If you can’t find Encouragement to go to the cinema from the movies on the billboards through January, that’s because the slate looks mixed. The list of upcoming titles mixes familiar favorites with daring, high-energy stories and jaw‑dropping plot twists. It’s a little bit of everything, with dazzling performances, fast pacing, and bold ideas.
Guy Ritchie’s ‘Operation Fortune: The Great Deception’
New action comedy from a veteran filmmaker has faced timing tweaks. The project features a lean MI6 agent and a charismatic villain in a mission to stop a global threat. Plans shifted from an original January release to later dates as the cast evolved and sensitivities shaped the final outline. In the finished version, the antagonists’ nationalities are deemphasized to keep the focus on intrigue and character dynamics.
“Living” by Oliver Hermanus
Remake culture is lively here, with a thoughtful reimagining of a classic about a man who discovers small joys just as his life seems to falter. The setting moves from postwar Japan to mid‑century Britain, a country built on privacy and propriety. The screenplay, credited to Kazuo Ishiguro, offers restrained, precise performances, led by Bill Nighy who conveys emotion with quiet restraint and depth.
‘Hunt. Hunt the Spy’ by Lee Jung-jae
Lee Jung-jae, known globally for a popular drama, makes his directorial debut with an espionage thriller set during the Cold War. The film blends kinetic sequences with a time‑pressured rhythm. The plot follows a crisis after a presidential assassination, as two South Korean guards race to locate a spy sent from the neighboring country amid tense geopolitical strains.
‘Holy Spider’ by Ali Abbasi
Ali Abbasi returns with a provocative drama inspired by real events in Mashhad. The story centers on Saeed Hanaei, a serial killer who claimed to act in God’s name while the community grapples with fear and moral battles. The film does not shy away from brutal moments, but its most lasting impact comes from portraying a society where women face harassment and where authorities often struggle to respond effectively.
Pity, Eduardo Casanova
Eduardo Casanova’s second feature continues his exploration of intense family dynamics. The film traces a troubling mother–son relationship across a long journey, weaving history and personal obsession into a tense drama. The director draws from towering political moments and distant eras to illuminate a family’s turmoil against a broader backdrop of historical memory.
‘Decision to leave’ by Park Chan-wook
Park Chan-wook, renowned for lush, suspenseful storytelling, crafts a mystery that blends police intrigue with romantic undertones. A detective and a widowed woman uncover a web of secrets through a series of clever twists. The film is lauded for its kinetic verticality, intricate plotting, and graceful execution of suspenseful set pieces that keep viewers guessing.
‘Babylon’ by Damien Chazelle
Damien Chazelle directs a sweeping drama set in late 1920s Hollywood. Starring a dynamic cast, the film tracks a period of rapid change, excess, and ambition. While reception abroad has been mixed, the movie showcases bold visual storytelling and an ambitious energy that resonates with big, theatrical storytelling. Debates about tone and pacing continue as audiences weigh spectacle against intimate moments.
‘Amazing but true’ by Quentin Dupieux
Quentin Dupieux, often known for offbeat humor, presents a satire with a time‑travel premise. A suburban couple moves into a home with a basement tunnel that unlocks the past. The ideas unfold with a playful, absurd energy that fans of the director’s eccentric voice will likely enjoy.
‘Tár’ by Todd Field
Todd Field delivers a piercing drama centered on a renowned conductor whose public authority clashes with private vulnerabilities. The film explores power, artistry, and the pressures of leadership, delivering a character study that unfolds with precision and strong performances. The story invites viewers to consider what it takes to maintain integrity in a demanding, high‑profile profession.
Darren Aronofsky’s ‘The Whale’
Fans anticipate a transformative performance from the lead actor, who embodies a man grappling with extraordinary challenges. The film nods to Aronofsky’s recurring themes—personal struggle, dependence, and isolation—while drawing a close look at the human condition. It’s a deeply intimate piece that invites reflection on resilience, identity, and the weight of choices.