What to Watch at TIFF: Films That Everyone Will Be Talking About!

Eden

Ron Howard’s Eden plunges viewers into the tumultuous world of 1929 Floreana. Jude Law and Vanessa Kirby portray Dr. Friedrich Ritter and Dora, a couple seeking utopia on this remote Galapagos island. Their idyllic existence is shattered by the arrival of the flamboyant Baroness von Wagner (Ana de Armas) and her companions, including the naive Margret Wittmer (Sydney Sweeney), igniting a powder keg of conflicting ideologies and desires.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TIFF (@tiff_net)

The Friend

The Friend, directed by Siegel & McGehee, adapts Sigrid Nunez’s poignant novel with Naomi Watts as a grieving writer who inherits Apollo, her late friend’s Great Dane. Set in a cramped New York apartment, Watts navigates the city’s strict pet policies while processing her loss. Bill Murray plays a sympathetic neighbor, while Constance Wu portrays a stern building manager in this touching exploration of unconventional companionship.

First Look at The Friend starring Naomi Watts https://t.co/kMF0i9YblR #TheFriend #TIFF2024 pic.twitter.com/DnxD96VzCL
— Hollywood Stock Exchange (@HSXMOVIES) July 22, 2024

Heretic

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ Heretic transforms the Mormon missionary experience into a nightmare. Hugh Grant sheds his charming persona to play Mr. Reed, a sinister figure who lures Elders Sarah (Sophie Thatcher) and Emily (Chloe East) to a remote cabin. As the missionaries confront escalating horrors, the film delves into themes of faith, manipulation, and the darkness lurking behind friendly facades.

Saturday Night

Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night captures the frenetic energy of 1975 New York as Saturday Night Live prepares to debut. Gabriel LaBelle embodies a young, ambitious Lorne Michaels, navigating network politics and corralling a cast of wild comedic talents. Dylan O’Brien brings Dan Aykroyd’s manic energy to life, while Rachel Sennott portrays Gilda Radner’s emerging star power, offering a behind-the-scenes look at comedy history in the making.

We Live in Time

John Crowley’s We Live in Time follows the serendipitous meeting of Jack (Andrew Garfield), a charming but commitment-phobic artist, and Sophie (Florence Pugh), an ambitious chef. Set against London’s backdrop, their whirlwind romance unfolds over several years, exploring how timing and personal growth impact love. The film weaves through career triumphs, family crises, and the bittersweet reality of paths diverging and reconnecting.

The Wild Robot

Chris Sanders’ animated The Wild Robot brings Roz (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) to life as a robot who washes ashore on a lush, uninhabited island. As Roz learns to survive, she adopts an orphaned gosling, voiced by Kit Connor. Pedro Pascal lends his voice to Brightbill, a wise heron who becomes Roz’s guide. This DreamWorks production blends stunning visuals with a touching story of adaptation and found family.

Oh, Canada

Paul Schrader’s Oh, Canada stars Richard Gere as Leonard Fife (and Jacob Elordi as a younger version of him), a once-celebrated author grappling with terminal illness and a controversial past. Set against pivotal moments in Canadian history, from the FLQ crisis to modern political scandals, Fenn’s journey becomes a mirror for national identity and personal redemption. The film interweaves memory and reality as Fenn confronts the consequences of his actions and the legacy he’ll leave behind.

The Return

Uberto Pasolini’s The Return reimagines Homer’s Odyssey in a post-World War I setting. Ralph Fiennes portrays Odysseus as a shell-shocked veteran returning to his Ithaca estate after two decades. Juliette Binoche’s Penelope has evolved from a waiting wife to a capable estate manager, creating tension as they rediscover each other. The film explores themes of homecoming, identity, and the lasting impacts of war on both the individual and society.

Here is your first look at Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche in Uberto Pasolini's odyssey epic "The Return," opening in theaters December 6 from Bleecker Street. pic.twitter.com/mXHCw1zQ64
— IndieWire (@IndieWire) July 18, 2024

Queer

Luca Guadagnino’s Queer transports viewers to the vibrant yet oppressive world of 1940s Mexico City. Daniel Craig plays William Lee, an American expatriate writer loosely based on William S. Burroughs, who becomes infatuated with Allerton, a younger American portrayed by Drew Starkey. The film captures the intoxicating atmosphere of artistic expatriate circles while exploring themes of forbidden desire, cultural displacement, and the struggle for self-expression in a restrictive society.

First clip from Luca Guadagnino’s ‘QUEER’ starring Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey. https://t.co/NNNuQpFocC
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) September 3, 2024

Hold Your Breath

Hold Your Breath, directed by Karrie Crouse and Will Joines, blends historical drama with supernatural horror. Sarah Paulson stars as Ellie, a resilient mother in 1930s Oklahoma, battling both the ravages of the Dust Bowl and a malevolent entity that seems to ride the dust storms. As crops fail and neighbors flee, Ellie must confront not only the immediate threats to her family but also the ghosts of her past that the entity brings to life, creating a claustrophobic thriller that uses the historical setting to amplify its scares.

Your first look at HOLD YOUR BREATH, a new thriller starring Sarah Paulson, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Amiah Miller and Annaleigh Ashford. Directed by Karrie Crouse and William Joines, streaming October 3rd only on @hulu. #HoldYourBreath pic.twitter.com/K42C7fUx7v
— Searchlight Pictures (@searchlightpics) August 8, 2024