The Venice Film Festival is set to run from August 28 through September 7 this year, sharing its spotlight with Cannes as one of the most glamorous and influential launching pads for the awards season. As history suggests, the films that garner acclaim on the Lido often remain at the forefront of discussions leading into the Oscars, which will be held in March. This year’s lineup includes a mix of high-profile Hollywood productions and an array of fascinating films from esteemed directors around the world. With anticipation building, here’s a guide to ten films generating buzz at the Venice Film Festival.
One of the most talked-about entries returning to Venice is “Joker: Folie à Deux.” Despite the polarizing reactions to the original “Joker” film, it amassed over $1 billion and received 11 Oscar nominations. The sequel reunites the same team and promises to offer something completely different—a dystopian musical that Venice chief Alberto Barbera describes as “one of the most daring, brave and creative films in recent American cinema.” Directed by Todd Phillips, this film aims to solidify his reputation as one of the most innovative directors working today. “Joker: Folie à Deux” is slated for a theatrical release on October 4.
Moving on to foreign talent, Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín returns with “Maria,” centering on the life of opera singer Maria Callas. Partnering with screenwriter Steven Knight and actress Angelina Jolie in the titular role, Larraín explores Callas’s tumultuous life, including her scandalous affair with Aristotle Onassis. The film is part of the competition and is currently seeking distribution.
Italian director Luca Guadagnino brings “Queer” to the festival, an adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ novel. The film stars Daniel Craig as an American expat who goes to Mexico City in search of a drug, only to develop an obsession with a young man. Guadagnino’s involvement and Barbera’s praise for Craig’s performance as “career-defining” make this a must-watch. The film is also looking for distribution.
Pedro Almodóvar debuts his first English-language film featuring Hollywood heavyweights Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. Although details are sparse, the film revolves around an estranged mother-daughter relationship plagued by a “profound misunderstanding.” Almodóvar teases a blend of themes including war, friendship, and the pleasure of nature. This film will also be showcased at the New York Film Festival before its December release.
Dutch director Halina Reijn returns with “Babygirl,” an erotic thriller starring Nicole Kidman as a dominant CEO embroiled in an affair with a younger intern, portrayed by Harris Dickinson. Antonio Banderas also stars, promising a compelling dynamic. The film, distributed by A24, is scheduled for a December release.
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Director Brady Corbet delivers a 3 1/2-hour historical drama titled “László,” which follows an architect and his wife from post-World War II Europe to America. The film stars Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, with Guy Pearce in a significant role. Corbet, known for his ambitious storytelling in “Vox Lux,” continues to push boundaries, with Focus Features and Universal distributing, although no release date is currently set.
In the nonfiction category, Errol Morris’s “Separated” dives into the Trump administration’s border policy, while Asif Kapadia’s “2073” looks to the future. Although these are compelling entries, Wang Bing’s “Youth (Homecoming)” stands out as the sole documentary in the main competition. The film completes Bing’s trilogy on migrant workers in Zhili, China, and follows them across five years, as it seeks distribution.
Georgian director Dea Kulumbegashvili presents “April,” centered on an OB-GYN in rural Georgia who performs abortions despite restrictive laws. The narrative heats up when a newborn dies under her care, leading to a moral and professional investigation. After her impactful debut with “Beginning,” Kulumbegashvili is poised to make waves again. “April” is seeking a U.S. distributor and will also feature at TIFF and the New York Film Festival.
Jude Law steps into the producer and lead actor roles in an 1980s-set crime thriller focusing on white supremacist groups. Directed by Justin Kurzel, the film sees Law as an FBI agent who connects a series of crimes to these groups, with Nicholas Hoult portraying the charismatic leader. Expect the film to premiere in theaters this December.
Finally, “Harvest” from director Athina Rachel Tsangari rounds off the exciting lineup. Adapted from Jim Crace’s novel, the film portrays a medieval English village that blames three newcomers for their economic woes. Starring Caleb Landry Jones, the film already has European distribution through Mubi but awaits U.S. distribution plans.
One can’t leave out the highly anticipated series from Alfonso Cuarón, “AppleTree,” set to premiere on AppleTV+ on October 11. This seven-episode psychological thriller stars Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline, with Blanchett playing a journalist discovering she’s a character in a revealing novel.
The Venice Film Festival remains an essential event for cinephiles and industry professionals alike, setting the stage for films that will captivate audiences and critics in the coming year.
