The September lineup previews what the new movie season has in store. Alongside commercially appealing sequels and big titles, several international offerings catch the eye. Two Spanish films featured at Cannes are highlighted, while other entries explore classic detective fiction, contemporary cinema craft, and fresh takes on familiar genres.
‘Equalizer 3’ by Antoine Fuqua
The third installment from director Antoine Fuqua follows the familiar blend of urban grit and moral clarity. Denzel Washington returns in a lead role marked by restrained intensity, supported by screenwriter Richard Wenk as the narrative guides its antihero through a city bookended by violence and justice. The film leans into visceral moments, including a pivotal first confrontation that sets the tone for a drama driven by consequence. A sympathetic CIA-aligned character joins the fray, adding emotional resonance to a story that balances action with a cautionary moral edge.
‘Passages’ by Ira Sachs
American filmmaker Ira Sachs returns with a quietly provocative drama that probes the fragility and complexity of romance. The storytelling favors intimate, observant filmmaking, and Sachs continues to deploy a cosmopolitan sensibility, weaving through a love triangle that touches multiple identities and cultural surfaces. The cast includes actors adept at nuanced emotional shifts, delivering scenes that linger with ambiguity and insight into the heart’s compromises.
‘Creatura’ by Elena Martín
Elena Martín’s follow-up to her debut investigates the body and identity within the shadow of social taboos around sexuality. The film centers on a couple as they move to a new home and confront a painful process of personal discovery. Martín’s work draws connections to her earlier experimental projects, while the narrative pushes beyond surface appearances to explore desire, memory, and the entries of adolescence into adult life.
‘Mystery in Venice’ by Kenneth Branagh
Kenneth Branagh returns to the world of Hercule Poirot, expanding a series that blends classic detective craft with the allure of a broader cinematic stage. The movie promises a shift away from pure suspense toward more atmospheric and supernatural undertones, expanding the Christie universe with a fresh energy. The ensemble includes Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Dornan, and Tina Fey, underscoring Branagh’s continued effort to fuse tradition with contemporary storytelling flair.
‘Future sun’ by Nanni Moretti
Nanni Moretti directs a film set against 1950s Italy, weaving together the era’s political currents with personal storytelling. The narrative follows a filmmaker, his family, and a revolving cast of collaborators as they navigate creative ambition, miscommunication, and the insecurities of making art in a changing world. The score includes a playful yet earnest Italian pop repertoire that colors the emotional landscape of the period.
‘The Survivors of Auschwitz’ by Barry Levinson
Barry Levinson brings a biographical drama centered on the life of a Jewish athlete who survived Auschwitz and later found prominence as a boxer. The film traces the arc from survival to public life, highlighting the resilience and complexity of a man who bridged vastly different worlds. The cast features Ben Foster, Vicky Krieps, Peter Sarsgaard, and Danny DeVito, delivering performances rooted in historical texture and human vulnerability.
‘The Expendables’ by Scott Waugh
The mercenary squad returns with rugged action and a relentless pace. The cast, rooted in tough street-level heroism, faces off against a fearsome arms dealer as the body count climbs. The film introduces new frictions and showcases a roster of international talent, including a Thai martial arts specialist and a celebrated rapper, all delivering fast-paced, high-stakes warfare with a rough-edged charm.
‘Jeanne du Barry’ by Maiween
Maiween presents Jeanne, a determined woman climbing the social ladder in historical Versailles. Johnny Depp embodies the era’s royal gravity while the story follows a bold, young protagonist who challenges norms and navigates court intrigue. The emotional terrain blends scandal with ambition as power dynamics shape her ascent.
‘Wheel of Fortune’ by Woody Allen
Woody Allen returns with a dramatic comedy that plays with romantic entanglements in a Parisian setting. The central thread follows a relationship triangle involving a married couple, a friend with social leverage, and a chance liaison that unsettles established patterns. The film carries the signature wit and urban sensibility that have marked Allen’s work across decades, and it marks a new chapter following a recent Venice reception.
‘Close your eyes’ by Víctor Erice
Víctor Erice makes a long-awaited return with a contemplative drama built around a filmmaker seeking truth about a cast member from years past. The narrative unfolds with patient precision, inviting viewers to trace a quiet path through memory, absence, and the self-reflective pull of cinema. Ana Torrent reappears, bringing a magnetic presence that anchors the film’s reflective tone and emotional depth.