3 Overlooked HBO Max Films to Enjoy This Weekend (August 22-24)
HBO Max is reaching new heights this weekend. Why? It’s showcasing films that sometimes unfold in the skies.
The 2025 Superman movie starring David Corenswet was a box office success, but the Watch With Us team has a soft spot for the underrated DC film, Superman Returns.
Miss the action-packed classic Die Hard featuring Bruce Willis? Catch Daisy Ridley taking down terrorists in a tall London skyscraper in Cleaner.
The subtle drama Nobody Walks may be grounded, but it’s a compelling watch for anyone interested in a complex love triangle that goes horribly awry.
‘Cleaner’ (2025)
While we may never see an iconic action movie set in a building like Die Hard again, we do get its share of imitators, and Cleaner stands out among them. With Daisy Ridley as Joey Locke, a window cleaner who’s once a soldier (just go with it), she finds herself in a hostage crisis involving a terrorist environmental group led by Marcus Blake (Clive Owen). As the police remain powerless, it falls to Joey to thwart Blake and his crew from harming innocent captives.
Although Cleaner lacks originality, it compensates with a series of thrilling action sequences. Hats off to director Martin Campbell, known for his work on two extraordinary James Bond films: Goldeneye and Casino Royale. Here, he brings a similar vibe for over-the-top action, defying the laws of physics. Cleaner may often be ridiculous, but it’s all in good fun, and it’s refreshing to see Ridley showcase her action skills after her impressive portrayal of Rey in the Star Wars sequels.
Cleaner is available for streaming on Max.
‘Superman Returns’ (2006)
This summer has brought attention to the legendary DC Comics character Superman for several reasons. Dean Cain, who portrayed the Man of Steel on television in the ’90s, took on a real-life Lex Luthor persona. Meanwhile, the latest reboot, aptly called Superman, dominated the box office in July. The earlier adaptation, Superman Returns, has faded into obscurity, yet despite its flaws, it remains an adventure film with genuine heart.
After a five-year absence from Earth, Superman (Brandon Routh) returns to check on his Daily Planet colleagues and former love, Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth). To his surprise, they’ve all moved on without him; Lois is now romantically involved with Richard (James Marsden) and has a five-year-old son named Jason (Tristan Lake Leabu). Even more concerning, his arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey), is up to no good, having used Kryptonian crystals to create land in the ocean. But does the world still need Superman, or are they better off without him, just like Lois?
At 154 minutes, Superman Returns may feel a bit lengthy, but it serves as an enjoyable comic book spectacle filled with breathtaking set pieces, such as Superman saving a space shuttle from a baseball field catastrophe. Routh is underrated as both Clark Kent and Superman—he convincingly portrays an awkward reporter as well as a powerful hero grappling with his place in a world that has moved on. This film acts as a spiritual sequel to Richard Donner‘s classic Superman movies and earns its spot alongside them by the time the credits roll.
Superman Returns is available for streaming on Max.
‘Nobody Walks’ (2012)
Martine (Olivia Thirlby) is a recent college graduate navigating life. Seeking a place to finish her art film, she finds herself at a wealthy family’s pool house in Silver Lake. Complications arise as she becomes involved with the father, Peter (John Krasinski), who is intrigued by her quirks. Will Martine’s presence fracture a family that seems perfect on the surface, or will she bring out hidden truths that Peter and his wife, Julie (Rosemarie DeWitt), have long denied?
Nobody Walks is a quirky dramedy that delves into themes of sexuality and infidelity with gravity. Martine knows how to wield her sexuality, but she’s still figuring out its effects on those around her. Krasinski’s Peter should know better but can’t resist being drawn to what Martine represents—a chance for a fresh start. While Nobody Walks isn’t flawless, it offers an intriguing exploration of the potency of possibility and the repercussions of succumbing too easily to temptation.
