“Exhibiting Forgiveness”
Debuting at Sundance earlier this year to heavy acclaim, “Exhibiting Forgiveness” is the emotionally wrenching feature debut of painter and artist Titus Kaphar, who clearly draws from his own life. Starring André Holland, the film centers on a painter who is forced to confront his painful upbringing when his recovering addict father suddenly appears, asking for forgiveness and reconciliation. Andra Day, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and John Earl Jelks are co-stars in this powerful drama (read our review).
Release Date: October 18 via Roadside Attractions. -RP
“Venom: The Last Dance”
The last installment of the Venom franchise, at least for star Tom Hardy, not much of the plot is known other than Eddie Brock (Hardy) and the symbiote Venom (also voiced by Hardy) being hunted and on the run. Kelly Marcel, a screenwriter on all the previous films, co-writes the movie with Hardy himself and makes her directorial debut. The cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Peggy Lu, Alanna Ubach, and Stephen Graham, but don’t be surprised when the symbiote survives and sticks around to pick another host in sequels or additional appearances.
Release Date: October 25, via Sony Pictures. -RP
“Nickel Boys”
Recently gaining unexpected attention when it was announced as the opening night film of the 2024 New York Film Festival, “Nickel Boys” is the feature-length narrative debut of RaMell Ross, known for the acclaimed doc, “Hale County This Morning, This Evening.” The film chronicles the powerful friendship between two young African American men navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Florida. The film stars Aunjanue Ellis-Taylo, Ethan Herisse, Fred Hechinger, Hamish Linklater, Daveed Diggs, and more.
Release Date: October 25 via Amazon MGM Studios. -RP
Also Coming In October:
Sundance breakout “Your Monster” starring Melissa Barrera (Oct 25); “Hold Your Breath” with Sarah Paulson and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Oct 3); “Flight Risk” with Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace (Oct 18); Brad Anderson’s “The Silent Hour,” with Joel Kinnaman (Oct 11), the Christmas slasher “Terrifier 3” (Oct 11) and “Piece by Piece,” a Morgan Neville-directed film about the life of musician Pharrell Williams as told through the lens of LEGO (Oct 11); Erin Lee Carr’s doc “Fanatical: The Catfishing Of Tegan and Sara” (Oct 18); “Azazel” staring Samara Weaving (Oct 25).
“A Real Pain”
“A Real Pain,” a comedic drama that debuted at Sundance earlier this year to much acclaim, is actor Jesse Eisenberg’s latest writer/director effort. He stars alongside Kieran Culkin (“Succession”) as mismatched cousins who reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy, and Daniel Oreskes co-star (read our review).
Release Date: November 1 (limited) via Searchlight Pictures. – ED
“His Three Daughters”
From indie director Azazel Jacobs (“French Exit,” “The Lovers”) comes a sisterhood drama starring the excellent trio of Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne and Elizabeth Olsen. Debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, the film centers on three estranged sisters who have to try and navigate their disrepaired relationships when their father’s health declines. Jay O. Sanders, Jovan Adepo and more, co-star (read our review).
Release Date: November 1 via Netflix. – RP
“Blitz”
Following his excellent anthology film series “Small Axe,” Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen returns with “Blitz,” a tale set during WWII during Germany’s air bombing blitzkrieg raid that demolished much of London, leading to a story of peril and loved ones trying to find each other in the chaos. Saoirse Ronan, Elliott Heffernan, Harris Dickinson, Erin Kellyman, Stephen Graham, and Paul Weller star.
Release Date: November 1 via Apple TV+. – RP
“Conclave”
Following the big career boost received for winning the Academy Award for Best International Drama for “All Quiet on the Western Front,” filmmaker Edward Berger returns with a psychological thriller set within the Vatican. The film centers on a Cardinal (Ralph Fiennes) tasked with finding the successor to the deceased Pope, only to discover the former Holy Father had a secret that must be uncovered. The ensemble also includes Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini and more.
Release Date: November 1 via Focus Features. – ED
“Bird”
Celebrated U.K. filmmaker Andrea Arnold, known for “American Honey” and “Wuthering Heights,” finally returns with her latest drama “Bird,” which premiered earlier this year to much acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival. “Bird” stars Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski, Nykiya Adams, and Jason Buda and centers on 12-year-old Bailey, who lives with her single dad Bug and brother Hunter in a squat in North Kent. Bug (Keoghan) doesn’t have much time to be a normal parent, so Bailey is left to her own devices to fend for herself and seek attention elsewhere as puberty approaches. She seeks attention elsewhere (read our review).
“Emilia Pérez”
From Palme d’Or-winning auteur Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez” is an audacious French musical crime comedy film about a woman tasked with assisting an escaped Mexican cartel leader in undergoing sex reassignment surgery to both evade the authorities and affirm her gender. Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Édgar Ramírez star (read our review).
Release Date: November 13, via Netflix, also in select theaters. – ED
“Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point”
Premiering in the sidebar sections of Cannes this year, Tyler Taormina’s indie centers on a final family Christmas at an ancestral home, but things go awry when younger members of the family escape for teenage rebellion. The film stars Michael Cera, Francesca Scorsese, Matilda Fleming, and Sawyer Spielberg.
Release Date: November 15 via IFC Films. – RP