10 Must-See Movies This Autumn

Photo by Anastasia Nelen on Unsplash

Whether you’re stuck watching your favourite shows this autumn or scrolling Netflix for the latest hits, we’ve got you covered. Here are the most anticipated movies coming in late 2022 writes Hannah Griffiths.

The Woman King 

Anticipated movie The Woman King (2022), starring Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, and Hero Fiennes Tiffin, is arriving in cinemas this Autumn on September 16th. Based on the real-life events of Dahomey’s central business of slave trade in the 1800s, the movie tells the courageousness of the Agojie, an all-female tribe of fierceful warriors who serve to protect the Kingdom of Dahomey. IMDb’s description says that “The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar®-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life.”

Pearl

Spine-chilling prequel to Ti West and A24’s X (2022), starring Mia Goth as Pearl in (shock horror) Pearl (2022), is one of the horrors coming to cinemas on September 16th. Just as bloody and terrifying as its predecessor, we find out Pearl’s true origins through this gut-wrenching trailer. Pearl’s fascination and desire to be like the female stars on the television takes her to dangerous heights, as she will do anything in her power to get what she wants—no  matter what or who stands in her way, not even her family.

See How They Run

Saoirse Ronan, Sam Rockwell, and Harris Dickinson make a comedic and glamorous entrance to See How They Run (2022) on September 16th, a whodunnit set in the heart of Hollywood. The hilarious, dynamic duo of Rockwell (Inspector Stoppard) and Ronan (Constable Stalker) will get you chuckling in your seat, as they find themselves solving a mystery of murders inside a developing film production.

“A desperate Hollywood film producer sets out to turn a popular play into a film. When members of the production are murdered, world-weary Inspector Stoppard and rookie Constable Stalker find themselves in the midst of a puzzling whodunit.” (IMDb)

The movie takes on a Poirot-style route in unmasking the culprit, and if you’re a fan of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple or Poirot (1989-2013) series, then you’ll not want to miss See How They Run (2022).

Don’t Worry Darling

The utopian mystery-thriller Don’t Worry Darling (2022), directed by Olivia Wilde, hits theatres on September 23rd. Starring Florence Pugh (playing Alice Chambers), Chris Pine (Frank), and Olivia Wilde (Bunny), the psychological-thriller plants 1950s housewife Alice Chambers and her husband in a “utopian experimental community”, very much living out their honeymoon phase before things begin to unravel around her.

The beginning of the trailer gives off the impression that society is “safe and secure”, the typical American Dream. But this presumed perfect society has a lot more hidden under the surface than what meets the eye, as we see Alice slowly losing her grip on reality. This unsettling story is sure to be as hair-raising as films like Get Out (2017) and Midsommar (2019), and thus much to be excited for.

Hocus Pocus 2

A spell is brewing on September 30th with Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) being the next spook-tacular movie landing on television screens (even if it isn’t dropping on Halloween). If it is anything as spectacular as its 1993 successor Hocus Pocus, starring Bette Midler; Sarah  Jessica Parker; and Kathy Najimy, then it’s something to keep your eyes peeled for. You would have thought the Sanderson Sisters of the first movie would have surely perished (spoilers), but apparently not—we shall see what Walt Disney Pictures has cooked up, but if we know anything it’s that there’s always a way when there’s witches afoot.

Halloween Ends

The blood-curdling sequel to Halloween (2018) brings the stories of serial killer Michael Myers and Laurie Strode to a climax in Halloween Ends (2022), making its way to the screen on October 14th. Fans of the successful horror franchise will be rightfully anxious for this next instalment, after such a long run of havoc Michael Myers has wreaked.  After Laurie’s (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) struggle to send Michael to his grave, surely there is only so many times everyone’s favourite masked killer can supposedly die. As the trailer suggests, Michael Myers is back one last time, and he’s coming for Laurie. It begs the question—will she finally be able to put an end to the horror?

Black Adam

DC Comics’ next arrival to cinemas on October 21st introduces Black Adam (2022), starring Dwayne Johnson, Sarah Shahi, and Pierce Brosnan. This takes somewhat of a twist to the usual hero-saves-the-day formula of film, this time introducing an anti-hero who unleashes “his unique form of justice on the modern world” quotes IMDb. Said anti-hero, after 5,000 years of imprisonment, takes to the skies with powers given to him by the Egyptian gods. This movie is a must-see for film buffs interested in supervillains and characters with complexity, like Margot Robbie’s unpredictable take on Harley Quinn, from David Ayer’s Suicide Squad (2026).

Amsterdam

This peculiar-looking history drama, set in the 1930s, shows a lot of promise for this autumn. Swinging into cinemas on November 4th, Amsterdam (2022) is about the kindred friendship of two soldiers and a nurse in a mystery to unravel the truth behind a plot that has them compromised as suspects. This movie stars Christian Bale, John David Washington, Margot Robbie, and a plethora of other great actors like Chris Rock, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoe Saldana, with curious appearances from stars Rami Malek and Robert De Niro. Compared to the previous movies in this selection, this will be a more uplifting and comedic palette cleanser for people wading in and out of cinemas in the coming months.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Marvel Studios instals the next movie to follow the Black Panther (2018) blockbuster hit, starring the late Chadwick Boseman, who sadly passed from cancer, on November 11th. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), starring Angela Bassett; Letitia Wright; Winston Duke; Danai Gurira; and  Florence Kasumba, continues in mourning for the loss of Wakanda’s King, T’Challa.

“As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.” (Marvel Studios)

The official trailer unravels with a deep sorrow, hints of hope, and signs of struggle when the nation is “pitted against intervening world powers” (IMDb). Though there are whispers as to who will take the role of Black Panther, no new faces have been shown thus far, however there is still excitement to be had from a glimpse of Black Panther’s silhouette towards the end of the trailer. Until the movie releases we likely won’t find out beforehand.

She Said

Based on the true events of the #MeToo movement, She Said (2022) is moving in on November 18th. Starring Tom Pelphrey, Carey Mulligan, and Zoe Kazan, this whirlwind of a movie tells the shocking and undeniable events following the accusations of sexual assault from Hollywood’s richest—focusing on figures like Harvey Weinstein. From IMDb:

“New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor break one of the most important stories in a generation — a story that helped launch the #MeToo movement and shattered decades of silence around the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood.”

If you were drawn into the 2015 film Spotlight, you’ll want to pique your curiosity and watch this intense drama.

To conclude, this fall will certainly have people flocking in and out of cinemas—and what luck, with so many diverse genres splashing across the screens, from hair-raising horrors to heart-pumping action. Whether drama or mystery takes your interest, you’ll be sure to find one excuse to pig out on the popcorn.

Talking of the arrival of Autumn, here’s some inspiration for Spectacular Halloween Tableware.

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