“Emilia Pérez” is a French film set in Mexico, shot largely on soundstages in France, blending elements of noir, musicals and occasional winking comedy.

The story follows a Mexican cartel boss (Karla Sofía Gascón) who transitions to living as a woman, with Zoe Saldaña playing the lawyer who helps her navigate the dangerous logistics of the operation and its aftermath.

Gascón, a trans actress, brings authenticity to a role treated with sincerity and compassion, while the film’s humor adds a cheeky charm.

The musical elements, though sporadic, are striking, showcasing Saldaña’s dance and theater background. Highlights include an operatic sing-talking style and a gun-loading choreography sequence, though the integration of music could have been more consistent.

This is an interesting moment for offbeat musicals (compare with 2021’s “Annette,” in which Adam Driver has a puppet as a child). Hopefully, as they mature they will get a firmer grasp on what makes musicals so powerful.

“Conclave” is a gripping political thriller set in the Vatican, centered on the high-stakes election of a new pope.

Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence, the meticulous and morally driven Dean of the College of Cardinals, overseeing a process where ambition and ideology collide.

As factions clash — ranging from hardline traditionalists to liberal reformists — performances by Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and others bring depth to this web of backroom machinations.

Less a religious film and more akin to “House of Cards,” “Conclave” explores the power struggles within the Church, revealing how politics and faith intertwine.

With stunning, Caravaggio-like visuals and an almost humorless tone, the film dives into a tense, absorbing series of twists as each vote shifts the fortunes of its characters.

“What We Do in the Shadows” is a vampire mockumentary series airing on FX, based on the 2014 film of the same name by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. The show hilariously explores the mundane and supernatural challenges faced by a group of vampire roommates living in Staten Island.

The ensemble cast delivers standout performances, including:

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• Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak), a former warlord who is less relentless than his name suggests.

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• Laszlo (Matt Berry) and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), a centuries-old vampire couple, with Berry producing some of the strangest pronunciations of the English language to be found on television.

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• Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch), an energy vampire who drains people’s energy through banal conversations, is perhaps the most inspired comic creation on the show.

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• Guillermo (Harvey Guillén), the loyal yet underappreciated familiar, undergoes the show’s most complicated character arc involving his Van Helsing ancestry and evolving role within the group.

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• The show also offers memorable guest appearances from actors including Kristen Schaal and Tim Heidecker.

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Over its seasons, the show has evolved beyond its film origins, developing rich storylines and deepening its characters. The final season explores the characters’ complicated dependence on Guillermo and the centrality of his role in the group.

Whether you’re new to the show or catching up, it’s easy to dive in from the beginning. Highly recommended for fans of comedy and supernatural genres alike.