Tom Hanks as a grumpy neighbor becomes headline material in a playful cinematic lineup. The actor, who also produces, plays Otto, a cantankerous elder whose world is upended by the arrival of a new family. The film invites audiences to ponder whether a neighbor in need should simply ring a doorbell or take action beyond the routine check-in. The project was introduced in Spain, where Hanks spoke about cinema’s calling for action and the human need for connection.
Adapted from the Swedish novel A Man Named Ove, the film is directed by Marc Foster. The story follows a lonely, stubborn man whose routine life shifts dramatically with the arrival of a family led by Marisol, portrayed by Mexican actress Mariana Treviño. Her warmth and openness gradually transform the neighbor’s rigid worldview, illustrating how new friendships can rekindle purpose and meaning.
Agatha Christie in the world of insects
Inspector Sun and the Black Widow’s Curse, directed by Julio Soto, reimagines classic mystery storytelling through a whimsical lens of insects that mirrors human society. The film blends detective craft with imaginative visuals, offering a playful yet suspenseful experience for younger audiences while nodding to the masterful styles of Christie and Chandler.
The director’s latest work continues the trajectory seen in his previous film Deep from 2017, incorporating a hopeful message and a family-friendly emphasis. The production carries a distinction notable for its accessibility and appeal to children, while maintaining a sophisticated sense of mystery and discovery.
Journalists uncovering the Weinstein case
Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan portray New York Times reporters who investigate the Weinstein scandal in Uncovered, drawing on the real-life Pulitzer Prize–winning investigation that exposed abuses by a powerful producer. Maria Schrader directed this compelling drama, centering on the journalists who helped spark a broader cultural reckoning.
The film chronicles how a newsroom’s perseverance uncovered a story that shaped a generation, fueling the #MeToo movement and leaving a lasting impact on American culture. It presents a candid look at journalism under pressure and the ethical questions that arise when chasing truth at great personal cost.
Everybody does it, a thriller with laughs
The latest feature from Who Are You Traveling With director Martín Cuervo blends comedy with thriller energy. The cast includes Salva Reina, Kira Miró, Carlos Santos, Mariam Hernández, Julián López, Andrea Duro, Macarena Gómez, Toni Acosta, Victor Palmero, and Pablo Carbonell. The film follows four couples invited to spend a weekend at a hotel, only to confront blackmail and the sudden, unexpected deaths that follow.
The premise riffs on social pretensions and hidden motives, delivering suspense through a light-handed, character-driven approach that keeps viewers guessing while delivering sharp moments of humor.
Female exorcist in a horror drama
Pray for the Devil, from director Daniel Stamm, brings a female-led perspective to a familiar horror framework. Starring Jacqueline Byers, Virginia Madsen, and Colin Salmon, the film intertwines suspense, horror, and psychological drama as Sister Ann navigates possession and faith under pressure.
The narrative centers on a female lead for the first time in this subgenre, offering a fresh take on possession stories. Since its release, the movie has earned strong worldwide traction, underscoring a broad appeal across audiences seeking both thrills and a meaningful character arc.
RMN from the director of 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu, a Palme d’Or winner for 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, returns with RMN, a drama set in a small Transylvanian town. The feature investigates violence and xenophobia, presenting a stark examination of prejudice within a tightly wound community.
The narrative centers on Matthias, an immigrant who returns from Germany to care for his son and father. When a group of Sri Lankan newcomers arrives, old tensions flare, revealing deep-seated fears and the fragile nature of social harmony.
South Korean black-and-white drama
The Romanist and Her Film, a black-and-white drama by a South Korean director, Hong Sang-soo, follows a novelist who visits a friend’s bookstore and later joins a director and his wife for a night of conversation that spirals into unexpected encounters.
Debuting at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival, this work was presented as a celebration of chance meetings and the importance of originality in a cinema landscape that often values formula above honesty. The film’s quiet, observational tone invites viewers to contemplate how small, everyday moments shape storytelling.
Brazilian trans reality Madalena
The disappearance of a well-known transgender figure, Madalena, becomes the fulcrum of Madiano Marchetieras’s directorial debut. Set in a western Brazilian town surrounded by vast soybean fields, the story follows three friends Luziane, Cristiano, and Bianca as they confront the mystery and the social climate around gender and violence.
The director uses this narrative to highlight the violence faced by LGBTQIA+ communities in small communities where visibility is scarce and prejudice runs deep. The film gives voice to those who bear the weight of social stigma and calls attention to the human cost of intolerance.