Colin Minihan’s latest feature Coyotes delivers exactly what its title promises. This horror-comedy follows a wealthy family in the Hollywood Hills as they struggle to survive a relentless attack by a ravenous pack of coyotes. The story unfolds over the course of one harrowing night, made even more chaotic by a severe thunderstorm that topples trees, knocks out power, and cuts the family off from help just as the carnage begins.

The Curse feels like a nostalgic trip back to the techno-horror films of the early aughts, calling to mind eerie classics like The Ring and Pulse, but with a distinctly modern twist. Instead of cursed videotapes or haunted websites, the threat here seeps through the familiar feeds of social media, making the film feel both unsettling and eerily relevant.

Quentin Dupieux’s irreverent, brash sense of humor is almost certainly an acquired taste. Known for his offbeat and audacious storytelling, Dupieux has carved out a niche for himself in the world of absurdist cinema. But his quirky style may not be for everyone. With The Piano Accident, he turns his surrealist lens toward social media and influencer culture, providing the perfect opportunity for satire.

In September 2023, a single phone call shattered my world. Much like the protagonist in the opening scene of Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, I thought I had it all. After overcoming a childhood steeped in financial strain, I finally secured a job that freed me from living paycheck to paycheck. My success exceeded my wildest expectations, given the position from which I started. I thought I made it. But then, everything was ripped right out from under me in an instant.

It’s fitting that a movie titled The Ice Tower moves at such a glacial pace. That’s not necessarily a flaw, but it will likely test the patience of many moviegoers. Marion Cotillard is a commanding presence in Lucile Hadžihalilović’s film.

Justin Tipping’s HIM fumbles the opportunity to pack a powerful statement about America’s favorite sport. While football fanaticism is a topic ripe for tackling, the film fails to dive deeper than surface-level commentary on the cult-like obsession. Moreover, the narrative is overly simplistic in its message but scattered in its execution. Tipping’s sophomore feature feels more like an experimental exercise in style over substance.

One Battle After Another might just be Paul Thomas Anderson’s funniest film to date. It’s also arguably his most accessible and mainstream. The film channels the spirit of Thomas Pynchon’s writing style, leaning into paranoia and absurdism. While the narrative is loosely inspired by Pynchon’s novel Vineland

Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut Eleanor the Great is equal parts heart-wrenching and heartwarming. On paper, Tory Kamen’s script might seem like a tough sell. The premise alone could raise eyebrows or even appall some viewers, but it is handled with remarkable sensitivity and sincerity. Thanks to Johansson’s gentle direction and June Squibb’s multifaceted performance, the story comes to life in a way that feels surprisingly sincere, unexpectedly funny, and deeply emotional.

Sentimental Value ranks among the best films I’ve seen about fractured families, intergenerational trauma, and healing through art—and I’ve seen a lot of them. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel or do anything groundbreaking. In fact, the story is relatively predictable, but it’s executed with such masterful emotional precision and sincerity that it feels revelatory.