Compartment Number 6
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama, Romance | Directed by Juho Kuosmanen
A young Finnish woman embarks on a journey of self-discovery that takes her (and you) through richly detailed and surprising terrain.

Seidi Haarla in “Compartment No. 6,” | Directed by Juho Kuosmanen.
By MANOHLA DARGIS

The Fallout
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama | Directed by Megan Park
Jenna Ortega stars as a teenager coping with the aftermath of a school shooting in this grounded and compassionate look at adolescent grief.

Jenna Ortega, right, with Julie Bowen in “The Fallout.”
By CLAIRE SHAFFER

Futura
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Pietro Marcello, Francesco Munzi, Alice Rohrwacher
Three filmmakers travel Italy in the midst of the pandemic, listening to young people talk about their fears and aspirations.

Some of the young Italians who are interviewed in “Futura,” a documentary by Pietro Marcello, Francesco Munzi and Alice Rohrwacher.
By A.O. SCOTT

Nocturna: Side A – The Great Old Man’s Night
Nocturna: Side B — Where the Elephants Go to Die
NYT Critic’s Pick | Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller | Directed by Gonzalo Calzada
A seemingly haunted apartment building terrorizes a bewildered old man in this psychological thriller.

By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Belle
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG | Animation, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Music, Musical, Sci-Fi | Directed by Mamoru Hosoda
In this gorgeous anime, a high school student journeys into a virtual world and finds herself amid cute, kooky and menacing fellow users.

Magical U: A scene from “Belle,” directed by Mamoru Hosoda.
By MANOHLA DARGIS

Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG-13 | Documentary | Directed by Emily Kunstler, Sarah Kunstler
In a documentary constructed around a lecture from 2018, the lawyer Jeffery Robinson presents a persuasive look at United States history.

Jeffery Robinson in the documentary “Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America.”
By BEN KENIGSBERG

A Hero
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG-13 | Drama, Thriller | Directed by Asghar Farhadi
In the latest film from the two-time Oscar winner Asghar Farhadi, a good Samaritan comes under suspicion.

Sahar Goldoust as Farkhondeh and Amir Jadidi as Rahim in “A Hero.”
By A.O. SCOTT

Expedition Content
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Ernst Karel, Veronika Kusumaryati
An engrossing documentary looks back at a 1961 expedition to New Guinea and the creation of the landmark ethnographic film that resulted.

Listen up: A scene from the documentary “Expedition Content.”
By MANOHLA DARGIS

— And Now For Something Completely Different —

Tilda Swinton: ‘My ambition was always about having a house by the sea and some dogs’
The actor opens up about her queer years with Derek Jarman and her latest clutch of films, and reveals her plans for a career change. And all while taking her five spaniels for a walk
by Simon Hattenstone

The Lost Daughter
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama | Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal
This dreamy thriller follows an academic with a mysterious past who heads to a beach vacation on the Greek islands.

Dakota Johnson, left, and Olivia Colman in “The Lost Daughter,” Maggie Gyllenhaal’s feature directorial debut.
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Oh, and Happy New Year!

The Tragedy of Macbeth
NYT Critic’s Pick | | RDrama, History, Thriller, War | Directed by Joel Coen
Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand play a toxic power couple in Joel Coen’s crackling adaptation of Shakespeare’s Scottish play.

Denzel Washington in “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” His trajectory from weary soldier to raving, self-immolating maniac is astonishing to behold.
By A.O. SCOTT

Parallel Mothers
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama | Directed by Pedro Almodóvar
The Spanish director finally confronts the legacy of his country’s political violence in his new film, starring Penélope Cruz and Milena Smit.

Penélope Cruz, left, and Milena Smit in “Parallel Mothers.”
By A.O. SCOTT

Memoria
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG | Drama, Sci-Fi | Directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Tilda Swinton stars in Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s elusive and enchanting new film, set in Colombia.

In “Memoria,” Tilda Swinton plays a British expatriate in Colombia whose perceptions come into question during this startling movie.
By A.O. SCOTT

— Of Possible Interest —

Don’t Look Up
R | Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi | Directed by Adam McKay
Adam McKay wants you to know that it’s the end of the world and you should absolutely, unequivocally not feel fine. (But do laugh.)
By MANOHLA DARGIS

The Matrix Resurrections
R | Action, Sci-Fi | Directed by Lana Wachowski
Keanu Reeves plunges down the rabbit hole once more in this familiar-seeming mind-game movie, the fourth in the series.
By MANOHLA DARGIS

The King’s Man
R | Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Thriller | Directed by Matthew Vaughn
This prequel to the “Kingsman” series presents the confusing origin story of the elite British spy agency, founded by Ralph Fiennes (naturally).
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

President
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Camilla Nielsson
In a riveting new documentary, Camilla Nielsson follows the first democratic election in Zimbabwe since 1980.

Nelson Chamisa, center, is the subject of the documentary “President.”
By CONCEPCIÓN DE LEÓN

The Novice
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Thriller | Directed by Lauren Hadaway
The obsessive ambitions of a college rower are masterfully orchestrated in a debut feature by the writer-director Lauren Hadaway.

Isabelle Fuhrman as the rower Alex Dall in “The Novice.”
By TEO BUGBEE

The Hand of God
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama | Directed by Paolo Sorrentino
Paolo Sorrentino’s autobiographical drama about growing up in Naples is sensual, sad and occasionally sublime.

A scene from Paolo Sorrentino’s “The Hand of God,” which keeps company with recent memoir-like movies.
By A.O. SCOTT

— Of Possible Interest —

Spider-Man: No Way Home
PG-13 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi | Directed by Jon Watts
In the latest installment of the “Spider-Man” series, Tom Holland faces the past and a very secure franchise future.
By MANOHLA DARGIS

Last Words
Drama, Sci-Fi | Directed by Jonathan Nossiter
In this post-apocalyptic drama, a young man meets the grizzled last guardian of a cinematic archive, played by Nick Nolte.
By GLENN KENNY

Mother/Android
R | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller | Directed by Mattson Tomlin
In this sci-fi thriller, a pregnant woman and her boyfriend try to outrun hordes of vengeful robots.
By LENA WILSON

Swan Song
R | Drama, Sci-Fi | Directed by Benjamin Cleary
In this future-set drama, Mahershala Ali plays an ailing father who decides whether or not to clone himself for the sake of his family.
By NICOLAS RAPOLD

West Side Story
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG-13 | Crime, Drama, Musical, Romance | Directed by Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg rediscovers the breathing, troubling essence of a classic, building a bold and current screen musical with no pretense to perfection.

Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler as Tony and Maria in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.”
By A.O. SCOTT

— Of Possible Interest —

Being the Ricardos
R | Biography, Drama | Directed by Aaron Sorkin
Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem star as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in Aaron Sorkin’s drama about one very bad week.

Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem in “Being the Ricardos.”
By MANOHLA DARGIS

Last and First Men
Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi | Directed by Jóhann Jóhannsson
Tilda Swinton narrates the bleak future of humanity in the only feature | Directed by the Icelandic composer Johann Johannsson.

A scene from “Last and First Men.”
By BEN KENIGSBERG

Encounter
R | Sci-Fi, Thriller | Directed by Michael Pearce
A volatile veteran attempts to rescue his sons from a perceived alien threat in this confused cross between sci-fi thriller and family drama.

From left, Lucian-River Chauhan, Riz Ahmed and Aditya Geddada in “Encounter.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Back to the Outback
PG | Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family | Directed by Harry Cripps, Clare Knight
A group of reptile house critters escape from an Australian zoo in this endearing animated adventure.

From left, Doug (voiced by Keith Urban), Pretty Boy (Tim Minchin) and Doreen (Gia Carides) in “Back to the Outback.”
By NATALIA WINKELMAN

Try Harder!
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Debbie Lum
This documentary from Debbie Lum goes inside a top-performing San Francisco public high school to see how students are preparing for the future.

Alvan Cai, one of the subjects of the documentary “Try Harder!”
By BEANDREA JULY

Torn
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Max Lowe
This documentary on the life and death of the mountaineer Alex Lowe demonstrates how unexpected bonds can form around those in grief.

The climber Alex Lowe, right, with his son, Max, in the documentary “Torn.”
By CLAIRE SHAFFER

Flee
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG-13 | Documentary, Animation | Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen
A Danish documentary uses animation to tell the poignant, complicated story of an Afghan refugee.

Amin, whose family left Afghanistan, as seen in the animated documentary “Flee.”
By A.O. SCOTT

Listening to Kenny G
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary, Music | Directed by Penny Lane
Penny Lane’s documentary about the superstar sax player Kenny G shows an artist who can be defensive and self-satisfied almost simultaneously.

The saxophonist Kenny G in the documentary “Listening to Kenny G.”
By GLENN KENNY

The Power of the Dog
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama, Romance, Western | Directed by Jane Campion
In Jane Campion’s staggering take on the western, her first movie in more than a decade, a cruel cowboy meets his surprising match.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank in Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog.”
By MANOHLA DARGIS

— Of Possible Interest —

Benedetta
Biography, Drama, History, Romance | Directed by Paul Verhoeven
Paul Verhoeven takes us to a nunnery where faith, eroticism and the Black Death make for an unholy good time.

Daphne Patakia and Virginie Efira in “Benedetta.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Single All the Way
TV-PG | Comedy, Drama, Romance | Directed by Michael Mayer
This Netflix holiday rom-com rests its family-friendly shenanigans on a display of chemistry that never materializes.

Philemon Chambers and Michael Urie in “Single All the Way.”
By TEO BUGBEE

The Humans
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama | Directed by Stephen Karam
Stephen Karam’s film adaptation of his powerful play acquires a supernatural sheen as a family gathers for Thanksgiving dinner.

Clockwise from left: June Squibb, Amy Schumer, Steven Yeun, Beanie Feldstein, Richard Jenkins and Jayne Houdyshell in “The Humans.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Encanto
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG | Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical | Directed by Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Charise Castro Smith
Disney’s new film, about a gifted family in Colombia, has stunning animation, a beautifully composed story and spellbinding songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Mirabel, center, voiced by Stephanie Beatriz, is the non-magical member of the Madrigal family in “Encanto,” the new animated Disney film.
By MAYA PHILLIPS

A Boy Called Christmas
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG | Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy | Directed by Gil Kenan
Enchanting imagery elevates this Netflix holiday adventure about a boy who journeys to a magic elfin city.

Henry Lawfull in “A Boy Called Christmas.”
By NATALIA WINKELMAN

Drive My Car
NYT Critic’s Pick | Drama | Directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi
In this quiet masterpiece, Ryusuke Hamaguchi considers grief, love, work and the soul-sustaining, life-shaping power of art.

From left, Hidetoshi Nishijima and Toko Miura in “Drive My Car,” | Directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi.
By MANOHLA DARGIS

Writing with Fire
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Sushmit Ghosh, Rintu Thomas
This rousing documentary follows the reporters of India’s only all-women news outlet as they pivot to digital journalism while battling personal and political challenges.

Suneeta, a reporter in the documentary “Writing With Fire.”
By DEVIKA GIRISH