13 Films To See In February: ‘Jackass Forever,’ ‘Worst Person,’ ‘Dog’ & More

With all of the buzz surrounding the Sundance Film Festival last month and with the Berlin International Film Festival poised to begin later this month, it’s easy to miss some of the smaller films released on the regular schedule. While January failed to offer many must-see titles, February looks to offer more with films such as likely Oscar nominee “The Worst Person in the World” sharing release dates with the anticipated return of Johnny Knoxville and the gang in “Jackass Forever.” Later in the month will see another attempt to adapt a video game into a series building film, Channing Tatum’s directing debut, and the return of indie favorite Josephine Decker. Excitingly, there’s no real trend at play this month, with films all over the place in terms of tone and genre. 

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If you’re looking for new romances to check out this month, there’s  Jennifer Lopez’s “Marry Me” and “I Want You Back,” starring Jenny Slate and Charlie Day, both out on February 11. 

“Moonfall“
Disaster movie connoisseur Roland Emmerich (“Independence Day,” “The Day After Tomorrow,” “2012“) is back with yet another film about the possible end times. “Moonfall,” tells the story of a NASA executive who must team up with a man from her past and a conspiracy theorist to save the world from certain destruction. Hallee Berry, Patrick Wilson, and John Bradley star in the film, aiming to please both science fiction fans and those looking for larger than life spectacle. 
Release Date: February 4 in theaters via Lionsgate.

“Jackass Forever“
Before viral trends on platforms such as Youtube or TikiTok, there was “Jackass.” The group returns for their latest outing, the much anticipated “Jackass Forever,” to band together again to wreak havoc and accrue bodily harm. As has become expected from the series, the film will watch again as Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, and friends return for another, increasingly daring turn of stunts and comedy with one rarely without the other. By embracing low-tier and broad humor, the series has made an impressive name for itself over its tenure. Jeff Tremaine directs. 
Release Date: February 4 in theaters via Paramount Pictures.

“The Worst Person In The World“
As one of the films vying for a best foreign language nod at this year’s Oscars, “The Worst Person in the World” has been making rounds at the festivals since last year at Cannes. The latest from director Joachim Trier (“Oslo, August 31,” “Reprise“) the film, like his other pictures so far, is a contemplative examination of an adult at a crossroads between youthful freedom and the necessary responsibility to be able to grow up. Renate Reinsve stars alongside longtime Trier collaborator Anders Danielsen Lie. Our critic enjoyed the film and found much to praise about the lead character, writing “…she feels like one of those cinematic protagonists that will be admired and adored by many for a long time.”
Release Date: February 4 in theaters via NEON.

“Last Looks“
Charlie Hunnam, Morena Baccarin, and Mel Gibson star in “Last Looks,” a thriller directed by Tim Kirkby (“Brockmire”). Hunnam plays Charlie, a former cop who left the force for a life of simplicity which is soon drawn out of retirement when Alistair Pinch (Gibson) is made the prime murder suspect for his wife’s death. Together they must find a way to clear Alistair’s name. The film is based on the same name from author Howard Michael Gould. 
Release Date: February 4 in theaters, VOD, and digital via RLJE Films.

“Death On The Nile“
At long last and following several accusations against one of the lead stars, Kenneth Branagh’s follow-up to his “The Murder on the Orient Express” arrives with “Death On The Nile.” Branagh returns as the character Hercule Poirot whose Egyptian vacation aboard a lavish river steamer ends when a search for a murderer ensues. Based on the 1973 book of the same name by author Agatha Christie, the film again tries to duplicate the decadence described in the book, contrasting against the horrors of murder. Branagh, Annette Bening, Gal Gadot, Emma Mackey, and Russell Brand all-star. 
Release Date: February 11 in theaters via 20th Century Studios.

“Here Before” 
Proving as always that she is one of the best actresses of her generation, Andrea Riseborough (“Mandy,” “Possessor“) once again challenges herself with the intense role of a grieving mother in “Here Before.” Riseborough plays Laura, a mom who lost her daughter at an early age and who, after moving into a new home, begins to believe that the neighbor’s child is a reincarnation of her daughter. Our critic praised Stacey Gregg’s directing, writing, “She creates the tension between these families from their first shared scene, in the unspoken ways they regard each other (and the assumptions that they’ll articulate when the inevitable conflict comes), and she builds that uneasiness often with merely the composition of her frames or the timing of the reactions.”
Release Date: February 11 in theaters and on VOD on February 15 via Saban Films.

“Catch The Fair One“
Directed by Josef Kubota Wladyka, “Catch The Fair One” tells the story of a Native American boxer who embarks on the fight for her life when she goes in search of her missing sister. Not your average sports film, the cast includes Kali Reis (an actual professional boxer,) Daniel Henshall, and Tiffany Chu. Our critic saw the film at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival and wrote, “Wladyka has assuredly provided a distinct vision that pulses to potent degrees.” 
Release Date: February 11 in theaters via IFC Films.

“Blacklight“
One can never accuse Liam Neeson of not sticking to a genre with yet another action caper to lead. Mark Williams (“Honest Thief“) directs the film with a story that follows Travis Block, a shadowy government agent specializing in removing operatives whose covers have been exposed. He’s threatened when he discovers a deadly conspiracy within his ranks, which travels up to the people with the most power. Emmy Raver-Lampman and Aidan Quinn also star. 
Release Date: February 11 in theaters via Open Road Films and Briarcliff Entertainment.

“The Sky Is Everywhere“
Today, filmmaker Josephine Decker has quickly become one of the most exciting directors with her last two films, “Madeline’s Madeline” and “Shirley.” Now, she’s turning her eye towards YA with the adaptation of the popular book “The Sky is Everywhere” by author Jandy Nelson. The coming-of-age romance centers on 17-year-old Lennie, a musical prodigy, dealing with overwhelming loss following the loss of her older sister Bailey. Grace Kaufman leads the film with a supporting cast, including Cherry Jones, Jason Segel, and Jacques Colimon.
Release Date: February 11 on Apple TV+ via A24.

“Dog“
It’s been a while since Channing Tatum has appeared on camera for a film, but 2022 looks to rectify that with a couple of projects along the way. First up, “Dog,” a film he not only stars in but co-directs with Reid Carolin. The family adventure film follows an Army Ranger, and his dog Lulu, as he makes his way along the Pacific Coast to try and make it to a soldier’s funeral on time. A man and his dog narrative that focuses on their dynamic and how they bond over the trip, it’s undoubtedly aiming for heartfelt thought with plenty of comedy. Q’orianka Kilcher (“The New World“) and Bill Burr (“The Mandalorian“) also star. 
Release Date: February 18 in theaters via United Artists Releasing.

“Uncharted“
Following the massive success of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” Tom Holland is back in theaters and once again headlining a significant property. The latest to get the video game adaptation treatment, “Uncharted” follows Holland’s Nathan Drake and his partner Victor “Sully” Sullivan play by Mark Wahlberg, as they embark on a dangerous quest to find the greatest treasure never found while also trying to find out what happened to Nate’s long-lost brother. Directed by Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland,” “Venom”) the film also stars Bryan Cranson and Antonio Banderas with a script by Rafe Lee Judkins, Jon Hanley Rosenberg, and Mark D. Walker.
Release Date: February 18 in theaters via Sony Pictures Releasing.

“Strawberry Mansion“
With perhaps the most off-kilter premise of February’s release schedule, the festival darling from last year’s “Strawberry Mansion” sets itself in the future where the government records dreams and taxes them. The film follows a dream auditor who gets caught up in an aging eccentric’s dreams. Sounding like a mix between “The Science of Sleep,” “Eternal Sunshine and the Spotless Mind,” and “The Truman Show,” the film is directed by Albert Birney and Kentucker Audley, who also stars. Our critic who saw the film last year’s Sundance, wrote: “Beneath the layers of fuzzy frequencies, feverish absurdism, and kaleidoscopic tints live an inconspicuously poignant movie about existentialist dread, the very human need to reduce the noise, and the genuine longing for connection in a chaotic, jumbled up world.”
Release Date: February 18 in theaters via Music Box Films.

“Cyrano“
Peter Dinklage stars in Joe Wright’s latest, “Cyrano.” Based on the 1897 play “Cyrano de Bergerac,” Haley Bennett, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Ben Mendelsohn also star with original music from Aaron and Bryce Dessner from The National. The story follows the titular Cyrano as he pines after the love of his life, Roxanne. Our critic praised the performances, writing, “Dinklage and Bennett both appeared together in the musical workshops of Schmidt’s version, and it’s easy to recognize the natural chemistry they have on-screen.”
Release Date: February 25 in theaters via United Artists Releasing.