NEXT Magazine

Review: 'Ella McCay' is naïve and stuck in the ’90s Writer-director James L. Brooks strikes out with latest soft-focus critique of U.S. that makes 'Spanglish' look like 'The Godfather'.

Review: Writer-director James L. Brooks' 'Ella McCay' is a naïve, soft-focus critique of the U.S. that seems stuck in the ’90s

Review: ‘We Will Rock You’ is a ridiculous, rousing, rock ’n’ roll vibe » NEXT Magazine The story doesn’t make sense, but who cares? It’s Queen.

Review: 'We Will Rock You' is about the fun and freedom of rock ’n’ roll in a celebration of the music of Queen.

Review: ‘Invasion: Christmas Carol’ mixes improvised chaos with Christmas magic Powerhouse ensemble keeps the comedy sharp and the story’s heart intact

In ‘Invasion: Christmas Carol’, each performance features a different surprise invader, guaranteeing a unique flavour of mayhem every night.

Review: 'Five Nights at Freddy’s 2' is incoherent and lazy The "Five Nights at Freddy's" sequel fails to ignite much fear and wastes its cast of horror legends.

Review: 'Five Nights at Freddy’s 2' commits all the crimes against horror cinema, delivering barely enough scares to justify its 100-minute runtime.

December music preview features Monsters, Maus and much more » NEXT Magazine The Sadies play Horseshoe on NYE for 25th year

Don't miss NEXT's complete guide to concerts and shows happening in Toronto this December, including all our top picks.

What to watch this weekend: Mr. Dressup's Magic on CBC Gem, Sean Combs' "Reckoning" on Netflix » NEXT Magazine George Clooney is just being himself in Jay Kelly on Netflix, while Percy Jackson is on Disney+

What to watch this weekend: Mr. Dressup's magic is on CBC Gem, Sean Combs' "Reckoning" is on Netflix, and George Clooney is just being himself as 'Jay Kelly'.

Review: “Hamnet” proves brilliant comeback movie for director Chloé Zhao » NEXT Magazine Jessie Buckley brilliant as bitter Bard’s bride

How’s this for a comeback movie? Chloé Zhao shows that 'Eternals' was only a minor misstep with this phenomenal adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel 'Hamnet'.

Review: "Robin Hood: A Very Merry Family Musical" a stellar panto 'Robin Hood: A Very Merry Family Musical' is a stellar edition of the Ross Petty-inspired Toronto holiday tradition.

Holiday pantomimes are great Toronto tradition and @canadianstage’s latest production “Robin Hood : A Very Merry Family Musical” masterfully checks all fun boxes from hilariously dastardly bad guy to plenty of ribald double entendres for adult chuckles.Our 4-N review here: nextmag.ca/review-lates...

Review: Bad Hats’ ‘Narnia’ is enchanting for every generation » NEXT Magazine Journey through the wardrobe with this warm hug of a show

@badhatstheatre’s new production of “Narnia” builds on company’s solid track record infusing beloved children’s stories with original folk-pop music. The result is delightful and smart and breathes bold new life into a treasured story. Check out our 4-N review nextmag.ca/review-bad-h...

December movie preview: ‘Marty Supreme’ fuels Chalamet’s Oscar hopes, ‘Avatar’ goes molten » NEXT Magazine Award wishes are no secret for 'Secret Agent', plus holiday cinema events around the city

New releases this December include Timothée Chalamet in "Marty Supreme", Paul Mescal in "Hamnet", and the perfectly pious Amanda Seyfried in "The Testament of Ann Lee".

What to watch this weekend: NEXT's streaming guide for November 28th 'Stranger Things' Season 5 returns to Netflix, 'Heated Rivalry' on Crave alongside 'Paul Anka: His Way', and 'The Beatles Anthology' is on Disney+

Not sure what to watch this weekend? NEXT's streaming guide has you covered, including the return of 'Stranger Things' and Tim Robinson's latest series, 'The Chair Company'.

Dears lead singer Murray Lightburn discusses making the ‘overdue’ life-affirming album » NEXT Magazine Lightburn and The Dears recorded their latest album in just one month

The Dears lead singer Murray A. Lightburn speaks with NEXT about making the ‘overdue’ life-affirming album, 'Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful! Life Is Beautiful!'

Sold-out lesbian oil wrestling event creates a safe and shiny space in the city » NEXT Magazine Zhané Stimpson’s Lez Get Physical is wrestled and created by the lesbians of Toronto for the lesbians of Toronto

An all-lesbian Garden of Eden.

That’s how Toronto-based content creator and community builder Zhané Stimpson describes Lez Get Physical, their upcoming lesbian oil wrestling event.

What to watch: NEXT's guide to what's streaming in Toronto this week » NEXT Magazine New “Landman” lands, good bye “Morning Show”, head down “Cemetery Road” and more

What are you watching this weekend? Read NEXT's top picks of what's streaming right now, including new 'Landman', 'The Morning Show', and Emma Thompson in 'Down Cemetery Road'.

Review: Sadly, ‘Wicked: For Good’ is not so good » NEXT Magazine New film one of 2025’s biggest cinematic misfires

'Wicked: For Good' has a rather big ruby slippers to fill. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come close to providing meaningful closure to the story that began in part one, limping to the finish rather than defying gravity in triumph.

Boys behaving badly cause catastrophe in National Ballet’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’ » NEXT Magazine Excellent storytelling through dance and music for fans of ballet and those who are experiencing it for the first time

'The Winter's Tale', on now at the Four Seasons Centre, is multifaceted, dynamic storytelling told through expressive, emotional and beautiful ballet.

Review: ’Tis the season for Caribbean kaiso and spirit in ‘The Christmas Market’ » NEXT Magazine Production captures the essence of immigrant and Caribbean life in Canada

Review: "The Christmas Market" at Crow's Theatre is a “fish-market” of macaroni pie, curry goat and black cake seasoned with the bittersweet realities of being an immigrant in Canada.

Live review: Neil Young gets star studded birthday celebration show worthy of the man himself » NEXT Magazine Canada’s music stars deliver spectacular show that highlights all sides of Young’s sound

@jimcuddyofficial, @kittythefool and @_cityandcolour_ were among the Canadian music stars celebrating Neil Young’s 80th birthday Wednesday night at an amazing tribute show @masseyhall. Our 5-N review here: nextmag.ca/live-review-...

Review: ‘The Running Man’ runs out of decent screenwriting » NEXT Magazine Glenn Powell makes good case for claiming action hero status

Review: Glen Powell stake his claim as the heir to Tom Cruise’s Hollywood action man throne in "The Running Man", directed by Edgar Wright. (NNN out of 5)

Interview: Director Stuart Clarfield's "Kensington Market: The Heart of the City" captures iconic neighbourhood's beauty Toronto filmmaker crafts a love letter to one of the city’s most important neighbourhoods

Toronto filmmaker Stuart Clarfield speaks with NEXT about "Kensington Market: The Heart of the City", screening tonight (Thurs., Nov. 13) as part of the Architecture and Design Film Festival at TIFF Lightbox.

Preview: Kanika Ambrose is a playwright of small indignations » NEXT Magazine The playwright wants us to consider the unseen labour behind Canada’s festive cheer.

Playwright Kanika Ambrose speaks with NEXT about "The Christmas Market" at Crow's Theatre starting Wed., Nov. 12.

Over the last five years, Ambrose has established herself as one of Canada’s most perceptive and formally daring playwrights.

Review: Vibrations dampen on ‘Dissonant Species’ » NEXT Magazine Theatre Gargantua’s newest work sounds pretty but comes out flat

Review: Theatre Gargantua’s 'Dissonant Species' has some really beautiful moments, visually and sonically. With compelling sounds, it may not always strike the right chord, but it may soon become the composition it’s striving for.

Review: Soulpepper’s ‘The Comeuppance’ will haunt you with nostalgia » NEXT Magazine Play confronts the cruel realities of being an adult

Review: "The Comeuppance", on now at @Soulpepper, leaves its mark, standing out for its form, content and performances. // NNNN (out of 5)

Solid boxing drama elevated by Sydney Sweeney’s knockout performance » NEXT Magazine What movie lacks in directorial flair, it makes up for in the acting department

Christy is an ordinary boxing biopic elevated by an extraordinary performance from its lead. Sydney Sweeney’s performance carries the movie, breathing life into it when the direction lets it down.

🥊 NNN (out of 5)

Review: ‘Predator: Badlands’ continues Dan Trachtenberg’s expansion of the franchise with most epic instalment yet » NEXT Magazine No humans, no problem — the antagonist becomes protagonist in ‘Predator: Badlands’, Dan Trachtenberg’s expansion of the Predator franchise.

‘Predator: Badlands’ continues Dan Trachtenberg’s expansion of the franchise with most epic instalment yet (NNNN out of 5)

Bummer, was a great creation.

Arts Majors: Painted Lady is committed to bands, burlesque, poetry and performance » NEXT Magazine Ossington bar has anything-goes vibe with owners’ faith in freedom and discovery powering vision

Read NEXT's full conversation with The Painted Lady co-owner Nicky Potter about the Ossington Ave. establishment's history and its role in helping to foster a thriving community of artists.

Ambitious authoritarian drama exchanges social commentary for family drama » NEXT Magazine Wonderful cast carry under-cooked political analysis unsure of what it’s trying to say

'Anniversary' could have been one of the year’s most divisive movies, but its inability to tackle its subject matter head-on means it’s unlikely to rile up anyone across the political spectrum.

Album review: Brandi Carlile delivers stripped down blend of Americana and folk on excellent “Returning to Myself” » NEXT Magazine Tribute to Joni Mitchell among album’s many highlights

Brandi Carlile doesn’t shy away from making a statement with her new album "Returning to Myself". With moving lyrics and beautiful vocals, this album is sure to have you feeling emotional.

🎧 NNNN (out of 5)

Ethan Hawke and Richard Linklater tell NEXT what drew them to songwriter’s tragic tale » NEXT Magazine Hawke gives brilliant performance as doomed lyricist Lorenz Hart in “Blue Moon”

Check out our editor @northbymichael.bsky.social's feature as he chats with Ethan Hawke, Richard Linklater and Bobby Cannavale about their new film "Blue Moon" which sees Hawke play doomed songwriter Lorenz Hart. Story here: nextmag.ca/ethan-hawke-...