“The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar”
Filmmaker Wes Anderson (“Asteroid City“) releases his second movie of 2023, this one something of a long-form short film that clocks in at 37 minutes. Anderson also goes back to the world of Roald Dahl stories from where 2009’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox” was born. A collection of short Dahl stories stitched together into a larger piece, the film stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular character alongside Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, Rupert Friend, and Richard Ayoade. ‘Henry Sugar’ will premiere in Venice and Netflix is expected to release it via its streaming platform before the end of the year.
“The Creator”
Just in time for the world’s conversation about artificial intelligence comes Gareth Edwards’ new film “The Creator.” Set in the middle of a future war between the human race and artificial intelligence, an ex-special forces officer is recruited to kill “the creator,” the developer of a mysterious weapon that could end the war and possibly mankind. The post-apocalyptic thriller stars Gemma Chan, Allison Janney, John David Washington, Ken Watanabe, and Madeleine Yuna Voyles.
Release Date: September 29 via 20th Century Studios.
“Fair Play”
An erotic thriller that debuted to great acclaim at Sundance earlier this year, the film centers on unexpected promotion at a cutthroat hedge fund firm that pushes a newly engaged couple’s relationship to the brink. Chloe Domont directs from her own screenplay and the film stars hoebe Dynevor, Alden Ehrenreich, Eddie Marsan, and Rich Sommer.
Release Date: September 29 in theaters, October 13 on Netflix.
“She Came To Me”
Having premiered at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year, “She Came To Me” is set in New York City and follows Steven Lauddem, a composer who is experiencing writer’s block, which leaves him unable to finish the score for his big comeback. When his wife suggests that he get lost in the city to try to spark creativity, he meets a spirited woman named Katrina and has an epiphany. The film is written and directed by Rebecca Miller and stars Emmy winner Peter Dinklage and Academy Award winners Anne Hathaway and Marisa Tomei.
Release Date: September 29 via Vertical Entertainment.
“Dicks: The Musical”
Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp are adapting their two-man show “Fucking Identical Twins” for A24. In the studios’ first musical, the story follows two self-obsessed businessmen who discover “Parent Trap”-style that they are long-lost identical twins. “Dicks: The Musical” is written by Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp, who star as the aforementioned identical twins. The film also stars Megan Mullally, Nathan Lane, Megan Thee Stallion, and Bowen Yang, and is directed by “Borat” director Larry Charles.
Release Date: September 29 via A24.
More September Releases
“All Fun and Games” on 09/01; “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3,” “The Nun 2,” “Sitting In Bars with Cake,” and “Joyce Carol Oates: A Body in The Service of Mind” on 09/08; “Satanic Hispanics” and “Spy Kids: Armageddon,” “Love at First Sight” and “A MillionMiles Away” on 09/15; “Expend4bles,” “Abandonment,” “It Lives Inside,” “The Origin of Evil,” “The Kill Room,” and “No One Will Save You” on 09/22; “Saw X” on 09/25.
OCTOBER
“Strange Way of Life“
Having missed out on directing the quote-unquote gay cowboy movie, “Brokeback Mountain,” Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar circles back on the idea with a new short-film (40 minutes long) entitled “Strange Way of Life.” Starring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal, is almost a sequel to the idea, centering on two cowboys with a past that have reunited twenty years later over local lawmen issues, but there’s still a previous life to unpack.
Release Date: October 4 via Sony Pictures Classics.
“The Burial”
Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Jamie Foxx, Pamela Reed, Jurnee Smollett, Mamoudou Athie, Bill Camp and Alan Ruck, “The Burial” brings the true events of a handshake deal going south to the big screen. The film follows the story of Jeremiah O’Keefe as he enlists a smooth-talking attorney to save his family business and expose corporate corruption and racial injustice. Directed by Maggie Betts, based on The New Yorker article by Jonathan Harr.
Release Date: In Select Theaters October 6, Streaming Globally on Prime Video October 13.
“Foe”
Based on the book by Iain Reid, Garth Davis brings audiences a film of the exploration of marriage and identity. Starring Paul Mescal and Saoirse Ronan, “Foe” tells the story of Hen and Junior, who farm land that has been in Junior’s family for generations. They quickly find their life in turmoil when a stranger shows up at their door with a startling proposal. The film also stars Aaron Pierre and is co-written by Reid.
Release Date: October 6 via Amazon Studios.
“Cat Person”
Striking a nerve with The New Yorker readers, “Cat Person” was one of the first short fiction pieces to ever go viral, spurring conversations about the modern dating scene, seduction and consent around the world. So, of course, it became a movie. Directed by DGA Award-Winner Susanna Fogel (“A Small Light”, the writer of “Booksmart“), the film stars Emilia Jones (“CODA“), Nicholas Braun (“Succession”), Geraldine Viswanathan (“Drive-Away Dolls“), Isabella Rossellini, Fred Melamed, Liza Koshy, and Michael Gandolfini.
Release Date: October 6 via Rialto Pictures.
“Reptile”
Director Grant Singer’s new Netflix thriller features quite the cast. Benicio del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Silverstone, Michael Pitt, Ato Essandoh, Frances Fisher, and more. Co-written by del Toro who stars, the film centers on a New England detective who works to solve the murder of a real estate agent, and as a result of the case experiences a reflection upon himself.
Release Date: October 6 via Netflix.
