Shazam
Superhero Shazam is arriving this Friday, delivering a blend of romance and suspense. The film features a mix of humor and horror and introduces Lily James, celebrated for The Kings of the World and a Golden Shell winner, as part of its vibrant cast. The movie embraces a playful tone while exploring the consequences of power and identity in a world that loves big, daring stories.
Billy Batson, an adopted teen, discovers that speaking the magic word “shazam” transforms him into a strong, adult hero. The journey follows his learning curve as he navigates newfound abilities with the guidance of friends and mentors. The ensemble includes familiar faces as they confront ancient threats and a fate that tests loyalty and courage.
What does love have to do with it?
Documentarian Zoe, portrayed by Lily James, is a dating app enthusiast who tests her own theories about romance by collecting stories from a range of unsuitable partners to entertain her mother. This multicultural romantic comedy, directed by Shekhar Kapur, follows Zoe as she reevaluates her life after meeting her neighbor Kaz, played by Shazad Latif. Kaz is a childhood friend who recently entered an arranged marriage with a Pakistani woman, and the narrative investigates how love, timing, and friendship intersect in modern relationships.
Kings of the World
The Golden Shell winner at the San Sebastian Film Festival, Kings of the World is a road movie steeped in dreamy imagery performed by children from Medellín. It uses their perspectives to reflect on Colombia’s history of violence and the process of land restitution. This debut feature for Colombian director Laura Mora marks a continuing evolution from her earlier work, Kill Jesus, an autobiographical film about the murder of a family member.
Foreign
Chloe Okuno directs this tense horror about an actress who feels watched after moving with her partner to a new city where nobody seems to listen. The eerie atmosphere intensifies as a serial killer known as Spider threatens the community, a peril that unfolds as the city negotiates fear and reality. The film was showcased at a recent Sitges Film Festival edition.
Under Therapy
Gerardo Herrero adapts a stage play by Matías del Federico into a witty ensemble comedy about couples in a group therapy session testing a new method. The session spirals into surprising revelations as the characters reveal their true selves. The cast includes Malena Alterio, Alexandra Jiménez, Fele Martínez, Antonio Pagudo, Eva Ugarte, and Juan Carlos Vellido, bringing sharp chemistry and humor to the screen.
The Price of Revenge
Starring Stephen Dorff and Emile Hirsch, this thriller, directed by Ryuhei Kitamura, follows two criminals who hide on a remote ranch after a pawnshop robbery. Believing they are safe, they soon confront a threat far beyond the grasp of law enforcement, forcing them to confront the consequences of their actions.
Stale
Directors Raúl Cerezo and Fernando González Gómez bring a provocative take on geriatric horror, revisiting themes from their previous film La pasajera. The plot centers on Manuel, who, after his wife’s death, moves into his son’s home and begins hearing voices and sensing presences. His daughter-in-law pushes him to leave, yet the grandfather’s growing unease drives the story toward a tense emotional climax.
In Viaggio
Italian filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi, awarded the Golden Bear for Fire at Sea, returns with a documentary that delves into migrant stories. The film compiles journeys and calls for peace, offering a humane look at those who travel in search of safety and belonging.
My Sunny Maad
My Sunny Maad, a film nominated for a Golden Globe for best animated feature and a César winner for French cinema, follows a young Czech woman who falls in love with an Afghan man and chooses to live with him in Kabul. The story, adapted from a novel, traces the complexities of cross-cultural romance and personal sacrifice, grounded in real experiences.
A Step Forward
French director Cedric Klapisch, famed for an Erasmus-focused trilogy, turns his lens toward the world of dance. Elise, a promising classical dancer, suffers an injury at 26 and faces a fork in her career. The film follows her attempt to reinvent herself within contemporary dance and the challenges of a life path upended by a single moment of fate.
Blue Thermal
Masaki Tachibana, known for his work on Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 and Barakamon, returns with a romantic adventure comedy about Tamaki Tsuru, a young woman moving to Tokyo for college. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes involved with an aviation club and uncovers a fascination with flight that reshapes her future.
Iberia, Eternal Nature
The documentary Iberia, Eternal Nature follows a broad survey of Iberian ecosystems through the view of a golden eagle. The film maps the peninsula’s diverse landscapes, highlighting natural wonders from north to south in a sweeping, cinematic journey.
Keiko’s Fight
Shô Miyake directs Keiko’s Fight, inspired by Keiko Ogasawara’s autobiographical novel. The film tells the story of a deaf boxer who must cope with the closure of her gym during the pandemic. Shot on 16 mm, it presents a raw, intimate look at perseverance and resilience as the sport and the community face upheaval.