Sean Baker’s Anora follows the story of Ani, a Brooklyn-based sex worker, played by Mikey Madison. When she unexpectedly finds herself entangled with the son of a Russian oligarch, her life takes a Cinderella-like turn. The film, praised for its balance of humour and heartfelt moments, is available to rent on ZEE5 and Amazon.
The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, is an ambitious American epic spanning three and a half hours. It follows Adrien Brody’s character, László Tóth, a Hungarian architect who migrates to the US in search of the American Dream. Featuring performances by Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce, the film is currently showing in theatres.
James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown brings the enigmatic Bob Dylan to life, with Timothée Chalamet portraying the legendary musician. Known for its immersive storytelling, the biopic features Chalamet performing the songs himself, alongside supporting performances from Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro. The film is currently available in theatres.
In Conclave, directed by Edward Berger, Ralph Fiennes plays Cardinal Lomeli, navigating the intense and secretive process of electing a new pope. This gripping political thriller takes viewers deep into the Vatican’s corridors of power and is currently playing in theatres.
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two continues the saga of Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, as he embraces his destiny on Arrakis. Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, and Javier Bardem join him in this visually stunning adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel. The highly anticipated sequel is now streaming on JioHotstar.
Emilia Pérez, directed by Jacques Audiard, stars Zoe Saldaña in a complex and powerful narrative that has garnered critical acclaim. A mix of drama and intrigue, the film is available on Amazon Prime Video and select theatres.
Walter Salles’ I’m Still Here is a deeply moving historical drama set during Brazil’s military dictatorship. Fernanda Torres stars as Eunice Paiva, a woman searching for her missing husband. With supporting performances from Selton Mello and Fernanda Montenegro, the film is streaming on Apple TV.
RaMell Ross’ Nickle Boys is a harrowing drama based on true events, depicting the lives of two boys enduring horrific abuse in a reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida. Starring Caleb McLaughlin and Ashton Sanders, this emotionally charged film is available on Amazon Prime Video.
Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance sees Demi Moore return to the horror genre in a performance that has been widely praised. A psychological thriller with a gripping narrative, the film is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Rounding out the list is Jon M. Chu’s Wicked, the long-awaited adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande take on the iconic roles of Elphaba and Glinda, offering a fresh take on the classic Wizard of Oz story. The film is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video, ZEE5, and Apple TV.
