New in Cinemas This November: The Movies Worth Booking a Ticket For!

November is shaping up as a big month at the movies. There’s a long-awaited franchise return, a quirky romance, a few true stories and a family comedy that’s been 16 years in the making. Whether you’re planning a girls’ afternoon, a date night or a school holiday outing for the grandkids, there’s something here for you.

Here’s what’s opening in Australian cinemas this month, in release order.

Wicker (in cinemas 5 November)

This one sounds like nothing else on the schedule. Olivia Colman plays a lonely fisherwoman who falls in love with a man woven entirely from wicker, played by Alexander Skarsgård. Peter Dinklage and Elizabeth Debicki round out the cast. The film has earned strong reviews since it premiered earlier this year, with critics calling it both funny and heartfelt. If you like your romances a little off-centre, this is the one to see.

You Can See Everything (12 November)

This A24 documentary follows Elizabeth Holmes, the disgraced founder of Theranos, through the last 34 days before she went to prison for fraud. It’s co-directed by comedian Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, and it mixes reality-style footage with surreal recreations featuring Amanda Seyfried, who played Holmes in the miniseries The Dropout. It runs for nearly three hours, so settle in. Reviews have been glowing.

How to Rob a Bank (12 November)

For something faster-paced, this heist thriller follows a crew of social media-savvy robbers who stake everything on their most ambitious job yet. It runs for just over two hours, and it’s a good pick if you want a pure popcorn night out.

Ebenezer (12 November)

Who says you can’t get into the festive spirit a little early? This dark fantasy take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a ghost story set in Dickens’ London, following one man’s supernatural journey to face his past, present and future. Johnny Depp plays Ebenezer Scrooge, in a cast that includes Rupert Grint, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley and Ian McKellen. It’s directed by Ti West and runs for about 110 minutes.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (19 November)

This is the big one. It’s based on Suzanne Collins’ book and set 24 years before the first Hunger Games film, so you can enjoy it without having seen the others. Australian actor Joseph Zada plays a young Haymitch Abernathy, who is selected for the 50th Hunger Games. The cast also includes Glenn Close, Ralph Fiennes, Elle Fanning and Jesse Plemons. Fans of the series will want to see it on the big screen.

I Play Rocky (19 November)

This is the true story of how Rocky was made, and how Sylvester Stallone, played by Anthony Ippolito, fought to star in the screenplay he’d written. It’s an underdog story about the making of the ultimate underdog film, and critics have praised Ippolito’s performance.

Bad Apples (19 November)

A struggling primary school teacher begins making questionable decisions after one of her students is injured. It runs for about 100 minutes, and it’s a darker option if you’re after something with a little tension.

Focker-In-Law (26 November)

Family chaos is back. This fourth film in the series is the first in 16 years, and it brings back Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, with Ariana Grande joining the cast. This time, Greg and Pam’s son Henry introduces his family to his potential bride-to-be. Expect plenty of awkward dinners.

Hexed (26 November)

Disney’s first original animated film in three years follows a teenage girl who discovers magical powers that take her from suburbia into a world of witches. Hailee Steinfeld, Rashida Jones and Jodie Foster voice the cast, and the film screens with a new Lilo & Stitch short, Lilo & Scratch. It’s a good pick for the whole family.

If you only see one this month, make it the one that matches your mood: Wicker for something different,  The Hunger Games for a big night out, or Focker-In-Law for a laugh. Personally, I am looking forward to seeing Ebenezer, as I am a huge Johnny Depp fan and, going by the trailer, it looks hilarious.  Check your local cinema for session times, as some films may open on slightly different dates in your area.