Alongside Cannes, the Venice Film Festival, which runs from August 28 through September 7, is undeniably one of the most glamorous launching pads for the awards season. The films that successfully capture audiences and critics’ attention on the Lido will likely dominate Oscar conversations for months to come, culminating in the prestigious ceremony in March.
This year’s lineup at Venice is diverse and exhilarating, featuring an array of both blockbuster Hollywood productions and intriguing films from esteemed auteurs across the globe. For festival-goers, the best approach is to keep an open mind and see as many films as possible — you never know which ones will make a significant impression. Nevertheless, here are ten standout films to keep an eye on this year.
**1. “Joker: Folie à Deux”**
Regardless of your stance on the “Joker” discourse from five years ago, the return of the franchise to Venice for its sequel’s competition debut is notable. “Joker: Folie à Deux” certainly doesn’t need the festival buzz; after all, the original film grossed over $1 billion and received 11 Oscar nominations. According to Venice chief Alberto Barbera, this sequel is drastically different from its predecessor. Described as a dystopian musical, it emphasizes Todd Phillips’ audacious and innovative direction. The film hits theaters on October 4.
**2. “Maria”**
Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín garners attention whenever he tackles the life of a famous woman with a tragic story. His previous works, “Spencer” and “Jackie,” have set high expectations. This time, Larraín collaborates with screenwriter Steven Knight and Angelina Jolie to bring the legendary opera singer Maria Callas back to life in “Maria.” The soprano, widely known for her affair with Aristotle Onassis, remains one of the bestselling artists in classical music despite her passing in 1977. “Maria” is in competition and seeking distribution.
**3. “Queer”**
Luca Guadagnino returns to Venice with “Queer,” an adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ novel starring Daniel Craig. Termed as a “career-defining” performance by Barbera, the story revolves around an American expatriate in Mexico City who embarks on a quest for drugs and develops an obsession with a young man. The novel, written in the early 1950s, serves as a companion piece to “Junkie” but wasn’t published until 1985. This film is also looking for distribution.
**4. Pedro Almodóvar’s English-Language Debut**
The mere fact that Pedro Almodóvar’s English-language debut features powerhouses Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton is enough to generate excitement. Details about the film are scarce, but it’s said to explore themes such as war, death, friendship, and the pleasures of life in a New England natural reserve. The film will also be featured at the New York Film Festival before its December release.
**5.
. “Babygirl”**
Dutch director Halina Reijn, known for the wildly entertaining “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” is back with “Babygirl,” an erotic thriller starring Nicole Kidman as a powerful CEO who embarks on an affair with a younger intern played by Harris Dickinson. Antonio Banderas also features in the film, which A24 plans to release in December.
**6. “Youth (Homecoming)”**
In the nonfiction space, Wang Bing’s “Youth (Homecoming)” deserves attention. Concluding his verité documentary trilogy, Wang follows migrant workers in Zhili, China’s textile factories over five years. This offering, which has made it to the main competition, is also seeking distribution.
**7. “April”**
Georgian filmmaker Dea Kulumbegashvili’s sophomore film focuses on Nina, an OB-GYN in rural Georgia who carries out abortions despite the country’s laws. When a newborn in her care dies, an investigation casts doubts on her morality and professionalism. Kulumbegashvili’s debut, “Beginning,” made waves on the festival circuit in 2020. Her latest film, “April,” is set to debut at TIFF and the New York Film Festival and is seeking U.S. distribution.
**8. Crime Thriller Set in 1980s**
Jude Law stars and produced an unnamed crime thriller, set in the 1980s, centering on his FBI agent character who suspects a white supremacist group led by Nicholas Hoult is tied to a string of crimes in the Pacific Northwest. Directed by Justin Kurzel, the film will be out in theaters in December.
**9. “Harvest”**
Athina Rachel Tsangari returns to Venice with “Harvest,” an adaptation of Jim Crace’s novel. Set in a medieval English village, the film explores how locals scapegoat newcomers for their economic woes. The movie stars Caleb Landry Jones, who spoke with a Scottish accent during last year’s “Dogman” press rounds. Mubi holds distribution rights for several European territories, but U.S. plans remain unannounced.
**10. Alfonso Cuarón’s Series**
Although not a film, Alfonso Cuarón’s new series for AppleTV+ is worth highlighting. Premiering on October 11, the seven-episode psychological thriller stars Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline. Blanchett plays a journalist who discovers she is a character in a novel that reveals a dark secret about her.
This year’s Venice Film Festival promises to be a cinematic feast with an eclectic mix of genres and stories, underscoring the event’s critical role in shaping the awards season spotlight.
