Simple Man, Yana Klimova-Yusupova – from August 25
In this intimate drama, Sasha, an orphaned young man played by Philip Avdeev, plans a life abroad with his girlfriend Laura, portrayed by Agatha Muceniece. Their dream includes a new apartment and a bar funded by Laura’s parents, signaling a fresh start far from their pasts. On the eve of departure, Sasha discovers the existence of his biological mother, a woman who left him in a maternity hospital three decades ago. He travels to her doorstep, trading a harbor of resentment for a surprising sense of empathy. What unfolds is a complex encounter with a woman whose life has been as unsettled as his own. The film asks a hard question: should he chase a future abroad or confront the memories he has avoided for so long?
This feature marks the first directorial effort of VGIK graduate Yana Klimova-Yusupova and showcases an ensemble cast that was assembled with care for a debut project. The film captures outward upheaval and inward turmoil, turning a personal choice into a reflection of broader times and pressures that make any decision feel irreversible.
The Tower (Fall), Scott Mann – from August 11
Becky, a fearless rock climber, is grappling with the sudden death of her husband after a cliffside accident. The tragedy leaves her afraid of heights and of her own fear itself. A friend pushes Becky toward a radical test: ascend a 600 foot radio tower to scatter her husband’s ashes. The plan spirals into a terrifying trap when they reach the top and find themselves unable to descend.
With echoes of real life survival tales that inspired films about peril and persistence, this intense thriller sits on the line between adventure and nightmare. The premise aligns with a lineage that includes iconic escape and resilience stories, promising a nerve‑racking experience on the big screen.
Earwig (earwig), Lusil Hadzikhalilovich – from August 4
Albert keeps Mia close, a wary guardian whose icy stare seems to cut through to the bone. He withdraws from the world, living in a sealed apartment, until a single assignment arrives: prepare the boy for a society outside within a week. The Toronto International Film Festival selection shares a visual tone with certain Swedish thrillers, focusing not on the creature at the center of fear but on the people who surround them. What appears welcoming on the surface hides darker currents beneath.
Movie Story: Next Generation Mark Cousins – August 11
Mark Cousins examines the most influential films of the past decade, tracing how digital technology, streaming, and pandemic realities shaped cinema and will continue to redefine it. Cousins, already widely known for groundbreaking work on Women Making Film and other celebrated documentaries, offers a thoughtful tribute to cinephiles who study the changing relationship between life and its screen narrative. His newest project invites audiences to consider how these shifts will influence film culture in the years ahead.
Killer Montage (Coupé), Michel Hazanavicius – from 4 August
An aspiring director and a novice film crew embark on a live‑action horror project that quickly derails. The cast delivers exaggerated horror, but chaos erupts as zombies invade the shoot itself. Hazanavicius, best known for The Artist, brings a genre‑bending twist that premiered at Cannes in 2022 under a working title that later settled on Murdering Montage. The film stands out as a playful, crowd‑pleasing genre piece that rewards fans of irreverent humor and macabre satire.
After. Happily Ever After After Ever Happy, Castile Landon – August 25
The concluding chapter of the After series follows Tessa and Hardin as they navigate love and harm. Tessa, once a hopeful romantic, fears losing who she is while trying to save the man she loves. Hardin, meanwhile, struggles with the weight of his past actions and the damage they have caused. The films have earned a devoted audience through a blend of familiar romance and high‑stakes emotion, making the finale a focal point for loyal fans and curious newcomers alike.
Everybody Hates Johan (Alle hater Johan), Hallvar Witse – from August 25
Johan, the last of the Grande family whose passion for pyrotechnics unsettles a small town, carries a lifetime of loneliness and unrequited love for a neighbor’s daughter. After years away, he returns to confront a community that once rejected him and to pursue the love that never quite took hold. Hallvar Witse, a Cannes winner and a major voice in contemporary Norwegian cinema, artfully blends humor with drama as his characters embark on unlikely journeys that reveal the human side of extraordinary circumstances.
Darkchild: First Kill Orphan: First Kill, William Brent Bell – August 11
Lina escapes a psychiatric facility and travels to the United States under the guise of Esther, the missing heiress. However, the foster mother suspects that the supposed prodigy is not who she claims to be. This sequel to the 2009 horror film edges into a world where family dysfunction and deception collide, providing a tense counterbalance to summer comedy blocks and offering a sharper, darker take on the familiar horror franchise landscape.
King’s Daughter, Sean McNamara – from August 11
Marie, the daughter of King Louis XIV portrayed by Kaya Scodelario, grows up in a convent where humility is scarce. With the king intent on securing immortality, the court discovers a mermaid captured at sea who might hold the key to everlasting life. Unaware of her royal connection, Marie forms a bond with the mythical creature, a dynamic that weaves together family drama with fairy tale fantasy. Sean McNamara, known for family‑oriented cinema, presents a film that blends magical elements with real world themes for audiences of all ages.
Fear the Dark, Ogre, Arnaud Malherbe – from 4 August
A small village hides a missing boy case that fades from memory as months pass. A new teacher, Chloe, arrives with her young son Jules and a quiet determination to start anew. Unsettling events suggest that an ancient evil lurking in the surrounding forests may be waking once more. Malherbe’s mystical thriller digs into primal fears as it explores the depths of maternal love and the lengths a parent will go to protect their child.