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

King Richard
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG-13 | Biography, Drama, Sport | Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green
Will Smith and Aunjanue Ellis play the parents of Venus and Serena Williams in a warm, exuberant, old-fashioned sports drama.

From left, Demi Singleton as Serena, Saniyya Sidney as Venus and Will Smith as the future tennis stars’ father, Richard Williams, in “King Richard.”
By A.O. SCOTT

Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn
NYT Critic’s Pick | Comedy, Drama | Directed by Radu Jude
A viral video scandal ensnares a Bucharest schoolteacher in Radu Jude’s biting, bawdy and brilliant Covid-age fable.

Katia Pascariu as Emi in “Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn,” from the Romanian director Radu Jude.
By A.O. SCOTT

— Of Possible Interest —

Ghostbusters: Afterlife
PG-13 | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy | Directed by Jason Reitman
Jason Reitman, son of the original “Ghostbusters” director, delivers a toothless film with Paul Rudd as a love interest and plenty of cutesy ghosts.

In “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” the main characters are adorable, wide-eyed children, played by, from left, Celeste O’Connor, Finn Wolfhard, Logan Kim and Mckenna Grace.
By MANOHLA DARGIS

North by Current
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Angelo Madsen Minax
In this documentary, the filmmaker Angelo Madsen Minax reckons with the loss of his niece, his vibrant sister’s rocky recoveries and being transgender in a traditional, Mormon environment.

A scene from the documentary “North by Current,” Directed by Angelo Madsen Minax.
By NICOLAS RAPOLD

Spencer
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Biography, Drama, Romance | Directed by Pablo Larraín
Kristen Stewart stars as an anguished, rebellious Princess Diana in Pablo Larraín’s answer to “The Crown.”

Kristen Stewart stars as Princess Diana in “Spencer.”
By A.O. SCOTT

A Man Named Scott
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary, Music | Directed by Robert Alexander
This film about Kid Cudi is that rare musician-focused documentary, one as sensitive, fully formed and noble in its intentions as the artist himself.

Kid Cudi in the documentary “A Man Named Scott.”
By CHRIS AZZOPARDI

All Is Forgiven
NYT Critic’s Pick | Drama | Directed by Mia Hansen-Løve
A father with a drug problem tries to reconnect with his daughter.

Victoire Rousseau and Paul Blain in “All Is Forgiven,” Directed by Mia Hansen-Love.
By GLENN KENNY

Beans
NYT Critic’s Pick | Drama | Directed by Tracey Deer
A middle school student comes of age during a standoff between the police and Mohawk residents during the 1990 Oka crisis in Canada.

Kiawentiio as Beans and Rainbow Dickerson as Lily, her mother, in “Beans.”
By TEO BUGBEE

Mark, Mary & Some Other People
NYT Critic’s Pick | Comedy | Directed by Hannah Marks
In this romantic comedy, a couple opens their relationship to prove they can be married and modern.

Hayley Law, left, with Ben Rosenfield in “Mark, Mary & Some Other People.”
By AMY NICHOLSON

Simple as Water
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Megan Mylan
Filmed in five separate countries, this documentary follows, with ambitious scope and devastating intimacy, Syrian families displaced by war.

Yasmin, right, with her daughter, Faten, in the documentary “Simple as Water.”
By CLAIRE SHAFFER

— Of Possible Interest —

Eternals
PG-13 | Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi | Directed by Chloé Zhao
A pleasing cast and the director Chloé Zhao, who won a best picture Oscar for “Nomadland,” give Marvel’s latest a steady heartbeat.

The gang’s all here: from left, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Don Lee, Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry and Barry Keoghan.
By MANOHLA DARGIS

Finch
PG-13 | Drama, Sci-Fi | Directed by Miguel Sapochnik
Tom Hanks, a dog and two robots take a post-apocalyptic road trip in this unexciting drama from Apple TV+.

Tom Hanks plays a character with a robot friend in “Finch.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Chess of the Wind
NYT Critic’s Pick | Drama | Directed by Mohammad Reza Aslani
Mohammad Reza Aslani’s 1976 film about family mendacity existed for mere days before it was banned and then lost in the ensuing tumult. Now it’s back.

Shohreh Aghdashloo in “Chess of the Wind” a 1976 film suppressed by the Iranian government and recently restored and distributed.
By GLENN KENNY

Last Night in Soho
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller | Directed by Edgar Wright
Two young women from different eras form a psychic bond in Edgar Wright’s sumptuous and surprising horror movie.

Anya Taylor-Joy, left, and Thomasin McKenzie in “Last Night in Soho.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Dune
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG-13 | Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi | Directed by Denis Villeneuve
Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation is an equally sweeping and intimate take on Frank Herbert’s future-shock epic.

Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides and Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica in “Dune.” Paul is considerably less complicated and conflicted onscreen than he is on the page, our critic writes.
By MANOHLA DARGIS

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG-13 | Biography, Drama, History | Directed by Will Sharpe
Benedict Cumberbatch plays a British artist who found love, both human and feline, and became famous as the man who drew cats.

Claire Foy and Benedict Cumberbatch in “The Electrical Life of Louis Wain,” directed by Will Sharpe.
By MANOHLA DARGIS

— Of Possible Interest —

Warning
R | Sci-Fi, Thriller | Directed by Agata Alexander
Agata Alexander directs this contemplative collection of science fiction shorts set in the near future.

Thomas Jane in “Warning.”
By AMY NICHOLSON

Minyan
Unrated | Drama | Directed by Eric Steel
This queer and Jewish coming-of-age drama builds up a vision of neighbors who speak through gestures of care and affection.

From left, Ron Rifkin, Samuel H. Levine and Christopher McCann in “Minyan.”
By TEO BUGBEE

Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
NYT Critic’s Pick | Drama, Romance | Directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi
In three stories, men and women circle one another as they casually and cruelly share intimacies, express desires and voice doubts.

Shouma Kai, top, and Katsuki Mori in Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy.”
By MANOHLA DARGIS

The Velvet Underground
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Documentary | Directed by Todd Haynes
Todd Haynes’s documentary paints a jagged, revelatory portrait of the New York avant-garde scene of the 1960s.

From left, the band members Maureen Tucker, John Cale, Sterling Morrison and Lou Reed as seen in “The Velvet Underground,” a documentary directed by Todd Haynes.
By A.O. SCOTT

Bergman Island
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama | Directed by Mia Hansen-Løve
In Mia Hansen-Love’s new film, Vicky Krieps and Tim Roth play filmmakers on the rocks in the Baltic Sea.

Vicky Krieps and Tim Roth as a filmmaking couple in “Bergman Island.”
By A.O. SCOTT

Noroît
NYT Critic’s Pick | Not Rated | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Thriller | Directed by Jacques Rivette
When this unusual film, made in 1976 by the French director Jacques Rivette, opens in New York this week, it will be making its official debut here.

Kika Markham, foreground, in red, and Geraldine Chaplin, back, far left, in “Noroît,” a 1976 film directed by Jacques Rivette.
By GLENN KENNY

V/H/S/94
NYT Critic’s Pick | Horror, Mystery, Thriller | Directed by Simon Barrett, Chloe Okuno, Ryan Prows, Jennifer Reeder, Timo Tjahjanto
This lo-fi horror omnibus is a grisly, gory gem.

A scene from the “Holy Hell” segment of “V/H/S/94.”
By CALUM MARSH

The Last Duel
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Action, Drama, History | Directed by Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott and his all-star cast rip the moldy fig leaf off chivalric romance in a he-said, he-said, she-said spectacle.

Adam Driver, left, and Matt Damon in Ridley Scott’s “The Last Duel.”
By MANOHLA DARGIS

Son of Monarchs
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama | Directed by Alexis Gambis
This lush Mexican drama tells a story about climate change and cultural identity using the allegory of monarch butterflies’ migration.

By ISABELIA HERRERA

Fever Dream
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller | Directed by Claudia Llosa
Claudia Llosa’s adaptation of Samanta Schweblin’s novel casts a spell, evoking more than it explains.

From left, María Valverde and Dolores Fonzi in Claudia Llosa’s “Fever Dream.”
By NICOLAS RAPOLD

Lamb
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama, Horror, Mystery | Directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson
A strange birth on an Icelandic farm bodes ill for a grieving couple in this eerie debut feature.

Hilmir Snaer Gudnason and Noomi Rapace in “Lamb.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Jacinta
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Jessica Earnshaw
This haunting documentary by Jessica Earnshaw traces the journey of a young woman struggling with addiction after her release from prison.

Jacinta, left, and her mother, Rosemary, pictured in 2016 at Maine Correctional Center in the documentary “Jacinta.”
By BEATRICE LOAYZA

Karen Dalton: In My Own Time
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Richard Peete, Robert Yapkowitz
A documentary chronicles the turbulent life of a singer whose music made a substantial impression on New York’s 1960s folk scene and still resonates today.

Karen Dalton as seen in “Karen Dalton: In My Own Time,” a documentary about her life and music.
By GLENN KENNY

The Guilty
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Crime, Drama, Thriller | Directed by Antoine Fuqua
Jake Gyllenhaal plays an imploding 911 operator in this riveting remake.

Jake Gyllenhaal as Joe Bayler in “The Guilty.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

— Of Possible Interest —

Venom: Let There Be Carnage
PG-13 | Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller | Directed by Andy Serkis
Starring Tom Hardy, this superhero sequel turns into a slapstick blood bath about two threesomes both in desperate need of throuples therapy.

Tom Hardy in “Venom: Let There Be Carnage.”
By AMY NICHOLSONH

Titane
R | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller | Directed by Julia Ducournau
Julia Ducournau’s new film, a prizewinner at Cannes, is a grisly, philosophical thriller that puts the pedal to the metal.

Agathe Rousselle in “Titane,” which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year.
By A.O. SCOTT

The Addams Family 2
PG | Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Horror | Directed by Greg Tiernan, Conrad Vernon, Laura Brousseau
America’s creepiest family takes a road trip in this animated sequel, though their antics are far more kooky than spooky.

A scene from “The Addams Family 2,” from the directors Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon.
By LENA WILSON

I’m Your Man
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi | Directed by Maria Schrader
Dan Stevens plays a dreamy, pleasure-driven android in this delightful near-future romance.

Maren Eggert and Dan Stevens in “I’m Your Man.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

The Village Detective: a song cycle
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Bill Morrison
Bill Morrison, the poet laureate of lost films, turns the story of footage found near Iceland into a history of a slice of Soviet cinema.

A scene from “The Village Detective: A Song Cycle,” a documentary | Directed by Bill Morrison.
By GLENN KENNY

— Of Possible Interest —

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World
Documentary | Directed by Kristina Lindström, Kristian Petri
The 1971 film “Death in Venice” showcased the delicate androgyny of Bjorn Andresen’s face and form, but the changes it wrought on his life are indelible.

From left, Luchino Visconti and Bjorn Andresen in the documentary “The Most Beautiful Boy in the World.”
By GLENN KENNY