If you’re in the market for a horror film in the weekend before Halloween, you have one new option, although you’re probably better off checking out the already released Halloween Kills, The Black Phone, Smile or Barbarian. As for the other movies hitting the big screen tomorrow, here are South Africans’ four wildly different options.
Call Jane
Not exactly light viewing, but very topical, is drama Call Jane, which is inspired by true events. In 1968, a married woman with a life-threatening pregnancy can’t get a legal abortion. Her journey for a solution leads her to Virginia (Sigourney Weaver), an independent visionary fiercely committed to women’s health, and Gwen (Wunmi Mosaku), an activist who dreams of a day when all women will have access to abortion, regardless of their ability to pay. Joy is so inspired by their work, she decides to join them, putting every aspect of her life on the line. Directed by Phyllis Nagy, the award-winning screenwriter of Carol.
Devil’s Light
Your horror movie addition for the week, Devil’s Light (also known as Prey for the Devil) centres on a young nun, Sister Ann (Jacqueline Byers), who finds herself a key player in battling the global rise in demonic possessions. Although nuns are forbidden to perform exorcisms, a professor (Colin Salmon) recognizes Sister Ann’s gifts and agrees to train her. Thrust onto the spiritual frontline with fellow student Father Dante (Christian Navarro), Sister Ann finds herself in a battle that’s been waiting for her her whole life.
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
In terms of family fare there’s this mix of live action, CGI animation, and a whole lot of music from the songwriting team behind The Greatest Showman. Based on the best-selling book series, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile sees the Primm family (Constance Wu, Scoot McNairy, Winslow Fegley) move to New York City. They all struggle to adapt until they discover they share a home with Lyle, a singing crocodile (Shawn Mendes). When Lyle’s existence is threatened by neighbor Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman), the Primms must band together with Lyle’s charismatic owner, Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem).
Triangle of Sadness
Fresh from the film festival circuit and into arthouse cinemas, Triangle of Sadness is a highly acclaimed satirical black comedy written and directed by Ruben Östlund. Celebrity model couple Carl (Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (Charlbi Dean, in her final on-screen appearance), are invited on a luxury cruise for the uber-rich, helmed by an unhinged boat captain (Woody Harrelson). What first appears Instagrammable ends catastrophically, leaving the survivors stranded on a desert island and fighting for survival.