In 2026, we engage with violence nearly every day due to the pervasive nature of grim content on social media. As with any aspect of culture, there is a wealth of perspectives to explore in the world of cinema. Attempting to address our relationship with brutality, Faces of Death is a new film directed by Daniel Goldhaber and co-written by Isa Mazzei. While the movie does contain a solid throughline, its failure to commit results in a sanitised exploration of violence.

In horror, ghosts and ghouls are often the go-to choice for a movie’s villain. But, now and then, a talented filmmaker comes along to create a spine-chilling story haunted by something gentle. Written and directed by Curry Barker, Obsession is an incredible display of horror that surges with energy from start to finish. Avoiding the paranormal, this is a fantastic film that excels in every way.

While character and story often need to be balanced to create a successful film, certain movies prioritise one over the other to deliver a unique vision (for better or worse). Written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, The Drama is an effective piece of character-first storytelling which conveys an unfamiliar situation in a highly familiar manner.

While Netflix’s original films sometimes struggle to be extraordinary, their ability to create solid, self-contained narratives has given the platform much success. Following this path, Apex is an entertaining 90-minute thriller with a simple story supported by good performances.

Mixing metaphor with emotions can often be a rich recipe within the kitchen of cinema. When prepared proficiently, a meal like this will successfully satiate a specific audience’s appetite. Written and directed by David Lowery, Mother Mary is a spellbinding psychological drama basted in a supernatural flavour. This blend of mesmerising music, enchanting visuals and superb acting results in a full-course of fantastic filmmaking.