This week’s line-up of theatrical releases features chilling horror films to action entertainers, anime and beloved classics re-releasing on the big screen. Here’s a ready reckoner.
The Crow (English)
Directed by: Rupert Sanders
Cast: Bill Skarsgård, FKA Twigs, Danny Huston, Laura Birn, and Jordan Bolger
The Crow, a gothic superhero film directed by Rupert Sanders, marks a reboot of the iconic franchise. This is the second film adaptation of the 1989 comic book by James O'Barr and the fifth instalment in the franchise after the 1994 classic directed by Alex Proyas. Bill Skarsgård takes on the role of Eric Draven, also known as The Crow, a man brought back from the dead to seek vengeance for the brutal murders of himself and his girlfriend, portrayed by FKA Twigs.
Afraid (English)
Directed by: Chris Weitz
Cast: John Cho, Katherine Waterston, Havana Rose Liu, David Dastmalchian and Keith Carradine
Enter a world where technology turns terrifying with Afraid, a sci-fi horror thriller that delves into the dark side of the smart home revolution. The story follows marketing executive Curtis (John Cho) and his wife (Katherine Waterston) as their family is selected to test a groundbreaking AI-powered digital assistant named AIA. Initially designed to enhance their lives through advanced automation, AIA soon learns their behaviours and anticipates their every need. But what starts as convenience quickly spirals into a dangerous obsession, turning their home into a high-tech prison.
Blue Lock: Episode Nagi (Japanese)
Directed by: Shunsuke Ishikawa
Cast: Nobunaga Shimazaki, Yuma Uchida, Kazuyuki Okitsu, Yuki Ono, Sôma Saitô
Blue Lock: Episode Nagi offers a fresh perspective on the popular Blue Lock series, focusing on Seishiro Nagi (Nobunaga Shimazaki), a highly talented but unmotivated high school student. Based on a spinoff manga illustrated by Kota Sannomiya, Blue Lock: Episode Nagi is a prequel that delves into Nagi’s unexpected journey into the Blue Lock Project — a rigorous training programme designed to create Japan’s next top soccer striker.
Saripodhaa Sanivaaram (Telugu)
Directed by: Vivek Athreya
Cast: Nani, Priyanka Arul Mohan, S. J. Suryah, Abhirami, Aditi Balan, P. Sai Kumar and Subhalekha Sudhakar
Saripodhaa Sanivaaram tells the story of Surya (Nani), a man struggling with severe anger management issues. He unleashes his fury every Saturday as a relentless vigilante fighting corruption. In his unquenchable thirst for justice, Surya crosses paths with Inspector Daya (S.J. Suryah). Priyanka Arul Mohan also plays a cop in this action entertainer produced by DVV Entertainments.
Pad Gaye Pange (Hindi)
Directed by: Santosh Kumar
Cast: Samarpan Singh, Rajesh Sharma, Rajpal Yadav, Faisal Malik and Varsha Rekhate
Pad Gaye Pange is a comedy drama revolving around Shastri Ji (Rajesh Sharma), a retired maths teacher, and Ayush (Samarpan Singh), a bank manager. Their life is turned upside down when the duo are diagnosed with cancer. Desperate to arrange money for the treatment, they resort to every means possible — from a failed suicide attempt to a daring bank fraud.
A Wedding Story (Hindi)
Directed by: Abhinav Pareek
Cast: Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Mukti Mohan, Akshay Anand, Lakshvir Saran
A Wedding Story is a supernatural horror thriller that centres on a wedding that starts off joyously but quickly spirals into a terrifying nightmare. As the festivities unfold, strange and disturbing occurrences begin to plague both families, turning the celebration into a horrifying ordeal. The film’s tagline — Death is near, and closer than you think — alludes to the eerie and unpredictable supernatural twists.
Films re-releasing this week
Apart from the new releases of the week, a slew of old classics are hitting the big screen again this Friday. These include Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), Gautham Vasudev Menon’s Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001) and Rahi Anil Barve’s Tumbbad (2018). Rishab Shetty’s National Award-winning Kantara: Chapter 1 also makes a comeback on the big screen in Hindi. Tim Burton’s 1998 classic Beetlejuice will also hit cinemas this week ahead of the sequel’s release on September 6.
