Inde Navarrette on Obsession and the Actresses Who Inspire Her

Critics Consensus: A tribute to parental devotion and a testament to Teyana Taylor's talent, A Thousand and One presents a heart-wrenching portrait of perseverance in the face of systemic inequity.

Synopsis: A THOUSAND AND ONE follows unapologetic and free-spirited Inez (Teyana Taylor), who kidnaps six-year-old Terry from the foster care system. Holding onto their secret and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Teyana Taylor, Aaron Kingsley Adetola, Aven Courtney, Josiah Cross

Directed By: A.V. Rockwell

Critics Consensus: The Beguiled adds just enough extra depth to its source material to set itself apart, and director Sofia Coppola's restrained touch is enlivened by strong performances from the cast.

Synopsis: Cpl. John McBurney is an injured Union soldier who finds himself on the run as a deserter during the Civil War. He seeks refuge at... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning

Directed By: Sofia Coppola

Critics Consensus: Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons are at the top of their game in Bugonia, a bonkers entertainment that applies director Yorgos Lanthimos' whip-smart method to modern society's madness.

Synopsis: Two conspiracy obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.

Starring: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias

Directed By: Yorgos Lanthimos

Critics Consensus: The appealing odd-couple chemistry between Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan helps Drive-Away Dolls power past its overly familiar screenplay and erratic execution.

Synopsis: Written by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, this comedy caper follows Jamie, an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Joey Slotnick

Directed By: Ethan Coen

Critics Consensus: Other adaptations may do a better job of consistently capturing the spirit of the classic source material, but Jane Austen fans should still find a solid match in this Emma.

Synopsis: Beautiful, smart and wealthy, Emma Woodhouse navigates her way through misguided matches, romantic missteps and the challenges of growing up -- all to finally realize... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Bill Nighy, Mia Goth

Directed By: Autumn de Wilde

Critics Consensus: Harriet serves as a sincere tribute to a pivotal figure in American history -- albeit one undermined by its frustratingly formulaic approach.

Synopsis: From her escape from slavery through the dangerous missions she led to liberate hundreds of slaves through the Underground Railroad, the story of heroic abolitionist... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monáe, Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn

Directed By: Kasi Lemmons

Critics Consensus: Breaking hearts and mending them in one fell swoop, Hamnet speculates on the inspiration behind Shakespeare's masterpiece with palpable emotional force thanks to Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal's astonishing performances.

Synopsis: From Academy Award® winning writer/director Chloé Zhao, HAMNET tells the powerful story of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare's timeless masterpiece, Hamlet. View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn

Directed By: Chloé Zhao

Critics Consensus: Disparate parts and desperate measures spell defeat for Ethan Coen this time around in a romp that tries to cast a wide net but will ultimately leave audiences saying, Honey Don't.

Synopsis: Honey Don't! is a dark comedy about Honey O'Donahue, a small-town private investigator, who delves into a series of strange deaths tied to a mysterious... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans, Lera Abova

Directed By: Ethan Coen

Critics Consensus: Whether you see Kajillionaire as refreshingly unique or simply bizarre will depend on your cinematic adventurousness -- and fans of writer-director Miranda July wouldn't have it any other way.

Synopsis: Two con artists have spent 26 years training their only daughter to swindle, scam and steal at every turn. During a desperate and hastily conceived... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Evan Rachel Wood, Gina Rodriguez, Richard Jenkins, Debra Winger

Directed By: Miranda July

Critics Consensus: Although it struggles to maintain its thrilling early momentum, Last Night in Soho shows flashes of Edgar Wright at his most stylish and ambitious.

Synopsis: In acclaimed director Edgar Wright's psychological thriller, Eloise, an aspiring fashion designer, is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters a dazzling wannabe... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Thomasin McKenzie, Matt Smith, Terence Stamp

Directed By: Edgar Wright

Critics Consensus: An affectionate callback to classic horror comedies of the '80s, Lisa Frankenstein can be fun in its own right despite not quite measuring up to the movies it imitates.

Synopsis: A coming of RAGE love story from acclaimed writer Diablo Cody (Jennifer's Body) about a misunderstood teenager and her high school crush, who happens to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Carla Gugino, Liza Soberano

Directed By: Zelda Williams

Critics Consensus: Mary Queen of Scots delivers uneven period political thrills while offering a solid showcase for the talents of its well-matched leads.

Synopsis: Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary Stuart defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden, Joe Alwyn

Directed By: Josie Rourke

Critics Consensus: Ambitious to a fault, The Place Beyond the Pines finds writer/director Derek Cianfrance reaching for -- and often grasping -- thorny themes of family, fatherhood, and fate.

Synopsis: In upstate New York, two men (Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper), and later, their sons (Dane DeHaan, Emory Cohen) must deal with the unforeseen consequences of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Rose Byrne

Directed By: Derek Cianfrance

Critics Consensus: Sure, it's another adaptation of cinema's fave Jane Austen novel, but key performances and a modern filmmaking sensibility make this familiar period piece fresh and enjoyable.

Synopsis: In this adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved novel, Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) lives with her mother, father and sisters in the English countryside. As the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland

Directed By: Joe Wright

Critics Consensus: A boldly provocative, timely thriller, Promising Young Woman is an auspicious feature debut for writer-director Emerald Fennell -- and a career highlight for Carey Mulligan.

Synopsis: Nothing in Cassie's life is what it appears to be -- she's wickedly smart, tantalizingly cunning, and she's living a secret double life by night.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Carey Mulligan, Laverne Cox, Bo Burnham, Clancy Brown

Directed By: Emerald Fennell

Critics Consensus: Marvelously orchestrated by director Robert Eggers, Nosferatu is a behemoth of a horror film that is equal parts repulsive and seductive.

Synopsis: Robert Eggers' NOSFERATU is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Directed By: Robert Eggers

Critics Consensus: Led by the soaring melody of Cate Blanchett's note-perfect performance, Tár riffs brilliantly on the discordant side of fame-fueled power.

Synopsis: From writer-producer-director Todd Field comes TÁR, starring Cate Blanchett as Lydia Tár, the groundbreaking conductor of a major German Orchestra. We meet Tár at the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Noémie Merlant, Nina Hoss, Sophie Kauer

Directed By: Todd Field