HBO Max has unveiled a selection of new films that have garnered critical acclaim, achieving scores of at least 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. This month’s offerings include a captivating romantic drama, a gripping crime thriller, and a classic horror masterpiece. Each film showcases strong storytelling and compelling performances, making them must-watch additions to the platform.
Romantic Drama: ‘Dangerous Liaisons’
Released in 1988, Dangerous Liaisons boasts a remarkable Rotten Tomatoes score of 94 percent. The film stars Glenn Close as the manipulative Marquise de Merteuil and John Malkovich as her scheming ex-lover, Vicomte de Valmont. Set in 18th-century Paris, the story revolves around a dangerous wager: Merteuil enlists Valmont to seduce the innocent Cécile de Volanges, played by Uma Thurman, to exact revenge on another former lover. Valmont, however, becomes infatuated with the virtuous Madame de Tourvel, portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer. The ensuing tale of seduction, betrayal, and emotional blackmail leads to catastrophic consequences for all involved. Viewers can stream Dangerous Liaisons on HBO Max.
Crime Thriller: ‘The Town’
Another highlight is The Town, a crime thriller released in 2010, which holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 92 percent. Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, the film follows Doug MacRay, a bank robber entangled in a complex web of crime and romance. Alongside his friends—James “Jem” Coughlin (Jeremy Renner), Albert “Gloansy” MacGloan (Slaine), and Desmond “Dez” Elden (Owen Burke)—Doug navigates the dangerous aftermath of a heist that involves the kidnapping of bank manager Claire Keesey, played by Rebecca Hall. As Doug attempts to forge a relationship with Claire, he faces threats from both his criminal associates and the FBI, led by Special Agent Adam Frawley (Jon Hamm). The Town is available for streaming on HBO Max.
Classic Horror: ‘Bride of Frankenstein’
Considered one of the greatest horror films of all time, Bride of Frankenstein was released in 1935 and currently holds an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 98 percent. This iconic film features Boris Karloff reprising his role as Frankenstein’s Monster. The narrative picks up after the events of the original Frankenstein, revealing the Monster’s tragic encounters with humanity. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive), shaken by his previous creation, wishes to abandon his experiments and lead a peaceful life with his wife, Elizabeth (Valerie Hobson). However, his former mentor, Doctor Pretorius (Ernest Thesiger), has other plans, seeking to create a mate for the Monster and using Elizabeth as leverage. Bride of Frankenstein remains a timeless classic and is streaming on HBO Max.
With these three films, HBO Max offers a diverse array of cinematic experiences that highlight both modern storytelling and classic artistry. Each selection provides a unique viewing experience, reflecting the platform’s commitment to curating high-quality content for its audience.
