October’s cinema landscape took us through a journey of many genres. From stop-motion fantasy to a return to James Gunn’s DCU - and everything in between - this last month has truly been something special. As we look forward and fast approach the end of the year, we see the start of ‘Oscar-bait’ season, as well as the arrival of our first Christmas movies of the year. Here’s everything to look forward to, releasing in November.
Wild Horse Nine - November 6th
Sometimes You've Got To Do a Terrible Thing For The Greater Good.
Set in 1973 - shortly after the Chilean coup - CIA agents Chris (John Malkovich) and Lee (Sam Rockwell) are dispatched from Santiago to Easter Island by their bureau chief, MJ (Steve Buscemi). As the longtime partners wrestle with their dark pasts and present conspiracies - set against the backdrop of these iconic statues - Chris’ newfound bond with a pair of students threatens to send everybody’s trip sideways.
By the looks of it, Wild Horse Nine seems like a - somewhat rare nowadays - gem of a comedy. Directed by the man who brought The Banshees of Inisherin to life, Martin McDonagh, this is sure to contain its fair share of laughs, while still managing to hold a compelling story. This backstabbing, paranoid crime thriller is led by plenty of incredible performers and has already generated early Oscar buzz, with critics and audiences agreeing on its high quality.
Releasing: Cinemas
Godzilla Minus Zero - November 6th
There is No Third Time; Everything Ends Here.
After war reduced Japan to zero, Godzilla plunged it into minus. However, two years have passed and, after great struggle, the country has finally achieved its daily life once more. Just as the population managed to claim a hard-fought battle to peace, a new threat strikes - one that proves to be infinitely more dangerous - crushing all hope in an instant.
Godzilla Minus One came out of absolutely nowhere and proved its worth as one of the greatest movies of the year it was released, 2023. I have absolutely no doubt that Minus Zero will top this already mountainous feat of cinema. This is praised as building upon its predecessor in all the best ways and creating some incredible spectacle that may leave you feeling like a different person as you walk out. Early reviews have awarded ratings among some of the highest Godzilla movies ever - out of the entire 38-long catalogue.
Releasing: Cinemas
I Play Rocky - November 6th
The True Underdog Story.
I Play Rocky displays the incredible true story behind the making of Sylvester Stallone’s 1976 masterpiece, which mirrors the events in many ways. This tells the story of an unknown actor who sees that the only path to stardom is writing his own script. After being told ‘no’ at every single turn, Stallone (Anthony Ippolito) holds his ground completely, as his own producers attempt to push him out of playing the lead.
Director Peter Farrelly - a man who thrives mostly within comedy - takes on a new challenge of reinventing the Rocky story through the lens of show business, which seems to be paying off, in part. Critics praise Ippolito’s lead performance, as well as the heartwarming story attached. However, many criticise this for its many positive aspects simply being tied to the original Rocky picture, offering little new to the concept. It’s definitely not out of the question for this to be a generic biopic, though its favourable ratings across numerous sites, critical and audience-based alike, say otherwise.
Releasing: Cinemas
La Bola Negra - November 6th
Love Leaves a Legacy.
La Bola Negra, translated as The Black Ball, is a Spanish movie inspired by an unfinished 1936 play by Spanish poet Federico García Lorca. This follows the intertwined lives of three men in three different eras, each intimately linked by sexuality, desire, pain, and legacy. We traverse the lives of gay men in 1932, 1937, and 2017, displaying queer shame and marginalisation of the gay community throughout many different eras in history.
Many early reviews have named La Bola Negra a strong Best Picture contender, after many months of a perceived surefire win for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Many have noted its masterful work in artistically blending romance, war, and civil poetry into a true triumph of queer cinema. Spain has selected La Bola Negra as their official Oscar submission, and so is one to look out for - at the very least.
Releasing: Cinemas
The Cat in The Hat - November 6th (USA Only)
The Cat's Out of The Bag.
23 years after Mike Myers' attempt at this beloved children’s story, The Cat in the Hat returns to our cinema screens in the form of an animated feature. In this newest adaptation, the cat (Bill Hader) is faced with his toughest task yet, cheering up siblings Gabby (Xochitl Gomez) and Sebastian (Tiago Martinez) as they adjust to life in a new town. This agent of chaos, known for pushing every boundary, must prove himself to his boss or risk losing his hat forever.
This newest adaptation of Dr Seuss’ iconic children’s book seems to expand this world’s lore much more, giving the cat an organisation of various animals with various adornments. This looks just as colourful and whimsical as any Cat in the Hat movie - or Dr Seuss movie, for that matter - should, even if I’m unsure of its actual quality in any substance at all. While the United States receives this very soon, the UK will have to wait until early December for Dr Seuss’ newest escapades.
Releasing: Cinemas
Ebenezer - November 13th
Before He Was Scrooge, He Was...
Ebenezer essentially runs the same road as so many other adaptations of A Christmas Carol have before, with seemingly little to no change. Scrooge (Johnny Depp), an elderly miser, embarks on a supernatural journey through Christmas Past (Andrea Riseborough), Present (Tramell Tillman), and Yet to Come (Robert Strange) after being visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley (Sir Ian McKellen), forcing him to confront his greediness and his past, fighting for a second chance at happiness.
This is a story which we’ve seen time and time again. This has been animated, live action, The Muppets, satirised, turned into a musical, and portrayed by Mickey Mouse. This was even adapted last year in Christmas Karma. There is absolutely nothing more to tell from this story, and it seems this isn’t even trying. While no reviews have been released for Ebenezer, I’m sure this lack of creativity will reflect in its overall quality - especially with its main selling point being nothing more than the return of Johnny Depp.
Releasing: Cinemas
How To Rob a Bank - November 13th
Who's Robbing Who?
With the chances of a successful bank robbery being higher than that of owning your own home, a group of social media savvy criminals decide to prove it by broadcasting their impossible heists live on the internet. Rather than being driven by pure greed, this group adopts a Robin Hood-style attitude, acting out of widespread public frustration, debt, and anger toward a corrupt financial system.
Directed by David Leitch - the man behind The Fall Guy and Bullet Train - this has proved its worth as an action movie, from its trailers alone. This displays some incredible-looking moments, as well as plenty of comedy to hold you along. How To Rob a Bank is led by Nicholas Hoult and Zoë Kravitz, two actors who seem to light up any screen they appear on, making sure this will include some amazing performances, at the very least.
Releasing: Cinemas
Prima Facie - November 13th (UK Only)
Consent Should Never Be on Trial.
Prima Facie follows Tessa (Cythia Erivo) as a British defence barrister. Fierce, witty, and self-made, she defends men accused of sexual assault - until she is a victim of those very crimes by a colleague from a powerful legal dynasty. Suddenly, the system she once trusted turns against her. Facing the same tactics she would use in court, Tessa’s faith in justice begins to unravel before her eyes. Where once she was in control, Tessa is now exposed and disbelieved, forcing her to fight to regain her voice and sense of self. Prima Facie, in a legal context, refers to initial evidence that seems damning, though it fails to stand against conflicting evidence which disproves or contradicts it.
This movie, while praised for its interesting and important message, seems to be tarnished by a weak script and poor editing, leading to an even worse finale. Unfortunately, while Erivo does her best with what is provided, this seems to fall short on delivering the biting critique of the legal system and how it goes against women that this concept truly deserves. As of November 1st, this currently has no confirmed US release date.
Releasing: Cinemas
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on The Reaping - November 20th
Welcome To The Second Quarter Quell.
Based on Suzanne Collins’ iconic book series and continuing the now six-movie saga, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on The Reaping showcases a fan favourite Games, that being Haymitch Abernathy’s. This returns us to the world of Panem, twenty-four years before the events of the first movie, in which we start on the morning of the Second Quarter Quell. At every ‘Quarter Quell’ - or twenty-five years - The Games add a special gimmick, unique to that year. This year doubled the tributes from twenty-four to forty-eight, making for a much more bloodthirsty event.
Early reviews have praised Sunrise on The Reaping higher than anybody could have ever expected, with many naming it among the best of the franchise - which is a colossally high bar to cross. With a star-studded cast of familiar, yet fresh characters, including the likes of Joseph Zada’s Haymitch Abernathy, Jesse Plemons’ Plutarch Heavensbee, Elle Fanning’s Effie Trinket, Ralph Fiennes President Snow, and Kieran Culkin’s Caesar Flickerman, this is sure to deliver on everything The Hunger Games has previously built, as well as expanding this world slightly more, just as the previous instalment did.
Releasing: Cinemas
Paper Tiger - November 20th (USA Only)
All Debts Are Paid in Blood.
Set in 1986, two brothers - Irwin (Miles Teller) and Gary (Adam Driver) Pearl - in New York become entangled in a ‘lucrative’ scheme involving a local oil company that turns out to be too good to be true. As they attempt to navigate their way through the dangerous world of the Russian mafia, their familial bonds begin to fray, causing life-altering consequences.
While seeming quite a simple, if not quite movie star-rich, crime thriller, Paper Tiger has managed to generate a good amount of early Oscar buzz. Many note its masterful cinematography and escalation of its story, while others mention its third act as truly something to behold. While the United States is able to behold this possible marvel of cinema midway through this month, UK fans will have to wait until early February 2027 to enjoy it.
Releasing: Cinemas
You Can See Everything - November 20th (UK Only)
See It To Believe It.
Thirty-four days before she is sent to prison, Elizabeth Holmes - notorious Silicon Valley founder - invites a skeptical film crew, led by comedian Nathan Fielder, to document her every move. What begins as an intimate portrait of an enigmatic felon soon becomes a mind-bending three-year journey into this woman’s psyche.
You Can See Everything has been praised to high heaven, with many calling it the greatest movie of the year. This is so incredible, in fact, that despite being a documentary, You Can See Everything is being considered for Best Picture buzz - something no documentary has ever been even nominated for before. US moviegoers gained access to this movie just last month and soon shot it straight to the top of Letterboxd’s rankings. Luckily UK fans have very little time left to wait, releasing only a month after.
Releasing: Cinemas
Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother - November 20th (UK Only)
Your Mother, Then Your Mother, Then Your Mother, Then Your Father.
Latif (Mahershala Ali), a devoutly religious hitman, struggles to balance work, faith, and fatherhood. When his wife dies, he embarks on a desperate journey across Houston to protect his children, confronting the forces closing in around him, and the beliefs threatening to unravel within.
Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is Mahershala Ali’s first movie after officially moving on from Marvel’s Blade, working with director Bassam Tariq to put together this sacred journey through motherhood, parenthood, faith, grief, and righteousness. While this looks like an incredibly fun movie, there are so many interesting themes to be explored - and by the looks of its glowing reviews, it has made the most of its concept.
Releasing: Cinemas
The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth - November 25th
You Have The Right To Remain Silent...
The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth acts as a sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood, following the titular character eight years after. In David Fincher’s newest endeavour, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) returns to a changing Los Angeles, in which he now works as a fixer in the shadows of Hollywood’s studio system. Booth finds himself entangled in a web of secrets, crime, and betrayal that will prove to test everything he knows about loyalty and survival.
Brad Pitt returns to one of his most iconic characters, almost ten years after Tarantino’s iconic ninth installment. While Tarantino may not be sitting in the director’s chair for this one, he is still heavily involved in its production - from writing to producing - which ensures plenty of quality in its script. Not to mention the directing prowess of David Fincher, who can seemingly bring any script to life in a magical way. This movie only releases in cinemas for a limited time before landing on Netflix in late December.
Releasing: Cinemas (Limited)
Focker-in-Law - November 27th
Every Family Has Its Traditions
Focker-in-Law is the fourth movie in Ben Stiller and Robert DeNiro’s family drama series, beginning in 2000 with Meet The Parents. This follows Henry Focker (Skyler Gisondo) after he decides to marry a strong-willed woman, appearing to be his complete mismatch, Olivia Jones (Ariana Grande). When Jones is given access to the ‘inner circle’, Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) becomes jealous and forms a rivalry with Olivia, testing both of their wills.
While I’m sure this will have plenty of fun packed in, I can’t see any conceivable world where this actually contains any interesting substance. Much of its selling points seem like nothing more than the mere inclusion of Ariana Grande, along with the continuation of this franchise - held up by little more than nostalgia. This will guarantee to find its audience, though may not be successful outside - or even within.
Releasing: Cinemas
Hexed - November 27th
Something Is Happening To Billie...
An impulsive and unconventional teenage girl named Billie (Hailee Steinfeld) feels as if she may not entirely fit in. When she discovers secret magical abilities within herself, she is hurtled through a spectacle-filled journey in a vast witch realm named Hexe. Forced to team up with her cautious mother, Billie and Alice (Rashida Jones) uncover family mysteries that could change the world of witches forever.
Disney hasn’t been on the easiest footing recently, and it doesn’t seem Hexed has any chance of changing that. While it seems okay, I can’t help but draw parallels to so many other Disney movies that came before it. The weird girl who doesn’t belong, finding hidden magic, allowing her to finally feel as if she fits in somewhere is simply a trope that many of Disney’s properties have used before, and it doesn’t seem any better - or even different here. From Frozen to Moana, there are so many, likely better variations of this story to watch.