Wander Darkly
Wander Darkly is Lionsgate production’s drama film, written and directed by Tara Miele (Arrow). It stars Sienna Miller (21 Bridges, American Sniper, The Lost City of Z), Diego Luna (Rogue One, Narcos: Mexico), Beth Grant (Donnie Darko), Aimee Carrero (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power), Tory Kittles (True Detective), Brett Rice (Foxcatcher), and Vanessa Bayer (Brooklyn Nine-Nine).
The story follows new parents Adrienne (Miller) and Matteo (Luna) are forced to reckon with trauma amidst their troubled relationship. A traumatic accident leaves the couple in a surreal state of being that takes them on a disorienting journey through the duality of their shared moments. They must revisit the memories of their past and unravel haunting truths in order to face their uncertain future.
The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2020. Currently, the film holds a 77% RT score based on 13 reviews with a lot of praise for strong performances. It is scheduled for a limited theatrical release and an on-demand release simultaneously.
Wander Darkly VOD release date: December 11, 2020
Wild Mountain Thyme
Wild Mountain Thyme is a romantic drama film written and directed by John Patrick Shanley (Moonstruck, Doubt), based on his 2014 play Outside Mullingar. It stars Emily Blunt (Edge of Tomorrow, A Quiet Place) and Jamie Dornan (The Fall, Fifty Shades trilogy) in the lead roles. It is scheduled for a limited theatrical release and an on-demand release simultaneously.
Blunt and Dornan are joined by Jon Hamm (Baby Driver), Dearbhla Molloy (No Reservations), Jon Tenney (True Detective), Danielle Ryan (The Silencing), Lydia McGuinness (Sing Street), Darragh O’Kane, Abigail Coburn (The Professor and the Madman), and Christopher Walken (Catch Me If You Can).
Set in Ireland, the movie centers on Anthony (Dornan), who works in the fields under the constant belittling of his father (Walken), who has threatened to leave the family farm to Anthony’s American cousin Adam (Hamm). A shy and worn-down Anthony doesn’t notice that Rosemary (Blunt), a childhood friend, has been attracted to him for years, despite feeling resentment for having been shamed by Anthony earlier. Caught between their families’ land dispute, sparks fly between the couple. Meanwhile, Rosemary’s mother, Aoife (Molloy), strives to unite the families before it is too late.
Wild Mountain Thyme VOD release date: December 11, 2020
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is Netflix’s original drama film directed by George C. Wolfe (You’re Not You, Nights in Rodanthe) and written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, based on the play of the same name by August Wilson. Produced by Denzel Washington, Todd Black, and Dany Wolf.
It stars Viola Davis (Widows, Fences, Suicide Squad) and Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther, Da 5 Bloods, 42), with Glynn Turman (Super 8), Colman Domingo (Lincoln, Fear the Walking Dead), Taylour Paige (White Boy Rick, Zola), Jonny Coyne (Preacher), Jeremy Shamos (The Undoing) and Michael Potts (True Detective) in supporting roles.
Synopsis: Tensions and temperatures rise over the course of an afternoon recording session in 1927 Chicago as a band of musicians await trailblazing performer, the legendary “Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey (Davis). Late to the session, the fearless, fiery Ma engages in a battle of wills with her white manager and producer over control of her music.
As the band waits in the studio’s claustrophobic rehearsal room, ambitious trumpeter Levee (Boseman) – who has an eye for Ma’s girlfriend and is determined to stake his own claim on the music industry – spurs his fellow musicians into an eruption of stories, truths, and lies that will forever change the course of their lives. Levee’s ambition to start his own band also has him soliciting the managers and producers, requiring him to relive previous traumas.
Black Bottom marks Boseman’s final film appearance and everyone is looking forward to seeing it. The film had a limited theatrical release on November 25, 2020, and now it is going to debut on Netflix. It was acclaimed by critics, who lauded the powerhouse performances of Davis and Boseman, as well as the costumes and production design. The R-rated film currently holds a 98% RT score based on 66 reviews making this a must-watch.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Netflix release date: December 18, 2020
The Father
The Father is a drama film directed by Florian Zeller, written by Zeller and Christopher Hampton based on Zeller’s 2012 play Le Père. The film stars Anthony Hopkins (The Two Popes, The Silence of the Lambs, Thor), Olivia Colman (The Crown, The Favourite), Mark Gatiss (Sherlock), Imogen Poots (Vivarium, Green Room, Castle in the Ground), Rufus Sewell (The Man in the High Castle), Ayesha Dharker (Coronation Street), and Olivia Williams (The Sixth Sense).
The story follows an aging Welshman (Hopkins) who must deal with his progressing memory loss as his daughter (Colman) moves into his flat with him. He refuses all assistance from his daughter as he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances. He begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind, and even the fabric of his reality.
The Father had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on 27 January 2020 and it is scheduled to be released in the US this month by Sony Pictures Classics, and later in the UK on 8 January 2021 by Lionsgate.
The film received acclaim from critics, who lauded Hopkins and Colman’s performances and praised its depiction of dementia. The movie already gathered a lot of awards buzz. The film currently holds a 100% RT score based on 34 reviews making it a must-watch.
The Father release date: December 18, 2020
Another Round
Another Round (Danish: Druk) is a drama film directed by Thomas Vinterberg (The Hunt), from a screenplay by Vinterberg and Tobias Lindholm. It stars Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal, The Hunt, Doctor Strange), Thomas Bo Larsen (The Hunt), Magnus Millang (The Commune), Maria Bonnevie (I Am Dina), Susse Wold (The Hunt), and Lars Ranthe (A Funny Man).
The film follows four friends, who are all teachers at various stages of middle age, stuck in a rut. Unable to share their passions either at school or at home, they embark on an audacious experiment from an obscure philosopher: to see if a constant level of alcohol in their blood will help them find greater freedom and happiness. At first, they each find a new-found zest, but as the gang pushes their experiment further, issues that have been simmering for years come to a head, and the men are faced with a choice: reckon with their behavior or continue on the same course.
The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 12 September 2020. It was released in Denmark on 24 September 2020. It was selected as the Danish entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards. The film will have its U.S. theatrical release on December 4 which will be followed by a VOD release.
Another Round VOD release date: December 18, 2020
The Midnight Sky
The Midnight Sky is Netflix’s original science fiction film directed by George Clooney (Ocean’s trilogy, Gravity), based on the novel Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton. This will be the seventh film directed by Clooney and his first Netflix Original to date.
It stars Clooney, Felicity Jones (Rogue One, The Theory of Everything), David Oyelowo (Selma), Ethan Peck (Star Trek: Discovery), Tiffany Boone (Hunters), Demián Bichir (The Hateful Eight), Kyle Chandler (Argo, Zero Dark Thirty), Sophie Rundle (Peaky Blinders), Miriam Shor (Younger), Tim Russ (Spaceballs) and newcomer Caoilinn Springall.
This post-apocalyptic tale follows Augustine (Clooney), a lonely scientist in the Arctic, as he races to stop Sully (Jones) and her fellow astronauts from returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe. The film is scheduled to have a limited theatrical release and debut on Netflix simultaneously. Looks like this will be a fun sci-fi movie to watch.
The Midnight Sky Netflix release date: December 23, 2020
Soul
Soul is Pixar’s computer-animated comedy-drama film directed by Pete Docter (Up) and co-directed by Kemp Powers (Star Trek: Discovery) and written by Docter, Powers, and Mike Jones and produced by Dana Murray. Soul was originally intended to be a theatrical release, after multiple delays it is now skipping a formal release and will be digitally released on Disney+ for Christmas.
Earlier this year another Pixar film, Onward was released on Disney+ after a small theatrical window as theatres were shut down due to the global pandemic. This effect seemingly continued as Disney decided to drop one of their big projects on their streamer. Soul will be the first Pixar movie to debut on a streaming platform. In international markets where Disney+ is currently not available, it will be making its debut in theaters.
The film stars the voices of Jamie Foxx (Django Unchained, Just Mercy), Tina Fey (Date Night, 30 Rock), Questlove (Popstar), Phylicia Rashad (Creed), Daveed Diggs (Hamilton, Wonder), Graham Norton (Eurovision Song Contest), Rachel House (Thor Ragnarok), Alice Braga (The New Mutants), Esther Chae (The Young and the Restless), and Angela Bassett (American Horror Story).
Official Synopsis: Joe (Foxx) is a middle-school band teacher whose life hasn’t quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is jazz — and he’s good. But when he travels to another realm to help someone find their passion, he soon discovers what it means to have a soul.
Joe gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before – a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks, and interests before they go to Earth. Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22 (Fey), who has never understood the appeal of the human experience. As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what’s great about living, he may just discover the answers to some of life’s most important questions.
Pete Docter is the Academy Award-winning director behind Pixar movies like “Inside Out” and “Up” so this shows that Soul will also be a Pixar level standard film which makes you emotionally invested. The film features original jazz music by globally renowned musician Jon Batiste and a score composed by Oscar winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
This heartwarming and inspiring film received critical acclaim and currently holds a rare 100% RT score based on 42 reviews. It was praised for its animation, story, voice acting, and music. Looks like this film proved once gain Pixar’s power of delivering remarkable stories. This is a must-watch for audiences of all ages and it definitely will be a fun Christmas treat.
Read our Soul review below.
RELATED: SOUL REVIEW: AN INSPIRING AND INDIVIDUAL TALE
Soul Disney+ release date: December 25, 2020
Wonder Woman 1984
Wonder Woman 1984 is WB’s latest installment in DCEU which is the sequel to the 2017 blockbuster Wonder Woman. The film is directed by Patty Jenkins who also directed its predecessor, from a script she wrote with Geoff Johns and David Callaham and a story by Johns and Jenkins. Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Patty Jenkins, Gal Gadot, and Stephen Jones are producing the film. After multiple delays, the studio opted to debut the movie on HBO Max and in theatres at the same time.
Gal Gadot (Fast & Furious 6) returns as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman to ride the lightning. Also starring are Chris Pine (Star Trek), Kristen Wiig (Her, Bridesmaids), Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian, Kingsman: The Golden Circle), Robin Wright (House of Cards), and Connie Nielsen (Gladiator) in supporting roles.
Set in 1984, during the Cold War, Diana/Wonder Woman comes into conflict with the Soviet Union and finds two formidable foes—media businessman Maxwell Lord (Pascal) and friend-turned-enemy Barbara Ann Minerva aka Cheetah (Wiig) while reuniting with her love interest Steve Trevor (Pine).
In the US and Canada, Wonder Woman 1984 is scheduled to be released theatrically on Christmas Day; it will also stream digitally on HBO Max in the US for a month beginning on that same date. HBO Max subscribers will only get one month to watch it as many times they want. After that, the movie will continue to play theatrically.
The first Wonder Woman film is one of the best DCEU movies so hype for the sequel is high. It will debut theatrically in international markets that do not have HBO Max on a staggered schedule beginning on December 16, 2020. WB released the global release schedule for the movie, you can see it below.
RELATED: WONDER WOMAN 1984 SETS GLOBAL RELEASE SCHEDULE AHEAD OF HBO MAX PREMIERE
Wonder Woman 1984 HBO Max release date: December 25, 2020
News of the World
News of the World is Universal Pictures’ western drama film directed by Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Ultimatum, United 93) from a screenplay by Greengrass and Luke Davis, based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Paulette Jiles. The film is produced by Gary Goetzman (Greyhound), Gail Mutrux (The Danish Girl), and Gregory Goodman (8 Mile).
The film stars Tom Hanks (Saving Private Ryan, The Post, Forrest Gump) and Helena Zengel (System Crasher) in the lead roles. Michael Angelo Covino (All Wrong), Elizabeth Marvel (Lincoln), Fred Hechinger (Eighth Grade), Mare Winningham (The Outsider), Neil Sandilands (The Flash), and Thomas Francis Murphy (The Walking Dead) also star.
It follows a widowed Civil War veteran named Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Hanks) who moves from town to town as a nonfiction storyteller, sharing the news of presidents and queens, glorious feuds and devastating catastrophes to local townspeople. When he meets a 10-year-old girl (Zengel) taken in by the Kiowa people years earlier, he promises to deliver her back to her aunt and uncle, against her will. They travel hundreds of miles and face grave dangers as they search for a place that either can call home.
Director Paul Greengrass reunites with Hanks for the first time after their 2013 Best Picture nominee Captain Phillips. News of the World is scheduled to be released in the U.S. theatres this month by Universal. In other international territories, it will be released on Netflix in 2021.
News of the World release date: December 25, 2020
Promising Young Woman
Promising Young Woman is Focus Features’ dark comedy-crime-thriller film directed, written, and co-produced by actress/writer Emerald Fennell (The Crown, Killing Eve) in her feature directorial debut.
The film stars Carey Mulligan (Drive, The Great Gatsby), Bo Burnham (Eighth Grade), Alison Brie (GLOW, Happiest Season), Clancy Brown (SpongeBob SquarePants), Jennifer Coolidge (2 Broke Girls), Connie Britton (Nashville), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad), Adam Brody (Ready or Not), and Laverne Cox (Orange Is the New Black).
Synopsis: Everyone said Cassie (Mulligan) was a promising young woman until a mysterious event abruptly derailed her future. However, nothing in Cassie’s life is what it appears to be: She’s wickedly smart and tantalizingly cunning, and she is living a secret double life by night. Haunted by a tragedy in her past she takes revenge on the predatory men unlucky enough to cross her path. An unexpected encounter is about to give Cassie a chance to right the wrongs of the past.
Promising Young Woman had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2020, and now it is scheduled for a limited release in the U.S. The film holds a 90% RT score based on 50 reviews with a lot of praise for its lead star and director, many critics are saying that this is Mulligan’s career-best performance. This dazzlingly bold R-rated movie is a must-watch.
Promising Young Woman limited release date: December 25, 2020
Sylvie’s Love
Sylvie’s Love Amazon’s original drama film, written, directed, and produced by Eugene Ashe (Homecoming). It stars Tessa Thompson (Thor Ragnarok, Creed), Nnamdi Asomugha (Harriet), Ryan Michelle Bathe (The First Wives Club), Regé-Jean Page (For The People), Aja Naomi King (The Upside), Jemima Kirke (The Little Hours), and Eva Longoria (Dora and the Lost City of Gold).
Synopsis: Sylvie (Thompson) has a summer romance with an aspiring saxophone player who takes a summer job at her father’s record store in Harlem in the late 1950s. Years after their summer romance comes to an end, the aspiring television producer and the talented musician cross paths, only to find their feelings for each other never changed. With their careers taking them in different directions, they must choose what matters most.
The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2020. Now it is scheduled to be released on Amazon Prime. It currently holds a 100% RT score based on 16 reviews with a lot of praise for its charming story and beautiful performances.
Sylvie’s Love Amazon release date: December 25, 2020
Monster Hunter
Monster Hunter is Sony Pictures’ fantasy action film produced, written, and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson (Resident Evil franchise), loosely based on the video game series of the same name by Capcom. Monster Hunter is scheduled to be released in the UK on December 4, and then later in the U.S. for Christmas.
The film stars Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil franchise), Tony Jaa (Ong Bak), Tip “T. I.” Harris (Ant-man), Meagan Good (Brick), Diego Boneta (Terminator: Dark Fate), Josh Helman (Mad Max: Fury Road), Jin Au-Yeung (2 Fast 2 Furious), and Ron Perlman (Hellboy).
Synopsis: An elite military force, led by US Army Ranger Captain Artemis (Jovovich), falls through a portal into a strange world where giant monsters rule with deadly ferocity. Faced with relentless danger, they meet a hunter (Jaa) who helps them survive in the world and fight against the monsters as they seek a way home.
Monster Hunter release date: December 25, 2020
Which December movies are you most excited about? Which movies will you be seeing during the month of December? Let us know in the comments or on our social media and be sure to come back to The Illuminerdi for more movie news!
KEEP READING: WATCH THE NEW EXCLUSIVE SOUL FEATURETTE HIGHLIGHTING JAMIE FOXX’S JOE GARDNER
