Screens

What: Movie, 161 mins.
When: Now
Where: In Theatres
Genre: Musical
Rating: NN
Why you should watch: After a seemingly endless promotional cycle, Wicked has finally materialized, and just like witches in the land of Oz, there’s the good and the bad. Cynthia Erivo impresses as Elphaba, a young witch ostracized for being green, and Ariana Grande brings precise comedic timing to the shallow queen-bee Galinda. But the film feels overlong (diehard fans may disagree, but it’s unclear if splitting the film in two parts does more than pad the plot and some wallets) and its unimaginative approach to lighting makes the great costume and production design fall flat. And Erivo remains a dominating presence in the film even though in dark scenes, and next to Grande, she is severely underlit. For a film about a woman othered by the colour of her skin, it’s a serious misstep. Read the full review.

What: Movie, 148 mins.
When: Now
Where: In theatres
Genre: Historical drama
Rating: NNN
Why you should watch: “Are you not entertained?” Not so much — Gladiator II can’t match the intensity, compelling narrative, bloody battles and, well, the entertainment levels of the 24-year-old original. Heartthrob of the moment Paul Mescal does his best but largely seems lost as Lucas, who we will eventually learn is the son of Russell Crow’s Maximus from the original film. Pedro Pascal, the previous heartthrob-of-the-moment, is virtuous as a Roman general with a conscience but, like Mescal, seems to wander throughout the film rather than purposefully propel any kind of story. Plot details pop to the surface like ancient bones emerging from an unsettled grave, and the fights aren’t as grand, bloody or focused as in the original. Of course, it’s cool seeing gladiators riding rhinos and sea battles in the Colosseum, but it all feels emotionally bloodless despite the gore.

What: Movie, 100 mins.
When: Now
Where: In theatres
Genre: Family
Why you should watch: Escape the grey November days with a few hours in colourful ancient Polynesia! The inevitable and hotly anticipated (at least by those under 4 feet tall) sequel to Moana (2016) is crashing into theatres this month, reuniting most of the cast of the original (including Dwayne Johnson as the demigod, Maui). Three years after saving her island from a blight by defeating a volcanic demon and restoring the goddess of nature, Te Fiti, Moana (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho) is now chief of her people and is called once again on a perilous journey across the ocean to save her ancestors.

What: Movie, 98 mins.
When: Fri., Dec. 6
Where: In theatres
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: The most enticing film title of the year belongs to Can You Ever Forgive Me? Director, Marielle Heller’s, latest drama. Based on the novel of the same name by Rachel Yoder, Nightbitch stars Amy Adams as a frazzled and fed-up stay-at-home mom who takes up running at night and begins to suspect that she’s turning into a dog. Could this surreal and satirical take on motherhood and suburban malaise earn Adams her long-delayed Oscar?

What: Movie, 118 mins.
When: Fri., Dec. 20
Where: In theatres
Genre: Family
Why you should watch: While some may have thought 2019’s remake of The Lion King was slightly soulless and a smidge cynical, those people were in the minority since the film quickly became the highest-grossing animated film of all time (until Inside Out 2 dethroned it this summer). Now that the long-awaited sequel is finally coming out, will Mufasa reclaim its place at the top of the pride? Directed by Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) and featuring a returning all-star cast (with the new addition of Blue Ivy Carter), Mufasa traces the origin of the feud between Mufasa and Scar (think Wicked with fur!).

What: Movie, 132 mins.
When: Wed., Dec. 25
Where: In theatres
Genre: Horror
Why you should watch: Director Robert Eggers has made a name for himself with gloomy period horror films like The Witch and The Lighthouse that fuse tropes of arthouse cinema with dark folklore figures. And who is more iconic, both in folk tales and in film, than the vampire? Starring Bill Skarsgård, Lily-Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe, this remake of F. W. Murnau’s 1922 classic sticks close to the gothic look of the original with the craggy mountains, the candle-lit rooms and the terrified maiden in the thrall of a monster. If you are looking for something dark this holiday season, you’ve come to the right gothic castle.

What: Movie, 135 mins.
When: Wed., Dec. 25
Where: In theatres
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: Timothée Chalamet fans rejoice while Bob Dylan fans may dread a new biopic of the artist out on Christmas Day. Directed by biopic maestro James Mangold (Walk the Line, Ford v. Ferrari), A Complete Unknown follows Dylan’s early career as a folk star, culminating with the outcry surrounding his performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. The film also stars Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Ed Norton as Pete Seeger, and Elle Fanning. Whether or not we need another film about the musical icon (we rarely really get a say in these things), you can spend your holiday trying to name all the actors playing illustrious folk figures in the background.

What: Movie, 123 mins.
When: Now
Where: In theatres
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: After Jackie (2016) probed the First Lady’s psyche post-assassination and Spencer (2021) brought us into a stifling Christmas with the Royal family, Pablo Larraín completes his trilogy on famous 20th-century women under the blazing lights of the stage with Maria. Following the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in her final days in Paris, Maria is an intimate portrait of a larger-than-life persona. Don’t miss a reportedly incredible performance by Angeline Jolie in theatres Wed., Nov. 27 and on Netflix Wed., Dec. 11.

What: Movie, 135 mins.
When: Now
Where: In theatres
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: The year isn’t over and we are already getting another film from prolific Italian director Luca Guadagnino. After this spring’s tennis love triangle and social media sensation, Challengers, Guadagnino brings us another sexually charged drama with Queer. Based on the novel by William S. Burroughs, Queer follows a lonely 40-something American expat living in Mexico City who begins a relationship with a young man. Guadagnino translates Burroughs’ hallucinatory prose into a luscious and surreal exploration of love.

What: Movie, 98 mins.
When: Fri, Dec. 6
Where: Hot Docs Cinema
Genre: Documentary
Why you should watch: As Doug Ford massacres trees and destroys the city’s waterfront at Ontario Place, this doc chronicles the last year of beloved site before the Progressive Conservative’s destruction to create an exclusive spa owned by their cronies.  Contrasting archival footage of shows Ontario Place at the height of its glory when it was a lakeside treasure as well as  the final months as a glorious wildlife refuge and hideaway for city dwellers seeking some peace and green space. The doc screens all weekend at the cinema with the filmmakers present for a Q&A at the Dec. 6 showing. An important document of Ford’s ongoing War on Toronto.

What: Movie, 97 mins.
When: Fri., Dec. 6
Where: In theatres
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: Don’t miss the latest drama by legendary British director Mike Leigh (and this year’s TIFF standout,) Hard Truths. It stars Marianne Jean-Baptiste as the irascible Pansy, who directs her angry nitpicking at everyone from her family members to service workers. Darkly funny and deeply compassionate, Hard Truths is a masterful exploration of family, contemporary England and learning to love even those we don’t always like.

What: Movie, 185 mins.
When: Fri., Dec. 20
Where: In theatres
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: One of the buzziest films to come out of TIFF this year is Brady Corbet’s period drama, The Brutalist. After his divisive 2018 drama Vox Lux — which painted a glittering, apocalyptic portrait of contemporary America through pop stardom and school shooters — Corbet returns with a new vision of the complex country. The film follows an architect who arrives in the U.S. after fleeing post-war Europe and stops at nothing to rebuild his career and his life in a new country. Starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce and boasting an eye-catching trailer, The Brutalist is this winter’s must-see.

What: Movie, 114 mins.
When: Wed., Dec. 25
Where: In theatres
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: If you’re hoping to get away from the family on Christmas Day, you might want to try the erotic thriller Baby Girl. It stars Nicole Kidman as a CEO who embarks on a twisted affair with one of her company’s interns (Harris Dickinson), risking her reputation and her family. Director Halina Reijn (Bodies Bodies Bodies) updates a classic erotic thriller trope (the boss who almost loses it all for a sexy but unhinged underling) for the age of girl bosses, power dynamics and age-gap relationship controversy. Don’t bring the kids!

What: Movie
When: Until Fri., Dec. 27
Where: Various branches
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: One of the city’s most reliable destinations for free films does not disappoint this holiday season, whether you’re looking for family fare, comedies, classics or contemporary dramas. Some highlights include The Holdovers (2023) at North York Central on Dec. 4, The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) at Palmerston on Dec. 27, The Third Man (1949) at the Reference Library on Dec. 20, and Carol (2015) at Bloor Gladstone on Dec. 27. No library card required!

What: Movie, 116 mins.
When: Thurs., Dec. 5 and Thurs., Dec. 12
Where: Spadina Theatre
Genre: Various
Why you should watch: Looking to take in some French film this winter? Look to Toronto’s French-language community hub, Alliance française de Toronto. Throughout the year, it programs free French films (don’t worry there are English subtitles!) from around the world at the Spadina Theatre. This winter, warm up with the epicurean period film Delicious (Eric Besnard) on Dec. 5 and Merry Christmas (Christian Carion), the 2005 historical drama set on the front lines of the First World War on Dec. 12. Check the website for a full schedule of upcoming screenings.

What: Movie, 119 mins.
When: Mon., Feb. 10
Where: Innis Town Hall
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: Canadian director Atom Egoyan’s latest film is a mysterious and stylish exploration of artistic creation, trauma and sexual dynamics in the workplace. Seven Veils stars Amanda Seyfried as a young theatre director who begins to lose her grip on herself as she prepares a new staging of Salome. Shot while Egoyan was directing the same opera (and using footage from the actual performance), Seven Veils is a slippery, complex look at the creative process and the politics of creation. Don’t miss this special screening including a Q&A with the director.

What: Movie, various runtimes
When: Thurs., Nov. 28 to Sun., Dec. 1
Where: Ada Slaight Hall in Daniels Spectrum
Genre: Various
Why you should watch: One of the most vital and exciting festivals in the city returns to Downtown East this winter with a slate of features, shorts, workshops and panels. Some highlights of this year’s program include Boxcutter, which follows a Toronto-based rapper as he prepares for a life-changing show; Girls Will Be Girls, a queer coming-of-age story set in the Himalayas; and a pair of Palestinian shorts, Vibrations from Gaza and The Diary of a Sky.

What: Movie, various runtimes
When: Various dates from Dec. to April
Where: Hot Docs Cinema
Genre: Documentary
Why you should watch: Now that Hot Docs Theatre is open again, there is no better time to support this vital institution and no better way than their running festival of new documentaries, Doc Soup. This December, catch a screening of Play it Loud! — How Toronto Got Soul (Graeme Mathieson), which chronicles the life and career of Jay Douglas and how Toronto became a hub of Jamaican music. And this January, catch The Cowboy and the Queen, Andrea Nevins’s ode to “horse whisperer” Monty Roberts who developed an unlikely friendship with Queen Elizabeth II.

What: Movie, 131 mins.
When: Thurs., Dec. 5
Where: Fox Theatre
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Why you should watch: Join the Fox Theatre, columnist Jen Kirsch and author Julia McKay to celebrate the Christmas rom-com with one of the most beloved films from the genre, The Holiday (2006). Directed by Nancy Meyers, The Holiday stars Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet as two very different women who swap houses for the holidays and — of course — find love. McKay will be on hand to discuss the film and discuss her festive rom-com novel, The Holiday Honeymoon Switch. Wear your cosiest outfit and grab some white wine from the concessions for the ultimate comforting Christmas film.

What: Movie, various runtimes
When: Mon., Dec. 23
Where: The Revue
Genre: Various
Why you should watch: In honour of our favourite holiday misanthrope, The Revue is hosting a night of screenings about Ebenezer Scrooge. First up is Edwin L. Marin’s charming 1938 adaptation of the Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol, about a cantankerous businessman confronting the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. And stick around for the 1988 Bill Murray comedy Scrooged, which reimagines the heartwarming (and scary) story of redemption in a cutthroat corporate setting.

What: Movie, various runtimes
When: Until Sun., Dec. 29
Where: TIFF Lightbox
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: Pedro Almodóvar’s films are all deeply entertaining, visually sumptuous, funny and haunting. But in case you aren’t already a convert, TIFF Cinematheque presents a comprehensive retrospective of the Spanish auteur’s work. From a family haunting (Volver) to a matador love triangle (Talk to Her) to a sci-fi film infused with gender anxiety (The Skin I Live In) and a semi-autobiographical masterpiece (Pain and Glory), Almodóvar’s works are singular and unforgettable. And don’t miss the director’s latest film, The Room Next Door, starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, which opens this winter.

What: Movie, 100 mins.
When: Wed., Nov. 27
Where: Netflix
Genre: Christmas
Why you should watch: Christmas movies of the Hallmark and Lifetime variety have always been massively popular, but in the last few years, they’ve gone mainstream and viewers are openly celebrating their favourite film formula (a variation on “big city girl goes back to hometown and meets a handsome local”). Netflix has caught on to the trend and become a destination for the fluffy, festive fare. If you’ve already watched the one about the sexy snowman (Hot Frosty, released Nov. 13), don’t miss Our Little Secret, starring Lindsay Lohan and Ian Harding as exes forced to spend the holidays together.

What: Movie, 96 mins.
When: Fri., Nov. 29
Where: Disney+
Genre: Rockumentray
Why you should watch: Boomer-bliss as this Daud Tedeschi directed doc provides behind-the-scenes footage of the year The Beatles took over North America and the world including their legendary appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. Read the full review.

What: Movie, 95 mins.
When: Fri., Nov. 29
Where: Crave
Genre: Rockumentary
Rating: NNNN (out of 5)
Why you should watch: A pre-YouTube web series, Yacht Rock mocked the smooth ’70s sounds from L.A., naming a genre in the process. It’s the inspiration for this not-too-series but affectionate look at the surprisingly enduring sound that is even having a comeback. Steely Dan is the Yacht Rock Rosetta Stone, inspiring acts like Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Toto and more. And somehow, Michael McDonald is playing with almost all of them. A jazzy vibe with heartfelt, raw lyrics, sometimes corny lyrics with an R&B influence. Originators of the music are interviewed as well as those they inspired, including Questlove and Thundercat. Black “Yacht Rockers” like George Benson and Al Jarreau are all celebrated, and the creators of the Yacht Rock series are among those interviewed showing a deep understanding and love of the music they so expertly lampooned. Part of HBO’s “Music Box” series.

What: Movie, 90 mins.
When: Fri., Nov. 29
Where: CBC Gem
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: Canadian Screen Award-nominated workplace drama, Richelieu (Pier-Philippe Chevigny) stars Ariane Castellanos as an interpreter hired by a factory that employs migrant workers from Guatemala. As she navigates office politics, tensions rise and she develops a deep sense of solidarity with the exploited workers.

What: Series, Season 2
When: Thurs., Dec. 12
Where: Crave
Genre: Drama
Why you should watch: Everybody’s favourite rage comic Sebastian Maniscalco is sympathetic here, and always, because ultimately, as much fury as he emits, he is always the biggest victim of his fury. Maniscalco plays a desperate bookie who is dealing with the legalization of gambling while he manages flaky clients and punch-happy partners. From Check Lorre’s mid-brow sitcom factory but Maniscalco and an excellent cast rise above any of the producers’ formulaic inclinations.

What: Series, Season 2, 5 episodes, 57 mins.
When: Thu., Dec. 26
Where: Netflix
Genre: Thriller
Why you should watch: One of the most popular streaming series of all time, pitch-black dystopian drama Squid Games returns for its wildly anticipated second season. The series follows a group of desperate contestants as they risk their lives in a series of gruesome games for the chance to win a giant piggy bank of money. While the first season’s creative cruelties didn’t quite deliver a biting class critique, it was potent enough to capture the world’s imagination (and inspire some truly ill-advised celebrity Halloween costumes.)

What: Series, Season 2, 10 episodes, 50 mins.
When: Fri., Jan. 17
Where: Apple+
Genre: Science Fiction
Why you should watch: Another eagerly anticipated return this winter is Dan Erickson’s workplace sci-fi drama Severance, back for its second season. Starring Adam Scott and Patricia Arquette, Severance follows a man who has agreed to split his work self and his home self into two consciousnesses, but he and his coworkers grow increasingly suspicious of the company they’re trapped in. After the nail-biting finale of the funny, tense and thoughtful first season, expectations for the new episodes are very high.