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

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