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'Conclave' -

Edward Berger's 'Conclave,' adapted from Robert Harris's novel, blends gripping drama with high-stakes intrigue. Ralph Fiennes excels as a conflicted cardinal navigating Vatican power plays amid escalating tensions and looming outside turmoil.

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'The Substance' -

Coralie Fargeat's 'The Substance' delivers visceral, feminist horror as Demi Moore's fading starlet spawns chaos after taking a mystery serum. Gore meets humanity in this sharp critique of Hollywood's sexist sidelining of aging women.

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'Challengers' -

'Challengers' by Luca Guadagnino is a steamy, tennis love triangle with Zendaya shining as an ex-prodigy channeling her ambitions through her husband, alongside stellar performances from Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor.

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'Wicked' -

This musical extravaganza dazzles with epic runtime, heartfelt empowerment, snappy choreography, and Stephen Schwartz's timeless songs, bringing bliss to Broadway fans.

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'Dune: Part Two' -

'Dune: Part Two' shifts focus to Zendaya's Chani, whose fierce heart grounds the epic. Opposite Timothée Chalamet's Paul, this stunning saga blends human drama with rebellion, political intrigue, and sweeping sci-fi spectacle.

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'The Outrun' -

Saoirse Ronan delivers a transcendent performance in 'The Outrun,' portraying a woman rebuilding her life in the Orkney Islands after addiction. The film explores themes of control, nature, and the fragility of recovery.

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'The Room Next Door' -

Pedro Almodóvar's first full-length English-language film is an extravagant, engrossing mystery, featuring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton in captivating performances.

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'The Wild Robot' -

Chris Sanders's animation adapts Peter Brown's book into a heartwarming, visually unique tale of a task-driven robot (voiced by Lupita Nyong'o) learning motherhood. Its striking art and emotional depth create an unforgettable family film.

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'Anora' -

Sean Baker's Palme d’Or-winning 'Anora' blends comedy and tragedy, with Mikey Madison playing an exotic dancer in New York entangled in a grim adventure. The film explores dignity, social struggles, and the sorrowful beauty of its conclusion.

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'A Different Man' -

This film blends noir, sci-fi, and comedy, starring Sebastian Stan as a struggling actor with a facial disfigurement whose life changes after experimental treatment removes his tumors, leading to a transformative encounter with Adam Pearson's Oswald, who has the same condition.

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'Matt and Mara' -

Kazik Radwanski's 'Matt and Mara' focuses on a female lead, played by Deragh Campbell, exploring her marriage, career insecurities, and complex relationships with subtle, realistic conversations.

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'Rebel Ridge' -

A tense thriller by Jeremy Saulnier, this pic follows a military vet (Aaron Pierre) and law clerk (AnnaSophia Robb) fighting a corrupt police force. 

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'I'm Still Here' -

Earning a 10-minute ovation at the Venice Film Festival, 'I'm Still Here' is a Brazilian drama starring Fernanda Torres and Selton Mello. Set in 1970s Rio, it follows a family's joy shattered by Brazil's military dictatorship, exploring themes of love, loss, and resilience.

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'Trap' -

In 'Trap,' M. Night Shyamalan brings fun to dark themes, featuring girl dad and occasional serial killer Josh Hartnett, who attends a pop concert with his superfan daughter, only to discover it's a trap to catch him. The film blends dark themes with playful, heartfelt moments.

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'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga' -

George Miller's 'Furiosa' follows the young Furiosa's (Anya Taylor-Joy) journey from innocence to hardened survivor, kidnapped by Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). A thrilling, action-packed prequel exploring survival and loss in the Mad Max universe.

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'Thelma' -

'Thelma' follows a 94-year-old woman (June Squibb) on a quest to recover US$10,000, blending humor and heart while exploring themes of resilience and the passage of time.

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'Hit Man' -

In Richard Linklater's 'Hit Man,' philosophy lecturer Gary (Glen Powell) becomes a fake assassin, exploring self-identity and stardom in a film that blends humor, existential questions, and deconstructed fantasy.

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'Lee' -

Based on a true story, Kate Winslet stars as Lee Miller in this World War II biopic, highlighting her unique perspective on photography's power dynamics and her empathetic war correspondence.

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'Love Lies Bleeding' -

'Love Lies Bleeding' delivers a neon-noir thriller. Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brian shine as a gym manager and a homeless bodybuilder in this twisted queer love story.

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'Dìdi' -

Sean Wang's debut is a tender, frank portrayal of adolescence. The film follows 13-year-old Chris (Izaac Wang) navigating his awkward summer, while Joan Chen delivers a standout performance as his struggling, resilient mother.

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'The Fall Guy' -

David Leitch's action-comedy stars Ryan Gosling as a stunt double who becomes embroiled in a missing person’s case. The chemistry between Gosling and Emily Blunt adds both humor and unexpected romance.

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'Blitz' -

Steve McQueen's World War II epic showcases London's devastation during the Nazi bombing. Saoirse Ronan and Elliott Heffernan bring emotional depth to this visceral story of a mother and son.

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'Blink Twice' -

In Zoë Kravitz's directorial debut, two waitresses are invited to a billionaire's island where tension and disturbing twists unfold. Strong performances by Naomi Ackie and Channing Tatum elevate this gripping thriller.

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'Longlegs' -

This supernatural thriller, featuring Maika Monroe as an FBI agent, blends serial killer procedural with haunting horror. While not as terrifying as expected, it's a chilling film by Nicolas Cage and Osgood Perkins.

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'The Idea of You' -

'The Idea of You,' starring Anne Hathaway, turns a fun premise about a middle-aged woman falling for a younger singer into a poignant love story with genuine chemistry and heart.

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'Monkey Man' -

Dev Patel directs and stars in 'Monkey Man,' a relentless revenge thriller about a country boy's quest to take down a corrupt Mumbai elite. His debut blends intense action with impactful social commentary.

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'The First Omen' -

Directed by Arkasha Stevenson, this prequel to 'The Omen' (1976) is a moody horror film set in 1971. It follows a novitiate who discovers a disturbing connection between an orphan and the anti-Christ.

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'Juror #2' -

Clint Eastwood's 40th film, a sharp courtroom thriller starring Nicholas Hoult, is a gripping drama about guilt. It's considered to be Clint's best work in years.

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'Heretic' -

Hugh Grant delivers a captivating performance as a sinister villain in 'Heretic,' a gripping A24 horror-thriller. Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, it blends chilling moments with thoughtful critiques of faith and exploitation.

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'I Saw the TV Glow' -

Jane Schoenbrun's 'I Saw the TV Glow' blends horror and drama to explore identity and the trans experience, using 90s pop-culture references to create a haunting, evocative, and urgent reflection on adolescence.

Sources: (Vulture) (Vanity Fair) (Time Out) 

See also: 30 movies that turn 40 in 2024

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