Movie lovers will have a lot of great selections of new movies opening exclusively in theaters this weekend. Last week saw some high-profile releases in cinemas, with the sci-fi blockbuster Tron: Ares opening alongside Channing Tatum’s crime comedy Roofman and Daniel Day-Lewis’s comeback movie, Anemone. However, there is even more to choose from this week.
With the Halloween season upon us, there are some notable horror movie titles ready to get fans in the spooky mood. There are also plenty of big-name stars with movies out now, including Keanu Reeves, Julia Roberts, and Oscar Isaac. From star-studded comedies to acclaimed indies to awards contenders, there’s something for everyone at the theaters this weekend.
What to watch: Black Phone 2
Kick off the Halloween movie season with a sequel to a horror sleeper hit from a few years ago. The Black Phone was an inventive supernatural horror story that also introduced a fantastic new villain in the genre with Ethan Hawke’s The Grabber. While he was simply a serial killer in the last movie, Black Phone 2 sees The Grabber return with a supernatural twist.
Seeing Hawke in this type of role is rare, but he was so much fun in the original movie that it is hard not to be drawn back for more. It will be interesting to see how the villain is explored in this new way and if the sequel can make him even more terrifying than before. Along with Hawke, young actors Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw also return for the sequel.
What to watch: Good Fortune
A lot has been made about comedies no longer drawing audiences to the theaters, but Good Fortune could be the latest movie to prove there is still a desire for these kinds of movies. Keanu Reeves stars in the movie as a low-level angel who seeks to help out a struggling gig worker (Aziz Ansari) by switching his life with that of a tech billionaire (Seth Rogen).
As amazing as the John Wick movies are, it is a lot of fun seeing Reeves back in a comedy. The hilarious premise, along with a very funny cast that also includes Keke Palmer and Sandra Oh, sets this up to be a laugh-out-loud good time. There is also no better place to experience a great comedy than in a crowded theater.
What to watch: If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
While one of the smaller movies of the weekend, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, already has a lot of buzz around it. Rose Byrne stars in the indie comedy-drama as Linda, a mother and wife whose life is spiralling downward with one problem after another. As her mental health deteriorates, she fights to keep everything together.
Byrne is one of the great comedy actors working today, with hilarious turns in movies like Bridesmaids and the series Platonic. However, this movie also serves as a reminder of her incredible dramatic chops, as she is already receiving Oscar buzz for her performance. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You also features a rare acting role from Conan O’Brien as Linda’s hostile therapist.
What to watch: Frankenstein
One of the greatest horror stories of all time is getting a new retelling by one of the greatest horror directors working right now. Guillermo del Toro has excelled at telling tales of misunderstood monsters, so he is the perfect filmmaker to take on the story of Frankenstein. Oscar Isaac stars as the reckless scientist, while Jacob Elordi plays the iconic monster.
Frankenstein will be released on Netflix in November, but it is a great movie to see in theaters for the Halloween season. Seeing del Toro’s haunting visual style brought to life on the big screen will be a treat. He also assembles an incredible cast, including Mia Goth, Ralph Ineson, and Christoph Waltz.
What to skip: After the Hunt
One of the most star-studded and anticipated dramas coming into the Fall season, it is a true disappointment that After the Hunt isn’t one you need to rush out and see. Acclaimed filmmaker Luca Guadagnino’s latest movie stars Julia Roberts as a college professor who has to face the secrets of her past when a star pupil (Ayo Edebiri) levels accusations against another professor (Andrew Garfield).
It is a cast of amazing performers with a premise that promises intense and dramatic confrontations. With Guadagnino at the helm, expectations were high for this one. However, the reviews for After the Hunt have been lukewarm, with many complaining that the story has nothing real to say about the subject matter. It is better to wait for this to hit Prime Video later this year.
What to skip: The Astronaut
While Black Phone 2 and Frankenstein provide some good horror fun at the movies this weekend, The Astronaut is one genre entry that horror fans can skip. Kate Mara stars in the movie as an astronaut who has just returned from a harrowing space mission. However, as she is recovering in an isolated safe house, she begins to feel something from space following her back.
Sci-fi horror movies can be a lot of fun, but the reviews for The Astronaut suggest that this movie doesn’t take advantage of the genre. The confined scope of the movie works against it, making it feel like it should be a bigger movie. Despite Mara’s solid performance in the lead role, this is light on thrills and a letdown overall.
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