Critic’s Pick
He’s obsessed. So are we.
‘Lurker’
When a pop star visits the store where he works, a superfan manipulates his way into the singer’s orbit in this thriller directed by Alex Russell.
From our review:
It takes its time at first, but once it really gets going, “Lurker” is snaky and disconcerting and smart. It plunges its fish hooks deep into the insecurities of its two main characters, and with each scene it tugs again, exposing how the manufacturing and preservation of fame in this cultural moment turns everyone into an anxious, needy wreck.
In theaters. Read the full review.
A movie about a fixer that could use some tweaks.
‘Relay’
In this thriller directed by David Mackenzie, Riz Ahmed plays Ash, an introverted, tech-savvy fixer caught up in a dangerous game.
From our review:
Even during some of the larger set pieces, like a nicely choreographed scene in Times Square, things continue to feel palpably, uncomfortably close. The movie’s setup works far better than some of the dull humanizing filler that’s meant to explain Ash, who becomes less intriguing the more you know about him.
In theaters. Read the full review.
Honey, don’t get your hopes up.
‘Honey Don’t!’
Margaret Qualley stars as a grizzled lesbian detective in this crime thriller directed by Ethan Coen, who wrote it with the film’s editor, Tricia Cooke.
From our review:
Coen joints often tell us that life is full of bizarre, unpredictable happenings — and Cooke’s deadpan editing rhythms have made these surprises land to great tragicomic effect. But, here, Cooke and Coen’s winding narrative feels muted and underdeveloped.
In theaters. Read the full review.
Critic’s Pick
Failed relationships make for great comedy.
‘Splitsville’
Two married couples messily intertwine in this dramedy directed by Michael Angelo Covino, who stars alongside the writer, Kyle Marvin.
From our review:
“Splitsville” is simply funny, in a way that has more to do with form and with wry line readings (that “superhost” means “AirBnB slumlord” is a notion that deserves wider play) than with sociology. And in its suggestion that narcissism quadrupled is actually a formula for successful companionship, it is even kind of sweet.
In theaters. Read the full review.
Critic’s Pick
This demon child brings heaven to the screen.
‘Ne Zha II’
A demon child tries to save his hometown in this epic animated sequel directed by Jiao Zi.
From our review:
“Ne Zha II” provides a story that’s imaginative and unpredictable, if a little overstuffed. Its characters also skate over the lazy binary of good guys versus bad. “Ne Zha II” isn’t prescriptive or moralizing; part of its appeal is its insistence on examining its characters and their actions relative to the bigger context of events. Despite the many charms of its adorable demon-child hero, the main appeal of “Ne Zha II” is more technical: the animation.
In theaters. Read the full review.
Globe-trotting romance, familiar territory.
‘The Map That Leads to You’
In this romance directed by Lasse Hallstrom, Heather (Madelyn Cline) and Jack (KJ Apa) fall for each other on a train to Spain.
From our review:
Ultimately, the romance’s sentimental plotting needs more of Heather’s grounded logic and far less of Jack’s greeting card sayings. She’s much too sensible to lose herself so quickly to his brand of bland. The ending squeezes in a wedding, a reunion and a soul-baring confessional letter. It’s all as comfortably mindless as you’d expect.
Watch on Prime Video. Read the full review.
Trouble in paradise with a top-notch cast.
‘Eden’
In the Galápagos, post-World War I settlers played by Jude Law, Ana de Armas and Sydney Sweeney, among others, find their plans for a new beginning thrown into chaos.
From our review:
There are erotic shenanigans galore, and as the tension mounts, harrowing acts of violence. It’s a little surprising that these proceedings are led by the director Ron Howard, since this subject matter is more perverse than anything he has set his sights on before. The actors are up to the task, however.
In theaters. Read the full review.
A getaway driver goes in circles.
‘Eenie Meanie’
To save John, her ex-boyfriend, from a vindictive kingpin, Edie takes on one last job as a getaway driver in this Shawn Simmons film.
From our review:
While an early, silly death involving the comedian Randall Park suggests an exuberant self-awareness a la Quentin Tarantino, other scenes, like those that position Edie and John as star-crossed lovers, indicate that this movie’s melodrama takes itself deadly seriously.
Watch on Hulu. Read the full review.
Swimming with the clichés.
‘Pools’
Still grieving a year after her father’s death, Kennedy (Odessa A’zion) and her friends pool-hop in this coming-of-age drama directed by Sam Hayes.
From our review:
[“Pools”] is a green director’s hodgepodge emulation of ideas and tricks we’ve seen elsewhere. There’s the constant abuse of Wes Anderson-like quick zooms; a copy cat attempt of Anderson’s color grading; a paper-thin trauma plot; and lots and lots of montages of delinquent kids running and dancing.
In theaters. Read the full review.
Compiled by Kellina Moore.
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