A Real Pain is a powerful, darkly funny dramedy that explores family, grief, and identity with wit and emotional depth. Directed by and starring Jesse Eisenberg, alongside a scene-stealing Kieran Culkin, the film follows estranged cousins David and Benji as they reunite for a tour of Poland to honor their late grandmother. Against the poignant backdrop of Holocaust history and family legacy, the odd-couple duo rekindles their connection through hilarious clashes and heartfelt revelations. Eisenberg’s meticulous, muted performance contrasts brilliantly with Culkin’s vibrant, chaotic energy, creating a dynamic that’s both cringe-worthy and deeply moving. Featuring a stellar supporting cast, including Jennifer Grey and Kurt Egyiawan, A Real Pain is filled with sharp dialogue, moments of melancholy, and raw humanity. It’s a beautifully acted, fast-paced exploration of privilege, memory, and the bonds that hold us together. Culkin’s magnetic performance and Eisenberg’s thoughtful direction make this road-trip comedy an unmissable cinematic experience.

Sean Baker’s Anora is a bold and electrifying take on the classic Cinderella tale, filled with thrilling twists, dark humor, and heartfelt moments. Mikey Madison (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) delivers a captivating performance as Ani, a Brooklyn sex worker whose life takes a whirlwind turn when she impulsively marries Vanya, the carefree son of a Russian oligarch. Their romance, forged in the chaos of Manhattan clubs and Las Vegas escapades, comes to an abrupt halt when Vanya’s parents send their henchmen to annul the marriage. What follows is a high-energy chase through the streets of New York, blending comedy, drama, and action in a way that only Baker can achieve. With its vibrant cinematography, razor-sharp dialogue, and poignant exploration of class, privilege, and survival, Anora is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. Baker’s signature style shines through in this Palme d’Or-winning masterpiece, offering an unforgettable cinematic journey that is both audacious and deeply human.

Jacques Audiard (The Sisters Brothers) delivers a bold and breathtaking cinematic experience with Emilia Pérez, a genre-bending masterpiece that merges narco thriller, pop opera, and high drama. The story follows Manitas Del Monte (Karla Sofía Gascón), a fearsome Mexican cartel boss secretly transitioning into her true self. With the help of Rita (Zoe Saldaña), a brilliant but underappreciated lawyer, Manitas stages her death and becomes Emilia Pérez. However, as Emilia begins a new life, the shadows of her past threaten to unravel her hard-fought freedom. Featuring fearless performances from Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Adriana Paz, the ensemble cast shared the Best Actress award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. This extraordinary film explores themes of identity, transformation, and redemption while captivating audiences with dazzling musical numbers and ingenious plot twists. With a script co-written by Audiard and a vibrant score by Camille and Clément Ducol, Emilia Pérez redefines the boundaries of cinema. Don’t miss this exhilarating tale of reinvention, resilience, and the pursuit of authenticity.

Miguel Gomes (Tabu, Arabian Nights) delivers a spellbinding cinematic journey with Grand Tour, an era-spanning odyssey that won the Best Director prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Set in 1917, the story begins with Edward, a British colonial officer stationed in Burma. On the eve of his fiancée Molly’s arrival, Edward flees Rangoon in a moment of panic, sparking a globe-trotting chase. Molly, undeterred, pursues him across Asia, traveling through Bangkok, Saigon, Manila, Osaka, and Shanghai, encountering a world both whimsical and melancholic. Gomes masterfully blends black-and-white and color, fiction and documentary, to create a cinematic essay on memory, place, and the human experience. With playful shifts between scripted narrative and modern-day scenes, Grand Tour invites viewers to embrace the rhythm and texture of life’s unpredictable journey. A tale of love, escape, and discovery, Grand Tour transcends genres and time, offering a poignant exploration of colonial folly and personal longing. Prepare to be swept away by this singular, breathtaking experience.

Kate Winslet stars in LEE, a gripping portrayal of the trailblazing war photographer who redefined history with her powerful lens during WWII. LEE is a riveting exploration of Lee Miller’s extraordinary life, starring Kate Winslet in a career-defining performance. Directed by Ellen Kuras (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), this vivid biopic follows Miller’s transformation from celebrated model to trailblazing WWII war correspondent. Set against the backdrop of 1930s bohemia and wartime Europe, Lee delves into Miller’s relentless determination to document history through her lens. From capturing the aftermath of D-Day to bearing witness to the horrors of concentration camps, Miller’s haunting images reshaped war photography and revealed untold human stories. Supported by a stellar cast, including Alexander Skarsgård, Andy Samberg, Marion Cotillard, and Andrea Riseborough, Lee paints a powerful portrait of a woman who broke through male-dominated spaces with courage and tenacity. The film juxtaposes Miller’s bold professional achievements with the personal toll of witnessing humanity’s darkest moments. A visually stunning narrative from first-time feature director Kuras, Lee is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the profound impact of storytelling. This is a must-see for fans of powerful biographical cinema and those inspired by fearless trailblazers.

Naruebet Kuno’s The Paradise of Thorns is a powerful and darkly playful exploration of love, loss, and justice. Thongkam and Sek, a devoted gay couple, built their dream life together in a remote Thai village, complete with a house and a durian orchard. But when Sek dies suddenly, Thongkam is left with no legal rights to their shared assets. The property is claimed by Sek’s mother, who moves in with her adopted daughter, Mo, and gardener, Jingna. As Thongkam battles to reclaim what is rightfully his, he is forced into a tense, slow-burning confrontation where love, grief, and revenge collide. Featuring a saturated color palette, haunting soundtrack, and a poignant narrative, The Paradise of Thorns deftly balances high drama with urgent social commentary. The film sheds light on the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ couples in a society where their unions are not legally recognized, while also delivering a captivating and emotionally resonant story. Starring Jeff Satur and Pongsakorn Mettarikanon, this debut feature is a testament to the power of love, the resilience of the human spirit, and the fight for equality.

Pedro Almodóvar (Talk to Her, Pain and Glory) makes his English-language debut with The Room Next Door, a deeply moving and visually stunning adaptation of Sigrid Nunez’s What Are You Going Through. Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore star as Martha and Ingrid, two estranged friends whose lives take different paths—Martha as a war reporter and Ingrid as a novelist. Years after their last meeting, they reunite when Ingrid learns of Martha’s terminal illness. As they reminisce and rekindle their bond, Martha makes a deeply personal request that challenges the boundaries of their friendship and alters their lives forever. Winner of the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, The Room Next Door is both a rumination on mortality and a celebration of human connection. Almodóvar’s signature vivid visuals and emotional storytelling shine in this tender tale of love, loss, and healing. With outstanding performances by Swinton and Moore, this film is a masterful exploration of life’s complexities.

Almut (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield) are brought together in a surprise encounter that changes their lives. Through snapshots of their life together -- falling for each other, building a home, becoming a family -- a difficult truth is revealed that rocks its foundation. As they embark on a path challenged by the limits of time, they learn to cherish each moment of the unconventional route their love story has taken, in filmmaker John Crowley’s decade-spanning, deeply moving romance.

Chinese-Australian Artist Jiawei Shen has a plan. His wife Lan Wang says it is crazy. But nothing can stop him on his obsessive mission to create a monumental 130 square metre painting of the turbulent history of Communism. Jiawei’s 10-year deep dive into the bloody history of revolution is counterpointed by a profoundly intimate portrait of his marriage to artist wife Lan, forged in the chaos of Mao’s Chinese Cultural Revolution. With hundreds of portraits and remixes of iconic artworks, can Jiawei complete his epic Tower of Babel masterpiece while facing the considerable risks of revealing it to the world?