

What's better than one new Wes Anderson film? Four new Wes Anderson films, and you shall have them. The visionary director has adapted four lesser-known Roald Dahl tales into shorts for Netflix.
The four shorts also all feature mostly the same primary actors including Benedict Cumberbatch, Sir Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel and Richard Ayoade. With rave reviews for the flagship film in the collection, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and three excellent offbeat shorts that are well worth a watch.
Whether you plan to watch them one at a time or all in a row to form a feature-length anthology, here's the lowdown on each story.
1. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
- Release date: 27th September
The first and longest short of the collection. This 39-minute film sees Benedict Cumberbatch as the title character, a struggling gambler who arrests a slump by learning a mysterious technique from "The man who sees without using his eyes".
Interestingly many believe that Dahl wrote this story as a satirical swipe at critics who moaned that his works never had a happy ending, so expect something sugary sweet. It (and all the other films in the collection) is presented almost as a monologue to camera, with sets being visibly constructed and deconstructed around characters as they talk.
2. The Swan
- Release date: 28th September
Another Dahl story featured in his short story collection The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More, this is a brisk 17 minute story of a genius young boy being ruthlessly bullied. It features the tensest scene of the collection.
As well as Ralph Fiennes, this story also stars Rupert Friend and young Asa Jennings as lead character Peter. I won't spoil too much but the short story at least is a touch darker than Henry Sugar's tale. Perhaps those critics had a point Roald?
3. The Rat Catcher
- Release date: 29th September
This wasn't actually in the Henry Sugar collection, but 1954's Someone Like You so clearly Anderson has specifically chosen it and has something special in mind. As you might expect it centers around a professional rat exterminator and some talking rodents.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Ralph Fiennes put in some fine work as the creepy title character but I would still argue this is perhaps the most 'out-there' of the movies in this collection.
4. Poison
- Release date: 30th September
Poison has been adapted before when Alfred Hitchcock did his own TV version of this story in 1958, so there are big boots to fill.
This is a very simple story of a man in India who wakes to find a poisonous snake in his bed, and features Cumberbatch (in his pyjamas), Fiennes, Kingsley and Dev Patel- with Fiennes playing the author himself. Of the three shorter films, this might be the best, with Patel in particular giving a very strong performance.

Andy was T3's Tech Staff Writer, covering all things technology, including his biggest passions such as gaming. If he had to save one possession from a fire it would be his PlayStation 5. He previously worked for Tom’s Guide – where he got paid to play with ChatGPT everyday. When it comes to streaming, Andy will have his headphones glued in whilst watching something that will make him laugh. He studied Creative Writing at university, but also enjoys supporting his favourite football team (Liverpool), watching F1, teaching himself guitar, and spending time with his dog.
-
LG’s new mini-LED TVs include a wire-free wonder
LG's 2025 Evo QNED TVs include a 100-inch model and one with LG's True Wireless connectivity
By Carrie Marshall
-
New Xbox controllers could embrace tech Google ditched years ago
Rumours abound that Microsoft will launch three new controllers, one with Cloud Gaming at its heart
By Rik Henderson
-
Netflix's new feature update could enhance viewing for millions of subscribers
If you love subtitles, Netflix has the ideal new feature for you
By Rik Henderson
-
Netflix's new series looks like The Queen's Game crossed with Naruto – in the best way
Netflix brings another manga to the screen
By Max Freeman-Mills
-
3 Netflix TV shows that are as uncomfortable to watch as they are gripping
Some of the best shows on Netflix can disturb for one reason or another – here are three that give you the shivers but are still unmissable
By Brian Comber
-
I can tell this new Netflix comedy series is going to have a sad twist
The Four Seasons will have light and shade
By Max Freeman-Mills
-
Netflix's most surprising 100%-rated sci-fi series returns with gorgeous trailer
Love Death + Robots is back for more
By Max Freeman-Mills
-
This runaway Netflix no.1 hit shows reviews aren't everything
Ignore The Life List's Rotten Tomatoes score
By Max Freeman-Mills
-
You only have days to catch this sci-fi stunner - it's leaving Netflix soon
A Quiet Place: Part II is terrifying
By Max Freeman-Mills
-
Netflix might have the next The Last Of Us in huge new sci-fi trailer
The Eternaut looks awesome
By Max Freeman-Mills