HOLLYWOOD, CA — From haunted highways to corporate conspiracies, this weekend’s watchlist leans into psychological tension, literary reinvention and off-kilter horror — all streaming now or hitting select theaters.

“Down Cemetery Road” stars Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson as two women drawn into a mystery after a neighborhood explosion and a missing girl. Adapted from Mick Herron’s novel, the Apple TV+ series blends British noir with emotional depth and slow-burning suspense.

“It: Welcome to Derry” features Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, James Remar, Stephen Rider — and the return of Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise. The HBO Max prequel traces the origins of the iconic clown and the town’s cursed legacy, blending period atmosphere with creeping dread.

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In “Hedda,” Tessa Thompson stars in Nia DaCosta’s reimagining of Ibsen’s classic, set in 1950s England. It’s a visually rich, emotionally taut portrait of a woman unraveling under the weight of repression and status anxiety.

“Hallow Road” traps Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys in a car-bound thriller where a late-night drive becomes a confrontation with guilt, grief and the supernatural. Director Babak Anvari leans into silence and shadow over spectacle.

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Finally, “The Chair Company” delivers surreal corporate satire from Tim Robinson and Lake Bell. What begins as workplace embarrassment spirals into a bizarre conspiracy — absurd, unsettling and sharply observed.

Ready to dive in? Scroll down for the full lineup — and step into the shimmering world of storytelling, where every frame is an escape.

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What To Watch This Weekend “Down Cemetery Road”

Emma Thompson, Ruth Wilson; directed by Jeremy Lovering

Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson in “Down Cemetery Road.” (Apple TV+)

Mick Herron’s Oxford-set mystery gets a stylish adaptation in Apple TV+’s “Down Cemetery Road,” where Emma Thompson plays Sarah Tucker — a woman drawn into a missing child case after a neighborhood explosion. Ruth Wilson co-stars as Zoë Boehm, a sardonic private investigator with a knack for finding trouble. The series blends noir intrigue with Herron’s trademark dry wit, though tonal shifts occasionally jar. Still, the chemistry between Thompson and Wilson anchors the show, and the plot’s slow-burn unraveling rewards patient viewers. A compelling entry for fans of Herron’s “Slow Horses” universe — sharp, moody and quietly devastating. While the two series don’t share characters or storylines, they speak the same literary language — marked by moral ambiguity, British melancholy and Herron’s signature sardonic style.

“It: Welcome to Derry”

Bill Skarsgård, Taylour Paige; directed by Andy Muschietti

Bill Skarsgård in “It: Welcome to Derry.” (HBO Max)

Set in 1962, “Welcome to Derry” is a chilling prequel to Stephen King’s “It” that explores the origins of Pennywise the Clown and the sinister cycles of violence haunting the town of Derry, Maine. Bill Skarsgård returns with unnerving precision, reprising his role as the iconic shapeshifter whose presence looms over the town’s history. Taylour Paige leads a cast of newcomers, including Jovan Adepo and Stephen Rider, as residents slowly drawn into a web of fear, folklore and generational trauma. Directed by Andy Muschietti, the HBO Max series leans into Cold War paranoia and small-town repression, using period detail to heighten the unease.

While some moments feel more like a rehash than a revelation, “Welcome to Derry” succeeds in deepening the mythology with atmospheric dread and psychological tension. The scares are more suggestive than shocking, relying on mood, silence and shadow rather than spectacle. For fans of King’s universe, it’s a haunting expansion that honors the source material while carving out its own eerie identity — one that dares you to float all over again.

“Hedda”

Tessa Thompson, Tom Bateman; directed by Nia DaCosta

“Hedda.” (Parisa Taghizadeh/Prime – © Amazon Content Services LLC)

Nia DaCosta’s “Hedda” is a daring reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s 1891 play, set in early 20th-century England and refracted through a modern lens. Tessa Thompson stars as Hedda Gabler — a brilliant, restless woman suffocating in a loveless marriage and a decaying estate. Her manipulations, driven by status anxiety and emotional repression, unfold over one charged night and spiral toward tragedy.

DaCosta’s direction is visually lush and psychologically sharp. Tom Bateman plays Hedda’s husband with quiet desperation, while the supporting cast adds texture to the film’s claustrophobic world.

Though the Prime Video adaptation occasionally feels emotionally remote or leans into stylization, Thompson’s magnetic performance nevertheless grounds the film with simmering intensity. DaCosta, known for “Little Woods” and “Candyman,” continues to explore themes of power, identity and confinement. “Hedda” doesn’t aim for universal appeal — it’s provocative, cerebral and unapologetically theatrical.

For viewers familiar with Ibsen’s original, this version offers a fresh interpretation that challenges expectations. For newcomers, it’s a haunting portrait of a woman who refuses to be controlled — even at the cost of everything around her. The result is a film that’s as unsettling as it is unforgettable.

“Hallow Road”

Rosamund Pike, Matthew Rhys; directed by Babak Anvari

“Hallow Road.” (XYZ Films)

“Hallow Road” is a taut psychological thriller that transforms a late-night drive into a slow descent into dread. Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys star as Maddie and Frank, a privileged couple jolted awake when their teenage daughter, Alice (Megan McDonnell), storms out after a heated argument. Instead of returning home, Alice drives to a remote stretch of road tied to a past tragedy — and her parents follow, unraveling secrets along the way.

Director Babak Anvari keeps the tension simmering through minimalism and mood, with most of the film unfolding inside a car. He leans into discomfort, using silence and shadow to evoke unease rather than relying on jump scares. The script by William Gillies favors ambiguity over exposition, layering themes of guilt, repression and fractured family dynamics. Pike and Rhys deliver tightly wound performances, while McDonnell adds a raw edge to the film’s emotional core.

Though “Hallow Road” may frustrate viewers seeking conventional horror thrills, given its sluggish pacing and opaque ending, it rewards patience with haunting atmosphere and psychological nuance. For fans of slow-burn suspense and character-driven storytelling, it’s a compelling ride.

The Chair Company

Tim Robinson, Lake Bell; directed by Zach Kanin

“The Chair Company.” (HBO)

“The Chair Company” is a surreal comedy-thriller that stretches Tim Robinson’s signature cringe humor into a full-length narrative. Robinson plays a husband and father who spirals into paranoia after a workplace embarrassment, uncovering a bizarre conspiracy tied to office furniture. Directed by Zach Kanin, the HBO series blends absurdity with unease, using corporate settings to explore insecurity, ego and identity. Lake Bell brings grounded contrast as his skeptical wife, anchoring the chaos.

While its tone may alienate some viewers, fans of Robinson’s comedy series “I Think You Should Leave” will appreciate its commitment to discomfort and escalation. It’s a polarizing but sharply observed satire of modern work culture.

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