It Follows (15)
(David Robert Mitchell, 2014, US) Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto. 100 mins
Teenage sex never felt so perilous as in this brilliantly understated (and therefore bloody terrifying) horror, which could leave more delicate viewers in a permanent state of paranoia. The simple setup – involving a sexually transmitted curse – has echoes of Ring or Final Destination, but the treatment is more John Carpenter: tense, sober, creepy, electronically scored and properly scary.
Catch Me Daddy (15)
(Daniel Wolfe, 2014, UK) Sameena Jabeen Ahmed, Conor McCarron. 112 mins
An Anglo-Asian couple’s elopement generates a striking chase thriller across a Yorkshire landscape that feels authentically up to date: drugs, poverty and strained multiculturalism. Sparse and impressionistic, it’s a distinctive debut.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG)
(John Madden, 2015, US/UK) Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Dev Patel. 122 mins
Our senior Britpack had such a jolly time in India, they’re back for more silver-haired intrigues, age-related comedy and postcolonial exoticism – this time with added Richard Gere.
Focus (15)
(Glenn Ficarra, John Requa, 2015, US) Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Rodrigo Santoro. 105 mins
It gets harder and harder to make a decent con-man movie, even with attractive leads and film-makers with smarts (Requa and Ficarra were also behind I Love You Phillip Morris and Bad Santa). Of course, our chief grifters take each other for a ride, but will it be one we haven’t been on before?
White God (15)
(Kornél Mundruczó, 2014, Hun/Ger/Swe) Zsófia Psotta, Sándor Zsótér. 118 mins
Social realism and creature horror cross-breed fruitfully for a poignant, politically resonant tale of a lonely teen separated from her beloved dog. Their parallel fortunes lead to an apocalyptic canine climax.
The Boy Next Door (15)
(Rob Cohen, 2015, US) Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman. 91 mins
What could go wrong when J-Lo’s lonely teacher has a cougar-ish fling with her initially charming then increasingly creepy teen neighbour? This predictable reverse-Fatal Attraction barely gets above room temperature.
The Tales Of Hoffmann (U)
(Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, 1951, UK) Moira Shearer, Robert Rounseville. 129 mins
Restoration of the sumptuous, standard-setting filmed opera – a postwar fantasia with a postmodern kick.
Hinterland (15)
(Harry Macqueen, 2015, UK) Harry Macqueen, Lori Campbell. 79 mins
An old friendship rekindles in this intimate, low-key debut, making judicious use of the Cornish landscape.
A Dark Reflection (15)
(Tristan Loraine, 2015, UK) Marina Sirtis, Georgina Sutcliffe, Stephen Tompkinson. 102 mins
Low-budget investigative thriller based on a Sussex’s journalist’s real-life exposé of an aviation scandal.
Backstreet Boys: Show ’Em What You’re Made Of (15)
(Stephen Kijak, 2015, UK/US) 110 mins
The once world-conquering boyband look back as they hit the comeback trail.
Out from Friday
Sea Without Shore Stylised Sweden-set semi-dance piece. Out from Thu
White Bird In A Blizzard Candy-coated drama with Shailene Woodley and Eva Green.
Chappie Neill Blomkamp gives us a sympathetic robot in a dystopian future.
Still Alice Julianne Moore’s portrayal of a woman with Alzheimer’s.
Kill The Messenger Jeremy Renner uncovers a CIA-led conspiracy.
Life Of Riley Alain Resnais’s interpretation of Alan Ayckbourn’s play.
Unfinished Business A German business trip goes wrong for Vince Vaughn.
Appropriate Behaviour Desiree Akhavan plays an Iranian bisexual Brooklynite.
Difret An Ethiopian girl rebels against tradition.
Dreamcatcher Documentary on a Chicago woman helping prostitutes.
Hyena Drugs, gangsters and sex trafficking add up to a violent London thriller.
Bafta Shorts 2015 Compilation of nominees.
High Tide Welsh mother and son two-hander.
Coming soon
In two weeks... Michelle Williams in Nazi-occupation drama Suite Française… Maths, adolescence and autism in Brit drama X+Y…
In three weeks... Sean Penn is The Gunman… Shailene Woodley goes from Divergent to Insurgent…
In a month... Disney’s new live-action Cinderella… The Amanda Knox case channelled for The Face Of An Angel…
