The Venice Film Festival, running from August 28 through September 7, shares a pedestal of prestige with Cannes as one of the most glamorous venues for launching award-season contenders. Movies that perform well on Venice’s picturesque Lido are likely to remain at the forefront of cinematic discussions up to the Oscars in March. This year’s festival presents a rich tapestry of cinematic experiences, from high-profile Hollywood productions to unique gems crafted by international auteurs. Here are ten films generating the most buzz at Venice this year.
“Joker: Folie à Deux,” a sequel to the groundbreaking “Joker,” which amassed over $1 billion and earned 11 Oscar nominations, is set to premiere in competition. This follow-up is described as a dystopian musical, touted for its bold and inventive approach. Venice chief Alberto Barbera calls it “one of the most daring, brave, and creative films in recent American cinema,” enhancing Todd Phillips’ reputation as a leading creative director. The film, expected to hit theaters on October 4, could potentially captivate audiences once more.
Pablo Larraín, known for his compelling biopics of tragic women, teams up with Steven Knight and Angelina Jolie for “Maria.” This film brings opera singer Maria Callas back to the screen, promising a nuanced portrayal of the famed soprano who captured hearts and headlines for her affair with Aristotle Onassis. “Maria” aims to explore the intricate layers of Callas’s life and legacy.
Luca Guadagnino presents “Queer,” a daring adaptation of William S. Burroughs’s novel starring Daniel Craig. Set in 1950s Mexico City, the story follows an American expat on a drug-fueled quest, encountering a host of fascinating characters while developing an obsession with a young man. Guadagnino’s take on Burroughs’s work is anticipated to be both thought-provoking and visually striking, bringing a defining performance from Craig.
Pedro Almodóvar makes his English-language debut with a film that promises emotional depth and star power. Featuring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, the narrative revolves around a strained relationship between a mother and daughter due to a deep misunderstanding. Almodóvar describes the film as one that explores themes like war, death, friendship, and sexual pleasure, while also celebrating the simple joys of life in a picturesque New England setting. Following its Venice debut, the film will also appear at the New York Film Festival ahead of its December release.
Halina Reijn offers “Babygirl,” an erotic thriller starring Nicole Kidman as a powerful CEO entangled in an affair with a younger intern, portrayed by Harris Dickinson. Antonio Banderas adds to the stellar cast. Known for her previous work on “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” Reijn’s latest venture is expected to blend intrigue and tension in a compelling narrative, with a theatrical release planned by A24 in December.
Brady Corbet’s 3.5-hour epic drama follows architect László Toth and his wife as they flee post-World War II Europe for America.
. In “Wolfs,” they encounter an industrialist who commissions Toth to design a modernist monument, an undertaking that significantly alters their lives. Starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce, this film promises an intense exploration of ambition, identity, and cultural dislocation, distributed by Focus Features and Universal.
In the nonfiction realm, several documentaries stand out: Errol Morris’s “Separated,” Asif Kapadia’s “2073,” Alex Ross Perry’s “Pavements,” and Andres Veiel’s “Riefenstahl.” However, it is Wang Bing’s “Youth (Homecoming)” that enters the main competition. This verité documentary is the final installment in a trilogy capturing the lives of migrant factory workers in Zhili, China, over five years.
Georgian filmmaker Dea Kulumbegashvili’s “April” follows an OB-GYN in rural Georgia facing societal backlash after a newborn’s death in her care. Echoes of the 2020 film “Happening,” about an abortion drama that claimed Venice’s top prize, suggest “April” could be a similar breakout. This film will also be showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the New York Film Festival, while it seeks a U.S. distributor.
Jude Law stars in a 1980s-set crime thriller about an FBI agent tracking a white supremacist group in the Pacific Northwest. Nicholas Hoult portrays the charismatic leader of the group in this gripping tale directed by Justin Kurzel. The film is slated for a December theatrical release, adding yet another high-stakes narrative to the festival roster.
Lastly, Athina Rachel Tsangari’s “Harvest” adapts Jim Crace’s novel into a story set in a medieval English village rife with economic struggles and superstition. Starring Caleb Landry Jones, the film examines the scapegoating of three newcomers by locals during troubled times. While Mubi holds distribution rights in Europe, U.S. plans are yet to be disclosed.
Additionally, a noteworthy series lands on Apple TV+ after its festival introduction. Created by Alfonso Cuarón, the psychological thriller stars Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline. Blanchett plays a journalist who unsettlingly discovers she is a character in a novel unfolding a dark secret. This seven-episode series, premiering October 11, promises another captivating dimension to the festival’s offerings.
Venice’s lineup this year is undoubtedly impressive, bringing together a formidable array of narratives that span genres, countries, and styles. Each film offers a unique lens through which to view the complexities of the human condition, ensuring that attendees at the festival will experience a feast of cinematic brilliance.
