13 Movies to Watch in January

      As we welcome the New Year, we have already featured over 100 films to anticipate, and now we can delve deeper into the January releases. While some titles from our December preview will continue to expand, such as No Other Choice, The Testament of Ann Lee, Resurrection, and Father Mother Sister Brother, this month introduces official releases of awards-qualifying runs along with several remarkable new films that will ease us into the cinematic year ahead.

      13. Obex (Albert Birney; Jan. 9)

      David Cronenberg's Videodrome and Steven Lisberger's TRON have long addressed the excitement and anxieties of humanity's connection with screens since the early '80s, and interest in this topic has grown with the increasing number of screens in our lives. Last year at the Sundance Film Festival, Jane Schoebruen examined identity-forming connections with media and the ensuing nostalgia in I Saw the TV Glow. This year, OBEX sees Albert Birney follow up on Strawberry Mansion with another creative and low-fi adventure, one that allows the director to focus more effectively. Although our main character is glued to a screen, the film offers a sincere and touching perspective on how entertainment can provide comfort to the loneliest individuals. Continue reading my full review.

      12. Arco (Ugo Bienvenu; Jan. 23)

      One of the most praised animations of the year will be released this month following a qualifying run for 2025. Oliver Weir noted in his review, "With his first feature, Arco, Ugo Bienvenu offers a distinctive, thought-provoking take on the solarpunk genre. He presents a glimpse into a sustainable utopia typical of the genre: pure air, lush gardens, thriving wildlife, and cloud cities (imagine Jack and Victoria’s residence in Oblivion, but with much more greenery). However, instead of contrasting this paradise with our current society, Bienvenu shifts his focus back 50 years, to a world desperately attempting to cope with severe wildfires and biblical storms, lamenting its inaction when it was most necessary. This slight yet poignant perspective shift imbues the film’s playful adventure with a sobering air of contingency."

      11. Young Mothers (Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne; Jan. 9)

      Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne returned to Cannes this year and took home the Best Screenplay award for their touching drama Young Mothers, which was chosen as Belgium's entry for the Oscars. Rory O’Connor commented in his review, "The latest film from Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne retains the essence of their previous works. The cast is mostly composed of non-professionals, the settings are authentic, the themes are sociological, and the atmosphere is often tense. The film tackles the issue of unplanned pregnancies and the choices available to young French women who feel that their circumstances—be they internal or external—might not be conducive to raising a child. What sets The Young Mother’s Home apart is its approach to the topic in a country where abortion is accessible, affordable, and comparatively socially accepted."

      10. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (Nia DaCosta; Jan. 16)

      Following the impactful release of 28 Years Later last summer, this new trilogy continues, albeit without Danny Boyle directing and Anthony Dod Mantle as cinematographer. Nia DaCosta takes the lead, now collaborating with cinematographer Sean Bobbitt, and we hope they deliver the same level of visual flair.

      9. Dead Man’s Wire (Gus Van Sant; Jan. 9)

      Marking his return after a seven-year hiatus, Gus Van Sant premiered Dead Man’s Wire at the Venice Film Festival, and it is set to hit theaters after a December qualifying run. Rory O'Connor stated in his Venice review, "Gus Van Sant returns with Dead Man’s Wire, a film shot in the same late-70s tones as Kelly Reichardt’s recent work The Mastermind, also focused on lawbreakers and the complexities of a moral criminal. However, Van Sant’s film is more inclined to embrace genre conventions than Reichardt’s brilliant subversion. Bill Skarsgård delivers a compelling performance as the real-life Tony Kiritsis, who kidnapped his mortgage broker in 1977 after defaulting on payments for a potentially profitable piece of land. Van Sant envisions this tale in a manner reminiscent of Dog Day Afternoon: a bizarre and more incredible than fiction fable about good intentions leading awry. It’s entertaining."

      8. All That’s Left of You (Cherien Dabis; Jan. 9)

      A standout title from last year’s Sundance, Cherien Dabis’ All That’s Left of You is Jordan’s Oscar-shortlisted entry for Best International Feature Film and will be released in theaters this month. John Fink wrote in his review, “A sprawling, engaging drama that starts with the foundation of Israel and the displacement of Palestinian families in