Terrestrial Verses
NYT Critic’s Pick | Not Rated | Drama | Directed by Ali Asgari, Alireza Khatami
Ordinary Iranians face a maze of byzantine rules and small indignities in this series of gripping vignettes.

Sadaf Asgari in “Terrestrial Verses,” written and directed by Ali Asgari and Alireza Khatami. The movie unfolds as a series of vignettes.
By ALISSA WILKINSON

Nowhere Special
NYT Critic’s Pick | Not Rated | Drama | Directed by Uberto Pasolini
This understated tear-jerker sees a dying single father making future family plans for his toddler son.

Daniel Lamont, left, with James Norton in “Nowhere Special.”
By GLENN KENNY

Challengers
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama, Romance, Sport | Directed by Luca Guadagnino
Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist play friends, lovers and foes on and off the tennis court in Luca Guadagnino’s latest.

Two sides of a love triangle: Zendaya and Josh O’Connor in “Challengers.”
By MANOHLA DARGIS

— Of Possible Interest —

Humane
R | Horror, Thriller | Directed by Caitlin Cronenberg
Caitlin Cronenberg’s debut feature is set in a dystopian world that’s alarmingly believable.
By ALISSA WILKINSON