If you’re looking for something to watch, listen to, visit or experience this weekend, start here. Friday Five is my curated guide to the things that made the week better.
Johannesburg, South Africa (19 December 2025) – Consider this your official permission slip to enjoy the good things.
Friday Five is where I get to put the week on pause and talk about the movies, series, music, places and moments that made life feel a little lighter.
It’s also one of my favourite features on Good Things Guy.
I’m incredibly lucky. I often get invited to movie premieres or given early access to series before they land on your screens. I get invited to launches, events, previews and experiences that I know most people don’t always get to see first-hand. And instead of keeping that to myself, Friday Five is where I get to pass it on. It’s my weekly “hey, this was good… you should check it out” column.
So, let’s dive right in!
🎬 Movies Worth Your Time
🕹️ Tron: Ares
Tron: Ares is the third instalment in the Tron franchise, serving as a standalone sequel to 1982’s Tron and 2010’s Tron: Legacy. Directed by Joachim Rønning, this one flips the script in a clever way. Instead of humans entering the digital Grid, a digital program crosses over into the physical world.
And even though many people were not kind to this movie, I loved it!
It’s bold, visually stunning, and unapologetically ambitious. The visuals are pure Tron candy and the concept feels fresh without disrespecting what came before. Is it perfect? No. Is it exciting, stylish and fun? Absolutely. It takes risks, and I’m always here for that.
This is one of those movies best enjoyed without overthinking it. Turn the lights down, turn the volume up, and let yourself get pulled into the world.
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Now available to rent on Apple TV, Amazon and Google Movies
💚🩷 Wicked: For Good
Wicked: For Good (also known as Wicked: Part Two) is the epic cinematic conclusion to Wicked, continuing the story of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) in Oz. It adapts the second act of the musical, exploring their fractured friendship, the Wizard’s deception, Elphaba’s full transformation, and a farewell that hits you right in the feels.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, this film leans hard into themes of destiny, perception and sacrifice. It’s big, emotional, and unapologetically theatrical.
Part One was a much stronger film but I loved Part Two.
The performances are excellent, the musical numbers soar and the emotional payoff lands. It’s spectacle with heart, and it wraps up the story beautifully before Dorothy ever clicks her heels.
If you loved the stage show or the first film, this one is essential viewing.
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In cinemas
📺 Series That Deserve the Hype
🐜 Pluribus
Pluribus is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi series from Vince Gilligan, and it is BRILLIANT.
An alien “happiness virus” spreads across the planet, turning most of humanity into a content, unified hive mind. A peaceful utopia. No conflict. No sadness. No struggle. Except for the few immune individuals who must decide whether happiness without choice is really happiness at all.
This show is a masterclass in slow-burn storytelling. It blends science fiction, psychological horror, dark comedy and drama in a way that feels effortless. It asks uncomfortable questions about free will, individuality and what it really means to be human.
One of the best series I’ve watched this year.
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Now streaming on Apple TV
🎈 IT: Welcome to Derry
If you thought the IT films were intense, buckle up.
IT: Welcome to Derry is a prequel series set in 1962, exploring the origins of Pennywise and the dark history of Derry, Maine. It digs deep into the town’s past, including Indigenous origins, the Black Spot tragedy, and the supernatural forces simmering beneath the surface.
Bill Skarsgård’s return as Pennywise is next-level unsettling. He brings a new, unpredictable menace to the role. Chris Chalk shines as a young Dick Hallorann, adding emotional depth and connecting this story to the wider Stephen King universe.
Fair warning: this series is far more graphic than the films. The horror is intense, the imagery is disturbing and some scenes will linger long after the credits roll.
But if you’re a fan of horror, lore-heavy storytelling and psychological tension, this one is worth the watch.
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Now streaming on HBO and Showmax
🎧 Music on Repeat
🎶 Mumford & Sons – “PrizeFighter”
This is classic Mumford & Sons. Big emotions. Familiar sound. A reminder of why so many of us fell in love with their music in the first place. It feels like coming home.
🎶 OneRepublic – “Give Me Something”
This song has been on repeat. It’s catchy, emotional, and one of those tracks that just works whether you’re driving, walking, or staring out a window pretending you’re in a music video.
🎶 Ard Matthews – “Peas, cLOVEs more Cinnamon”
The Just Jinjer frontman has released his very first Christmas song and it’s already striking a chord. Alongside the track is a heartfelt music video, making this a full festive first for Ard. It’s warm, nostalgic and filled with feeling. A Christmas song with soul.
I’ve curated all of these (and a few extras) into a playlist on Apple Music. Sorry Spotify fam, I’m team Apple. But trust me, you’ll want this playlist on repeat.
🎄 Places to Go
If you’re in Joburg and you’re looking for something that actually feels like December, the Montecasino Festive Market is a must. It’s on right now and runs until 23 December and it’s one of those spaces that instantly puts you in a festive headspace.
From beautifully made gifts and décor to delicious treats, stocking fillers and things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them, it’s packed with local magic.
One of my favourite parts is that it champions local traders and small businesses… people who are doing the work, creating things with care and building something of their own. It feels personal. It feels considered. And it feels like a reminder that where we choose to spend our money really does matter.
And yes, you’ll also find the Good Things Guy book there. Seeing it on a table alongside so many proudly local brands is still something I’ll never take for granted. It makes the whole experience even more special.
If you’re stuck on gift ideas, want to soak up some festive energy, or just need a reason to get out of the house and into something joyful, this market ticks all the boxes.
🎙️ The Podcast
The Good Things with Brent Lindeque podcast has been one of the most rewarding parts of my year. It’s where I get to sit down with incredible humans and have real conversations… about purpose, resilience, kindness, impact and the stories that shape us.
I’ve shared 10 of this year’s must-watch episodes below, and they truly represent the heart of what the podcast is about. Stories that remind us that good people are everywhere, doing good things, often quietly, often without recognition.
Whether you’re watching on YouTube while wrapping gifts, cooking, or taking a breather from family chaos, these episodes are perfect for dipping into over the festive season. Each one offers something different: inspiration, perspective, laughter, or a moment that makes you stop and think.
And that’s this week’s Friday Five.
If you’re looking for more recommendations, please do check out the previous Friday Fives. They’re packed with things worth watching, listening to and experiencing.
As always, the goal here is simple: to remind you that even when the world feels loud, rushed or heavy, there are still so many good things waiting to be discovered.
Happy Friday. Go enjoy something that makes you smile.
by 