Philadelphia Globe Guide: 10 Must-See Movies Coming Out This Fall

Philadelphia Globe Guide: 10 Must-See Movies Coming Out This Fall

By John Saeger

The fall is usually the beginning of a great run of movies. The year’s biggest flicks decorate theater marquees in the summer, but high-level independent films and Academy Awards buzz traditionally begin in autumn. Like everything else, movies released in the fall of 2020 will have a different feel than what we are used to.

This year will be the most unusual Oscar season ever. Stripping the event aspect of going to movies makes online chatter and YouTube trailers the most important publicity generators for the year’s best films. Here are ten movies that will generate the most discussion this fall:

Tenet

The long-awaited Christopher Nolan movie about an apocalyptic event has been kept under tight wraps. The filmmaker did not even let lead actors take copies of the script home with them after initial reads. Normally this might be considered extreme, but it is Christopher Nolan and the director releases the most provocative big budget movies on the planet. Joining Nolan in this venture are John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Kenneth Branagh, and Elizabeth Debicki. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, many viewers will eventually see this ultimate theatrical spectacle through VOD. Nolan-at-home is not as good as in a theater, but this probable Oscar nominee would have been tough to keep on the Warner Brothers servers for too long. Due out September 3rd.

The Devil All The Time

Pencil this movie release into your Netflix and thrill time. The second Robert Pattinson film of note in 2020 also has Tom Holland and a Skarsgard in the fold. This movie follows the cast as a corrupt preacher, a married couple who double as serial killers, and a war veteran sheriff. The intriguing group intersect in post-World War II Ohio. The Devil All The Time is a psychological thriller and is poised to be the creepy film that gives us the adrenaline rush we are sorely missing in theaters. Available to stream September 16th.

Antebellum

Spearheaded by Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Us, African-American psychological thrillers have enjoyed a wonderful creative run over the last few years. HBO’s Lovecraft Country is currently probing the Civil Rights Era as a setting for horror. Antebellum will go back even further as a successful contemporary author stumbles into a time warp that brings her into slavery. The premise will be tricky to navigate well, but lead Janelle Monae has shown that she can shine in a variety of roles. Due out September 18th.

Kajillionaire

The film about a family of schemers looks weird… but in a good way. After decades of teaching their daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) to grift her way through life, two parents (Richard Jenkins, Debra Winger) run into complications as a stranger (Gina Rodriguez) enters the fold. Directed by Miranda July, Kajillionaire looks like a winning spoof on heist movies. Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment co-produced the film, making it an indie addendum to the Ocean’s franchise. Watch it September 25th.

Misbehaviour

Hollywood is releasing a slew of promising stories on feminism in 2020.  Along with FX on Hulu’s Mrs. America and the Gloria Steinem biopic The Glorias, Misbehaviour depicts the movement’s Second Wave. The latter catches feminism in a perfect premise: the 1970 Miss World competition. After lampooning the ridiculousness of pageants in Little Miss Sunshine, Greg Kinnear returns to the universe of scholarship contests as pageant host Bob Hope. Keira Knightely and Lesley Manville also star in a film that sees activists disrupt a telecast for an otherwise groundbreaking pageant. Due out September 25th.

Wonder Woman 1984

The follow-up to Gal Gadot’s mega-successful superhero flick was pushed from a summer release to the fall of 2020. Tentpole films may be subject to further scheduling change pending the spread of coronavirus in key markets, but for now the 80’s nostalgia piece is slated to be one of the first to drop in this new normal. Superhero movies are not my thing, but even I admit that the first trailer set to a remix of New Order’s “Blue Monday” is an exciting tease for DC fans. Watch it October 2nd.

Rebecca

The latest remake of the 1938 novel that was first adapted into a Best Picture winner by Alfred Hitchcock is cast to perfection. Lily James, Armie Hammer, and Kristen Scott Thomas will bring the tale to life again. The story of a woman who discovers how the death of her husband’s first wife casts a shadow over her marriage is a timeless premise that was last remade in 1997. James and Hammer’s roles are relatively set in stone, but KST will be the actor to watch in Rebecca. How she puts her own spin on the lurking Mrs. Danvers promises to be a must-see show-stopper. Out October 21st!

Death On The Nile

Kenneth Branagh’s second adaptation of an Agatha Christie’s novel will see him reprise his role as one of British literature’s most famous detectives. Murder On The Orient Express saw the actor-director bring Hercules Poirot to life with the support of a star-studded ensemble. Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, and Rose Leslie are just three of the incredible actors who bring intrigue to the Egyptian mystery. I will admit that I am a sucker for a good whodunnit. If a regular rotation of Poirot books and Knives Out trickles its way into cinemas, I am here for it. See it October 23rd.

The Climb

Coming November 13th, this indie comedy will attempt to find humor in the dark places of alcoholism, broken friendship, and shattered romance. It is a perfect fit for supporting actor George Wendt and appears to be a lock for a small indie cast of newcomers Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin, and Gayle Rankin (GLOW). Along with Kajillionaire, The Climb is poised to be one of the most memorable indie comedies of 2020.  

No Time To Die

Another tentpole flick with a fragile release date, Daniel Craig’s maybe-final time as 007 has big promise. The franchise is set to wrap Craig’s edgier version of the secret agent man with ties to the early films in his stint. This loaded film will return Christoph Walz, Naomie Harris, and Jeffrey Wright to the series. The ensemble also boasts Ana de Armas and a new villain played by Rami Malek. Cary Joji Fukunaga, who steered the first season of HBO’s True Detective into a smash success, is in the director’s chair this time. Available November 20th.

About the Author: John Saeger is a music and film writer from Philadelphia. Since 2017 he has been writing his pop-culture blog Long After Dark, a site dedicated to the arts in the City of Brotherly Love and beyond. Email / Twitter