Photo by Kilyan Sockalingum on Unsplash
By Tegan Maass
As 2024 enters its final act, the realisation can be a daunting prospect.
However, the movie industry is still operating at full force, reminding audiences that the year is not over, and the best is still to come.
After a jam-packed year consisting of visual masterpieces and heartfelt narratives, it’s hard to imagine there could possibly be any more films that stir up such visceral reactions.
However, the films below aim to do just that.
As the nights grow longer and the weather gets gloomier, there is no better time to spend an evening enjoying a great bit of cinema.
8 November – Paddington in Peru
November begins with a fun, family-friendly film that sees the return of a UK national treasure: Paddington Bear.
The third instalment of the trilogy tells the story of Paddington and his family as they head off to Peru to visit the renowned Aunt Lucy.
Following the same structure as previous films, nothing about Paddington’s trip goes to plan and a chaotic series of events ensues.
If you are looking for an easy watch that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside, this promises to be an antidote for the dark, cold days ahead.
15 November – Gladiator 2
If heart-felt family films aren’t to your taste, Gladiator 2 is the antithesis.
Is a sequel to Ridley Scott’s epic film necessary? Maybe not.
However, the film is set to be an action-packed spectacle not to be missed, especially with a brilliant cast including the likes of Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, and Pedro Pascal.
This is one to watch, even if it’s to see if Ridley Scott can offer a new angle on his iconic masterpiece.
22 November – Wicked
The much-anticipated addition to the Wizard of Oz universe, this film focuses on the stories of the witches Glinda and Elphaba.
The main leads are two household names: Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo, and pop phenomenon Ariana Grande.
This film takes the form of a musical, paying homage to its origins on the stage whilst playing on the audience’s imagination with stunning visual effects that will instil a sense of awe.
29 November – Conclave
This a film for all the mystery-thriller fans out there.
Based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, Conclave follows a cardinal looking to elect the next pope and is charged with investigating each potential candidate.
With cast members such as Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci, this movie is in safe hands.
13 December – Kraven the Hunter
Another month, another super-hero film.
Well, not quite.
This Sony-Marvel film sets up a dark, gritty origin-story that distances itself from the usual light-hearted marvel fanfare.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as the ruthless Kraven, a well-known Marvel villain, and takes the audience on a journey of complex familial relationships, vengeance, violence, and fear.
Will this be the film that finally cures the superhero-fatigue plaguing movie fans?
Watch it, and decide for yourself
Photo by Kilyan Sockalingum on Unsplash