“A Private Life”
Jodie Foster stars in the latest from filmmaker Rebecca Zlotowski (“Other People’s Children”) with “A Private Life.” Written by Zlotowski, Anne Berest, and Gaëlle Macé, the mystery thriller follows Foster as a psychiatrist who embarks on her own private investigation following the death of one of her patients.
Release Date: In theaters January 16 via Sony Pictures Classics.
“The RIP”
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite in the crime thriller “The RIP,” directed by Joe Carnahan. Boasting a strong ensemble, the film follows a group of Miami cops who, after discovering millions in cash, struggle to determine whom they can trust. Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, Kyle Chandler, Néstor Carbonell, and Lina Esco round out the cast.
Release Date: Available to stream on Netflix on January 16.
“In Cold Light”
Director Maxime Giroux (“Norbourg”) makes his English-language film debut with “In Cold Light.” The crime thriller stars Maika Monroe as a young woman who, after being released from prison, is framed for murder while trying to reclaim her former drug empire. Her life continues to spiral out of control as she goes on the run, facing unlikely familial reunions and bloodshed along the way. Troy Kotsur, Helen Hunt, and Allan Hawco also star.
Release Date: In theaters January 23 via Saban Films.
“The Moment”
Following the momentum and popularity of her 2024 album, “Brat,” it was only a matter of time before singer/pop star Charli XCX took center stage in a film. “The Moment,” directed by first-time feature filmmaker Aidan Zamiri, is a mockumentary that looks at the star as she prepares for her first headlining tour. Written by Zamiri (who also directed the “360” music video) and Bertie Brandes, the film’s ensemble includes Rosanna Arquette, Kate Berlant, Jamie Demetriou, Hailey Benton Gates, Isaac Powell, Alexander Skarsgård, and many other cameo appearances.
Release Date: In theaters January 23 via A24.
“Send Help”
A desert-island survival story with a workplace grudge baked into the DNA, Sam Raimi’s upcoming horror-thriller strands an office worker and her sexist boss on a remote island after a plane crash—then lets the power dynamic rot from the inside out as they’re forced into an uneasy, escalating fight to stay alive. Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien star, from a script by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, with Raimi regulars Bill Pope (DP), Bob Murawski (editor), and Danny Elfman (score) on board.
Release Date: January 30, 2026 (via 20th Century Studios).
Honorable Mentions: Anime fans have “All You Need is Kill” to look forward to, based on the popular novel and manga, which has already inspired a live-action film starring Tom Cruise, “Edge of Tomorrow.” The latest adaptation is set to arrive in theaters on January 16. For more sci-fi, there’s the Chris Pratt-starring “Mercy,” out January 23, which takes place in 2029, where a man who, while standing trial, has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to an AI judge.
For a character-driven story, there’s “H is for Hawk,” a biographical drama directed by Philippa Lowthorpe about a woman who starts to care for a goshawk following the death of her father, out January 23. Lastly, there’s “The Love That Remains,” the latest from “Godland” director Hlynur Pálmason, which follows a family in the year following the parents’ separation, out January 30.
New England-based Tomatometer-approved film and television critic. Ally is a member of the Boston Society of Film Critics, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, and the Online Film Critics Society. Her writing has also appeared at RogerEbert.com and The Mary Sue.
