As autumn nights draw in across the continent, European cultural venues are offering plenty of reasons to leave the sofa. This week, two of France's most celebrated impressionists take centre stage in London and Paris, while a new film from a Mexican auteur pushes Tom Cruise into uncharted comic territory. There is also fresh music from a Manchester guitar legend and a pulpy thriller starring Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Renoir and Monet: two giants, two retrospectives
In London, the National Gallery opens Renoir and Love on 2 October, running until 31 January 2027. This is the most significant UK retrospective of Pierre-Auguste Renoir in two decades, bringing together more than 50 works, from the iconic Bal au Moulin de la Galette to The Umbrellas. The exhibition traces the artist's evolution from the mid-1860s to the mid-1880s, a period when he pioneered the loose brushwork that captured fleeting emotions in public spaces. Loans from museums across the globe allow visitors to see how Renoir's technique developed, from the sun-dappled scenes of Montmartre to his more structured portraits.
Across the Channel, the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris presents Monet: Painting Time, opening 30 September and running until 25 January 2027. Marking the centenary of Claude Monet's death, this exhibition explores the artist's relationship with time. Monet's paintings have always conveyed a sense of momentum—even in a frozen canvas, the shifting light and loose strokes suggest a world in constant transition. Featuring nearly 40 paintings from collections worldwide, some rarely seen before, the show re-evaluates Monet's work through this lens. Co-organised with Tate, it will travel to London in February next year.
Both exhibitions offer a chance to see how these impressionist masters, often grouped together, approached their craft differently. Renoir focused on human connection and social joy, while Monet chased the ephemeral qualities of light and atmosphere.
Tom Cruise goes absurd in Digger
In cinemas from 2 October, Digger is the new satirical comedy from Alejandro G. Iñárritu, the Mexican director known for Birdman. Tom Cruise, buried under prosthetics even heavier than in Tropic Thunder, plays an eccentric oil tycoon whose drilling operations in Greenland have triggered a global environmental catastrophe. Rather than retreating to a bunker, he appoints himself humanity's saviour and embarks on a bombastic rescue mission. The film has drawn comparisons to There Will Be Blood and Dr. Strangelove, blending dark humour with sharp commentary on corporate greed and climate inaction.
The cast is stacked: Sandra Hüller, Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, and Jesse Plemons all appear. Early buzz suggests Cruise's performance is his zaniest yet, and Oscar speculation is already mounting. Our full review will follow on Friday.
For those seeking a more conventional thriller, Verity—the adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel—opens in most European cinemas on 2 October, starring Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett, and Anne Hathaway.
Kill Jackie: Zeta-Jones returns to crime
On Prime Video from 2 October, Kill Jackie is a glossy thriller series based on Nick Harkaway's novel The Price You Pay. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Jackie Price, a wealthy art dealer whose glamorous life hides a criminal past. When a squad of hitmen targets her, she must revive old connections and resources. The show is deliberately pulpy—think stylish action, sharp dialogue, and a foul-mouthed protagonist in designer clothes. It's perfect autumn escapism, and Zeta-Jones is clearly enjoying herself.
Johnny Marr's new album reflects on hyper-connectivity
Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr releases his fifth solo studio album, The Age Of Everything, on 2 October. Following 2022's Fever Dreams Pts 1–4, the record grapples with the constant, overwhelming changes of modern life. Marr's signature jangly guitar work and soaring vocals are present throughout, but the lyrics carry a more introspective weight. Tracks like 'Just Once More' convey anxiety about the pace of change, while 'All In A Life' finds calm in routine. The album's kinetic energy mirrors the digital age's relentless buzz, yet Marr's presence feels reassuring—a steady hand guiding listeners through the storm.
For those planning cultural trips, the longest cruise ever recently set sail from Rome, and cruise trends show younger passengers seeking themed voyages. But for a more grounded experience, the Renoir and Monet shows are unmissable.
As the days shorten, these exhibitions, films, and albums offer a rich counterpoint to the seasonal gloom. Whether you're in London, Paris, or anywhere else in Europe, there's something to tempt you out.
