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Truth or Dare arrives as a horror film directed by Jeff Wadlow, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Lucy Hale and Tyler Posey give Truth or Dare a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Truth or Dare comes into focus without a long explanation: A harmless game of Truth or Dare among friends turns deadly when someone or something begins to punish those who tell a lie or refuse the dare. Across its 1h 40m runnin

Widows arrives as a thriller directed by Steve McQueen, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Viola Davis and Michelle Rodriguez give Widows a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Widows comes into focus without a long explanation: Four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands' criminal activities take fate into their own hands and conspire to forge a future on their own te

Uncle Drew arrives as a comedy directed by Charles Stone III, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Kyrie Irving and Lil Rel Howery give Uncle Drew a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Uncle Drew comes into focus without a long explanation: An anti ageist comedy about a man's dream to win the Rucker Classic street ball tournament in Harlem. Across its 1h 43m running time, Charles Stone III keeps Uncle Drew c

Sherlock Gnomes arrives as an animated adventure directed by John Stevenson, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Johnny Depp and James McAvoy give Sherlock Gnomes a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Sherlock Gnomes comes into focus without a long explanation: Garden gnomes, Gnomeo and Juliet recruit renowned detective Sherlock Gnomes to investigate the mysterious disappearance of other garden ornaments. A

Acrimony arrives as a horror film directed by Tyler Perry, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Taraji P. Henson and Lyriq Bent give Acrimony a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Acrimony comes into focus without a long explanation: A faithful wife, tired of standing by her devious husband, is enraged when it becomes clear she has been betrayed. Across its 2h running time, Tyler Perry keeps Acrimony more pr

Hereditary arrives as a horror film directed by Ari Aster, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Toni Collette and Milly Shapiro give Hereditary a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Hereditary comes into focus without a long explanation: A grieving family is haunted by tragic and disturbing occurrences. Across its 2h 7m running time, Ari Aster keeps Hereditary controlled while retaining warmth. ⁠ Toni Collet

First Man arrives as a biographical drama directed by Damien Chazelle, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy give First Man a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in First Man comes into focus without a long explanation: A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969. Across

Den of Thieves arrives as an action film directed by Christian Gudegast, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Gerard Butler and Pablo Schreiber give Den of Thieves a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Den of Thieves comes into focus without a long explanation: An elite unit of the LA County Sheriff's Dept. Across its 2h 20m running time, Christian Gudegast keeps Den of Thieves engaging in bursts but unable

12 Strong arrives as an action film directed by Nicolai Fuglsig, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon give 12 Strong a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in 12 Strong comes into focus without a long explanation: 12 Strong tells the story of the first Special Forces team deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11; under the leadership of a new captain, the team must work with an Afgh

Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween arrives as a horror film directed by Ari Sandel, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Wendi McLendon Covey and Madison Iseman give Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween comes into focus without a long explanation: Two young friends find a magic book that brings a ventriloquist's dummy to life. Across its 1h 30m ru

Breaking In arrives as an action film directed by James McTeigue, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Gabrielle Union and Billy Burke give Breaking In a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Breaking In comes into focus without a long explanation: A woman fights to protect her family during a home invasion. Across its 1h 28m running time, James McTeigue keeps Breaking In more promising in concept than persuas

Red Sparrow arrives as an action film directed by Francis Lawrence, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Jennifer Lawrence and Joel Edgerton give Red Sparrow a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in Red Sparrow comes into focus without a long explanation: Prima ballerina Dominika Egorova turns dangerous Sparrow. Across its 2h 20m running time, Francis Lawrence keeps Red Sparrow capable of strong moments without