The Prestige Play with Oscar Ambitions
Every year, Venice anoints a few films as immediate awards-season frontrunners. This year, the chatter surrounds Martin McDonagh’s "Wild Horse Nine." McDonagh has a stellar track record at the festival, with both "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"
and "The Banshees of Inisherin" launching here on their way to Best Picture nominations. His new film, a dark comedy starring John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell as CIA agents on a strange assignment in 1973 Chile, is already earning whispers of having his signature whip-smart dialogue. When you see a film from a proven director with a killer cast getting this kind of reception, it’s a strong sign that it’s a major contender you'll be hearing about all the way to the Oscars.
The Star-Powered Transformation
Sometimes, the buzz isn't about the film itself, but a single, towering performance. This year, all eyes are on Robert Pattinson in "Primetime." He plays Chris Hansen, the journalist behind the controversial but iconic TV series "To Catch a Predator." Directed by Lance Oppenheim and backed by A24, the film promises a fascinating look at the creation of a pop culture phenomenon. Pattinson has become known for his interesting and transformative roles, and this one is generating significant curiosity. A performance this buzzy, even if the film itself proves divisive, often means it's a must-see for the acting alone. It's the kind of role that sparks endless debate and makes for essential viewing.
The Auteur’s Quirky Creation
Then there are the films that defy easy categorization. Legendary director Werner Herzog is back with "Bucking Fastard," starring real-life sisters Kate and Rooney Mara as inseparable twins who speak in unison and love the same man. Based on a bizarre true story from 1980s Britain, the film is described as a potential "weird-as-all-hell odyssey" that could be either genius or a glorious misfire. The buzz around a film like this isn’t about awards potential, but about its sheer audacity. This is the kind of movie you see to have an opinion on it, to be part of the conversation when everyone is asking, "Have you seen that bonkers movie with the Mara sisters?"
The International Heavyweight's Return
Venice is a global stage, and the return of a beloved international master is a major event. South Korean director Lee Chang-dong, whose 2018 film "Burning" was a critical sensation, is back after an eight-year absence with "Possible Love." The film follows two couples whose lives intersect while making a documentary. For cinephiles, a new film from Lee Chang-dong is an automatic must-see, regardless of its commercial prospects. The buzz here is one of respect and anticipation from a community that has been eagerly awaiting his next move. This is the film you watch to stay connected with the best of world cinema and to see the work of a true artist at the top of his game.
The High-Concept Power Couple Drama
A-list actors, a celebrated director, and a juicy premise—that's the recipe for a film like "Bunker." Directed by Florian Zeller, who won an Oscar for "The Father," it stars real-life couple Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem. Bardem plays an architect building an apocalyptic bunker for a billionaire, leading his wife, played by Cruz, to question their entire marriage. Zeller wrote the parts specifically for them. The buzz is centered on the potent combination of Zeller's psychological drama and the on-screen chemistry of two of our greatest actors. This is the fall season's smart, adult-driven drama—the kind of movie you and your friends will be dissecting over dinner for weeks.
