APARTMENT 7A – directed by Natalie Erika James
With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, it makes complete sense that 2024 has been loaded with not only horror prequels, but demonic thrillers brimming with feminist rage. On the heels of “Immaculate” and “The First Omen” comes “Relic” director Natalie Erika James’ precursor to the Roman Polanski’s masterwork, “Rosemary’s Baby,” chronicling the fate of Terry (Julia Garner), a young actress targeted by her creepy neighbors. The great Dianne Wiest is such a hoot in the role originated by Ruth Gordon that she has me pining for a spin-off series, “Only Satanists in the Building.” While there’s nothing particularly surprising about the picture, especially for those familiar with the 1968 classic, James has enough fresh ideas—including some inventively nightmarish musical numbers—to keep one’s attention rapt all the way up to the satisfying finale.
“Apartment 7A” is now streaming exclusively on Paramount+.
THE SUBSTANCE – directed by Coralie Fargeat
If you thought director Coralie Fargeat’s previous picture, “Revenge,” was overflowing with strikingly lensed blood, just wait till you get a load of her new Cannes prize-winner, a 140-minute epic that moves at the speed of a bullet aiming to pierce every misogynistic trope in its path. Demi Moore delivers her most galvanizing work to date as a 50-year-old actress branded over the hill by her disgusting boss pointedly named Harvey (Dennis Quaid, as loathsome here as he is in “Reagan”). Desperate to keep her career afloat, she takes a mysterious black-market drug that promises to birth a younger version of herself (the ever-exhilarating Margaret Qualley). Brilliantly subverting the male gaze while inventively paying homage to everything from Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” to Carpenter’s “The Thing,” this one-of-a-kind marvel is guaranteed to be one of the year most talked-about titles, and deservedly so.
-Matt Fagerholm
Now playing in theaters.
MY OLD ASS – directed by Megan Park
On the heels of her masterful directorial feature debut, “The Fallout,” which launched the star-making year of Jenna Ortega’s career, Megan Park has followed it up with one of the most endearing coming-of-age films in…well, ages. “Nashville” star Maisy Stella, whose song “While You Sleep” was featured in “The Fallout,” makes one of 2024’s most luminous screen debuts as Elliott, a teen whose experimentation with mushrooms leads her to encounter her older self (a pitch-perfect Aubrey Plaza). Though the marketing suggests that much of the film centers on this fantastical pairing, Park is more interested in exploring Elliott’s inner evolution, as she finds herself attracted to a man (“Wednesday” star Percy Hynes White) for the first time. With echoes of “Arrival” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” this lovely, sneakily profound film is guaranteed to leave you taking less in your life for granted. Now that “My Old Ass” has expanded nationwide, you frankly can’t miss it, nor should you. And yes, requesting “Two tickets to see ‘My Old Ass’” will have you laughing even before you enter the theater.
-Matt Fagerholm
Now playing in theaters.
THE OUTRUN – directed by Nora Fingscheidt
Image: Natalie Seery. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
Here is film featuring cinematography so gorgeous that it brings every nature element on screen all the more alive. As Rona, a trouble young woman struggling with alcoholism, Saorise Ronan portrays all of its complexities in her breathtaking performance. She also beautifully portrays the unsentimental reality of having a family member with mental illness. I was equally moved by Paapa Essiedu’s performance as her partner. I first discovered him through the series I May Destroy You, and he is so good at conveying emotions ghat pierce right through the screen. The film truly touched me.
-Rebecca Fagerholm
Coming soon to theaters on October 4th.
A MISTAKE – directed by Christina Jeffs
Elizabeth Banks shows in this film that she is as strong of a dramatic actor as she is comedic. Her character Elizabeth Taylor (no relation to the Hollywood icon), a surgeon who has an impeccabile record of saving lives, chooses to put faith in her trainee in making an incision. After the surgery leads to fatal complications for the patient, Taylor stands strong in her opinon that the surgery is not what led to the death. We see a woman that stands strong in her convictions despite what the world around her is portraying her to be. Her character is admirable and flawed at the same time. But that is what makes her relatable. She shows the passion one can have for their work, and how it’s never too late to open yourself up to change and growth at any age. Also, kudos to Elizabeth for performing her New Zealand accent flawlessly. It didn’t take me out of the character at all, she transforms herself. The film is directed by New Zealand filmmaker Christina Jeffs.
-Rebecca Fagerholm
Now playing in theaters, distributed by Quiver Distribution.
