Lost Illusions
NYT Critic’s Pick | Drama, History, Romance | Directed by Xavier Giannoli
Xavier Giannoli’s headlong adaptation of a Balzac novel paints a timely picture of literary ambition and media corruption in 19th-century France.

A writer and his editor: Benjamin Voisin, left, and Vincent Lacoste in “Lost Illusions.”
By A.O. SCOTT

Tahara
NYT Critic’s Pick | Drama | Directed by Olivia Peace
Rachel Sennott and Madeline Grey DeFreece star in a canny portrait of teenage insensitivity and sexuality amid a tragedy.

Madeline Grey DeFreece, left, and Rachel Sennott in “Tahara.”
By TEO BUGBEE

A Sexplanation
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary, Comedy, News | Directed by Alex Liu
The director Alex Liu explores the politics and culture of sex ed in the United States while confronting his own shame around sexuality.

Alex Liu in “A Sexplanation.”
By CLAIRE SHAFFER

Of Local Interest:

Being BeBe
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Emily Branham
Observing its subject with a clear eye, this profile of Marshall Ngwa, who performs as BeBe Zahara Benet, is a breath of fresh air.

BeBe Zahara Benet in the documentary “Being BeBe.”
By NATALIA WINKELMAN

— Of Possible Interest —

Jurassic World Dominion
PG-13 | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller | Directed by Colin Trevorrow
Things get very hectic in the last episode of this trilogy, which brings back familiar faces (Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, Sam Neill) along with the usual dinosaurs.
By A.O. SCOTT