target of some particularly nasty gangsters. With a bullseye on his back, Leo is in big trouble—and Bastien feels a moral obligation to do right by Emma. Bastien is thrown into the investigation alongside a detective named Alaoui, and together they work to find Leo and stop the gang before it's too late. It's all rather simple stuff. The first half of the movie follows a standard formula of investigative groundwork to establish the stakes. Of course, we also get some action scenes thrown in for good measure—including a particularly impressive nightclub fight (which seems to be a staple of action movies recently, for some reason) and a tense chase across an apartment complex. Like clockwork, the midpoint of the film tightens the screws, with Bastien and Alaoui's backstories explored while the search for Leo closes in, leading to a climactic fight at the police station. K.O.'s story is very by-the-numbers, and there's really not a whole lot to write home about here. You'll see most of the big plot beats coming a mile off. The action is gritty and visceral enough to keep you watching, but even when twists arrive, they lean into genre clichés too heavily to really land. The characters are archetypal almost to a fault, with both Alaoui and Bastien following straightforward arcs but lacking in original personality. Bastien is your typical 'tortured hero looking to make amends,' while Alaoui is the 'tortured hero looking to get vengeance.' There's certainly potential for a tighter bond between Leo and Bastien in the midst of all this, and perhaps leaning heavier into a guardian/protector dynamic could have given the story some much-needed emotional energy. However, K.O. never really seems all that interested in going down that route. It's a shame, because with a runtime of under 90 minutes, even an extra 10 minutes to develop this relationship would have helped. The saving grace of the film, beyond its perfunctory story and underwhelming character writing, comes from the action. The camerawork and general choreography are solid, and there are natural pauses in the combat where the fighters catch their breath. It's a detail we've seen in titles like John Wick, and it adds a welcome layer of realism that works well for this genre. Although it does offer some well-executed action, it's not enough to make K.O. a knock-out hit. Instead, this one feels more like a 10-round pummelling session—landing a few clean strikes but ultimately feeling ineffective when the final bell sounds.
Tom's Guide
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Netflix just added a new action thriller movie featuring some brutal brawls — and it'll get your pulse racing
Netflix is home to an impressive array of action thrillers already, but action fans might have spotted that the streaming service has just dropped a brand-new release designed to get your blood pumping. As of today (June 6), Netflix is now home to a new French action thriller from director Antoine Blossier. Introducing: "K.O.," a new Netflix original that takes us to the streets of Marseille alongside a hulking MMA fighter who's come out of retirement to earn a shot at redemption. Wondering whether the streamer's newest arrival is worth your time? Well, you can find a little bit more info about "K.O." (and my initial reaction after streaming the new release) below, which should help you decide whether to stream "K.O." on Netflix or not. Antoine Blossier's "K.O." sees former MMA fighter Bastien (Ciryl Gane) being tasked with searching for a missing boy. Bastien accidentally killed one of his opponents, Enzo, in the ring. He's been a recluse ever since, though three years on from that fateful match, Enzo's widow, Emma (Anne Azoulay), tracks Bastien down and implores him to help find her teen son, Léo (Maleaume Paquin), an informant who's gone missing after witnessing a murder. Bastien sets off to do just that. En route, he joins forces with police chief Kenza (Alice Belaïdi), a woman determined to find justice after Marseilles' most violent criminals murdered her own brother. In addition to Gane, Azoulay, Paquin and Belaïdi, "K.O." also stars Foued Nabba, Samuel Jouy, Virgile Bramly and Malone Ettori. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. "K.O." is a solid addition to Netflix's roster of action movies. Having checked it out myself, I don't think Netflix's new arrival is about to become anyone's all-time favorite watch, but it has enough fun up its sleeves that should satisfy action-starved viewers. Going in, I wasn't aware that Gane was a real-life MMA fighter, but that physicality is on display here. When the fists are flying, "K.O." packs in some decent thrills, and it has some surprisingly grim moments packed in courtesy of the villains. Action-wise, it might feel a little light; "John Wick," this ain't, and the story isn't anything to write home about (it's simple gangster fodder, and only exists to string the setpieces together), but the stuff we've all come to see is sufficiently exciting (especially the big clash that closes the final act). In other words, "K.O." should make for a disposable, tight 90-minute watch for anyone on the hunt for a quick dose of adrenaline this weekend (though if it's big-screen action you want, make sure you go see "Ballerina" soon, too). Need a second opinion before committing to add "K.O." to your Netflix watchlist? Well, seeing as the movie's only just hit our screens, "K.O." doesn't have a Rotten Tomatoes score to shout about at the time of writing (one may come later down the line). However, there are a couple of reactions to the movie online already. Ready Steady Cut's Jonathon Wilson says there's "only one point of a movie like this" (the action) and likens "K.O." to "Ad Vitam" and Exterritorial", describing them collectively as "barebones movies with serviceable set-pieces." Not quite sold on streaming "K.O." on Netflix? We can still help you find your next Netflix watch. Check out our guides to the best Netflix action movies and overall round-up of the best movies on Netflix for tons more streaming recommendations.
