Film Previews: November 2024

This is the month for critically acclaimed movies to stream or watch in theaters.Avocado_studio/Shutterstock

Traditionally the strongest month (quality-wise) of the year, November is when the studios, big and small, release their strongest awards contenders. This has little to do with the box office, although that’s always a nice plus. It’s more to sway the critical community, whose various groups start their respective year-end Top 10 voting. I’ll have more details on this in my next “Observations on Film” essay on the movie studios’ marketing push before the Oscars.

Here are a few of the more interesting looking titles coming out next month. Please note: All opening dates are subject to change.

Nov. 1

‘Here’

Leads Tom Hanks and Robin Wright reunite with “Forrest Gump” director Robert Zemeckis and writer Eric Roth for what looks like a wholly original time-lapse drama. Based on a panel comic of the same name, “Here” spans millions of years and appears to be presented from the perspective of a single stationary camera. (TriStar)

‘Juror No. 2’

Director Clint Eastwood on the set of the courtroom drama "Juror No. 2." Warner Bros.

In what will likely be his final project, 94-year-old director Clint Eastwood goes ultra old-school in this low-key, character-driven courtroom drama starring Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, Kiefer Sutherland, and J.K. Simmons. During a high-stakes murder trial, it’s slowly revealed that one of the jurors might have a vested interest in the guilt or innocence of the defendant. (Warner Bros.)

‘Blitz’

British filmmaker Steve McQueen (“Shame,” “12 Years a Slave,” “Widows”) does a major 180 with this World War II period drama starring Saoirse Ronan as a mother searching for her missing son during the German Blitz of London from September 1940 to May 1941. Despite these attacks, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declined multiple requests from Prime Minister Winston Churchill to help defend England. (Apple TV+)

‘A Real Pain’

In his directorial debut, writer Jesse Eisenberg co-stars with Kieran Culkin in this road comedy. They’re two mismatched American cousins traipsing their way through Poland to ostensibly pay tribute to their recently deceased grandmother. The trailer shows Benji (Culkin) stealing the show as a free-spirit extrovert who consistently rubs Eisenberg’s uptight and reserved character the wrong way. (Searchlight Pictures)

Nov. 6

‘Yellowstone: Season 5 Part 2’

The popular series "Yellowstone" returns with a strong cast. Paramount+

Arriving almost two years after the end of “Part 1,” this game-changing modern-day Western drama comes to an end with a freight train’s worth of behind-the-scenes baggage. After a protracted period of will-he-stay-or-will-he-go speculation, series lead Kevin Costner finally departed, leaving the monumental chore of wrapping it all up to a strong, more than capable supporting cast. (Paramount+)

Nov. 7

‘The Day of the Jackal’

Based on the 1971 Frederick Forsyth novel, writer Ronan Bennett and director Brian Kirk (“Games of Thrones,” “The Tudors”) have updated the time frame (present day) and the main plot in this TV series. Here, the Jackal (Eddie Redmayne) is a high-end assassin who becomes the subject of an international manhunt. (Peacock)

Nov. 8

‘The Piano Lesson’

Family patriarch Doaker Charles (Samuel L. Jackson, L) and his son Willie (John David Washington), in "The Piano Lesson." Netflix

Based on the August Wilson stage play of the same name, this period drama from first-time director Malcolm Washington is garnering heavy awards talk. Set in Pittsburg in the post-Depression era, it stars Samuel L. Jackson as family patriarch Doaker Charles and John David Washington as his son who butt heads while reminiscing about the history of a family heirloom piano. (Netflix)

‘Elevation’

This post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller marks the third collaboration between lead Anthony Mackie and director George Nolfi (“The Adjustment Bureau,” “The Banker”). Set in the Colorado Rockies,  Mackie stars as a single father alongside two women (Morena Baccarin and Maddie Hasson) who are simultaneously running from and trying to kill a predatory alien being. (Vertical)

‘Small Things Like These’

In his first outing since his Oscar-winning turn as the title character in “Oppenheimer,” Cillian Murphy returns to his Irish roots in this fact-based historical drama. Based on the history of the controversial Catholic-run Magdalene Laundry asylums, coal merchant Billy (Murphy) unwittingly discovers dark secrets tied to the local convent run by Sister Mary (Emily Watson). (Lionsgate)

Nov. 14

‘Cross: Season 1’

Based on the series of books (34 and counting) by James Patterson that has already spawned three feature films, this appears to be a series with a near endless supply of story lines. Aldis Hodge (“Hidden Figures,” “One Night in Miami”) stars as the title character, a police detective forced to take action after unknown enemies threaten his life and those of his family.  (Amazon Prime)

Nov. 15

‘Red One’

Known for his sarcastic and edgy humor, director Jake Kasdan (“Walk Hard,” “Bad Teacher”) gives us more with this Christmas action comedy. After the kidnapping of Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons), North Pole security personnel (Dwayne Johnson, Lucy Liu) enlist the help of a wisecracking bounty hunter (Chris Evans) to help in the rescue effort. (Amazon/MGM)

‘Silo: Season 2’

Based on a series of novels by Hugh Howey, the first season of the post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama “Silo” took place underground, where all surviving humans had to remain indefinitely in a silo in order to survive. In Season 2, lead character Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson) dares to leave to explore the surface to determine if repopulating Earth is possible. (Apple TV)

Nov. 22

‘Gladiator II’

Denzel Washington plays a villainous character in "Gladiator II." Paramount

Releasing about a quarter-century after the 2000 original, returning director Ridley Scott’s unexpected (some might say unneeded) legacy sequel features returning cast members. Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi are alongside Paul Mescal as the title character, Lucius Verus, and Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius. Denzel Washington portrays the principal villain. (Paramount)

‘Wicked: Part 1’

Adapted from the smash hit stage musical of the same name, the film version of “Wicked” has been in development since 2012 with nearly three dozen writers, directors, and performers attached at various points. Director Jon M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians”) was as good a choice as any, but the ultimate success will depend on the performances and chemistry of co-leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. (Universal)

‘Bonhoeffer’

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Jonas Dassler) participates in an attempted assassination of Hitler, in "Bonhoeffer." Angel Studios

The latest effort from Angel Studios is a biographical drama about the German Lutheran pastor-turned-spy Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Jonas Dassler). The second feature from writer-director Todd Komarnicki (“Resistance”), the film briefly covers Bonhoeffer’s co-founding of the Confessing Church, but mostly concentrates on his alleged participation in the July 20, 1944, attempted assassination of Adolf Hitler. (Angel Studios)

Nov. 27

‘Maria’

Opera diva Maria Callas (Angelina Jolie) performs, in "Maria." Netflix

Angelina Jolie is receiving heavy awards buzz as opera singer Maria Callas for whom the term “diva” was practically invented. The final installment in the unofficial trilogy from Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain, it again focuses on a high-profile famous woman, like Jackie Kennedy in “Jackie” and Lady Diana in “Spencer,” who must come to terms with outside pressures while living within a bubble. (Netflix)

What to Watch For

I’m willing to bet a buck that at least half a dozen titles discussed here will make it on to multiple Top 10 lists and receive one or more Oscar nominations each.

For many people, “Oscar contender” means little and often translates into “probably depressing.” That isn’t entirely untrue. However, this year might be different.

Of the 10 movies on my in-progress 2024 list, only one (“Civil War”) could be considered a downer, and there’s a good chance that it might not make the final cut. But then again, my choices tend to go against the grain of the usual egghead critic’s tastes.

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