Stuffed: A Musical About Taxidermy and Love
You read that right. The breakout hit of the Discovery programme is a musical about a taxidermist who falls for a man who volunteers to be her first human specimen. Starring Jodie Comer and Harry Melling, early reviews from TIFF describe Stuffed as a gloriously
twisted, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt romance that beautifully combines love, death, and, well, taxidermy. Directed by Theo Rhys, it’s being called one of the most distinctive and original films of the year, expanding on his award-winning short film. If you love genre-bending films that take huge creative risks, this is the discovery you’ve been waiting for.
River: A Midnight Madness Slasher
Sometimes you just need a good, nerve-shredding thriller. River, the opening film for the festival's popular Midnight Madness section, is delivering exactly that. The plot is classic horror: three estranged siblings reunite to scatter their father's ashes on a remote river, but their boat breaks down and they realize they're being hunted. The debut feature from director Joshua Giuliano, it's already being praised as one of the most suspenseful slashers in years, earning a significant vote of confidence from festival programmers. For those who love the thrill of a late-night premiere, River is the title generating serious buzz.
The Debut: Julianne Moore's Comedic Tour de Force
After the success of A Real Pain, Jesse Eisenberg is back in the director's chair with The Debut, and critics are raving. Julianne Moore stars as a timid New Jersey housewife who, feeling invisible to her family, auditions for a local community theater production. What follows is a surreal and farcical comedy about a woman finding her voice and confidence, with Paul Giamatti co-starring as the gruff director. Reviews from the festival praise Moore's performance as one of her career best, perfectly balancing laugh-out-loud antics with genuine pathos. This one has Oscar buzz written all over it.
Smudge the Blades: An Indigenous Underdog Sports Comedy
Pitched as a unique twist on the underdog sports story, Smudge the Blades is a Canadian film turning heads at the festival. The story follows a Zamboni driver who ends up coaching a struggling Indigenous U18 hockey team from a reserve outside Edmonton. Directed by and starring Cody Lightning, the film was shot in Alberta with a cast of young Indigenous hockey players and features an appearance by Ed Helms. It’s being celebrated for its authentic portrayal of friendship, Indigenous youth culture, and “rez hockey,” a world rarely seen on screen, all wrapped in a heartfelt comedy.
Fjord: A Gripping International Drama
For those who appreciate tense, slow-burn international cinema, look no further than Fjord. From Palme d'Or winning director Cristian Mungiu, the film stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve as a Romanian-Norwegian couple whose life in a remote Norwegian village begins to unravel after their child comes home with bruises, sparking a conflict over parenting and cultural norms. Mungiu is a master of turning everyday situations into deeply uncomfortable and compelling drama. Early reactions praise the powerhouse performances from Stan and Reinsve, calling it some of their best work to date.
