“Misericordia”
Written and directed by Alain Guiraudie (“Stranger by the Lake,”) “Misericordia” first premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Félix Kysyl and Catherine Frot star in the film, following a man who returns home to attend the funeral of his former boss, angering his son, which leads to unexpected tragedy.
Release Date: In theaters March 21 via Sideshow/Janus Films.
“The Friend”
Naomi Watts and Bill Murray reunite in “The Friend,” directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel (“Montana Story.”) Based on the novel by Sigrid Nunez, the film made its premiere at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival. It follows Iris, who, following the death of her closest friend, finds herself charged with caring for his beloved 150 lb Great Dane.
Release Date: In theaters March 28 via Bleecker Street.
“Death of a Unicorn”
Written and directed by Alex Scharfman, the surrealist comedy horror “Death of a Unicorn” will follow its SXSW premiere with a theatrical run later this month. Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega star as a father and daughter whose lives are upended after they accidentally hit and kill a unicorn, prompting its mate to hunt them down. The supporting cast includes Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant.
Release Date: In theaters March 28 via A24.
“A Working Man”
Based on the novel “Levon’s Trade” by Chuck Dixon, “A Working Man” is the latest Jason Statham actioner. Directed by David Ayer and written by Ayer and Sylvester Stallone, the film follows an ex-Royal Marines commando who is forced into using his own skillset in order to find the kidnapped teenage daughter of his boss. David Harbour, Michael Peña, and Jason Flemyng also star.
Release Date: In theaters March 28 via Amazon MGM Studios.
“The Ballad of Wallis Island”
Tim Key, Tom Basden, and Carey Mulligan star in the recent Sundance hit, “The Ballad of Wallis Island.” Directed by James Griffiths, the film follows a man who dreams of getting his favorite musicians back together, a dream that soon turns into a reality.
Release Date: In theaters March 28 via Focus Features.
Honorable Mentions: Simone Ashley makes the leap from “Bridgerton” to the Amazon Prime romcom “Picture This” on March 7. Also arriving on March 7 is the powerful “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” from “I Am Not a Witch” filmmaker Rungano Nyoni, the sleeper charmer “Eephus,” and the drama “Grand Tour” directed by Miguel Gomes. March 14 sees the premiere of the docufiction film from Lou Ye, “An Unfinished Film,” the comedy thriller “Borderline” starring Samara Weaving, and the historical drama “The World Will Tremble.”
Later in the month, there’s a horror thriller starring the unlikely pairing of Anthony Hopkins and Bill Skarsgård in “Locked” out March 21. Horror fans will have plenty to latch onto with another psychological horror, “The Woman in the Yard,” arriving in theaters on March 28. Lastly, the Steven Coogan-led “The Penguin Lessons” hits theaters on March 28.
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.
