An early autumn weekend brings a diverse slate of premieres that appeal to every taste, from historical drama to sharp comedy and gripping thrillers. The lineup includes a provocative period piece, family-friendly humor, and powerful character studies, all crafted to resonate with audiences across Canada and the United States.
Jeanne du Barry
Johnny Depp returns to European cinema in the role of Louis XV, king of France, under the direction of Maiwenn, who also stars opposite him. The film centers on Jeanne du Barry, a clever and ambitious woman who climbs the social ladder with wit and charm, leaving a lasting mark on the royal court. It explores power, desire, and the costs of ascent, offering a nuanced look at a controversial historical romance.
Sound of the Sun
Carmen Machi and Karra Elejalde reunite on screen after a decade, delivering a lively family drama that blends humor and heartfelt moments. The story threads together experiences from two generations, anchored by a bond that endures through time. Based on real-life events shaping writer Alan Jolís and his wife during the summer of 1965, the film follows their adjustments to a new life in Paris after fleeing a troubled homeland, guiding them through roles among an American ambassador and a royal circle along the way.
Operation Napoleon
An investigator becomes entangled in an international conspiracy when a murder accusation endangers his life. Surviving hinges on uncovering the secret of a World War II German aircraft hidden within Iceland’s vast glacier. Directed by Óskar Thór Axelsson, this thriller adapts Arnaldur Indriðason’s acclaimed crime novel for the screen, delivering suspense and global intrigue.
Bitch Life
Josh Greenbaum delivers a live-action comedy for adults about love, loyalty, and the messy realities of friendship. The central figure—a border terrier who ends up on the streets after abandonment—navigates urban life alongside stray dogs, turning survival into a funny, sometimes poignant reflection on companionship. The Spanish-dubbed version features voices from Santi Millán, El Monaguillo, Raúl Cimas, and Susi Caramelo, adding local flavor to the international release.
Auschwitz Survivor
Barry Levinson, known for Rain Man, returns with a searing tale of guilt, endurance, and triumph. The film follows a boxer haunted by his concentration camp experiences and brutal clashes with friends. As he works to reconcile the past with the present, the story unfolds amid raw emotion and historical memory. The cast includes Danny De Vito, Vicky Krieps, Peter Sarsgaard, and John Leguizamo, delivering a powerful ensemble performance.
Friend Until Death
Javier Veiga, a Galician writer-actor, makes his directorial debut in a dramatic comedy about lifelong friendship under strain. Starring Veiga alongside his wife Marta Hazas and Mexican actor Mauricio Ochmann, the plot follows three friends who discover one of them faces a terminal illness, forcing a reckoning about love, loyalty, and mortality. Filmed entirely in Galicia, the landscapes of Ourense, O Grove, Santiago de Compostela, and the Camino de Santiago frame this intimate story with a strong sense of place.
Flora and Her Son Max
John Carney, the filmmaker behind Begin Again and Sing Street, returns with a musical drama about family and healing. A single mother in Los Angeles teams up with a distraught musician as her teenage son, a gifted but troubled boy, searches for belonging. The film explores music’s power to bridge divides, rebuild trust, and offer second chances. After a limited theatrical run, it premieres on Apple TV+ on September 29.
Truce(ies)
Bruna Cusí and Salva Reina lead a debut-directed piece described as an anti-love story. The film follows Ara and Edu, ten-year lovers navigating serious relationships with others while reuniting at a film festival after a year apart. The narrative examines desire, fidelity, and the choices that transform a long friendship into something more.
Road Dance
Directed by Richie Adams and inspired by true events, The Road Dance chronicles Kirsty Macleod’s life in a small Scottish village before World War I. She dreams of America to escape poverty and church restrictions, chased by love and fate. When Murdo, her beloved, is recruited, a sudden tragedy reshapes her world and tests the resilience needed to pursue a brighter future.
Hawk Lake
Canadian actress Charlotte Le Bon makes her feature debut as writer-director in a romantic coming-of-age drama set near a Quebec lake. The story follows Bastièn, a Parisian teen who spends a summer with his family at the cabin and falls for Chloé, an older local, in a tender examination of first love, self-discovery, and the choices that define a season of life.
Once Upon a Time in the Canary Islands
Armando Ravelo, a Gran Canarian writer-director, presents a migration tale focused on Nola, a young Senegalese woman who risks her life crossing the ocean to the Canary archipelago. The film offers an intimate and critical portrait of Canarian society as it follows her search for family and belonging amid complex cultural currents.
Including Havoc
Macarena Gómez reunites with Miguel Martí in a comedy that threads ambition, misdirection, and a touch of romance. A sharp-witted historian chasing fame, an aging gentleman adrift, a curious exchange student, and a flamboyant artist collide in a story of love, secrets, and ostentatious weddings. The supporting cast includes Antonia San Juan, Salva Reina, Cristina Brondo, Manuel Tallafé, Javivi, Saturnino García, Arlette Torres, and Nacho Guerreros, all contributing to a brisk, theatrical energy.
Carajita
Dominican cinema returns with Carajita, a Spanish-Argentine collaboration that follows the bond between Yarisa, a caretaker for an elite Dominican family, and the girl she loves and protects. The film, showcased at the 70th San Sebastián Film Festival with a special mention, offers a tender portrait of mentorship, privilege, and empowerment within a complex social landscape.
Carlos: The Santana Journey
Rudy Valdez, an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker, charts the life of Carlos Santana, tracing his rise from a fourteen-year-old street musician to a legendary guitarist with ten Grammys. The film blends archival footage, interviews, and concert moments to illuminate a remarkable musical odyssey.
André Rieu: Surrounded by Love
Dutch violinist and conductor André Rieu, celebrated as the king of the waltz, invites audiences to a cinematic concert experience in Maastricht. Filmed this summer with the Johann Strauss Orchestra, the performance captures the intimate energy of a live orchestra set against the iconic Vrijthof square, delivering a jubilant celebration of music and memory.