TVIf you only watch one, make it …Sean Combs: The Reckoning
Netflix
Sean Combs. Photograph: Paras Griffin/Getty Images
Summed up in a sentence An utterly damning docuseries about the musician – which has so rattled his lawyers they are demanding that Netflix remove it.
What our reviewer said “It does such a thorough job of laying out and backing up so many horrific allegations that his way back to stardom is surely blocked for ever.” Stuart Heritage
Further reading ‘A lot of bad things happened’: the most shocking moments from the Diddy docuseries
Pick of the restWhat’s the Monarchy For?
BBC iPlayer
What’s the Monarchy For?. Photograph: BBC/The Garden TV
Summed up in a sentence David Dimbleby enjoys his newfound freedom to aim both barrels at the royal family.
What our reviewer said “Dimbleby is sliding his knife in slowly.” Jack Seale
The Marvellous Miniature Workshop
BBC iPlayer
Summed up in a sentence A charming series featuring model makers recreating people’s most poignant places – but in the teeniest possible format.
What our reviewer said “This is all my Christmasses come at once! Count me in! Sign me up! Inject the titchiness into my veins!” Lucy Mangan
Further reading ‘Crafts are like medicine!’: Gen Z and the rapid rise of cosy hobbies
You may have missed …Joe Wicks: Licensed to Kill
Channel 4
Summed up in a sentence The lockdown star gets political, shining a light on the horrific unhealthiness of snack bars – by creating one that’s as harmful as possible.
What our reviewer said “Licensed to Kill, with its unabashed anger at rampant commercialism and its belief that the problem has gone far enough to demand radical, even reckless political action, feels like it might be part of something wider than an argument about snack food.” Jack Seale
Further reading ‘I might annoy you, but my intentions are good’: Joe Wicks’ alien-filled new exercise class for kids
FilmIf you only watch one, make it …It Was Just an Accident
In cinemas now
It Was Just an Accident. Photograph: AP
Summed up in a sentence An unfortunate encounter with a dog sets off a chain of surreal, grotesque events in Iranian dissident Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or-winning film.
What our reviewer said “Panahi’s most emotionally explicit film yet: a film about state violence and revenge, about the pain of tyranny that co-exists with ostensible everyday normality.” Peter Bradshaw
Further reading Iran’s Jafar Panahi on life as a banned film-maker
Pick of the restCover-Up
In cinemas now
Seymour Hersh in Cover-Up. Photograph: Netflix
Summed up in a sentence Documentary about nonconformist and combative journalist Seymour Hersh, a legend who uncovered big stories from My Lai to Abu Ghraib.
What our reviewer said “With an old-fashioned reporter’s dogged “shoe leather” instincts, Hersh goes to see the people involved, talks to them, spends time on a story, and doesn’t take no for an answer.” Peter Bradshaw
Sunset Boulevard
In cinemas now
Summed up in a sentence Gloria Swanson plays faded film star Norma Desmond in Billy Wilder’s cameo-packed, self-referential masterpiece from 1950, about tinseltown ghosts and delusions.
What our reviewer said “Swanson, a veteran of the silent era, brilliantly suggests a performer who has learned the extravagant mannerisms of early cinema at an impressionable age and can never unlearn them; the kabuki mask of silent movies has eaten into Norma’s face.” Peter Bradshaw
Prime Minister
In cinemas now
Summed up in a sentence Documentary about New Zealand’s former leader Jacinda Ardern records a shrewd but likable premier.
What our reviewer said “More than any politician anywhere in the world in my adult lifetime, she looked like an actual member of the human race who was catapulted to office too fast to have acquired the defensive carapace of the professional politician.” Peter Bradshaw
Further reading Jacinda Ardern on kind leadership, public rage and life in Trump’s America
Now streamingL’Atalante
Curzon Home Cinema, and cinemas
Dita Parlo and Jean Dasté in L’Atalante. Photograph: RGR Collection/Alamy
Summed up in a sentence Jean Vigo’s only full-length film, made in 1934, is set onboard a barge, with a pair of honeymooners joined by eccentric seadog Michel Simon.
What our reviewer said “Combining simplicity and delicacy with enormous sophistication and technique, it is an urban pastoral that to an extraordinary degree inspires love – both love for the film and love generally.” Peter Bradshaw
Further reading You’re gonna need a bigger boat: the 20 best films set on water – ranked!
Books
For the year’s outstanding fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s books and more, explore our bumper guide to the best books of 2025.
AlbumsIf you only listen to one, make it …Dove Ellis: Blizzard
Out now
Dove Ellis. Photograph: Xander Lewis
Summed up in a sentence With shades of Jeff and Tim Buckley, the Galway-born artist writes tunes so strong they seem as familiar as old friends.
What our reviewer said “If Ellis isn’t reinventing the wheel, he’s certainly giving the old thing a caring coat of varnish.” Dave Simpson
Further reading The 20 best songs of 2025
Pick of the restThis Is Lorelei: Holo Boy
Out now
This Is Lorelei. Photograph: Al Nardo
Summed up in a sentence One half of Water from Your Eyes re-records songs from the back catalogue of his other band, resulting in acoustic fare touched with regret and darkness.
What our reviewer said “His most obvious stylistic counterpart is indie-rocker Alex G, but while Amos can’t rival him for lyrical punch, he can match his knack for pleasingly diverting detail.” Rachel Aroesti
Further reading ‘Your favourite album is not as cool as any dinosaur’: set sail with New York art rock duo Water from Your Eyes
Nash Ensemble: Ravel
Out now
Summed up in a sentence The chamber group’s all-Ravel CD is an impeccable farewell to much-missed founder Amelia Freedman.
What our reviewer said “It’s the attention to the details of colour and tone that really makes these performances take flight, the instruments combining to catch the dazzling light and intriguing shade that are such intrinsic features of Ravel’s music.” Erica Jeal
Further reading Amelia Freedman obituary: Nash Ensemble founder who commissioned hundreds of works from leading composers
Laura Cannell: Brightly Shone the Moon
Out now
Summed up in a sentence The violinist sets out on her darkest exploration of yuletide yet, giving a murky and melancholy twist on familiar Christmas standards.
What our reviewer said “This is an album not for the party or the tree decorations, but one that carries you, hauntingly, through the passing of time, slips of ancient songs lighting the way like Christingles.” Jude Rogers
Now touringWolf Alice
Touring the UK to 8 December
Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice at Manchester Arena. Photograph: Andy Von Pip/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock
Summed up in a sentence With 70s rock references, tinselly backdrop and cabaret-theatre vibes, the four-piece have undergone their most complete reinvention yet.
What our reviewer said “The most consistent and impressive thing about Wolf Alice is Rowsell’s vocal performance. Every iteration has only grown stronger. The band’s set never shows the songwriter falter once, she’s on par with the glam gods.” Amelia Fearon
Further reading Wolf Alice on ambition, ageing and why new bands are struggling