Some of the best films of the year are set to come out this Christmas
As the holidays draw near, Christmas-themed songs fill the stores and your typical snowy rom-coms play non-stop on the television. And if you’ve grown tired of Mariah Carey’s greatest hit and under-the-mistletoe kisses, here are some films to watch out for this holiday season.
Poor Things
An eccentric and modern take on the Frankenstein story, “Poor Things” is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and produced by Emma Stone. The film follows Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Sheltered for her own protection and curious to explore the world, she runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo) on an adventure across the continents.
The cast includes Ramy Youssef, Jerrod Carmichael, Christopher Abbott, and Margaret Qualley. “Poor Things” hits theaters on December 8.
Ferrari
The biopic explores a dark chapter in the Italian automaker’s history. In the summer of 1957, Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver) faced bankruptcy, threatening the factory he and his wife, Laura (Penélope Cruz) built from nothing ten years earlier. Their volatile marriage has been battered by the loss of their son, Dino a year earlier. With one remaining option left to save the Ferrari brand, he does whatever it takes to win the 1,000-mile race across Italy, the Mille Miglia.
“Ferrari” is directed by Michael Mann and written by Troy Kennedy Martin. The cast includes Shailene Woodley, Sarah Gordon, Gabriel Leone, Jack O’Connell, and Patrick Dempsey. “Ferrari” hits theaters on Christmas.
Anyone But You
“Anyone But You” stars Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell in a fake-it-till-you-make romantic comedy. Bea and Ben, who once dated in the past, find themselves unexpectedly thrust together at a destination wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple.
The film is directed by Will Gluck and stars Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, Hadley Robinson, Michelle Hurd, Dermot Mulroney, Darren Barnet, and Rachel Griffiths. “Anyone But You” hits theaters on December 22.
Wonka
“Wonka” explores the origins of our favorite inventor and chocolate-maker, Willy Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet as our titular dessert visionary.
The film is directed by Paul King and along with Chalamet, stars Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Olivia Colman, Natasha Rothwell, Rich Fulcher, Rakhee Thakrar, Tom Davis, and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith. “Wonka” hits theaters on December 15.
All of Us Strangers
In “All of Us Strangers,” screenwriter Adam (Andrew Scott) finds himself drawn back to his childhood home where his parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell), appear to be living, just as they were on the day they died, 30 years before. This comes just as he begins a relationship with his neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal).
The film is directed by Andrew Haigh and comes out in theaters on December 22.
The Boys In The Boat
“The Boys in the Boat,” starring Joel Edgerton and Callum Turner, is based on the true story of the 1936 University of Washington rowing team that competed for gold at the Summer Olympics in Berlin.
The film is directed by George Clooney and written by Mark L. Smith. “The Boys in the Boat” hits theaters on Christmas.
Mallari
This horror-filled Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry is inspired by the true story of Fr Juan Severino Mallari, a parish priest in the 1800s who killed 57 people—the first and only recorded Filipino serial killer.
“Mallari” is directed by Derick Cabrido, and stars Piolo Pascual, JC Santos, Janella Salvador, Elisse Joson, Gloria Diaz, and Mylene Dizon. The film hits theaters on December 25.
Kampon
A loving couple chances upon a blessing in a sinister disguise in “Kampon.”
The film is directed by King Palisoc, written by Dodo Dayao, and stars Beauty Gonzales, Derek Ramsay, Zeinab Harake, and Erin Espiritu. “Kampon” is an official entry to the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival and hits theaters on December 25.
