The start of 2022's final act is within striking distance and at the 2/3 point, the world of cinema should feel really good at what they've put into the world over the past 8 months. So, what do they have in store for their grand finale? How about a loaded slate that features everything to powerful fact-based stories (She Said, Till. Devotion) that exposes the masses to pieces of history that aren't as well-known as they should be to blockbuster spectacle (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Avatar: The Way of Water, Black Adam) that will send people flocking to IMAX and Dolby screens across the country. A lineup that includes some original horror stories being backed by major studios (Smile, Barbarian, The Menu), acclaimed works of international cinema that are finally hitting US shores (Decision to Leave, Broker. Corsage) and old school star vehicles (Ticket to Paradise, Amsterdam). And of course, it wouldn't be fall without a slew of potential awards contenders from some of the industry's most celebrated directors (The Fabelmans, Empire of Light, Babylon, Bardo, a Chronicle of Hard Truths, Bones & All) arriving in theaters and on streaming platforms. Here are the 10 movies from this massive, versatile slate I'm most looking forward to seeing from September-December.
10.Barbarian (September 9):
Buzz surrounding this one has been steadily building since it screened at Comic Con at the end of July. Its wildly unexpected narrative twists and self-aware campy tone have many people hailing as the 2022 answer to Malignant-which ironically was released on the exact same weekend last year. While comparing anything to the singular B-movie insanity of Malignant feels misguided, I'm excited to see just how nutty Barbarian is.
9.The Son (November 11):
French playwright Florian Zeller transitioned from stage to screen beautifully with the devastatingly authentic psychological family drama The Father-which is based on a play he wrote-that saw Anthony Hopkins win his 2nd Oscar for his heartbreaking portrayal of a man battling dementia. With another unique dramatic hook (a man who started a new life with a younger woman following a divorce has to reckon with past parenting mistakes when his 17-year old son from his previous marriage suddenly comes to live with him, his new wife and their infant child) and an even stronger ensemble cast (Hugh Jackman, Vanessa Kirby, Laura Dern, Hopkins) than he had on The Father, Zeller's 2nd cinematic adaptation of one of his own plays has a good chance of at least matching the effectiveness of his 1st.
8.Pearl (September 16):
Ti West surprised a lot of people following the South by Southwest premiere of X in March when he revealed that he had secretly shot a prequel that provided an origin story for the film's elderly killer Pearl (Mia Goth). A mere 5 months after X was released, Pearl is arriving in theaters-which is great news for those of us who came away impressed by West's unique slasher vision. Hopping back into this sleazy, darkly funny world should provide much more insight into what exactly sent Pearl down the path of mass murder and Goth with another opportunity to provide an outstanding performance that blends sympathy with sadistic evil.
7.Violent Night (December 2):
"Santa Claus spends Christmas Eve fighting mercenaries that are holding a rich family hostage" just might be the single best logline I've read in 2022. The fact that this action thriller is produced by David Leitch, directed by Norwegian B-movie director Tommy Wirkola (Dead Snow series, What Happened to Monday?), stunt coordinated/2nd unit directed by Jonathan Eusebio (John Wick 1-3, Deadpool 2) and features David Harbour as the ass-kicking Santa only adds to the intrigue around this potential new cult holiday classic.
6.The Banshees of Insiherin (October 21):
Could a reunion with In Bruges stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Glesson be the remedy Martin McDonagh needs to get back on track after the release of the thoroughly underwhelming, tackily melodramatic Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri? All of the early indicators say yes. The story surrounding two lifelong friends in a small Irish town who get into a heated rivalry when one of them (Glesson) decides to suddenly end the friendship appears to be right in McDonagh's dark comedy wheelhouse and from the footage in the trailer, the chemistry between Farrell and Glesson looks just as electric as it was in 2008.
5.Amsterdam (October 7):
David O. Russell's nearly 7-year filmmaking hiatus has finally come to a close and to celebrate, he assembled what just might be his splashiest ensemble cast (Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Robert de Niro, Chris Rock, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoe Saldana, Rami Malek, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Timothy Olyphant, Taylor Swift, Alessandro Nivola, Andrea Risenborough, Matthias Schoenaerts) to date for the period mystery Amsterdam. There appears to be some kind of conspiracy angle to the story that could makes things overly convoluted, but everything from the dialogue to the acting to the visuals looks to be peak Russell.
4.Don't Worry Darling (September 23):
Olivia Wilde deserves some serious shit for lying about firing Shia LaBeouf and sending him a video begging him to return after quitting despite star Florence Pugh being uncomfortable working with him. Wilde's contradictory public actions and the fallout from them aside, I'm still really looking forward to seeing this movie. Both trailers have been incredible, the cast is loaded (Chris Pine, Gemma Chan, Kiki Layne, Nick Kroll, Timothy Simons, Kate Berlant, Harry Styles and Wilde herself co-star alongside Pugh) and the cinematography from Matthew Libatique (A Star is Born, Black Swan) looks stunning.
3.The Whale (December 9):
Anytime Darren Aronofsky puts out a movie is a reason to celebrate, but an even bigger reason to get excited about The Whale is what could it represent for Brendan Fraser's career. This man has been through so much hardship in his personal and professional life over the past 20 years and a small drama that's anchored by him could provide the momentum he needs to launch a full-blown comeback. Since he's already earned an award for the performance (the Toronto Film Festival Tribute Award-which is the same honor that Jessica Chastain earned last year ahead of her Oscar win for The Eyes of Tammy Faye), there's a great chance that this film will do just that, which makes me delighted for him and even more excited to see this movie.
2.Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (TBD theaters/December 23 streaming):
2022 has mostly been a year to forget for Netflix, but a much-needed triumphant closing note could be on the horizon with Glass Onion. The sequel to the terrific 2019 whodunit sees Detective Benoit Blanc (a returning Daniel Craig) heading to Greece to solve a murder that takes place at a lavish private island getaway hosted by a tech billionaire (Edward Norton). With Rian Johnson also returning as writer/director, a steady presence on the fall festival circuit and a charismatic ensemble of new suspects/victims (Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista, Janelle Monae, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Ethan Hawke, the aforementioned Norton), Benoit Blanc's status as the 21st century's Hercule Poirot could very well be solidified.
1.Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (November 11):
Boy oh boy did the Wakanda Forever teaser trailer make me feel silly for having any doubts about Ryan Coogler's ability to successfully rework the Black Panther franchise following the death of star Chadwick Boseman. In those 2 minutes of effectively dialogue-free footage, it appears that Coogler constructed a beautiful, emotional tribute to Boseman/T'Challa while also further exploring the world of Wakanda and the people that help run and protect this powerful nation. If that is indeed what ends up sitting at the core of Wakanda Forever, it's going to be really special.
Also Plan on Seeing:
Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul (September 2)
God's Country (September 16)
See How They Run (September 16)
The Woman King (September 16)
Bros (September 30)
Smile (September 30)
God's Creatures (September 30)
The Redeem Team (October 7)
Tar (October 7)
Triangle of Sadness (October 7)
Decision to Leave (October 14)
Halloween Ends (October 14)
Till (October 14)
The Good Nurse (October 19 theaters/October 26 streaming)
Black Adam (October 21)
Ticket to Paradise (October 21)
Wendell & Wild (October 21 theaters/October 28 streaming)
Armageddon Time (October 28)
Call Jane (October 28)
Run Sweetheart Run (October 28)
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (November 4)
The Fabelmans (November 11)
The Inspection (November 18)
The Menu (November 18)
She Said (November 18)
Bones & All (November 23)
Devotion (November 23)
Nanny (November 23 theaters/December 16 streaming)
Strange World (November 23)
White Noise (November 25 theaters/December 30 streaming)
Marlowe (December 2)
Women Talking (December 2)
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (TBD theaters/December 9 streaming)
Empire of Light (December 9)
House Party (December 9)
The Pale Blue Eye (December 23)
Babylon (December 25)
The Wonder (TBD November theaters/TBD December)
Causeway (TBD)
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