Francis Ford Coppola’s question – can the US empire last forever? – may be valid but flashes of humour cannot rescue this conspiracy thriller from awful acting and dull effects

A thrilling documentary about the wild life of Steve Martin, the first comic ever to sell out stadiums – and Aubrey Plaza is electric as always playing a food delivery driver turned fraudster

Before she heads to college, a teenager meets her older self, played by Aubrey Plaza, in a sweet-natured and slickly made crowd-pleaser

From a Guy Ritchie action comedy to a revealing documentary about journalism, Guardian writers pick their favourite underseen films of the year

The White Lotus star struggles alongside Girls’ Christopher Abbott in an overcooked relationship two-hander from John Patrick Shanley

An abridged season, due to the writers’ strike, offered up an uneven selection of skits but also some undeniable highlights

More people need to see this thriller, which is also a political statement on modern labour, a cardiovascular nightmare – and comfortably the best movie I’ve seen all year

A spirited cast, including Jason Statham and Aubrey Plaza, help deliver a fun time in Guy Ritchie’s slick and silly action comedy

The White Lotus star makes for an impressive host in a week that sees Sharon Stone, Amy Poehler, Allison Williams and, surprisingly, Joe Biden pop up

From brilliant gothic direction to casting that is absolutely perfect (Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia!), this series focusing on the creepy clan’s daughter is an utter joy

Sashay down the rabbit hole to discover how the Hollywood actor is connected to these cultural touchstones – as well as a medieval sex farce

Our countdown of the best films released in the UK during 2021 reaches No 1 with Jane Campion’s menacing western about two warring brothers