by Tim Gordon
It’s finally time for awards season, as several prominent film festivals display a group of award hopefuls. From the hills of Telluride to the allure of Venice to the bustling activity of the Toronto International Film Festival, contenders are back in a major way.
This year’s lineup at TIFF will feature over 400 films from around the world, including buzzy awards contenders, insightful documentaries, and plenty of international star power. There are so many interesting choices but we’ve compiled our list of the Ten Most Anticipated Films we can’t wait to see.
The Piano Lesson
The third of ten films in August Wilson’s Century Cycle (Fences, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), finds Malcolm Washington making his feature directorial debut with this adaptation which features an incredible cast that includes Danielle Deadwyler, John David Washington, and Samuel L. Jackson in a story about a family haunted by the legacy of an heirloom.
Saturday Night
As SNL prepares to kick off its 50th year, Director Jason Reitman (Up in the Air, Juno) captures the frenzied lead-up to the very first episode of Saturday Night Live as a motley bunch of then-unknown and untrained young comedians prepares to step into a revolutionary spotlight that will change history and make them all stars.
Conclave
Several years ago, The Two Popes explored papal politics in the Vatican. This time around, Oscar nominees Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci lead a brilliant ensemble cast in All Quiet on the Western Front director Edward Berger’s stunning adaption of Robert Harris’ high-stakes drama, in which Cardinals gather at the Vatican to elect a new Pope.
The Last Showgirl
Throughout movie history, there have been plenty of stories of seasoned performers receiving a lifeline when their careers have stalled. Think of John Travolta with Pulp Fiction as a recent example. TV star Pamela Anderson is generating plenty of awards buzz for her portrayal of a seasoned performer who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run. In addition to Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Dave Bautista also co-stars.
Unstoppable
Emmy Award winner, Jharrel Jerome (When They See Us, Moonlight) adds another impressive performance to his growing filmography in this heartfelt sports drama. Jerome stars as a young man who defies expectations to become a champion wrestler in college against the school that rejected him. Jerome headlines a star-studded cast which includes Don Cheadle and Jennifer Lopez.
Anora
One of the hottest tickets at TIFF is sure to be Sean Baker’s (Tangerine, Red Rocket) latest, the Palme d’Or winner which follows a turbulent relationship between a New York-based exotic dancer and the son of a Russian oligarch. The film’s star, Mikey Madison, is generating early awards buzz for her performance that many are comparing to Julia Roberts’ breakout role in Pretty Woman.
Babygirl
Three decades ago, Demi Moore and Michael Douglas’ explored the sexual dynamics in the workplace in Disclosure. Now comes this thrilling erotic drama where Nicole Kidman is captivating as a high-powered executive who risks everything when she starts a sexual relationship with an intern (Harris Dickinson) in this film from writer-director Halina Reijn (Bodies Bodies Bodies).
The Fire Inside
Director Rachel Morrison cut her teeth as an Oscar-nominated cinematographer with her work in films such as Black Panther, Mudbound, and Fruitvale Station. Her latest film showcases Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, a boxer from Flint, Mich., who trained to become the first woman in her country’s history to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport. It’s a unique sports story that goes beyond the triumph of the underdog to ask what comes after.
Emilia Pérez
One of the most talked about films at several festivals is this Netflix pickup based on Jacques Audiard’s opera libretto of the same name, his French musical crime comedy features fearless performances from Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and the amazing Karla Sofía Gascón audaciously merges pop opera, narco thriller, and gender affirmation drama.
Nightbitch
An adaptation of Rachel Yoder’s acclaimed debut novel from Marielle Heller, the esteemed writer-director behind titles like A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Nightbitch tells the story of a woman (Adams) thrown into the stay-at-home routine of raising a toddler in the suburbs, who slowly embraces the feral power deeply rooted in motherhood, as she becomes increasingly aware of the bizarre and undeniable signs that she may be turning into a canine.