Film news - Ayten Amin’s SOUAD in UK & Ireland cinemas on 27 August 2021. Find out more at UK Film Review. Ayten Amin’s SOUAD in UK & Ireland cinemas on 27 August 2021 Chris Olson Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 11:45:13 AM GMT+1 BFI Distribution will release Egyptian director Ayten Amin’s SOUAD in UK & Ireland cinemas on 27 August 2021 BFI Distribution announces the release of new feature film SOUAD in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on 27 August. This fresh, contemporary drama set in Egypt, with a young female cast and focus, is directed by Egyptian filmmaker Ayten Amin – her second feature. SOUAD was a Cannes 2020 Official Selection film and was selected for the 2021 Berlin Film Festival. It has its physical World Premiere in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival, New York City, on 12 June. Souad (Bassant Ahmed) is a 19-year-old who lives with her younger sister Rabab (Basmala Elghaiesh) in Zagazig, a small city on Egypt’s Nile Delta. Souad leads a double life; while appearing conservative and wearing her veil among her family and in public, she is obsessed with her image on social media and addicted to her phone. She has secret virtual relationships with men and lies both on and offline about her dull and dutiful reality as she imagines a different kind of life with her ‘boyfriend’ Ahmed (Hussein Ghanem). As Souad’s actual life comes increasingly into conflict with her digital one, she struggles as her ambitions are slowly crushed, until tragedy strikes. Featuring astonishing performances from a cast of non-professionals and shot verité-style, largely on location in Zagazig and Alexandria, the film acutely examines the contradictions of teenage life in modern Egypt and the challenges of combining traditional values with the fake world on social media. SOUAD will be the flagship film in BFI Southbank’s September season, The Time is New: Selections from Contemporary Arab Cinema. Curated by Cairo-based Zawya, Egypt’s leading arthouse cinema and distributor, the season will introduce new works and important Arab filmmaker voices to the UK, including a large number of female directors. Zawya’s Youssef Shazli and Alia Ayman are programming films that show the lyricism, humanity and poetry of everyday Arab life. Prior to the UK-wide release, SOUAD will have its UK premiere on 1 July as the opening film of the SAFAR Film Festival, taking place in London and online from 1-17 July and showcasing both contemporary and classic cinema from the Arab world. Ayten Amin’s first short film, HER MAN, was selected for the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival, and subsequently won several national awards. In 2013, her debut feature VILLA 69, received the Special Jury Award for Arab Film at Abu Dhabi Film. She co-directed the documentary TAHRIR 2011: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE POLITICIAN that was selected for the Venice International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and in 2012 was nominated for a Cinema for Peace award, in the documentary category. In 2019 she directed 20 episodes of the hit drama “Saabe’ Gaar” (The Seventh Neighbor), a 70-episode Egyptian TV series. SOUAD is directed by Ayten Amin and co-written by Mahmoud Ezzat and Ayten Amin. It is an Egyptian-Tunisian-German co-production, produced by Egyptian producer Sameh Awad for Vivid Reels, marking his production debut. Co-producers include Wim Wenders, under his Road Movies banner, Tunisia’s Dora Bouchoucha at Nomadis Images and Egyptian partners Mohamed Hefzy for Cairo-based Film Clinic and Mark Lotfy at Alexandria-based Fig Leaf Studios. The King's Man UK Home Release Date Announced The Latest King’s Man Film Will be Available on Digital February 9 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 21. Read Now BFI Future Film Festival announces 2022 Awards Jury and full programme Find out who the jury is for the 2022 BFI Future Film Festival. Read Now The Wonderful: Stories From The Space Station UK Release Date The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station is a Dog Star Films production in association with Fisheye Films. Directed by Clare Lewins (I Am Ali, Kareem: Minority of One, The Lost Tapes of Memphis.). Read Now Redemption of a Rogue UK Cinema Release Date Read Now Cryptozoo Coming to Mubi This October Having made a splash at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, filmmaker Dash Shaw's upcoming fantasy animation Cryptozoo is a highly anticipated film coming to Mubi later this year. Read Now Another Round UK DVD And Blu-Ray Release Date Announced Following its acclaimed cinema release, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of Thomas Vinterberg’s intoxicating Oscar winner, ANOTHER ROUND, starring Mads Mikkelsen, on early EST 24th September 2021 and DVD, Blu-ray and Digital on 27th September 2021. Read Now Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow DVD and Blu-Ray UK Release Date Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow To Land Early On Digital (August 10th) and 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD September 13th. Read Now My Little Sister Gets October UK Release Date My Little Sister is due for a cinema release in the UK, on Friday 8th October 2021. Read Now Grimmfest Reveals Line-Up for 2021 Film Festival After a year of “home invasions” in the form of virtual screenings and online events, this October sees Grimmfest returning to the cinema at last. Read Now Helen Mirren Narrates Powerful Documentary Escape From Extinction Kaleidoscope Entertainment presents Escape From Extinction, a powerful feature documentary narrated by Academy Award winner Dame Helen Mirren, coming to selected cinemas from 17th September celebrating ‘Great Big Green Week’ (18-26 September). Read Now Supernova UK DVD and Blu-Ray Release Date Following critical acclaim and standout performances, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of the heartbreaking British love story SUPERNOVA, arriving on EST 24th September 2021 and DVD and Blu-ray on 27th September 2021. Read Now The Djinn UK Release Date The story follows a mute twelve-year-old, Dylan Jacobs, as he discovers a mysterious book of spells inside his new apartment. Read Now Come Play UK Digital Release Date Jacob Chase’s directorial debut feature COME PLAY tells the story of Oliver, a solitary autistic boy who comes across a creepy children’s story on his new tablet. Read Now 15m Giant Starfish in Leicester Square Ahead of UK Release of The Suicide Squad British actor Peter Capaldi (BBC’s Doctor Who, World War Z) ‒ who stars in THE SUICIDE SQUAD alongside Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena as genius scientist ‘Thinker’, was bravely photographed with the imposing creature Starro in London’s Leicester Square earlier today in celebration of the film’s UK release this coming Friday. Read Now West Side Story In Cinemas December 2021 From acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, the 2021 remake of West Side Story will be coming to cinemas in December 2021. Read Now The Last Job UK Digital and DVD Release Date Screen icon Richard Dreyfuss takes on The Last Job in a brand new, all-action thriller, that stars Modern Family’s Mira Sorvino as his daughter. This rip-roaring gangster movie hits the UK on DVD and digital this August from 101 Films. Read Now Rise of the Footsoldier Origins UK Cinema Release The eagerly-awaited RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER: ORIGINS, starring legendary leading man Vinnie Jones, is showing exclusively in cinemas from September 3, courtesy of Signature Entertainment. Read Now Random Acts of Violence UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Date Jay Baruchel writes, directs and stars in his horror debut Random Acts of Violence, which makes its UK Blu-ray debut from Acorn Media International in conjunction with Shudder, following its success on the streaming service. Read Now Spirited Away 20th Anniversary Special Edition SPIRITED AWAY COLLECTOR’S BOXSET WITH DVD & BLU-RAY DOUBLEPLAY AVAILABLE 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 Read Now A New World Order Premieres in UK 23 August Black Mirror meets A Quiet Place in gripping sci-fi thriller A New World Order from director Daniel Raboldt in his feature debut, which gets its UK premiere on DVD and digital 23 August 2021 from Reel 2 Reel Films. Read Now

William Curzon writes movie reviews for UK Film Critic. As one of the talented UK film critics, find out more here. William Curzon I am a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Film and TV, and film has been my greatest passion my whole life. My appreciation for more independent films grew as a teenager when I discovered smaller releases at the time, such as The Lobster and The Witch, at my local arthouse cinema. I often travel to London to seek out celluloid presentations such as 15/70mm IMAX at the BFI IMAX, which is my personal favourite film format. I also attend Q&A screenings with directors and creative influences to get a better insight into the film industry. I have always loved to dissect specific types of filmmaking in a wide variety of genres, and I began reviewing films as a teenager and posting short reviews via social media. My current favourite filmmakers are Paul Thomas Anderson, Christopher Nolan, Luca Guadagnino and Denis Villeneuve. My favourite films are Call Me By Your Name, Moonlight, Room and The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, although I find it impossible to do a definitive ranking. These are just the titles that have resonated with me the most from my teen years to adulthood. I hope you enjoy my reviews. 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The Supply Teacher film review by UK film critic James Learoyd. Starring Nick Field, Bryan Lamb, Edward Good directed by Bryan Lamb. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Supply Teacher Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: James Learoyd | Posted on: Jan 7, 2026 Directed by: Bryan Lamb Written by: Bryan Lamb, Jack R H O’Sullivan Starring: Nick Field, Bryan Lamb, Edward Good The Supply Teacher is the debut by director, co-writer and actor Bryan Lamb – and what a debut it is. The film is also co-written by the cinematographer and editor Jack R H O’Sullivan. This is an incredibly affecting drama concerned with current issues within an educational setting. Our protagonist is Robin (played most empathetically by Nick Field), a supply teacher who returns to his old school to teach some Shakespeare. Robin meets Alfie (played by Lamb himself in a deeply emotional performance), a young, neurodivergent person who’s struggling with the discriminative verbal abuse perpetrated by his school bully. This is an impressively prescient screenplay, filled with social complexity and upsetting power dynamics. What seems to be a tragically common in-school occurrence quickly reveals itself to be an explicit injustice when we discover that the bully is the son of the school principal who’s continuing to enable and excuse his son’s behaviour. Not only this, for he also attempts to paint Alfie as a compulsive liar, further muddying the water. The Supply Teacher becomes a story of discovery for two neurodivergent people – Robin and Alfie – one of whom must come to realise the realities of some deep-rooted prejudice; the other must find the strength to stand up against his oppressors. So, whilst it is on one hand quite a disturbing and realistic portrayal of in-school injustice, it is also a narrative which provides answers, as well as a sense of hope. The audience is given a couple of thought-provoking examples of how one can challenge authority when these systems, meant to protect the most vulnerable, completely fail at the first hurdle. The titular supply teacher’s journey is perhaps the most fascinating in this regard, as he turns to his husband who’s writing an article about bullying. It’s a very interesting example of someone taking an issue into their own hands when desperate circumstances call for it – the sharing of information so as to provide consolation to those out there who really need it. Just to touch on the film’s formal aspects, this is definitely a competently made movie. You can maybe tell in some places that this is a debut project – visually, it sometimes lacks a bit of depth, for instance. But there’s also plenty to be impressed with on a technical and directorial level. One example of this is how and when close-ups are implemented into the visual language and blocking. For moments that perhaps lack any deeper relevance, the shot remains wide and unbroken (such as Robin’s introductory small-talk with another teacher); whereas, when a situation becomes confrontational, the style of shots aptly shifts into a face-on, shot-reverse-shot sensibility. This is simple yet effective, and a clear sign of real directorial ability. To surmise, there are a great many messages to take from the scenarios depicted in The Supply Teacher. It also feels as if it’s contributing to a long line of confrontational pieces of social realism – you could certainly draw parallels to a dramatist like Ken Loach, for example. All to say that this is a truly engaging debut project and one that shows creative promise for any future works by Lamb. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic James Learoyd Short Film, LGBTQ+ < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Dead Air film review by UK film critic William Curzon. Starring MarLee Candell, Douglas Leal, Tony Mazur directed by Brad Etter. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Dead Air Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: William Curzon | Posted on: Jul 30, 2026 Directed by: Brad Etter Written by: Ashleigh Marie Thornton Starring: MarLee Candell, Douglas Leal, Tony Mazur Dead Air follows Julie (MarLee Candell), who has recently received a vintage radio as a birthday gift from her husband, Roger (Douglas Leal). She begins to hear mysterious coded messages on the radio and struggles to decipher their meaning, while her dismissive husband refuses to heed the ominous warnings. The short piece is an atmospheric experience as Julie attempts to reckon with the implications of the mysterious messages. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the piece is how the director, Brad Etter, clearly has a unique talent for building tension throughout the remainder of the runtime. Despite evident budget constraints, the one-location setting complements the experience with the narrative resting on the two central performances and technical aspects. While the brisk runtime unfortunately doesn't allow the script to flesh out Julie and Roger’s relationship, the filmmakers make the most of the limited material by delivering on the atmospheric experience. The screenplay balances the tonal shifts incredibly well and instantly thrusts the viewer into the lives of Julie and Roger. It consistently prompts the audience to question the purpose of the mysterious messages, while Roger’s dismissive attitude towards Julie heightens the growing tension between them. One of the piece’s greatest strengths is its unique camerawork and editing choices. Brad Etter, serving as both the cinematographer and editor, seamlessly blends each sequence, creating a smooth and engaging flow throughout the film. Each editing choice feels precise, and the pacing flows wonderfully despite its brisk runtime. The piece opens with a jarring extreme close-up of the central character, Julie, and it instantly makes the experience incredibly unsettling throughout. The cinematography primarily relies on close-up shots of each character, occasionally shifting to wider framing to preserve the scene’s intimacy while gradually building tension. While the use of music is incredibly understated throughout, the eerie motifs complement the tone exceptionally well. Although the suspense becomes somewhat repetitive during the first half of the narrative, the final third ultimately rewards the slow build-up despite its flaws. The mix of dramatic and brief joyful moments between Julie and Roger is memorable, keeping the narrative gripping throughout. Despite its lack of thematic depth, the film offers a unique experience, driven by the filmmakers’ inventive use of a confined setting and their skilful build-up of tension. The performances collectively are compelling throughout, particularly MarLee Candell’s portrayal of Julie. She conveys the sheer isolation and struggle to decipher the coded messages while dealing with Roger’s dismissive attitude towards her. Douglas Leal delivers a memorable performance as Roger, convincingly portraying the character’s smugness while effectively conveying the escalating tension. Both performances are the driving force of the narrative, holding the experience together. Despite the piece wrapping up somewhat abruptly, the ambiguity is welcome, making the experience rewarding to endure. While its lack of emotional resonance and heavy reliance on suspense may prevent it from leaving a lasting impression, the film concludes on a satisfying note. Dead Air is a solid piece of indie filmmaking that excels at preserving its unsettling tone throughout. Assisted by two memorable central performances and an enticing narrative that keeps the audience guessing, Dead Air is a worthwhile ride despite its issues. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic William Curzon Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film news - The Last Job UK Digital and DVD Release Date. Find out more at UK Film Review. The Last Job UK Digital and DVD Release Date Chris Olson Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 2:22:58 PM GMT+1 Screen icon Richard Dreyfuss takes on The Last Job in a brand new, all-action thriller, that stars Modern Family’s Mira Sorvino as his daughter. This rip-roaring gangster movie hits the UK on DVD and digital this August from 101 Films . Mob boss Ben Myers (Dreyfuss – Jaws, Stand By Me ) has left his life of crime and violence behind him. Following a cancer diagnosis, he’s hung up his hand-gun and vowed to spend time with his family before it’s too late. But sometimes it’s not that easy to leave… When he returns home to discover his life savings have been stolen, he’s not going to take it lying down. Avoiding the legal route and choosing not to involve his police detective daughter (Mira Sorvino – Mighty Aphrodite ), Ben’s mobster mentality kicks in and he takes matters into his own hands… the thieves are going to pay, whatever the cost. Hell-bent on revenge, his hunt for the perpetrators becomes increasingly more brutal, Ben doesn’t care who gets caught in the crossfire. As the body count rises, Ben is forced to confront his past and question what he’s become. Will he find redemption and make peace with The Last Job ? Released on DVD and digital 30 August 2021 The King's Man UK Home Release Date Announced The Latest King’s Man Film Will be Available on Digital February 9 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 21. Read Now BFI Future Film Festival announces 2022 Awards Jury and full programme Find out who the jury is for the 2022 BFI Future Film Festival. Read Now The Wonderful: Stories From The Space Station UK Release Date The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station is a Dog Star Films production in association with Fisheye Films. Directed by Clare Lewins (I Am Ali, Kareem: Minority of One, The Lost Tapes of Memphis.). Read Now Redemption of a Rogue UK Cinema Release Date Read Now Cryptozoo Coming to Mubi This October Having made a splash at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, filmmaker Dash Shaw's upcoming fantasy animation Cryptozoo is a highly anticipated film coming to Mubi later this year. Read Now Another Round UK DVD And Blu-Ray Release Date Announced Following its acclaimed cinema release, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of Thomas Vinterberg’s intoxicating Oscar winner, ANOTHER ROUND, starring Mads Mikkelsen, on early EST 24th September 2021 and DVD, Blu-ray and Digital on 27th September 2021. Read Now Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow DVD and Blu-Ray UK Release Date Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow To Land Early On Digital (August 10th) and 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD September 13th. Read Now My Little Sister Gets October UK Release Date My Little Sister is due for a cinema release in the UK, on Friday 8th October 2021. Read Now Grimmfest Reveals Line-Up for 2021 Film Festival After a year of “home invasions” in the form of virtual screenings and online events, this October sees Grimmfest returning to the cinema at last. Read Now Helen Mirren Narrates Powerful Documentary Escape From Extinction Kaleidoscope Entertainment presents Escape From Extinction, a powerful feature documentary narrated by Academy Award winner Dame Helen Mirren, coming to selected cinemas from 17th September celebrating ‘Great Big Green Week’ (18-26 September). Read Now Supernova UK DVD and Blu-Ray Release Date Following critical acclaim and standout performances, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of the heartbreaking British love story SUPERNOVA, arriving on EST 24th September 2021 and DVD and Blu-ray on 27th September 2021. Read Now The Djinn UK Release Date The story follows a mute twelve-year-old, Dylan Jacobs, as he discovers a mysterious book of spells inside his new apartment. Read Now Come Play UK Digital Release Date Jacob Chase’s directorial debut feature COME PLAY tells the story of Oliver, a solitary autistic boy who comes across a creepy children’s story on his new tablet. Read Now 15m Giant Starfish in Leicester Square Ahead of UK Release of The Suicide Squad British actor Peter Capaldi (BBC’s Doctor Who, World War Z) ‒ who stars in THE SUICIDE SQUAD alongside Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena as genius scientist ‘Thinker’, was bravely photographed with the imposing creature Starro in London’s Leicester Square earlier today in celebration of the film’s UK release this coming Friday. Read Now West Side Story In Cinemas December 2021 From acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, the 2021 remake of West Side Story will be coming to cinemas in December 2021. Read Now The Last Job UK Digital and DVD Release Date Screen icon Richard Dreyfuss takes on The Last Job in a brand new, all-action thriller, that stars Modern Family’s Mira Sorvino as his daughter. This rip-roaring gangster movie hits the UK on DVD and digital this August from 101 Films. Read Now Rise of the Footsoldier Origins UK Cinema Release The eagerly-awaited RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER: ORIGINS, starring legendary leading man Vinnie Jones, is showing exclusively in cinemas from September 3, courtesy of Signature Entertainment. Read Now Random Acts of Violence UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Date Jay Baruchel writes, directs and stars in his horror debut Random Acts of Violence, which makes its UK Blu-ray debut from Acorn Media International in conjunction with Shudder, following its success on the streaming service. Read Now Spirited Away 20th Anniversary Special Edition SPIRITED AWAY COLLECTOR’S BOXSET WITH DVD & BLU-RAY DOUBLEPLAY AVAILABLE 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 Read Now A New World Order Premieres in UK 23 August Black Mirror meets A Quiet Place in gripping sci-fi thriller A New World Order from director Daniel Raboldt in his feature debut, which gets its UK premiere on DVD and digital 23 August 2021 from Reel 2 Reel Films. Read Now

Quick Brown Fox and a Lazy Big Dog film review by UK film critic Swati Verma. Starring Swayer Ique directed by Sawyer Ique. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Quick Brown Fox and a Lazy Big Dog Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: Oct 17, 2022 Directed by: Sawyer Ique Written by: Swayer Ique Starring: Swayer Ique The font, font colour, and presentation of the title of the short film are very aptly done by the writer/director Sawyer Ique. It helps the audience understand and quickly get engaged with the content of the film. Although the animated movie is more age-appropriate for young kids, it does not specify any age limit for the creative piece and invites everyone to come along as Sawyer Ique is all set to share his vision with the viewers. The plot of the creative piece revolves around a cute quick brown fox who tries to set up a goal for itself which is to jump over a lazy big dog but fails a couple of times. The fox still doesn’t give up, even if it takes a long time, a few days, months, years, or even a lifetime even when it grows up from a young pup to an older mutt. Sawyer Ique utilizes a single long shot along with some transition shots to summarize the narrative. He uses a combination of brown, white, green, blue, black colours to design the animated piece. The set design has been kept natural to mirror the habitat of the jungle. The background score compliments the creative piece and also motivates the viewers to learn from the fox. The piece doesn’t have any dialogues but the subtitles are on point ensuring that the continuity is maintained. The animation of the film highlights the raw nature of the script and keeps the viewers hooked to it. Sawyer Ique plays the role of both the quick brown fox and a lazy big dog. He uses different body language and facial expressions for playing each character. The contrast between the fox and the dog is brilliantly showcased in the comedy film so that the audience has the power to decide on what side they want to be on. Quick Brown Fox and a Lazy Big Dog talk to its audience about working hard with perseverance to achieve the task at hand. One should have the courage to overcome all the odds without thinking about the time or the fear of failure. Enthusiasm, fun, and living freely are some of the traits that are worth learning from small children and babies. The animated movie also discusses the satisfaction one feels when there is a sense of achievement after doing a certain job. To conclude I like to appreciate the varied animation film projects on his YouTube channel he has managed to build a fan base among little children who watch a lot of cartoons and thus he is continuously working on imagining new themes to keep his primary viewers happy. The audience in recent times is looking for happiness and a reason to escape real life for a few hours and Sawyer Ique's creations provide just that. It has a lot of life lessons and animation is the best way to educate children without sounding preachy. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Swati Verma Animation, Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Watch Rise of Fizzy Pop at the 2022 UK Film Review Festival. See the UKFRF 2022 lineup and buy your festival pass. Rise of Fizzy Pop Listen to our review on the film podcast What our film review said: READ FULL REVIEW To really appreciate this piece the viewer needs to get their head around the interaction between characters. The idea that Fizzy has conversations with largely inanimate objects represents his thought process. This is a product of solitude in its most extreme form. Fizzy breaking away from his friends is a foot into a brave new world. Proudly supporting MediCinema for our 2022 film festival.

Emilia Pérez film review by UK film critic George Wolf. Starring Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomex directed by Jacques Audiard. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Emilia Pérez Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: George Wolf | Posted on: Oct 30, 2024 Directed by: Jacques Audiard Written by: Jcques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain, Nicolas Livecci Starring: Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomex I’ll tell ya what, this year in movies is heading toward the finish line with some mighty ambitious swings. In just the last few weeks, Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis and Todd Phillips’s Joker: Folie à Deux brought grand, messy visions to the big screen. Such commitment is easy to appreciate, which made the results even more frustrating. Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez offers similar vision and commitment, but has more success finding the humanity and resonance to make it memorable. And plenty polarizing too, no doubt. Audiard, the French filmmaker known for simmering, intense dramas such as A Prophet and Rust and Bone , delivers his first Spanish language project as a transgender musical crime thriller that beats the odds. This brash clash of styles should bury the chance for true joy or heartbreak, but these characters will not be denied. The always welcome Zoe Saldana is instantly sympathetic as Rita, an overworked and underpaid attorney in Mexico City who get a surprising offer from a frightening new client. Feared cartel boss Manitas Del Monte (Karla Sofía Gascón) needs Rita’s help to retire from his business, fake his death, and start a new life as Emilia Perez – the woman he has always dreamed of becoming. Del Monte’s wife Jessi (Selena Gomez, terrifically against type) and their two young children are more obstacles for Rita to navigate. Emilia still wants them in her life, but doesn’t want them told of her life change. After a long career as Juan Carlos Gascón, this is Karla’s first film since transitioning, and she plays the dual roles with wonderful clarity. Del Monte is sinister and mysterious, while Emilia glows from the freedom to “love myself as I am.” With Rita’s continued assistance, Emilia dedicates her life to changing her soul, and helping to solve the thousands of missing persons casualties from her former line of work. Audiard – who also co-wrote the script and several of the original soundtrack tunes – doesn’t seem much concerned with balancing the film’s many tones. Instead, he throws melodrama, romance, lust, humor, noir, and camp at us with unapologetic zest and life-affirming music. These musical set pieces are uniquely well-staged and evocative, adding to the intoxicating nature of the film’s pull. Gascón, Saldana and Gomez craft a fascinating triangle – one thrown into chaos with the arrival of Jessi’s boyfriend Gustavo (Edgar Ramirez), and their plan to get what Jessi feels she’s long deserved. If you’re thinking this all sounds like a super-sized telenovela, I get it. And honestly, there’s a decent chance Audiard’s new fondness for the overt won’t let you see Emilia Perez as anything else. But there is more here. As Emilia herself says, “I lack singing.” Give the film room enough to blend its many voices, and you’ll find some surprisingly touching, blood-soaked harmony. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic George Wolf Theatrical Release, LGBTQ+ < All Reviews Next Film Review >

UK Film Review hasn't yet seen the final curtain rise on this one, but if the film matches the sheer dramatic potency of its trailer, The Debut is set to be a staggering, must-see cinematic triumph.. Brand new film trailers. The Debut At UK Film Review , we are perpetually drawn to cinema that takes a seemingly mundane slice of life and peels back the layers to reveal something raw, intense, and psychologically gripping. When A24 released the official trailer for The Debut , it instantly catapulted to the very top of our most-anticipated list. Setting a psychological drama within the pressure-cooker environment of New Jersey community theatre is an inspired choice. Based on this magnificent first look, the film promises to be a masterclass in tension, identity, and the intoxicating, sometimes destructive nature of artistic ambition. The narrative introduces us to Mona Friedman, a seemingly unassuming woman whose family views her as someone who "doesn't do anything anymore." But Mona is full of surprises. Looking for a spark, she auditions for a musical show, stepping onto a stage for the first time since her church choir days. The catalyst for the film's unfolding drama is Jerry, described as the biggest name in regional amateur dramatics. Jerry is brilliant, demanding, and explicitly "not here to be your friend." When Mona unexpectedly lands the role of Miss Danielle, she enters a theatrical boot camp designed to test, push, and drag her through the mud. What makes The Debut look so utterly compelling is its exploration of the actor’s psyche. We watch as Jerry subjects Mona to intense, almost adversarial directing methods—demanding she deliver lines without blinking, clearing the room to isolate her, and breaking down her emotional defenses. The trailer brilliantly captures the toxic yet seductive dynamic between an uncompromising mentor and a desperate student. Jerry's goal is to knock Mona off her wall, shatter her baggage, and put her back together as something extraordinary. It’s a classic thematic battleground, reminiscent of Whiplash , but transposed to the unique, insular world of local stage productions. A24’s signature atmospheric dread is all over this preview. The cinematography shifts beautifully from the flat, domestic beige of Mona's home life to the stark, shadow-drenched geometry of the rehearsal stage. As Mona sinks deeper into the role, the boundaries between the actress and the character begin to blur. When asked what wearing the mask of Miss Danielle feels like, Mona answers with a chilling sense of liberation: "I could do anything. I could say anything." It’s a line that hints at a profound and potentially dangerous psychological transformation. Ultimately, The Debut looks to be a thrilling exploration of the lengths to which ordinary people will go to feel extraordinary. Mona’s final declaration—that when the lights are on her for opening night, she is going to shine—leaves us with goosebumps. It is a declaration of self-actualisation that feels equal parts triumphant and terrifying. UK Film Review hasn't yet seen the final curtain rise on this one, but if the film matches the sheer dramatic potency of its trailer, The Debut is set to be a staggering, must-see cinematic triumph. Paper Tiger The Paper Tiger trailer suggests a searing, deeply moving examination of ambition, guilt, and the toxic pursuit of the American Dream. Ink The newly dropped trailer for Ink confirms those expectations, delivering a relentless, kinetic glimpse into Fleet Street's most disruptive era. The Social Reckoning Seeing the first teaser trailer drop for its spiritual companion piece, The Social Reckoning, sent an absolute chill down my spine. Focker-in-Law If the film can sustain the frantic, competitive energy displayed in this preview, Focker-In-Law might just be the rarest of cinematic beasts: a comedy sequel that actually manages to justify its own existence. We are officially on high alert. Heart of the Beast Heart of the Beast looks like a gripping, tear-jerking cinematic triumph that will resonate with action fans and animal lovers alike. We will definitely be front and centre with our popcorn when this one hits the big screen! Klara and the Sun Klara and the Sun looks like a heart-wrenching, beautifully acted triumph that will linger in the mind long after the curtains close. Power Ballad What has us incredibly excited about Power Ballad is the dynamic friction between its two leads. Paul Rudd seems perfectly cast as the rugged, everyday musician who just wanted a shot at the big time, acknowledging with a heavy heart that having his name on a song of that magnitude would have completely changed his life. The Debut UK Film Review hasn't yet seen the final curtain rise on this one, but if the film matches the sheer dramatic potency of its trailer, The Debut is set to be a staggering, must-see cinematic triumph. One Night Only One Night Only looks to be a sharp, subversively funny, and emotionally resonant look at how we connect when time is running out. It takes a wild, satirical premise and uses it to explore a timeless question: Who would you choose if you only had one night? Supergirl As we look toward the 2026 release, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow stands as a testament to the new direction of DC Studios. Masters of the Universe With the arrival of the first trailer for the 2026 reboot of Masters of the Universe, the cinematic landscape prepares for a collision of sword, sorcery, and surprisingly, suburban Earth. Wild Foxes Dune: Part Three Picking up roughly seventeen years after the seismic events of Part Two, the trailer immediately signals a shift in tone. While the first film was an act of world-building and the second a visceral war epic, Dune: Part Three—an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah—looks to be a far more claustrophobic and tense affair. In The Grey Scary Movie 6 The horror-comedy world is officially being turned upside down as the first trailer for Scary Movie 6 has finally arrived, marking a monumental return for the franchise that defined a generation of parody cinema. Empire of Lies Empire of Lies arrives in UK cinemas and on digital platforms on 27th March. Undertone Undertone is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on Friday, March 13th, 2025. If the trailer is anything to go by, we suggest you keep the lights on and perhaps think twice before pressing play on your next favourite podcast. The Moment The Land of Sometimes Twins Alfie and Elise find a magical Wish Watch on Christmas Eve and are swept by the Wish Collector into the musical Land of Sometimes, where they learn that wishes have consequences. 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We Will Find You film review by UK film critic James Learoyd. Starring Kevin Stewart, Emilio Salgado, Judson Vaughan directed by Judson Vaughan. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS We Will Find You Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: James Learoyd | Posted on: Aug 31, 2024 Directed by: Judson Vaughan Written by: Judson Vaughan Starring: Kevin Stewart, Emilio Salgado, Judson Vaughan We Will Find You is as slickly made as it is entertaining. It’s a stripped-down revenge story: our protagonist’s brother has been killed, and we follow him on his quest for sweet justice; but not everything is what it seems. As far as thriller and suspense filmmaking goes, this movie nails the formula with high honours – the twists, the aesthetic... it’s all there. It’s not quite perfect for a couple of craft and narrative reasons; however, as a piece of pure, pulpy entertainment, it more than fits the bill. This 20-minute movie manages to hold your attention not just through the plot, but also through its atmospheric construction – there's a lot to discuss regarding the stylish cinematography, and even more regarding the outstanding sound design. It’s a successful picture, and immensely interesting. This is simply a wonderful looking movie. There are some beautiful lenses used, and there’s a softness to the image. You can’t help but love those horizontal lens flares, and whilst most of them, I’m sure, are artificial, they help to build the kind of digital, neon vibe of the piece. Similar to Michael Mann, these filmmakers are using digital photography the best way it should be used: to illuminate the beauty of a city at night. The cinematography skillfully captures the natural feeling of the lamps and streets; shimmering bokehs everywhere you turn. However, it’s the audio which really makes it. There’s a detail and a richness to the sound design which feels unbelievably professional. The music and atmosphere of the soundscapes are intricately tied to the editing – each cut working in tandem with the flow of the sound effects; when this isn’t the case, it feels like a student film, but this couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to We Will Find You . If there’s an issue to be found in the viewing experience, it’s that the movie’s tone – in terms of story, not aesthetic – is teetering right on the edge of comedic. Early on in the film, I was even expecting it to turn full satire, yet it never quite does. The entire presentation and the performances are very exaggerated, which may risk turning some viewers off or lead them to take it less seriously; but after consideration, I’m actually glad that the piece never delves into full irony. I’d much rather watch this than something made purely in jest of a genre. The main visual issue, which is more difficult to ignore, is the digital manipulation found in the ‘warp stabilisation’ effect on shots of actors’ faces. There’s no reason to do this; it suddenly doesn’t feel like a film whenever it happens. But we’ll overlook it, for the film is too much fun and well-considered in every other department. Audiences should anticipate being entertained and fully invested while watching We Will Find You . It’s a great time with some inspired formal techniques at play. Needless to say, despite any qualms, it’s a film which has a tangible feel to it, which is not always so easy to accomplish. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic James Learoyd Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Watch Where The Merrows Roam at the 2022 UK Film Review Festival. See the UKFRF 2022 lineup and buy your festival pass. Where The Merrows Roam Listen to our review on the film podcast What our film review said: READ FULL REVIEW Proving the old adage that pictures speak a thousand words, Where the Merrows Roam is a slow-burn that provides audiences the opportunity to lose themselves in a mercurial daydream. The experience will not connect with every viewer, and the story becomes overly intricate at times. But the inventiveness of the storytelling means that those it does reach will remember their experience. Proudly supporting MediCinema for our 2022 film festival.

A Wiseguy Christmas film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Nino Cimino, Jaclyn Marfuggi, Chris Spinelli, Sam Dobbins directed by Gregory Hatanaka. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS A Wiseguy Christmas Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jul 19, 2022 Directed by: Gregory Hatanaka Written by: Nino Cimino Starring: Nino Cimino, Jaclyn Marfuggi, Chris Spinelli, Sam Dobbins As the title suggests, this is a festive film with gangsters. To be more precise, it is a Christmas crime comedy. Tony (Cimino) is a former New York City crime boss, who dislikes Christmas and has been placed in the Witness Protection Program after he agreed to testify against associates. Now living in Los Angeles, he is under the supervision of Marty (Spinelli), an FBI agent. Christmas holidays are approaching and Tony meets new people, finds romance, arranges a burglary and gradually rediscovers the joy of Christmas. This fun movie bears similarities to the 1999 comedy Analyze This . The main character is a mobster (a recent one) and the screenplay follows him as he influences those around and maintains his illegitimate habits. He tries to convince Marty to enjoy life more, he starts a romantic relationship with Natalie (Marfuggi), a police detective and he meets David (Dobbins), a man who dresses up as Father Christmas for a Children's Hospital, who Tony convinces to collaborate with him in order to steal the money from donations to the hospital. While Tony is doing all this, gangsters from his past are out to harm him. The movie relies heavily on humorous dialogue in order to be amusing and it succeeds at that. The acting is not great, which is not necessarily a negative element as the performances are entertaining, particularly by Cimino. Cimino's character is the one who steals the show, with his behaviour, personality and loud voice. He is a rather charismatic and optimistic person who goes through significant changes as he helps others and learns the values of Christmas. There are many interesting characters, including cheerful Marty and Natalie, the determined detective who becomes Tony's love interest and it is obvious that the cast are having fun with their roles. The light-hearted music that is heard throughout the feature contributes in creating a joyful atmosphere. It would be fair to say that at times things get a bit too silly, nevertheless, Cimino's entertaining screenplay makes this film an appealing viewing about self-discovery, crime, about enjoying life and appreciating the meaning of Christmas. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >