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What stands out first about The Front Runner is the confidence with which Jason Reitman establishes its mystery identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Front Runner asks Hugh Jackman and Vera Farmiga to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Front Runner is established with useful clarity: In 1987, U.S. That direct approach lets The Front Runner use its 1h 53m running time for character, atmosphere and consequence. ⁠ The Front Runner demon

What stands out first about Assassination Nation is the confidence with which Sam Levinson establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Assassination Nation asks Odessa Young and Abra to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Assassination Nation is established with useful clarity: After a malicious data hack exposes the secrets of the perpetually American town of Salem, chaos descends and four girls must fight to survive, w

What stands out first about Pope Francis: A Man of His Word is the confidence with which Wim Wenders establishes its documentary identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Pope Francis: A Man of His Word asks Pope Francis and Ignazio Oliva to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Pope Francis: A Man of His Word is established with useful clarity: Pope Francis travels the world speaking to those in need and delivering a message of hope. That direct a

What stands out first about Puzzle is the confidence with which Marc Turtletaub establishes its mystery identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Puzzle asks Kelly Macdonald and Irrfan Khan to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Puzzle is established with useful clarity: Agnes, taken for granted as a suburban mother, discovers a passion for solving jigsaw puzzles which unexpectedly draws her into a new world where her life unfolds in ways she cou

What stands out first about The Fall of the American Empire is the confidence with which Denys Arcand establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, The Fall of the American Empire asks Alexandre Landry and Maripier Morin to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of The Fall of the American Empire is established with useful clarity: A shy and insecure delivery truck driver accidentally arrives on the scene of a major crime and picks u

What stands out first about At Eternity's Gate is the confidence with which Julian Schnabel establishes its biographical drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, At Eternity's Gate asks Willem Dafoe and Rupert Friend to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of At Eternity's Gate is established with useful clarity: A look at the life of painter Vincent van Gogh during the time he lived in Arles and Auvers sur Oise, France. That direct approach l

What stands out first about 1991 is the confidence with which Ricardo Trogi establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, 1991 asks Jean Carl Boucher and Juliette Gosselin to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of 1991 is established with useful clarity: Ricardo recounts the adventures of his 21 year old self, when he went to Italy following love. That direct approach lets 1991 use its 1h 41m running time for character, atmosphere

What stands out first about Hearts Beat Loud is the confidence with which Brett Haley establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Hearts Beat Loud asks Nick Offerman and Kiersey Clemons to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Hearts Beat Loud is established with useful clarity: A father and daughter form an unlikely songwriting duo in the summer before she leaves for college. That direct approach lets Hearts Beat Loud use its

What stands out first about Arctic is the confidence with which Joe Penna establishes its drama identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Arctic asks Mads Mikkelsen and Maria Thelma Smáradóttir to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Arctic is established with useful clarity: A man stranded in the Arctic after a plane crash must decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his makeshift camp or to embark on a deadly trek through the unknown.

What stands out first about Suspiria is the confidence with which Luca Guadagnino establishes its horror film identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Suspiria asks Chloë Grace Moretz and Tilda Swinton to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Suspiria is established with useful clarity: A darkness swirls at the center of a world renowned dance company, one that will engulf the artistic director, an ambitious young dancer, and a grieving psychother

What stands out first about Qué León is the confidence with which Frank Perozo establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Qué León asks Christine Marzano and Frank Perozo to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Qué León is established with useful clarity: A love story between a couple with the same last name but very different social statuses. That direct approach lets Qué León use its 1h 33m running time for character, atmos

What stands out first about Everybody Knows is the confidence with which Asghar Farhadi establishes its thriller identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Everybody Knows asks Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Everybody Knows is established with useful clarity: Laura, a Spanish woman living in Buenos Aires, returns to her hometown outside Madrid with her two children to attend her sister's wedding. That direct