With September only days away from its formal conclusion, many people are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Halloween. In addition to the light-hearted fun that comes with Spooky Season, the end of September and beginning of October also brings with it a number of new movies to look forward to, many of which arrive this Friday.
Among these notable new releases include the latest addition to the Saw universe, Saw X, a predictably gory new entry in the infamous horror series. In addition, viewers can expect to see the John David Washington-led sci-fi film, The Creator, the dark comedy thriller, The Kill Room, and the sci-fi action thriller, 57 Seconds.
Along with those titles, you’ll also have time to catch up on some of the best releases from the previous few months, like the all-encompassing biographical, Dumb Money, the supernatural whodunit, A Haunting in Venice, Greta Gerwig’s luminous comedy, Barbie.
Here are all the movies you can find playing at your local movie theaters starting this weekend.
Updated: September 28.
Popular New Releases
All the movies that have audiences buzzing or that fans have been eagerly awaiting for months.
Saw X
Given the Saw films’ high level of violence, it’s understandable that some viewers might not find the Saw series very enticing to watch. As gruesome as it often is, though, the Saw franchise nevertheless has built a healthy stream of sequels and spin-offs over the years, the latest being Saw X.
Set in between the events of Saw and Saw II, Saw X follows franchise antagonist John Kramer (Tobin Bell) as he travels to Mexico, seeking treatment for his debilitating health issues. Learning that the entire treatment center is a front for con artists, Kramer abducts the fraudulent mental professionals, subjecting them to intense physical and psychological torture.
Compared to its predecessors, Saw X has grossed fairly warm reviews thus far, with some critics even feeling it measured up to the original 2004 Saw. In particular, said critics had appreciative words for the movie’s even balance between gore and a cohesive story audiences could follow (in contrast to the virtually non-existent plot of the earlier Saw sequels).
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
IMDb score: 7.7
Dumb Money
In January of 2021, the financial world was hit by an unprecedented development, which saw a group of Reddit users backing GameStop stock, triggering an economic fiasco the likes of which had rarely been seen before. Detailing this event is the excellent biographical comedy drama, Dumb Money.
Betting against the system, Reddit financial analyst Keith Gill (Paul Dano) invests his entire life savings on GameStop, leading to a massive surge in the company’s stock that causes major losses for a group of hedge fund millionaires.
Relying on a large cast that includes Dano, Pete Davidson, Vincent D'Onofrio, America Ferrera, Nick Offerman, Sebastian Stan, and Seth Rogen, Dumb Money has been released to overwhelmingly positive reviews. While some viewers noted the film didn’t always adhere to real-world fact, the movie’s stranger-than-fiction premise proved satisfying enough for most members of the audience.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
IMDb score: 7.2
The Creator
It’s been six long years since we’ve seen Gareth Edwards in action, the director’s last film having been the incredibly well-received Star Wars film, Rogue One. After half a decade away of inactivity, the filmmaker returns with his rapturous sci-fi outing, The Creator.
As humanity wages war against an artificial intelligence network in the distant future, a Special Forces operative (John David Washington) is ordered to assassinate the A.I.’s creator, discovering all too late the founder is a young child (Madeleine Yuna Voyles).
Drawing inspiration from The Terminator, Akira, and Blade Runner, Edwards’ well-rounded work on The Creator has led to it receiving abundantly warm praise from critics. Though some felt the story unoriginal and derivative, standout attention has been paid to the movie’s impressive visuals and equally memorable performances.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 76%
IMDb score: 7.2
Expend4bles
It’s been nine long years since the series’ previous installment, but the passing years never seem to hamper the ensemble action team known as The Expendables. Following up on their earlier adventures together, Stallone and company return with the latest chapter in their adventure saga, Expend4bles.
Losing one of their own in a failed mission, Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) rallies his fellow Expendables in an effort to confront a dangerous mercenary (Iko Uwais) attempting to seize a cache of nuclear warheads.
As with the previous installments of The Expendables series, Expend4bles has been met with mixed to negative reviews. Many critics praised the appearances of its ensemble cast (Statham, 50 Cent, Megan Fox, and Andy Garcia), but felt the franchise offered the same conventional action storyline as its immediate predecessors.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: N/A
IMDb score: 5.1
PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie
Continuing its tight grasp over the children’s television genre, the popular superhero multimedia series known as The PAW Patrol returns with its latest outing, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie. Though perhaps not as singularly inspired as the first movie in the series, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie contains enough lighthearted humor to entertain most viewers, regardless of their age.
After gaining superpowers from a mysterious meteorite that crashed in Adventure City, the PAW Patrol have their skills put to the test when the evil Mayor Humdinger (Ron Pardo) attempts to steal their powers for himself.
Drawing warm reviews from most critics, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie has been complimented for its ability to sustain viewers of every age group through its diverse humor and pleasing visuals (even if hasn’t been as altogether well-received as PAW Patrol: The Movie).
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: N/A
IMDb score: 5.5
The Kill Room
After a money laundering conspiracy spirals out of control, an infamous hitman (Joe Manganiello) is mistaken for a talented surrealist painter among New York’s avant-garde community.
The recent dark comedy thriller, The Kill Room, is an exciting release for two unique reasons. For starters, it marks another collaboration between Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson, the two of whom famously appeared in 1994’s iconic Pulp Fiction (although they never shared any scenes together). Not only that, but it also features the first cinematic pairing between Thurman and her daughter, Maya Hawke.
Unfortunately, the plot and pacing of The Kill Room has led most critics to heap mixed to negative reviews on the finished film. Many reviews have pointed to the movie’s ham-fisted satirization of the artistic world as the movie’s most obvious flaw, though more positive reception has been geared towards the performances of The Kill Room’s cast.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 43%
IMDb score: 6.8
A Haunting in Venice
If there’s one thing Kenneth Branagh has proven himself a master of, it’s his penchant for making adaptations of well-known novels and stories. Following in the shadow of his earlier two Hercule Poirot films, Branagh’s latest film, A Haunting in Venice, provides another stylish take on an Agatha Christie mystery novel.
Retiring from his career as a master detective, Hercule Poirot (Branagh) settles down in Venice, where he attends a mysterious séance on All Hallow’s Eve. After one of his fellow guests is murdered during the event, Poirot is forced to rely on his astute investigating skills to solve the crime and detect the person responsible.
As with each of Branagh’s earlier Poirot films, A Haunting in Venice makes use of a notable cast of actors, including appearances from Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Reilly, Jamie Dornan, and Tina Fey. Earning significantly better reviews than its predecessors, some critics even saw it as being among the finest adaptations of Christie’s work to date.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%
IMDb score: 6.7
The Nun II
Though fan anticipation had been high for the 2018 horror film, The Nun, the finished product had been released to overwhelmingly disappointing reviews from viewers. Three years later, The Nun II attempts to right the wrongs of its predecessor, delivering a chilling horror movie centered around the mysterious titular antagonist.
In 1950s France, the dedicated nun Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) searches for the enigmatic demon, Valak (Bonnie Aarons), tracking the sinister nun down to a small town’s boarding school.
Though a significant improvement over the underwhelming original film in the series, The Nun II has drawn average reviews from critics. An entertaining enough supernatural horror film, many viewers felt the movie did little to innovate itself from the previous Conjuring movies that came before it, delivering a by-the-numbers-horror movie as forgettable as it was entertaining.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 59%
IMDb score: 6.3
Bottoms
Over the past decade, R-rated teen comedies have been a rarity, with most teen films featuring comparatively lighter banter easily approachable for a larger audience demographic. Bottoms, on the other hand, changes all of that, reverting back to the unapologetic, adult-oriented humor of Superbad.
Hoping to meet fellow students on a more romantic basis, two gay best friends (Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri) start an all-female “fight club” at their high school.
Bloody, violent, yet laugh-out-loud hilarious, Bottoms has earned overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, with praise for its acting (especially Sennott and Edebiri), humor, and characters.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
IMDb score: 7.0
The Retirement Plan
One of the most prolific actors of his generation, Nicolas Cage returns to theaters the new indie crime thriller, The Retirement Plan. Another exciting addition to Cage’s body of work, it’s a suitably strange and characteristically odd film from the always-energetic Cage.
Desperately needing help from a dangerous criminal (Jackie Earle Haley), a young woman (Ashley Greene) asks her estranged, retired assassin father (Nicolas Cage) to protect her young daughter (Thalia Campbell).
With a cast that also includes Ron Perlman and Ernie Hudson, The Retirement Plan is among the more notable recent entries in Cage’s filmography. Despite its mixed reviews, Cage’s performance as the slovenly, aloha-shirt wearing lead character has been met with critical appreciation among viewers.
Where to watch: In limited theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: N/A
IMDb score: 7.2
Barbie
From the moment its teaser trailer was released, audiences have been eagerly awaiting Barbie’s arrival to theaters. The latest film from the Academy Award-nominated director Greta Gerwig, it's a creative and visually stunning movie that perfectly captures the hot pink universe of Mattel’s premiere toy line.
Suffering an existential crisis, Stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie) chooses to leave her opulent world of Barbieland behind, venturing into the real world with her absent-minded boyfriend Ken (Ryan Gosling).
Featuring a more meta-humorous approach to its story and characters reminiscent of The Lego Movie, Barbie has earned extremely positive reviews from critics. The performances of its massive cast have all been acclaimed, as has the movie’s exceptional writing, colorful presentation, skillful direction, and fascinating themes (mostly related to societal standards for gender hierarchy).
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
IMDb score: 9.0
Oppenheimer
As one of the most popular filmmakers working today, it’s not surprising a movie as significantly large-scale as Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has a lot riding on it. Incredibly, though, Nolan once again manages to create a movie as unforgettably epic as each of his previous works, with most critics referring to it as one of the director’s best films yet.
As World War II rages on, the American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) organizes the secretive Manhattan Project, overseeing efforts to construct the first atomic bomb – his achievements having untold consequences for humanity’s future.
Possibly Nolan’s most ambitious film in years, Oppenheimer has earned rave reviews among both viewers and critics, with particular acclaim for its writing, visuals, and huge ensemble cast (including Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, and Kenneth Branagh).
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
IMDb score: 9.8
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
It’s been seven long years since audiences last witnessed the Portokalos family and their high-spirited misadventures together. Now, fans of this hit romantic comedy series can rejoice knowing they’re able to encounter the family yet again with My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3.
After the death of their patriarch, Gus (Michael Constantine), the Portokalos family depart for a trip to Greece, hoping to come closer together as a family as they reunite in their home country.
Like its immediate predecessor, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 has been released to largely negative reviews. Among the movie’s many faults, critics took issue with the movie’s bland attempts at humor and its equally shallow attempts at creating a moving family drama.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: N/A
IMDb score: 5.6
Other Movies of Note
Notable films that will likely continue playing for only a few more weeks.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has the distinction of being one of the most popular pop culture franchises of the 1990s, with generations of kids growing up doting on the antics of the pizza-obsessed, kung fu-savvy adolescent turtles at the heart of the franchise. Unfortunately, there has yet to be a truly memorable film adaptation of the TMNT series – until now.
Trying hard to assimilate into the human world of New York City, four anthropomorphic turtles use their knowledge of kung fu to become heroes, battling an army of mutants led by the dastardly Superfly (Ice Cube).
With crisp animation design heavily influenced by Sony’s Spider-Verse series, Mutant Mayhem has earned remarkably high reviews from critics, many calling it the best film based on the TMNT franchise and characters to date.
Where to watch: In theaters/On VOD and Paramount+
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
IMDb score: 7.7
The Equalizer 3
In retrospect, The Equalizer trilogy has been a decent if predictable trilogy of action films, the first entry doing a great job setting up the story and universe of its overarching narrative, while the second left fans slightly disappointed with its mediocre action. Fortunately, The Equalizer 3 ends the series on a blessedly high note, outshining the earlier two entries in the trilogy in every way possible.
Relocating to Southern Italy, former government assassin Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) tries to safeguard his new friends from the oppressive criminal factions active in the area.
A major improvement over its predecessors, The Equalizer 3 has earned mostly positive reviews, standout acclaim being geared towards Washington’s strong performance. The highest-rated entry in The Equalizer series, the film has also been described as highly accessible for anyone new to the franchise, allowing you to hop in and watch Washington’s rugged vigilante in action without having to slug through the first two films.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%
IMDb score: 6.9
Gran Turismo
It’s not often you see a movie based on a video game and a real life athlete at the same time. But if there’s one word you could use to describe the biographical racing film, Gran Turismo, “unique” would be at the very forefront of potential descriptions.
As part of a Nissan marketing campaign, several video game players are invited to participate in a professional race, living out their dreams of becoming high-speed race car drivers. Among these contestants is British teen Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), whose love of video games clashes with his father’s (Djimon Hounsou) own athletic background.
Though the movie does an admirable job of depicting Mardenborough’s life and the high-octane thrills of its video game counterpart to the big screen, Gran Turismo has earned a mostly mixed response, many calling it a stereotypical racing film as formulaic as Fast & Furious.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 61%
IMDb score: 7.3
Blue Beetle
If there’s one word you can use to describe the DCEU, it’s inconsistent. One moment, the company is delivering movies of such atrocious quality, fans and critics alike openly pan the film. In the next, they’re able to craft a surprisingly fresh and enjoyable superhero movie, their latest release, Blue Beetle, falling more so into the latter category.
Returning home upon graduating from college, young Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) is bestowed magical powers after an alien creature forms a symbiotic relationship with him, leading him to adopt the superhero alter ego, Blue Beetle.
Led by an impressive Maridueña, Blue Beetle takes an obscure superhero and reinvigorates him with a modern story and themes audiences can relate to. One of the better-received entries in the DCEU canon, Blue Beetle has been praised for its performances, action, humor, and its rich exploration of family.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%
IMDb score: 6.9
Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe
A movie just as beautiful and subtly affecting as the novel it’s based upon, Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe is a tender coming-of-age drama that touches upon plenty of timely themes, ranging from homosexuality and racial identity to masculinity and heteronormativity.
In 1980s El Paso, Texas, two Mexican-American teens (Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales) meet at their town’s local pool, immediately bonding over their shared interests. As they begin spending more time together, the pair begin to wonder about their individual feelings for one another, as well as struggling with the gender and sexuality norms of their time.
Like the original novel by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, the film adaptation of Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe has been released to overwhelmingly positive reviews, with praise for its themes, representation, and the performances of its young cast.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
IMDb score: 7.2
Golda
In the autumn of 1973, Israel faced a menacing threat to their national stability, combating a joint coalition of Egyptian and Syrian armed forces for nearly three weeks. This conflict – known today as the Yom Kippur War – forms the backbone of the gripping war drama, Golda.
Contending with an invasion of their homeland, the Israeli people rally beyond Prime Minister Golda Meir (Helen Mirren), who struggles to unite the country and overcome the insurmountable odds threatening Israel.
While Mirren is utterly terrific in her role as Israel’s iron-willed historical prime minister, Golda has been released to a blend of mixed reviews. Most critics felt that, in contrast to Mirren’s remarkable performance, most of Golda possessed a slow pace, weak special effects, and an overall dry tone.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%
IMDb score: 6.8
Strays
Talking animal movies are an admittedly niche genre, more often than not gearing themselves towards a family-friendly audience of viewers. Strays, on the other hand, changes all of that, appealing itself more towards adult audiences than the similarly-styled Homeward Bound.
Abandoned by his cruel owner (Will Forte), a mild-mannered Border Terrier (Will Ferrell) joins a pack of stray dogs led by a pragmatic Boston Terrier (Jamie Foxx), adopting the group’s street-savvy knowledge to survive on his own.
With an impressive vocal cast that includes Ferrell, Foxx, Isla Fisher, and Randall Park, Strays has been met with mixed reviews from critics, many of whom have divisive opinions over the movie’s immature, raunchy humor.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 55%
IMDb score: 6.7
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
We don’t know how they do it, but the cast and crew of the Mission: Impossible franchise just keep managing to outdo themselves. Just as Fallout was an improvement upon Rogue Nation, Dead Reckoning Part One is yet another major step up for Tom Cruise’s hit spy series, launching the franchise to significantly higher heights.
After a powerful A.I. weapons system goes rogue, I.M.F. agent Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his team are assigned to contain the artificial intelligence before it falls into the wrong hands.
As with the past three Mission: Impossible films, Dead Reckoning Part One has drawn consistently high praise from critics, with pointedly positive marks aimed at its action, performances, and heightened storyline. Many also felt it a satisfactory lead-in to its upcoming sequel, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two, set for release in June 2024.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
IMDb score: 8.2
Meg 2: The Trench
Shark Week has come and gone, but there’s never really a bad time to watch a shark movie, is there? Five years after its original installment, the Meg franchise returns with its latest outing, Meg 2: The Trench.
Discovering an uncharted trench dating back millions of years into the past, rescue diver Jonas Taylor (Jason Statham) and his team race to combat a variety of giant sea creatures previously believed to be extinct.
As with the first Meg, Meg 2: The Trench has earned largely mixed to negative reviews, most critics calling it a mindless action film too reliant on its kitschy central premise. Some of the more heated reviews even called it a film on par with the gimmick-heavy SYFY monster movies, like Sharknado and Sharktopus – which is probably not meant to be taken as a compliment.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: N/A
IMDb score: 5.8
Shortcomings
The beginning of August sees the release of comedian Randall Park’s directorial debut, Shortcomings. A genuinely moving dramatic comedy, it’s the first in what will hopefully be a long and successful career for Park as a director.
Struggling in his personal career as a filmmaker and in his romantic relationship with his politically active girlfriend (Ally Maki), lovesick movie theater manager Ben (Justin H. Min) starts to ponder what exactly he wants out of life.
Adapted from Adrian Tomine’s wondrous comic book series of the same name, Shortcomings is an emotionally stirring film that’s earned positive reviews, with Park’s direction, Tomine’s script, and Min’s performance all drawing standout praise from critics.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%
IMDb score: 6.9
Talk to Me
A24 has consistently delivered powerfully evocative horror films since the company’s formation a decade ago. With Talk to Me, they’re able to add another incredible entry to their already impressive lineup of horror films, once again proving why they’re the most exciting thing happening in horror right now.
Discovering a mysterious embalmed hand capable of summoning demonic creatures, a group of teenagers use the limb to possess themselves for fun. Before very long, this newfound entertainment has terrifying repercussions, the teens unwittingly unleashing something beyond their understanding.
As with most of A24’s horror releases in recent years, Talk to Me has earned particularly rave reviews from critics, most of whom have praised the film’s intelligent script, darkly satirical elements, and the acting of its young cast (with repeated praise for Sophie Wilde).
Where to watch: In limited theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
IMDb score: 7.4
Sound of Freedom
The controversial action movie, Sound of Freedom, has been making its way to theaters across the nation this past month, eliciting numerous discussions about the movie’s content and depiction of serious subject matters.
Rescuing a young boy from child traffickers, a Homeland Security agent (Jim Caviezel) sets out to free as many children as possible from a wide-ranging network of traffickers in South America.
Despite overarchingly positive reviews, Sound of Freedom has raised serious debates over the movie’s subject matter, with many asserting that it portrays a very serious topic in an all-too-watered-down way. If it had doubled down on its dramatic elements and basis in reality, it might’ve been a fantastic film; as it is, it’s a palpable action movie that audiences have delighted in seeing.
Where to watch: In theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 78%
IMDb score: 8.5
Theater Camp
An unexpected smash hit at this past year’s Sundance Film Festival, the indie comedy Theater Camp makes its theatrical debut on July 14. A hilarious ensemble film that’s equal parts Pitch Perfect as it is Heavyweights, it will no doubt go down as one of the year’s best indie releases.
Facing encroaching financial crises, the owners of a struggling theater camp pool their efforts to provide the funds necessary to save their business from a looming disaster.
Most of Theater Camp’s cast is largely unknown, but there’s a good chance they’ll walk away from the release of this film certified stars in the indie circuit. Raking in mostly positive reviews, Theater Camp has been particularly complimented for its infectious comedy and the performances of its large, young cast.
Where to watch: In theaters/On VOD & HULU
Rotten Tomatoes score: 76%
IMDb score: 7.4
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
It’s been five long years since Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and yet fans have continued to express pointed excitement at the prospect of seeing another addition to the cinematic Spider-Verse. Fortunately, viewers’ patience has paid off, with the newest entry in Sony’s franchise, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, finally hitting theaters this weekend.
A year after his previous adventure, teenager Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) once again helps the alternative versions of Spider-Man stop an otherworldly threat from destroying each and every one of their separate universes.
Repeating the momentous success of its predecessor, Across the Spider-Verse has earned all-around acclaim from critics, who have praised its colorful design, stellar action, impressive vocal performances, and its cliffhanger ending (which perfectly sets up its upcoming sequel, Beyond the Spider-Verse).
Where to watch: In theaters/On VOD
Rotten Tomatoes score: 95%
IMDb score: 9.1
Fun For All Ages
Movies that are perfect for the entire family.
The Inventor
Within the past few years, stop-motion animation has been making a rapid comeback, thanks to critically successful films like Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and more recent projects like the imaginative biographical film, The Inventor.
Having grown tired of the restrictive artistic outlook of the Catholic Church, the genius inventor Leonardo da Vinci (Stephen Fry) leaves Italy for France, finding a place among the French nobles of the Duchess Louise (Marion Cotillard).
Though a biographical film in nature, The Inventor’s loose representation of da Vinci’s life makes it an approachable and entertaining film for a wider audience. Wondrously-received for its crisp animation and vocal performances, it’s earned very warm reviews amongst critics.
Where to watch: Exclusively in theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 87%
IMDb score: 7.8
Drama
For those looking for something a little more emotional.
Between Two Worlds
Wanting to complete a story about exploited workers, a famous writer (Juliette Binoche) goes undercover, befriending a group of cleaning women and discovering how hard their lives truly are.
Between Two Worlds is a skillful exploration of classism and social divisions, illustrating the disparity between the upper elite and the common workers struggling to get by. In the lead role as a figure caught between these two worlds, Binoche brings out the inner conflict her character feels, desperately trying to rationalize her friendship with her newfound friends even as she indirectly profits off their life stories.
Making its way to American theaters two years after its initial screening in France, Between Two Worlds has earned extremely positive reviews, many critics complimenting it for its timely thematic discussions and the sensitivity of the director (Emmanuel Carrère).
Where to watch: In limited theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 77%
IMDb score: 6.9
Horror
For movie fans looking for a good scare.
It Lives Inside
With Halloween on the horizon and the autumnal season at the back of everyone’s minds lately, viewers can expect to see a number of horror releases over the next few weeks – the indie horror film It Lives Inside being one of the first among them.
Ignoring her Indian roots in the hopes of blending in with her high school classmates, a teenager (Megan Suri) learns to accept her heritage when a demonic spirit possesses her estranged best friend (Mohana Krishnan).
Earning mixed to positive reviews, many critics have praised It Lives Inside for its cultural inclusion and exploration of Hinduism, as well as the performances of its younger cast. More critical reviews have taken issue with the movie’s adherence to horror tropes, feeling it did little to differentiate itself from the numerous supernatural films that came before it.
Where to watch: In limited theaters
Rotten Tomatoes score: 72%
IMDb score: 5.5
Sci-Fi
For those interested in other worlds or distant futures.
57 Seconds
There’s no denying 57 Seconds has anything short of a fantastic cast, the movie’s ensemble containing veteran players like Josh Hutcherson, Morgan Freeman, and Greg Germann. Unfortunately, 57 Seconds’ mixed critical response proves that not even the most standout cast can redeem a mediocre narrative.
With an technologically advanced ring in his possession, a tech blogger (Hutcherson) attempts using the ring to travel backwards in time to prevent the death of his sister at the hands of a morally corrupt pharmaceutical executive (Germann).
As impressive as its principal cast is, 57 Seconds has done little to capture the attention of critics or moviegoers. Hampered by its limited budget, reviews have criticized the movie’s wonky special effects and underbaked plot as 57 Seconds’ greatest weaknesses, many calling it a forgettable sci-fi film that fails to live up to its promising premise.
Where to watch: In limited theaters/On VOD
Rotten Tomatoes score: N/A
IMDb score: N/A
Grab your tickets ahead of time and skip the lines at the theater.
Richard Chachowski is a freelance writer based in New Jersey. He loves reading, his dog Tootsie, and pretty much every movie to ever exist (especially Star Wars).