November 15, 2024

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 11/15

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

if you want TO SEE AN OSCAR FRONTRUNNER

EMILIA PÉREZ

Vincent Georgie: A sensation, double-prize winner at Cannes 2024, this dramatic crime musical (that’s not a typo) is incredibly audacious. The level of originality fuels an outstanding ensemble of performers.

A Mexican lawyer is offered an unusual job to help a notorious cartel boss retire and transition into living as a woman, fulfilling a long-held desire.

Available on Netflix.

if you WERE IMPRESSED BY THE SUBSTANCE

REVENGE

Vincent Georgie: One of the most talked about films at WIFF 2024 was surely the return of Demi Moore in the hypnotic and bloody The Substance. If you want to see earlier work from visionary filmmaker Coralie Fargeat, check out her equally intelligent and bloody revenge thriller.

Synopsis: Jen is enjoying a romantic getaway with her wealthy boyfriend until his two sleazy friends arrive for an unannounced hunting trip. As tension mounts in the house, the situation abruptly and viciously intensifies, culminating in a shocking act that leaves Jen brutalised and left for dead. Unfortunately for her assailants, she survives and soon begins a relentless quest for bloody revenge.

Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and MUBI.

if you want A SEXY THRILLER

NO WAY OUT

Vincent Georgie: A terrific Saturday night thriller, anchored by an appealing Kevin Costner and an always commanding Gene Hackman. This film certainly announced Costner as a young movie star to watch. A quality and entertaining night at the movies.

Synopsis: Navy Lt. Tom Farrell (Kevin Costner) meets a young woman, Susan Atwell (Sean Young), and they share a passionate fling. Farrell then finds out that his superior, Defense Secretary David Brice (Gene Hackman), is also romantically involved with Atwell. When the young woman turns up dead, Farrell is put in charge of the murder investigation. He begins to uncover shocking clues about the case, but when details of his encounter with Susan surface, he becomes a suspect as well.

Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

DOUBLE FEATURE

all hail, JACQUES AUDIARD

Vincent Georgie: The surefire Oscar-nominee Emilia Pérez has been creating gritty, unusual masterpieces for a few decades now. Take a look at two of his very strongest films.

A PROPHET

This acclaimed crime drama follows Malik El Djebena (Tahar Rahim), a delinquent young Muslim man, who is struggling to get by in a French prison. When he is taken under the wing of powerful Corsican mob boss Cesar Luciani (Niels Arestrup), he begins performing regular assignments for him, proving himself invaluable to the imposing criminal. As Malik rises in the mob ranks, he gains more power, but also more enemies, a situation that eventually brings conflict with his mentor.

Available on Apple TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube.

RUST AND BONE

Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts), a former boxer and single father, meets Stephanie (Marion Cotillard) when he saves her from a brawl at the nightclub where he works as a bouncer. Their casual acquaintance develops into something much more after Stephanie, who trains killer whales at a marine park, suffers a horrible accident and loses both her legs above the knee. As Stephanie draws on Ali’s physical strength, an unexpected courtship slowly comes to life.