With Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and iPlayer at our fingertips, physically going to the cinema feels like a huge investment of your time and money. What if you don't like the film? What if it's longer than you anticipated and you're stuck in a dark room with strangers for more than two hours? What if the person you decide to go to the cinema with is a talker/loud chewer/not trained in the etiquette of public screenings?
There's plenty to consider, true. But you'll be happy to hear that there are a lot of movies on the way to the big screen, and we've found the ones worth leaving the house for.
We are helped, of course, by the return of London Film Festival. Running from 10th–21st October, you're looking at 12 days, 225 feature films and a chance to preview some of the hotly anticipated Oscar contenders (a.k.a. gather enough cultural currency to get you through the next four months of dinner party chit-chat. Thank us later). Don't know where to start with your viewing schedule? We've got you covered. Click through for our pick of 15 must-watch films in the coming months.
Widows
Brace yourself, kids, because we've got an absolute hit in store for you. Directed by Steve McQueen, co-written by Gone Girl's Gillian Flynn and starring Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Daniel Kaluuya, Jacki Weaver, Liam Neeson and Colin Farrell (insert gasp for air here), Widows promises to be one hell of a film.
It follows four women connected only by the debts left behind by their dead husbands. As we know, debts always need to be settled, and you can imagine how that might be enforced in Chicago's criminal underworld. These incredible women take matters into their own hands, giving us a thrilling and contemporary film exploring what female vengeance can look like.
Showing at LFF 10th, 11th and 12th October, in UK cinemas 16th November
Beautiful Boy
The world fell for Timothée Chalamet after last year's performance in Call Me By Your Name, and that's about to happen all over again with his moving new film with Steve Carell.
If you can survive the two-minute trailer without sobbing, you'll see that Chalamet plays Carell's son, David, who struggles with addiction. At the core of the narrative is the incredibly powerful father-son relationship between the pair, as told by the memoirs of real-life father and son, David and Nic Sheff, who the film is based on.
Showing at LFF 13th, 14th and 16th October, in UK cinemas 18th January 2019
Mary Queen of Scots
History fans, rejoice. Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie are bringing one of 16th century England's greatest (and messiest) fallouts to the big screen with their new film Mary Queen of Scots.
Following the strained relationship between cousins Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth and their unyielding quest for power, beauty and influence, the film looks like a satisfyingly dramatic delve into a couple of badass women with impeccably crafted wigs.
In UK cinemas 7th December
A Star Is Born
After months of excitement, a breadth of predominantly positive reviews and a cleverly timed soundtrack release, we wouldn't be surprised if you were already drawn into Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga's film. But if you're yet to be initiated into the wild and raving fandom, allow me to brief you on what's in store...
Jack (Bradley Cooper) is a washed-up singer who discovers up-and-coming artist Ally (Lady Gaga) just as she's about to throw in the towel and give up on her dreams of becoming a superstar. Yes, they fall in love. Yes, the music will wreak havoc on your emotions. And yes, people will be talking about this film for a little while longer.
In cinemas now
Support The Girls
Here's where you need to look past what it says on the tin (promotional material). Sure, it looks like a bit of a lolz comedy about a bunch of women working at a knock-off Hooters, but Support The Girls is more than that.
Beneath the surface is an interesting take on workplace politics, sexism and the pressures of traditional standards of femininity. Regina Hall stars as the general manager of sports bar Double Whammies. She looks after her young, female and scantily clad workforce as if they were family and defiantly defends the unwarranted advances and harassment from asshole men. Yes, it is funny but it also touches on sensitive subject matter that, based on how things are looking IRL at the moment, we can't afford not to be discussing.
There's no UK cinema release yet, but it will be shown as part of the LFF lineup on 17th, 20th and 21st October
The Hate U Give
Based on Angie Thomas' bestselling novel, The Hate U Give documents the aftermath of the fatal shooting of a young black boy by a white police officer. Needless to say, the topic matter hits home pretty hard in the context of recent news and the ongoing work of #BlackLivesMatter, which only makes the film even more of a pertinent watch.
Amandla Stenberg plays Starr Carter, a young woman trying to balance her life at a rich, mostly white prep school and the poor, mostly black neighbourhood where she lives. She's best friends with the boy who is killed and sees it happen firsthand, and throughout the course of the film fights for justice for her lost friend, and the systems that we in real life are still battling.
Showing at LFF on 20th and 21st October, in UK cinemas 22nd October
Suspiria
Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino is back with a very different film. Suspiria is based on the iconic 1977 horror film by the same name and will likely ignite rather divisive feelings among you and your mates.
The film is about a coven of witches at a world-renowned Berlin dance academy (bear with us) for which American dancer Susie Bannion (played by Dakota Johnson) auditions. There's an air of darkness all around and everything about the aesthetic of the film is dripping in haunting mystery. It's unsettlingly fascinating but with a female-strong cast of Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth, Chloë Grace Moretz and Jessica Harper, the appeal just about outweighs the fear.
Showing at LFF on 16th, 17th and 19th October, in UK cinemas 2nd November
If Beale Street Could Talk
There were high expectations for Moonlight director Barry Jenkins' subsequent film, but so far they seem to have been met. If Beale Street Could Talk is the heart-rending drama adapted from James Baldwin's novel of the same name.
Set in 1970s Harlem, the film is about the rich and beautiful romance between young black couple 19-year-old Tish (Kiki Layne) and 22-year-old Alonzo (Stephan James) which is of course disrupted by the onset of drama. A white policeman frames Alonzo for the rape of a woman and the story centres on their quest for justice in an environment that quite actively doesn't want to give it to them. You'll need tissues for this one.
Showing at LFF 20th and 21st October, in cinemas 18th January 2019
The Favourite
Here's another one for the period drama lovers among us. Already surrounded by whispers of award potential, The Favourite stars Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz in a pleasantly funny tale of 18th century England. We're at war with France, Queen Anne (Colman) is unwell, and Lady Sarah (Weisz) and her cousin Abigail (Stone) find themselves in an odd but funny competition for the queen's affections.
If you've ever been deterred by the long, drawn-out pace of many traditional costume dramas and require one with pace and contemporary humour, here's where to start.
Showing at LFF 18th, 19th and 21st October, in UK cinemas 1st January 2019
I Used To Be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl Story
We've all done the boyband fandom thing. Posters, concerts and late-night wishes on stars for the unyielding affection of Justin Timberlake/Simon from Blue/Robbie Williams to change our lives forever. But what does it mean to be a real fangirl? A woman whose life is so overwhelmingly dedicated to a boyband that little else exists? This Australian documentary is a love letter to these women.
It was filmed over four years, spans three generations of fandom and intimately examines how the power of the boyband actually changed lives.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Melissa McCarthy is a gem. This we already know. But her latest role in Can You Ever Forgive Me? will throw her into a new, exciting spotlight. She stars as (real-life) celebrity biographer Lee Israel, who originally made a living profiling people like Estée Lauder and Katharine Hepburn. But when her brand of work stops selling, she turns her hand to forging celebrity letters to make quick money.
It's the sort of biopic where you probably know little enough about the real-life events to enjoy the film at face value.
Showing at LFF 19th, 20th and 21st October, released in cinemas 1st February 2019
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
We're in no way pretending that the latest Fantastic Beasts instalment is on the London Film Festival circuit. And no, we doubt anything but the score or special effects will be hitting the awards rounds come January, either. But how could we compile an autumn 2018 round-up without one of the most highly anticipated films in the Harry Potter universe?
We meet young Dumbledore, find out the truth about Nagini and get to reacquaint ourselves with our beloved Newt Scamander. For the love of god, make a note in your diary because cinemas will be booked TF up by very committed Potterheads.
In UK cinemas 16th November 2018
Colette
Okay we're throwing one more costume drama in the mix but forgive us, it's Keira Knightley in her element. Starring opposite Dominic West, Knightley plays wife and ghost writer to insufferable husband Willy. Her writing is wonderful, his is not, and I'll leave you to wonder what happens when the books that she wrote (under his name) become the bestselling literature 19th century France has ever seen.
"The hand that holds the pen writes history", as they say. Expect excruciating sexism and frequent witty relief along the way.
Showing at LFF on 11th, 12th and 13th October, in UK cinemas 25th January 2019
The Wife
The resounding verdict is that Glenn Close is exceptional. In this book adaptation she stars as a long-suffering wife whose marriage quickly reaches a devastating turning point when her cheating husband Joe (Jonathan Pryce) wins a Nobel prize for his writing.
It's got everything you want from an imposing, intelligent and relationship-oriented drama. Close's character Joan works through all the complicated emotions you might expect from a talented woman who is consistently sidelined by her heavy husband – frustration, pride, despair, doubt – but it's her unwavering loyalty to Joe that'll make you scream internally. Throw in a complicated dynamic with their son and you've got a meaty portion of marital drama to work through.
In UK cinemas now
Been S0 Long
A modern day romance musical set on the streets of Camden. Okay, stay with me here because I'm into it and desperately want the world to feel the same. One of Netflix's latest offerings and contribution to the film festival circuit stars the wonderful Michaela Coel as a single mum who meets a charming man on a rare night out. He is obviously going to be trouble, some drama ensues and they sing about it to carry the narrative through. Think RENT meets La La Land meets that really "edgy" idea you had for a play back at high school that didn't take off at the time.
Showing at LFF on 12th, 13th and 15th October, on Netflix from 26th October
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