What’s New in Home Video & Pop Culture – March 17, 2026 – The Housemaid, The Closer, Lone Samurai, The Boy and the Beast and more

The Housemaid

It’s always an exciting week when we have a bona fide blockbuster in the mix, and that’s the case today! In addition, we have a strong Asian cinema representation alongside some superb graphic novels. Check out all the goods below!

In This Week’s Column:

• The Housemaid (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital)
• The Closer: The Complete Series (DVD) 
• Lone Samurai (4K Ultra HD)
• The Boy and the Beast (4K Ultra HD Steelbook)
• Little Amelie or the Character of Rain (Blu-ray)
• Lost Marvels No. 3: Savage Tales of the 1980s (Graphic Novel)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures on the Go – Half-Shell Shenanigans (Graphic Novel)

The Housekeeper (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital)

Official Synopsis:

The Housemaid is a wildly entertaining thriller starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, based on the best-selling book. From director Paul Feig, the film plunges audiences into a twisted world where perfection is an illusion, and nothing is as it seems. Trying to escape her past, Millie (Sweeney) accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for the wealthy Nina (Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester (Brandon Sklenar). But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous — a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal, and power. Behind the Winchesters’ closed doors lies a world of shocking twists that will leave you guessing until the very end.

The Movie: 

One of last year’s biggest movies was The Housemaid, the adaptation of Freda McFadden’s runaway best seller that has become a cultural phenomenon. I haven’t read the book myself, but I can say that the movie adaptation is quite enjoyable. (And for the record, my wife, who HAD read the book, tells me the movie is relatively faithful, with some changes but nothing too drastic.)

It’s hard to talk about the story without giving away any of the plot’s twists and turns but suffice it to say the film involves a maid/nanny with a past coming to work for a wealthy family where not everything is as hunky dory as it seems. Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried are a powerhouse one-two punch in the lead roles, while Brandon Sklenar is an excellent addition as the third main character. I would say he steals the show, but honestly, all three performers are in top notch form.

I was surprised when the end credits rolled to see that the movie was directed by Paul Feig, best known for movies like Bridesmaids, The Heat, Ghostbusters (2016), and A Simple Favor. While he’s obviously moved into less comedic fare in recent years, I’ll admit that he’s far from my favorite director overall. But he did a terrific job here and the film works as a thriller through and through. I’m pretty sure the movie and the book are big enough names to be on your radar, but just in case they aren’t, I would definitely recommend watching The Housemaid.

The Bonus Features: 

• Audio Commentary
• A Peek Inside Featurette
• Deleted Scenes
• From Page to Panic: Making The Housemaid
• Secrets of the Winchester House: a Housemaid Tour
• Theatrical Trailers

Digital Copy Included: Yes

The Closer: The Complete Series (DVD) 

Official Synopsis:

It’s “a man’s world,” but Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick) proves that she can play in the law enforcement sandbox as skillfully as her masculine counterparts in this dramatic series. With a proven track record and CIA training, the no-nonsense Johnson is named top officer for Los Angeles’ Priority Murder Squad, an elite unit of the LAPD handling especially sensitive murder cases. With J. K. Simmons, Robert Gossett, Corey Reynolds, G. W. Bailey, and Mary McDonnell.109 episodes on 28 discs.

The Show: 

Over the course of seven seasons, Kyra Sedgwick and the always-excellent J.K. Simmons headlined The Closer, a Los Angeles-based police procedural that revolved around deputy police chief Brenda Leigh Johnson and her staff… and her rivals.

This week, we see the DVD release of The Closer: The Complete Series, a 28-disc box set that includes every episode of the series. For me, The Closer was one of those shows that wasn’t appointment television, but I enjoyed reviewing the season box sets as they came out on DVD. This is the first time the entire show has been available in one physical media set, and it’s a nice box set.

It’s interesting to watch the show from start to finish. There’s a pretty major shift in the direction of the show from season 5 on that sees the narrative get bigger and the roles of some of the characters change. We also get Mary McDonnell added to the show, who would eventually get her own spin-off in the form of Major Crimes, which had its own successful run.

The Closer was a television staple for seven years and a well-loved show. If you were a fan, this is a great way to own the entire series and revisit all of the fun.

The Bonus Features: 

There are numerous extras spread throughout each season. Here’s what you get:

• Multiple Making-of Featurettes
• Cast & Crew Commentary Tracks
• Gag Reels
• Deleted Scenes
• Music Videos

Digital Copy Included: No

Lone Samurai (4K Ultra HD)

Official Synopsis:

After losing his family, a samurai is shipwrecked on an island he believes to be deserted. As he contemplates his existence, a dignified death by his own hand seems like his only solution. But when he is captured by a murderous tribe of cannibals who call the island home, every survival instinct within him awakens. Escaping their clutches, his mastery of the blade is tested like never before as he unleashes brutal revenge upon his captors-and their vicious leader.

The Movie: 

Imagine if you were watching Tom Hanks in Cast Away, but instead of being Tom Hanks he was a samurai. And, oh yeah, the island he was stranded on was filled with a tribe of cannibals. Well, in that case, you’d have Lone Samurai, a Japanese-language action thriller written and directed by an American filmmaker.

I mention writer/director Josh C. Waler being American because the movie has very American sensibilities. While it is a Samurai movie, it also treads on some horror ground as Riku, our protagonist, tries to avoid being eaten. The film has a kinetic energy that belies that of traditional samurai movies and feels like something that would come from an American film studio.

Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The film is relatively fast-paced and action-packed, minus some flashbacks that flesh out the character but don’t do much for the pacing. The filmmaking is competent but unremarkable, and the end result is a decent genre movie that’s worth watching but won’t blow you away.

The 4K Video/Audio:

Lone Samurai gets a 4K Ultra HD release, and it looks quite good overall from a transfer perspective. The film has a lot of darker scenes, but shadow delineation is strong and the onscreen action is never obscured. Color saturation is strong and imagery is crisp and clear at all times. The surround soundtrack has a decent amount of activity to work with and it makes the most of it, featuring strong directional effects and an immersive soundfield, plus a nice, solid bass channel that really anchors the more intense bits. It’s a very nice A/V presentation overall.

The Bonus Features: 

There are no bonus features on the disc.

Digital Copy Included: No

The Boy and the Beast (4K Ultra HD Steelbook)

Official Synopsis:

Kyuta, a young boy living on the streets of Shibuya, is taken in by Kumatetsu, a rough-around-the-edges warrior from the Beast Kingdom, who’s been searching for the perfect apprentice. Despite their constant bickering, Kyuta and Kumatetsu begin training together and discover that master and student each have lessons to share. But when a deep darkness threatens to throw their world into chaos, the bond between this unlikely pair will be put to the ultimate test in this emotional and action-packed epic from Academy Award-nominated* director Mamoru Hosoda (BELLE).​​

The Movie: 

I’ve written many times before about how I’m not an anime fan per se, but I’m not NOT a fan, either. Like most any genre of film, I find there to be some anime movies that I really enjoy, but there’s an equal amount that do nothing for me. I won’t watch an anime movie just because it’s anime, but I won’t turn away from one, either. It basically comes down to how interesting the film looks to me.

One of the anime directors I’ve developed an affinity for is Mamoru Hosoda, who created the sci-fi drama Belle, which I quite liked. This time, he dips his foot more into the Studio Ghibli waters, with a story about a warrior beast and his young human apprentice who must face a new and dangerous evil.

As with all of Hosoda’s films, this 2015 outing – which arrives this week on 4K Ultra HD in a gorgeous Steelbook package – is sumptuously animated. The story is a bit convoluted at times, while at other times it’s fairly simple, and that shift in narrative structure can be a little off-putting at times. Overall, I liked the movie, but I can’t say it ranked as one of my favorites from Hosoda’s oeuvre. If you’re a fan, however, this is a terrific package that’s well worth picking up.

The 4K Video/Audio:

On 4K Ultra HD, the film looks and sounds great, as an animated movie should on 4K. Blacks are deep and solid and image clarity is sharp, while colors are vibrant and fit the feel of the movie well, meaning they can also be softer at times when that’s what the filmmakers intended. The surround soundtrack also bolsters the presentation, with a generous spreading out of surround effects through each satellite speaker. Music is full and powerful, and the low end bass channel gives a nice underlying oomph. It’s a very strong A/V presentation overall.

The Bonus Features: 

• Making of The Boy and the Beast
• Promotional Videos
• Cast Commentary
• Key Staff Commentary
• Teasers & Trailers

Digital Copy Included: No

Little Amelie or The Character of Rain (Blu-ray)

Official Synopsis:

For the first years of her life, Amélie never makes a sound. But when her grandmother visits and offers a miraculous bite of chocolate, Amélie suddenly awakens to all the world’s wonders. As she explores her home in post-war Japan, Amélie forms a close bond with her family’s housekeeper, Nishio-san, and discovers new delights in every flower petal, koi pond, and raindrop.​ ​Adapted from the autobiographical novel by Amélie Nothomb and brought to life in the completely original animated style of directors Mailys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain tells a tender, poignant and visually stunning story about the healing power of human connection.

The Movie: 

I’m not entirely sure if Little Amélie or the Character of Rain is technically an anime film or not. With directors Mailys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han at the helm and the movie based on a real-life story (and autobiography) of a Belgian girl living in post-war Japan, there’s a bit of a mish-mash of styles and regions at work in this animated film.

Now, while it may be a more biographical tale than many anime (or anime-adjacent) movies are, the movie is not without its moments of whimsy or fantasy. This is not a 100%-grounded in reality tale, so it will appeal to a wider audience. For me, I found the movie somewhat uneven. It’s a bit meandering, and there are some moments that are quite charming, but there are also parts that felt a bit overdone or too emotional to gel as well as the filmmakers might have wanted.

The animation is quite impressive, with bold visuals and bright colors. If you’re looking for an animated movie that feels just a little bit different than the rest, then Little Amélie or the Character of Rain might be right up your alley.

The Bonus Features: 

• Interview with the Directors
• Director Scene Breakdowns
• Art Gallery
• Animation Breakdowns
• Q&A at Animation is Film Festival

Digital Copy Included: No

Lost Marvels No. 3: Savage Tales of the 1980s (Graphic Novel)

Official Synopsis:

The latest volume in Fantagraphics’ Lost Marvels series, collecting all eight issues of the long-out-of-print, tough-minded 1980s run of Savage Tales, will hit you like a punch in the face. For 13 months in the mid-1980s, Marvel assembled some of its strongest artists and writers to tell gritty, harrowing, and blackly humorous adventure stories ranging from gangster noir to historical battlefields to the deadly old West to post-apocalyptic futures. Unseen for nearly 40 years, here is some of the most shocking work of artists John Severin, John Buscema, Val Mayerik, Ron Wagner, Gray Morrow, Wayne Vansant, Herb Trimpe, Michael Golden, Joe Jusko, Arthur Suydam, and Ken Steacy, and writers Chuck Dixon, Bill Wray, Robert Kanigher, Denny O’Neil, Doug Murray, and Archie Goodwin. Stories include Severin and Dixon’s “By Rail to Vladivostock,” Murray and Golden’s “The Nam, 1967,” Glanzman’s “Of War and Peace: The Trinity,” Jungkuntz’s Blood & Gutz series, and Trimpe’s Skywarriors series. With a remembrance by Savage Tales editor Larry Hama. Savage Tales of the 1980s reprints all 8 issues of the magazine’s run, the first time they have seen print since 1986 ― nearly 40 years ago! They are reproduced in facsimile format, including color covers.

The Book: 

I can’t get enough of Fantagraphics’ Lost Marvels hardcover graphic novels! This series of graphic novels collects notable works by seminal talents at Marvel Comics that have never been collected before. Volume 1 focused largely on horror comics with works by the likes of Neal Adams, Stan Lee, Barry Windsor Smith, Jim Steranko, and others, while Volume 2 focused solely on some of the lesser-seen works of Howard Chaykin.

Now we have Volume 3, which is by far the biggest of the three books, probably about double the size of either of the first two. And, man, is it a gem! This 500-page-plus hardcover collects all eight issues in their entirety of Savage Tales, one of Marvel’s numerous magazine titles from the heyday of the 1970s and ‘80s. There isn’t necessarily one major throughline of the stories collected here, except that they are hard-hitting action. (The Savage Tales moniker might conjure up Conan the Barbarian or The Savage Land, both Marvel mainstays, but that’s not the case.) For me, the stand-out story is The ‘Nam, 1967 by Doug Murray and Michael Golden, as it would launch The ’Nam, one of my favorite comic book series of all time. Then you add in stories by luminaries such as John Buscema, Denny O’Neil, Archie Goodwin, Joe Jusko, and Arthur Suydam, and this is a visually rich book from start to finish. You get all eight issues in their original black-and-white with the color covers reprinted in full color.

All of these books so far are gorgeous, oversized hardcovers printed on premium paper, so they look and feel outstanding! These are a must-have for any Marvel fan or anyone who just loves seeing comic book legends at work. While I’ve loved every offering so far, Volume 3 is hands down my favorite yet! Bring on Volume 4!

The Specs: 

• Publisher: Fantagraphics
• Format: Hardcover
• Page Count: 544 pages
• Cover Price: $65.00

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures, On the Go – Half-Shell Shenanigans (Graphic Novel)

Official Synopsis:

Turtle Power is back—with all the cowabunga chaos of the ’90s animated series, collected in one totally radical volume! This all-in-one compact edition brings you the complete Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures saga—straight from the sewers and back onto your bookshelf! Rejoin Leo, Mikey, Donnie, and Raph as they battle pizza zombies, thwart evil election schemes, get trapped in a dream dimension, and even go on trial for breaking the fourth wall!

With appearances by Shredder, Krang, Chrome Dome, the Punk Frogs, Mister Ogg, and the return of the Rat King, this collection is wall-to-wall action, jokes, and classic Turtle charm. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the 1987 cartoon or introducing a new generation to the Heroes in a Half-Shell, this omnibus is your all-access pass to TMNT mayhem!

This omnibus collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures (Series 1) issues #1–4, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures (Series 2) issues #1–8, plus the Endless Summer and Halloween Special one-shots by writer Erik Burnham and artists Tim Lattie, Jack Lawrence, Dan Schoening, and Sarah Myer.

The Book: 

This new budget-priced (and compact-sized) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles graphic novel is theoretically aimed squarely at younger readers. After all, it is based on the Ninja Turtles Saturday morning cartoon show, which obviously is a little more all-ages friendly than some of the canon TMNT stories are. But if you’re a longtime fan who grew up watching the cartoon, this new collection will also be a fun read. Effectively, it’s a great pick-up for a low price that will keep any readers engaged and do so for a low price.

This slightly-smaller-than-regular-comic-book sized collection (that is also slightly bigger than digest-sized; I’d put it around 6” x 9”) collects fourteen TMNT comic book adventures, all taken from the comic books that are based on the cartoon shows, rather than the original in-universe continuity stories.

First up is the initial four-issue Saturday Morning Adventures miniseries, followed by the eight issue SMA series that followed. As a special bonus, you also get two stand-alone stories from the Summer and Halloween specials. All of this is collected in the six-by-nine sized format which has become extremely popular these days, and it’s all there under a low $13.99 price tag. It’s a perfect entry point for a younger reader, or an easy beach read to throw in your backpack without having to worry if a corner gets bent. Cowabunga!

The Specs: 

• Publisher: IDW Publishing
• Format: Softcover
• Page Count: 352 pages
• Cover Price: $13.99