Incoming! 8 new movies to catch in cinemas this October

Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga make a depraved double act, Sebastian Stan WOWs not once but twice and Tom Hardy (enough said). If anyone needs us we’ll be in the cinema with these guys for the foreseeable.

PICK OF THE MONTH

Joker: Folie À Deux (15), Fri 4 Oct

We don’t know what we’re more excited for with Joker: Folie À Deux, Joaquin Phoenix reprising his Oscar-winning role as Arthur Fleck or Lady blimmin’ Gaga making her debut as Harley Quinn! In this much-anticipated follow up to the 2019 smash, we find Fleck institutionalised and awaiting trial for his depraved crimes as Joker. Things go from bad to worse for, well, the entire city of Gotham when Fleck stumbles upon true love – cue a crazy onslaught of clown paint, violence, murder and, um, show tunes. Todd Phillips is back on directing duties with Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener and Steve Coogan joining the already amazing cast.

A Different Man (15), Fri 4 Oct

Filmmaker Aaron Schimberg and actor Adam Pearson reunite in A Different Man, a satirical, psychological noir about identity and acceptance. It also stars Sebastian Stan (the first of two movies he stars in this month) as an aspiring slash flailing actor, Edward, with a rare facial disfigurement from neurofibromatosis. After he undergoes a radical procedure to transform his appearance, Edward believes his life will be better. And yet, despite his new-found handsomeness, he gets passed over for a role and someone with his former condition is chosen instead. Dark, gritty with some serious Woody Allen vibes which cinephiles will love, this is not an easy watch but Stan is an absolute scene-stealer.

Transformers One (PG), Fri 11 Oct

Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne and Jon Hamm – Hollywood is out in full force for this animated Transformers origin story. OK, we know, it’s not the same as seeing Hemswoth or Hamm in the flesh, but it’s the next best thing and a sure fire hit with the kids this half term. Production values and soundtrack aren’t bad either.

The Apprentice (15), Fri 18 Oct

Though it feels like we give Donald Trump too much airtime as it is, this biopic about the early days of his career is a feather-ruffling must-watch (the eight minute standing O at Cannes speaks for itself). Sebastian Stan (hello again) plus prosthetics, perma-tan and a golden toupee plays Trump with Succession‘s Jeremy Stong playing cutthroat attorney Roy Cohn who helped create the Trump we know today (um, cheers for that). Set for release ahead of the US elections, we’re watching for the drama, scandal and, once again, Stan.

Smile 2 (18), Fri 18 Oct

Where are the horror lovers at? Smile 2 lands just in time for spooky season and it will not disappoint – if you can watch from behind your popcorn that is. That’s right the smiling, trauma curse returns to inhabit more unwitting victims, this time deeply disturbing a global pop sensation, Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), ahead of her world tour. Kyle Gallner reprises his role as Joel from the first film (think we found our patient zero) and is joined by Lukas Gage and Rosemarie DeWitt. One to bookmark for fright night.

The Wild Robot (U), Fri 18 Oct

Yep, another animation, but we predict the whole fam will fall in love with The Wild Robot. Based on Peter Brown’s beloved New York Times bestseller about a robot shipwrecked on an uninhabited island who must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings and build relationships with animals. A thrilling exploration into tech and the natural world with some BIG names attached to it – hello Lupita Nyong’o, Mark Hamil, Catherine O’Hara, Pedro Pascal, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu and Kit Connor to name a few. A surge of the warm and fuzzies incoming and a great family watch.

Venom: The Last Dance (15), Fri 25 Oct

Did someone say Tom Hardy? Yep, the crush knows no bounds when we’re happily skipping to the cinema to watch him as the weird, oil-slicked, people-eating mutant, Venom. In the final instalment of this particular Marvel trilogy, Eddie slash Venom are on the run and forced into making a devastating decision. Stephen Graham and Juno Temple join proceedings in this funny, gory, action-packed, anti-hero missive.

The Room Next Door (12A), Fri 25 Oct

This month’s tear-jerking comes courtesy of The Room Next Door, a death-stricken drama by renowned Spanish filmmaker, Pedro Almodóvar. His first English language film sees terminally ill Martha (played by the amazing Tilda Swinton) try to build bridges with her estranged friend Ingrid (played by the equally amazing Julianne Moore) before asking her one last favour. A strangely sweet story and a relatable rumination on life and friendship, Moore and Swinton are worth the tears you’ll undoubtedly shed.

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