September is shaping up to be an exciting month for movie lovers, with a mix of survival thrillers, action horror, supernatural drama and gripping period stories coming to cinemas.
From Brad Pitt battling the Alaskan wilderness with a military dog to Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock returning to the world of witches, there is something for different tastes.
If you are looking for films to add to your September watchlist, here are five worth keeping an eye on.
1. Heart of the Beast
Brad Pitt takes on the wilderness in Heart of the Beast, a survival thriller directed by David Ayer.
Pitt plays a wounded Special Forces veteran who must find his way back to civilisation after a plane crash leaves him stranded in the remote Alaskan wilderness.
He is not completely alone, however. His companion is Odin, a highly trained military dog who becomes an important part of his fight for survival.
Ayer has praised Pitt’s performance, describing it as particularly raw and believable. But the director believes the relationship between Pitt’s character and the dog could be one of the film’s biggest emotional strengths.
With its combination of survival, action and human-animal loyalty, Heart of the Beast could be one of September’s most emotional thrillers.
2. Onslaught
For fans of action and horror, Onslaught promises a much more explosive experience.
Directed by Adam Wingard, known for The Guest and Godzilla vs Kong, the film stars Adria Arjona as a single mother living with her daughter in a remote desert trailer park.
Her quiet life takes a terrifying turn when three genetically modified super soldiers escape from a secret research facility.
Arjona’s character, however, is far from defenceless. She is a former army sniper whose military experience becomes crucial as the escaped soldiers bring chaos to her doorstep.
Michael Biehn, known for his roles in The Terminator and Aliens, is also part of the cast and has made a bold comparison, calling the film his best movie since Aliens.
If fast-paced violence, horror and relentless action are your thing, Onslaught could be one to watch.
3. Practical Magic 2
Fans of the original Practical Magic have waited nearly three decades for this moment.
Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock return as sisters Gillian and Sally in the long-awaited sequel to the 1998 supernatural romantic comedy.
Although the original film was not an immediate box-office sensation, it gradually developed a devoted cult following, particularly among audiences drawn to its witches, romance, fashion and gothic atmosphere.
The sequel once again draws from the world created by author Alice Hoffman.
Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest return as the sisters’ aunts, while Joey King and Maisie Williams join the cast as Sally’s daughters.
The new story explores another generation of the family and the curse that has followed them.
For fans of supernatural stories, family drama and nostalgic Hollywood reunions, Practical Magic 2 could be one of September’s most anticipated releases.
4. Resident Evil
Zach Cregger, the filmmaker behind the acclaimed horror movie Weapons, takes on one of gaming’s most recognisable horror franchises with Resident Evil.
Rather than simply repeating the formula of previous adaptations, Cregger has suggested that his version will bring his own distinctive style to the franchise.
Austin Abrams stars as Bryan, a medical courier given the seemingly straightforward task of delivering an organ to a hospital in Raccoon City.
Things quickly spiral out of control when the city’s residents begin transforming into bloodthirsty zombies.
The new film is expected to lean heavily into horror, with a darker and more frightening atmosphere than many of the earlier Resident Evil movies.
For horror enthusiasts and fans of the video game franchise, this could be a particularly intriguing reboot.
5. The Weight
Ethan Hawke takes audiences back to the Great Depression in The Weight, a period drama set in Oregon.
Hawke plays a single father who is wrongly sent to a labour camp and faces the possibility of losing custody of his young daughter if he cannot return home.
His only chance comes from an unlikely and dangerous offer.
A ruthless prison warden, played by Russell Crowe, promises to release him if he joins a group of prisoners transporting stolen gold bricks across the country.
The journey soon turns into a fight for survival as the men face danger, violence and the possibility of betrayal.
Hawke has been praised for bringing emotional depth to the character, particularly as the story moves between personal hardship and increasingly intense action.
It seems September promises something for everyone. Whether you prefer wilderness survival, high-octane action, supernatural stories, zombies or historical drama, September offers plenty of reasons to head to the cinema.
Heart of the Beast brings survival and emotion, Onslaught delivers action and horror, Practical Magic 2 offers nostalgia and supernatural drama, Resident Evil returns to the world of zombies, while The Weight combines period drama with action and suspense.
So, movie addicts, September may be a good month to keep that cinema schedule busy.
