TIFF 2024 Preview: 21 Must-See Films To Watch

“The Fire Inside”
The feature-length directorial debut of noted cinematographer Rachel Morrison (“Black Panther”), “The First Inside,” is the true story of Claressa Shields (Ryan Destiny) and her road to glory in Women’s Boxing. Adapted by Oscar winner Barry Jenkins from Zackary Canepari and Drea Cooper’s novel “T-Rex,” the drama also stars Brian Tyree Henry and Judy Greer. We’re going to assume Amazon MGM Studios have genuine faith in the movie if they let it screen at TIFF almost three months before its release on Christmas. – GE

“Heretic”
Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the screenwriters behind the original “A Quiet Place,” film and the filmmakers of “65” starring Adam Driver, the pair return for a creepy, claustrophobic horror-ish thriller that they wrote and directed. Starring Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East, the movie centers on a pair of Mormons who try to convert a man to their religion. He lets them in for tea and crumpets, but soon, they find out he’s a devious sociopath with wicked designs for their fate. A24 will release the film later this fall. – RP

“Meet the Barbarians”
A comedy about integration and immigrants, writer/director Julie Delpy’s latest, “Meet The Barbarians,” centers on a small town in France preparing to welcome a Ukrainian refugee family. But they are deeply surprised when a Syrian family shows up instead. Delpy stars alongside her father, Albert, who always appears in her films, Sandrine Kiberlain, Laurent Lafitte, Ziad Bakri, Jean-Charles Clichet, and India Hair. – RP

“Unstoppable”
Academy Award-winning editor William Goldenberg (“Zero Dark Thirty,” “Argo”) makes his directorial debut with “Unstoppable: The Anthony Robles Story.” Featuring “Moonlight” star Jharrel Jerome, along with Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Anthony Robles, Don Cheadle, and Jennifer Lopez, “Unstoppable” is a sports and family drama about a disabled college wrestler born without a right leg who dreams of going pro.

“The Deb”
In theory, there should be a lot of curiosity over “The Deb” for various reasons. Not only is it a rare independently financed movie musical (based on the stage production of the same name), but it’s the feature directorial debut of one of its stars, Rebel Wilson. Instead, Wilson and her cadre of producers have been engaged in a public war of words and defamation lawsuit over the film’s fate. On July 10, Wilson went on social media and accused her producers of blocking “The Deb” from closing this year’s TIFF, inappropriate behavior towards the lead actress of the film (Natalie Abbott), and embezzling funds from the production budget. A few weeks later, “The Deb” found its way to that same TIFF closing night slot, but everyone involved still seemed headed to court. At this point, who will show up to walk the red carpet, speak to the press, and introduce this queer-friendly film may overshadow the quality of the movie itself. Of course, barely any traveling press stay till closing night, so will there be any media around to cover it?  – GE

“The Friend”
Perhaps the most under-the-radar fall festival acquisition title this year, “The Friend” is the latest effort from directing duo Scott McGehee and David Siegel. Best known for their 2001 breakout thriller “The Deep End,” the pair have now adapted Sigrid Nunez’s 2018 novel about a woman who is slightly coerced into adopting her recently deceased friend’s Great Dane. Naomi Watts portrays the woman trying to sneak around her landlord’s anti-dog policy, while Bill Murray, Constance Wu, Ann Dowd, Carla Gugino, Sarah Pidgeon, and Owen Teague round out the cast. Based on the percolating buzz, its Telluride Film Festival world premiere, and selection to the New York Film Festival, this title may be one title to watch. – GE

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