8 New Movies to Rent This Month

As a cinephile with a penchant for films that delve deep into the human condition, I find myself utterly captivated by this curated list of cinematic gems for the last quarter of 2023. From the acclaimed Anora, which seems to be a love letter to the vibrant energy of New York City in the ’80s, to Small Things Like These, a poignant exploration of morality and family dynamics set against the backdrop of Ireland’s dark past, these films promise to deliver an array of compelling narratives that resonate deeply.

This article will be updated throughout the month as more movies are available to rent on demand.

Over the past couple of weeks, there’s been a lot of buzz at the movie theater with films such as “Wicked”, “Moana 2” and “Gladiator 2”. However, if you’d rather stay cozy at home and avoid the crowds, we’ve got you covered. Each month, we’ll spotlight approximately ten major movies making their way to streaming platforms like Apple TV, Amazon, and FandangoNow (or similar services), typically available for rental around $19.99. Keep in mind that release dates may change.

December 3rd

Juror #2

Directed by Clint Eastwood, 114 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=HlSAfbKuclM

The counterculture opposed to the art establishment within Warner Bros/Discovery deliberately opted to suppress the recent creation of one of cinema’s most successful directors ever, Clint Eastwood. Despite being in his nineties, Eastwood continues to produce quality films for mature audiences. One of his latest masterpieces is a gripping thriller titled “The Juror,” starring Nicholas Hoult, who had an outstanding 2024. Toni Collette, Chris Messina, Zoey Deutch, and J.K. Simmons make up the stellar supporting cast. Unfortunately, instead of the acclaim it deserves, this engaging work was met with a less favorable fate by WBD.

December 10th

Absolution

Directed by Hans Petter Moland, 112 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=ReZetOuczXo

Liam Neeson’s Action Thriller Phase has emerged as an outstanding late-career development in cinema. It’s quite astonishing to consider the actor who graced us with performances in Schindler’s List and Kinsey now churns out 2-3 action movies annually. Not all of these are top-notch, but many manage to deliver. This could potentially be one of them! In this film, Neeson portrays an elderly mob enforcer informed he has Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and a looming deadline on his mortality – a theme that seems to have become a recurring element in many recent Neeson action roles. He endeavors to break free from the mob and reconnect with his children before it’s too late – a task that certainly won’t be easy, but Neeson always brings a unique skill set to tackle such challenges.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Directed by Dallas Jenkins, 95 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=cT7x4HpCICc

This year, there aren’t many fresh Christmas releases, given the negative feedback towards “Red One” and “Dear Santa”. However, a family-friendly take on Barbara Robinson’s novel has garnered positive reviews from critics. The story revolves around a problematic family who get entangled in their town’s Christmas play, starring Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, and Lauren Graham, all of whom are quite appealing.

Heretic

Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, 111 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=O9i2vmFhSSY

2024 sees one standout horror movie posing an intriguing quandary: Is it more terrifying to trust in a supernatural force shaping our destiny or to accept solitude as our only companion? This conundrum forms the backbone of the plot, which follows two Mormon missionaries, portrayed brilliantly by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East. Their journey leads them to encounter a man (Hugh Grant demonstrating his talent for villainy) who aims to shake their faith to its core. This film is clever, suspenseful, and impossible to look away from, showcasing top-notch genre storytelling.

Venom: The Last Dance

Directed by Kelly Marcel, 109 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=__2bjWbetsA

It seems that the closing chapter of the alien parasite Venom, portrayed by Tom Hardy as his human host Eddie Brock, titled The Last Dance, was perceived as a letdown in cinemas initially. However, a possible reevaluation might occur when viewers watch it at home. To be honest, these quirky action-comedy pairings are not usually the cup of tea for critics, aren’t they? If enough people decide to rent it via PVOD, there’s a chance that Sony could persuade Hardy to reprise his role in a fourth installment. After all, stranger things have happened!

December 17th

Anora

Directed by Sean Baker, 139 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=GuPkfvxmtdw&t=2s

Highly praised as one of the top films of 2024, this Palme d’Or encapsulates all the brilliance of the director behind “The Florida Project” and “Red Rocket,” into a stunning comedy. Mikey Madison delivers an exceptional performance as the lead character, a dancer who unexpectedly becomes the wife of a young, immature, wealthy Russian man, without his crime lord father’s approval. The ensuing events on one unforgettable New York night are brilliantly crafted and executed, echoing classic ’80s comedies such as “Something Wild” and “After Hours.” It’s smart, side-splittingly funny, and flawlessly acted.

Small Things Like These

Directed by Tim Mielants, 98 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Nqwn5Y_Y4xs

In a striking departure from his recent Oscar-winning role in “Oppenheimer,” Cillian Murphy takes on an entirely different character in this film set in an Irish town in the ’80s. The story, based on real events like the Magdalene Laundries, is penned by Enda Walsh from Claire Keegan’s book and presents a moral quandary that is both gripping and profound. Murphy’s character’s father discovers the church in town is harboring a terrible secret, and revealing it could drastically alter the lives of his daughters, who are expected to attend the local religious school. Murphy delivers an exceptionally subtle and moving performance, conveying a multitude of emotions through his expressive eyes. The film concludes with one of the most impactful scenes of the year.

December 31st

A Real Pain

Directed by Jesse Eisenberg, 90 minutes

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=b2et8Vpu7Ls

In a remarkable stride as both actor, director, and writer, Jesse Eisenberg shines in this potential Oscar contender, a tender film exploring themes of friendship, loss, and compassion. In the role of David, Eisenberg embarks on a journey to Poland with his cousin Benji (Kieran Culkin delivering outstanding performance throughout his career) to pay tribute to their late grandmother’s hometown. Rather than relying on road-trip movie stereotypes, Eisenberg crafts a narrative centered around character development, making the audience connect deeply with David, Benji, and their adventure. The film is equally poignant and humorous, and showcases one of the finest performances of 2024 by none other than Mr. Culkin, a strong candidate for an Oscar nomination.

2024-12-18 02:54