‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ May 6th (Theaters)
Marvel Studios is back once again with another theatrical event. Following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home and WandaVision, the vast array of alternate universes within the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been thrown out of whack. Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is brought forward to pay for his role in upsetting the balance of the multiverse and in his attempts to fix things, he recruits the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). The film marks the debut of America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) and is directed by legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi, who hasn't helmed a comic book movie since he changed them forever with his original Spider-Man trilogy.
‘Operation Mincemeat’ May 11th (Netflix)
In the thick of World War II, two British intelligence officers hatched a scheme that would forever alter the course of the war. The invasion of Sicily was a pivotal moment and thus needed to be kept secret from the Germans, so the plan was to make them believe that the targets were Greece and Sardinia instead. To do this, they dressed up the body of a deceased homeless man as an officer with fake military documents, released it close to shore and hoped that the Germans would take the bait and fall for the ruse. The unorthodox operation will play out on Netflix this month in a film from John Madden that stars Colin Firth, Kelly Macdonald, Matthew Macfayden, Penelope Wilton, Johnny Flynn, and Jason Isaacs.
‘Firestarter’ May 13th (Theaters / Peacock)
1980’s Firestarter is one of Stephen King’s earliest novels that acts as a solid blueprint for some of the storyteller’s recurring elements: Supernatural children, shadowy government organizations, and the usual gruesomeness that comes out of all the action. The book tells the tale of Charlie McGee, a young girl who’s parents unwittingly become test subjects for an agency known only as the Shop. The experimentation leads to Charlie developing a powerful and destructive form of pyrokinesis, which puts everyone in danger and forces them on the run. Ryan Kierra Armstrong will star as Charlie, alongside Zac Efron as her father Andy and Sydney Lemmon as her mother Vicky. The film also stars Michael Greyeyes, Kurtwood Smith, John Beasley, and Gloria Reuben. The film is directed by Keith Thomas, who has made a considerable presence for himself with his recent horror debut The Vigil. None other than John Carpenter, his son Cody Carpenter, and frequent collaborator Daniel Davis will be doing the score.
‘On the Count of Three’ May 13th (Theaters / VOD)
Jerrod Carmichael is best known for his stand-up comedy and NBC sitcom The Carmichael Show, and made his directorial debut at last year’s Sundance with the darkly hilarious On the Count of Three. The film follows best friends Kevin (Christopher Abbott) and Val (Carmichael) who have grown increasingly sick of living, so the suicidal pair make a plan to take each other’s life at the same time. That’s definitely a morbid concept, but the film is actually a kind of twisted buddy comedy, one that delivers laughs while also having plenty to say about the complexities of depression. The pair get themselves into more and more absurd situations as they try to make their last day on Earth count, and it leads to outrageous car chases, shootouts, and what is likely the best possible use of Papa Roach of all time.
‘The Innocents’ May 13th (Theaters / VOD)
During the bright Nordic summer, a group of children reveal mysterious powers. But what starts out innocent soon takes a dark and violent turn in this gripping supernatural thriller. Disturbing, intelligent and held together by a young cast of impressively talented actors, the uncanny and sometimes unthinkingly violent world of childhood is explored with chilling candor and exceptional skill in writer-director Eskil Vogt's arthouse horror feature The Innocents.
‘Monstrous’ May 13th (Theaters / VOD)
A terrifying new horror awaits Laura (alt icon Christina Ricci) and her seven-year-old son Cody (Santino Barnard) when they flee her abusive ex-husband and try to settle into a new life in an idyllic and remote lakeside farmhouse. Still traumatized, their physical and mental well-being are pushed to the limit as their fragile existence is threatened. This supernatural thriller pulls from fears both real and extraordinary - a slow burn that is sure to make you think just as much as it's sure to send chills down your spine.
‘Men’ May 20th (Theaters)
In the aftermath of a personal tragedy, Harper (Jessie Buckley) retreats alone to the beautiful English countryside, hoping to have found a place to heal. But someone or something from the surrounding woods appears to be stalking her. What begins as simmering dread becomes a fully-formed nightmare, inhabited by her darkest memories and fears in visionary filmmaker Alex Garland’s feverish, shape-shifting new horror film. Garland is best known for his brilliant sci-fi films Ex Machina and Annihilation, but those familiar with his work know that the realm of horror is nothing new to him. Early reviews have described it as a wild ride that people will be arguing about for months after.
‘Look At Me: XXXTentacion’ May 26th (Hulu)
An exploration of how Florida teenager Jahseh Onfroy became rapper XXXTentacion, one of the most streamed artists on the planet. Through archival footage and interviews from friends, family, romantic partners and others, director Sabaah Folayan offers a sensitive portrayal of an artist whose acts of violence, raw musical talent, and open struggles with mental health left an indelible mark on his generation before his death at the age of 20.
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ May 27th (Theaters)
After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.” Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.
‘The Bob’s Burgers Movie’ May 27th (Theaters)
The Bob’s Burgers Movie is an animated, big-screen, musical comedy-mystery-adventure based on the long-running Emmy-winning series. The story begins when a ruptured water main creates an enormous sinkhole right in front of Bob's Burgers, blocking the entrance indefinitely and ruining the Belchers’ plans for a successful summer. While Bob and Linda struggle to keep the business afloat, the kids try to solve a mystery that could save their family's restaurant. As the dangers mount, these underdogs help each other find hope and fight to get back behind the counter, where they belong.
