The first weekend of October usually signals the arrival of awards season. Last year, Oscar-favorite “A Star is Born” arrived in theaters that weekend, and this year, the controversial “Joker” debuted. Here are some of the films MOVE is looking forward to seeing this fall.
###”The Lighthouse” (Oct. 18)####
This summer’s divisive “Midsommar” proved that A24’s brand of arthouse horror isn’t for everyone, and “The Lighthouse” looks to alienate audiences even further. Shot in black and white and featuring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson as dueling lighthouse keepers, the film seems like a far cry from a typical October horror movie.
####”Knives Out” (Nov. 27)####
Despite the mixed audience reaction to Rian Johnson’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” the film was a critical and commercial triumph, and now the director has crafted a smaller feature before returning to “Star Wars.” “Knives Out” boasts a stacked ensemble cast and a murder-mystery premise that looks equal parts inspired by Agatha Christie and “Clue.”
####”Uncut Gems” (in limited release Dec. 13; everywhere Dec. 25)###
Featuring one of the strangest casts in recent memory (including Adam Sandler, Kevin Garnett and Idina Menzel) and from the directors of 2017’s anxiety-inducing “Good Time,” “Uncut Gems” is certainly a unique choice for a Christmas Day release. The film follows Sandler as a diamond dealer who makes a risky bet that sends him spiraling throughout New York. From the film’s trailer, it looks to be a similar affair to “Good Time,” featuring neon lights, pulsing synths and lots of shouting.
####”Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (Dec. 20)####
The latest Star Wars film, 2017’s “The Last Jedi,” completely subverted narrative expectations and divided fans. Now, the sequel trilogy, back in the hands of “The Force Awakens” director J.J. Abrams, will come to a close. Whether Abrams is able to stick the landing remains to be seen, as he’s famously been criticized for his endings before. What we do know is that the apparent return of Emperor Palpatine has been heavily hinted by the marketing, and that the film takes place approximately a year after the events of “The Last Jedi.” We’ll have to wait until December to find out this installment similarly causes a theater to riot.
####”Cats” (Dec. 20)####
Following in the footsteps of cinematic landmarks like “Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Road Chip” and “Ferdinand,” Tom Hooper’s “Cats” will open the same day as “Star Wars.” The trailer sent shockwaves through the film world back in July due to its use of “digital fur technology,” which rendered acting giants like Sir Ian McKellan as Cronenbergian CGI nightmares. It feels impossible at this point to speculate whether this film will be a surprise hit or deeply loathed, but based on the extreme reaction to the trailer, it’ll certainly be one to talk about.
_Edited by Janae McKenzie | jmckenzie@themaneater.com_