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Spotlight

Award-winners and critical favorites, these films are among the year’s most acclaimed and accomplished.


Two young girls in white dresses hold hands and run joyfully through a courtyard

The Art of Joy L'arte della gioia

Valeria Golino  |   Italy, United Kingdom
Italian
Historical, Literary Adaptation, Women Centered

This stunning early 20th century tale recounts the life of Modesta, a rebellious Sicilian born into poverty who believes she’s destined for more.

A person lies on their back in muddy water.

Bird

Andrea Arnold  |   United Kingdom, France
English
Coming of Age, Family Affairs, Fantasy

As her family and friend group slide into chaos around her, teenaged Bailey finds solace in an improbable stranger in this tough but tender fairy tale.

The Brutalist

Brady Corbet  |   United Kingdom
English, Hungarian, Yiddish, Hebrew, Italian
Architecture, Drama

Escaping postwar Europe, a visionary architect (Adrien Brody) arrives in America to rebuild his life, his work, and his marriage. But power and legacy come at a heavy cost.

A woman with long dark hair sits along concrete steps, looking down at the notebook in her hand.

By the Stream Suyoocheon

Hong Sangsoo  |   South Korea
Korean
Art, Drama

A retired director is hired by a local university to direct a short play in this wistful meditation on regret, connection, and the creative process.

A woman in a large coat, wearing her facemask on her chin, reaches a hand out to a large robot.

Caught by the Tides Feng Liu Yi Dai

Jia Zhang-ke  |   China
Mandarin
Drama, Film on Film

In a career-spanning odyssey, Jia Zhang-Ke delivers an epic look at the romantic destiny of his perennial heroine, Qiaoquio (Zhao Tao).

A woman (Selena Gomez) lit in red stands in front of a room lit with green, blue, purple, and orange lights.

Emilia Pérez

Jacques Audiard  |   France
Spanish
Crime, LGBTQ, Music

Through liberating song and dance and bold visuals, this Mexican odyssey follows the journey of four remarkable women, each pursuing happiness.

A black and white image of women in uniform with their heads down, except one woman whose eyes look straight ahead.

The Girl with the Needle Pigen med nålen

Magnus von Horn  |   Denmark, Poland, Sweden
Danish
Drama, Historical, Women Centered

Karoline, a pregnant factory worker in post-WW1 Copenhagen, accepts a job at an adoption agency where she uncovers a terrible secret.

A woman holds a phone to her ear, her face lined with concern.

Hard Truths

Mike Leigh  |   United Kingdom, Spain
English
Drama, Family Affairs, Social Commentary

Legendary British filmmaker Mike Leigh directs this fierce, compassionate, and darkly humorous study of family and the thorny ties that bind us.

A family of four stands posing and smiling, though the mother looks off distractedly.

I’m Still Here Ainda Estou Aqui

Walter Salles  |   Brazil, France
Portuguese
Drama, Historical, Political

Brazil, 1971. Amid a military dictatorship, a mother of five is forced to reinvent herself after a violent and arbitrary act by the authorities.

A view from below of a woman floating in a pool.

It’s Not Me C'est pas moi

Leos Carax  |   France
French
Art, Film on Film

Iconoclastic French filmmaker Leos Carax reflects on his work, life, and filmography in this playful, personal cinematic essay.

A man and woman stand with their foreheads touching, staring into eachothers eyes.

La Cocina

Alonso Ruizpalacios  |   United States, Mexico
English, Spanish
Culinary, Drama, Literary Adaptation

An impassioned line cook stirs up chaos that threatens to collapse a frenzied Times Square kitchen in this kaleidoscopic portrait of the American Dream.

A figure slinks through a foggy forest.

Misericordia Miséricorde

Alain Guiraudie  |   France
French
Crime, Drama, Mystery

Jérémie returns to his sleepy hometown to attend a funeral. When a mysterious disappearance disturbs the community, a cloud of suspicion begins to form.

Nickel Boys

RaMell Ross  |   United States
English
Coming of Age, Drama, Literary Adaptation

Based on the award-winning novel, the film chronicles the powerful friendship between two Black teenagers navigating the harrowing trials of a reform school in Florida.

A weathered warrior nocks an arrow.

The Return

Uberto Pasolini  |   Italy, United Kingdom
English
Action, Drama, Historical

After 20 years away, Odysseus (Ralph Fiennes) returns home to win back his queen (Juliette Binoche) and kingdom from a group of power-hungry suitors.

A man in a red track suit holds up his hands, a man in black stands in front of him laughing and holding a gun.

Sicilian Letters Iddu

Fabio Grassadonia & Antonio Piazza  |   Italy, France
Italian, Sicilian
Crime, Drama, Thriller

After serving time, a corrupt politician is enlisted by Italy’s secret service to take down Sicily’s last godfather using only handwritten letters.

A man stands next to a disheveled woman, nuns stand behind them.

Small Things Like These

Tim Mielants  |   Ireland, Belgium
English
Drama, Literary Adaptation, Religion

Cillian Murphy delivers a powerhouse performance as a devoted family man who wrestles with speaking out in the face of wrongdoing in his small town.

A man, illuminated by soft orange light, in a push up position.

Unstoppable

William Goldenberg  |   United States
English
Biopic, Drama, Sports

This inspiring drama follows Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg but whose unbreakable resolve empowered him to defy the odds and pursue his dreams.