“The Day After”
Cast: Kwon Haehyo, Cho Yunhee, Kim Saebyuk, Kim Minhee)
Synopsis: Book publisher Bongwan’s marriage is on the rocks after his wife discovers the affair he’s been having with his assistant. Now that relationship is ending too and Bongwan’s new assistant, the sharp and sensitive Areum, on her first day in the office, is left to navigate the fallout of all the turnover in Bongwan’s life.
What You Need To Know: In just the past few years, prolific director Hong Sang-soo has released many films with his partner/muse Kim Min-hee, including “On the Beach at Night Alone,” “Right Now, Wrong Then,” and “Claire’s Camera.” With many of his most recent narratives adopting experiences from his own life (such as his relationship with Min-hee), ”The Day After”once again allows him a detached sense of self-reflection and inward exploration. Min-hee is always a revelatory performer and even in his most quietly intimate moments, Sang-soo is a master in capturing human emotion and the complicated world of real relationships.
Release Date: May 11
“Beast”
Cast: Jessie Buckley, Johnny Flynn, Geraldine James
Synopsis: A troubled woman living in an isolated community finds herself pulled between the control of her oppressive family and the allure of a secretive outsider suspected of a series of brutal murders.
What You Need To Know: For those of us who primarily know Johnny Flynn from his winsome turn as romantic Dylan on “Lovesick,” or his folk music, his dramatic turn in “Beast” will serve as something of a shocker. Directed by first-time feature filmmaker Michael Pearce, the film takes a familiarly dark tale of a young woman finding herself in over her head by allowing her to play as an active participant in her own story. Our critic called Pearce one to watch, saying “… Pearce does display a unique talent in establishing a tone where anything can happen, and often does. “Beast” is not short on surprises, even if they don’t all work…”.
Release Date: May 11
“Deadpool 2”
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Zazie Beetz
Synopsis: Wisecracking mercenary Deadpool battles the powerful Cable and tons of bad guys to save a boy’s life.
What You Need To Know: Despite a rocky beginning with a last-minute, creative differences-inspired split between director and film, “Deadpool 2” is apparently tracking wonderfully with test audiences and the latest trailer was their most confident yet, aided by a hilarious appearance by Rob Delaney’s Peter. Of course, there are concerns, primarily the continued presence of T.J. Miller and the fact that the charm of the first film has dulled over the course of time. Regardless, with an extended cast that includes Terry Crews, Lewis Tan and Julian Dennison (Ricky freaking Baker!) there are too many intriguing moves being made too not get excited over what will likely be one of the big hits of the season.
Release Date: May 18
“First Reformed”
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried
Synopsis: A former military chaplain is wracked by grief over the death of his son. Mary is a member of his church whose husband, a radical environmentalist, commits suicide, setting the plot in motion.
What You Need To Know: “First Reformed” has one of those trailers that causes your jaw to drop and leave you thinking about it far after it’s over. Releasing through A24 and directed by famed director Paul Schrader, the most exciting aspect of the so far visually stunning film is the promise of a career-best performance from leading man Ethan Hawke, which our critic called“terrific.” He went on to call it a “…highly-concentrated meditation on devotion, a sharp commentary on the moral hypocrisy of the church, and in the end, a hopeful statement of redemption through love…”
Release Date: May 18
