From dystopian thrillers and hospital romances to psychologically unsettling sci-fi’s and DC Universe crowd-pleasers, here are the releases deserving of your attention right now.
Wonder Woman 1984
Following multiple rescheduled releases due to the ongoing pandemic, Wonder Woman 1984 is finally set to premiere this holiday season. The plot revolves around Diana Prince (Gal Gadot), an Amazonian warrior in training who leaves home to fight a war, discovering her true potential and purpose along the way. The film is set in the 1980s and also features Chris Pine, starring as Steve Trevor, and Pedro Pascal starring as Max Lord.
Debuting internationally from Dec 16.
Sound of Metal
Sound of Metal circulates around a drummer (Riz Ahmed), who must learn how to instantly adapt to and cope with sudden, severe hearing loss. Directed by Darius Marder, the film follows drummer Ruben as he navigates his uncertain future with his bandmate and girlfriend Lou (Olivia Cooke). Ruben grapples with his new reality, spending time with the deaf community to learn more about his circumstances. The film has taken great care to ensure an exceptional viewing experience for both hearing and hard of hearing viewers, where closed captioning works in unison with sound design for a unique, sensory experience.
Out now.
Mank
Mank is a Netflix original directed by one of the filmmaking greats, David Fincher. The film is shot entirely in black and white, and dissects the backstory of the director’s 1950 film, Citizen Kane. The screenplay for Mank was written by David’s father, Jack Fincher, and features a star-studded cast including the likes of Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins and Ford Coppola.
Out now.
Black Bear
Aubrey Plaza stars in two pairs of relationships in Black Bear, the first of which sees the actor starring as a filmmaker that comes between a struggling couple, and the other where she is an actress who is being manipulated by her partner/director. Both of Plaza’s characters are named Alison, and the lines are blurred as to whether or not they are the same person in a stream of psychologically unsettling stories.
Out now.
Let Them All Talk
Steven Soderbergh’s latest film, Let Them All Talk, sees Meryl Streep take the leading role with the script written by award-winning author Deborah Eisenberg. The comedic drama takes place on a cruise ship, a rather unlikely location in 2020’s current climate. Streep plays an author vacationing with two friends and her nephew.
Out now.
Wander Darkly
Wander Darkly follows the lives of Adrienne (Sienna Miller) and Matteo (Diego Luna), in a disorienting depiction of their lives following a traumatic car crash. The film initially premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this January, highlighting director Tara Miele’s unique ability to merge jarring, memories of the past with the formidable reality of the present.
Out now.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was adapted from the eponymous August Wilson play, following the life of Ma Rainey, the iconic “Mother of Blues”. The film takes place in 1927 Chicago, a visual and aural celebration of blues music and the freedom and joy it brings both performer and audience. Produced by Denzel Washington, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom takes care to hone in on the reality of racial prejudices within society, with a focus on the growing tensions between Ma Rainey and her white manager and producer. Ma Rainey is played by the Academy Award winner Viola Davis, with other notable actors including the late Chadwick Boseman and Michael Potts.
Out on Netflix on December 18.
The Truffle Hunters
The Truffle Hunters is a wholesome documentary that follows four older men on the hunt for truffles in Northern Italy. The season was particularly strange that year, making for an entertaining story that was premiered at Sundance film festival before then being selected for the Cannes, Toronto and New York film festivals as well.
Debuting in 2021.
The Midnight Sky
George Clooney is both an actor and the director in The Midnight Sky, a sci-fi film that depicts Clooney as a scientist that attempts to prevent a spaceship from landing on a post-apocalyptic Earth. The surreal, futuristic setting of the film stands in stark contrast to the other films that Clooney has directed, which typically take place in the past.
Out now.
Editor
Carina FischerCredit
Lead image: Netflix
