'Queen at Sea' Review

There have been several fine films recently that deal honestly with dementia. Now add Queen at Sea to that list. My review is up at the Los Angeles Times. 

Against Me! - "True Trans Soul Rebel"

Still beaming over the midterm results. Except for the gross anti-trans bills that passed across parts of the country. So this song is for those who are feeling less celebratory about what happened on Tuesday. Which should be all of us.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: New York Pickpockets, Lea Seydoux and Our 'You Can See Everything' Spoiler Discussion

On this week's episode, we praised The Only Living Pickpocket in New York and dug into what doesn't quite work with Gentle Monster. Then, as requested by listeners, we did a deep dive into You Can See Everything, including all the spoilers. Check it out down below.

2026 Gotham Awards Nominees

I am always so flattered to be asked to participate in a Gotham Awards committee, and this year I was part of the group that picked the nominees for both original and adapted screenplay. You can see our choices here (as well as all of this year's nominees). And thanks to my fellow committee members: Imani Davis, Jon Frosch, Illyse Singer and Esther Zuckerman.

Every Sketch Show Is Better Than 'Saturday Night Live'

Or, at least that's how it seems when journalists and critics talk about The Kids in the Hall, Mr. Show, Key & Peele, I Think You Should Leave...

For the A.V. Club, I wrote about the new documentary SCTV: The Greatest Show You've Never Heard Of, which celebrates the bygone Canadian series. But what's interesting is that the movie spends a decent amount of time using SCTV to bash SNL. Why does the media have this tendency with sketch shows that aren't SNL? My essay is here. 

'Who Killed Alex Odeh?' Review

Alex Odeh was a Palestinian-American activist who was murdered in 1985 in Santa Ana from a tripwire bomb. His case remains unsolved after all these years. The documentary Who Killed Alex Odeh? investigates this miscarriage of justice. It's co-directed by Jason Osder, whose Let the Fire Burn I think is a major film of this century. You can read my review of Who Killed Alex Odeh? over at the Los Angeles Times.

'Gentle Monster' Review

I saw Marie Kreutzer's new film in Cannes and was left weirdly unmoved by it. I say "weirdly unmoved" because Gentle Monster is about some emotionally-charged matters: Lea Seydoux plays a wife and mother who discovers her loving husband traffics in child pornography. I got another chance to see the film for the Los Angeles Times, and I have to say: I remain at a remove. I explain why here. 

Gurriers - "Nobody's Coming to Save You"

Hope is there if we feel it 
Don't wait for someone else to seek it 

Please vote. 

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: South Korea, Portland and Postwar Germany

We go all over the world on the most recent episode of the podcast. We both rave about Possible Love and Fatherland. But we differ on Laika's latest, Wildwood. You can hear our discussion down below.

'Fatherland' Review

Pawel Pawlikowski returns for his first film since Cold War. Fatherland is a real stunner as well, and I was very happy to review it for the Los Angeles Times.

Wunderhorse - "The Rope"

Every generation gets its "Everybody Hurts."

Sacha Baron Cohen Is Still Obsessed With America

 
For more than 25 years now, the British performer's biggest comedic target has been the United States. But does his satire still have any teeth? For the A.V. Club, I wrote about his career and his latest provocation, Ali G: Who Iz I? 

'Klara and the Sun' Review

Taika Waititi used to make good movies. Klara and the Sun is a blunt reminder of what he's become of late. My review of this sappy sci-fi film is up at the Los Angeles Times. 

'Clayface' Review

Did you ever wonder how Batman villain Clayface became a monster? A new film presents his origin story. My review is up at Screen International.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Three Big Documentaries, One Great Episode

For the first time ever, we devoted an entire episode just to documentary releases. And they're all pretty worthwhile. You can hear our thoughts on You Can See Everything, Musk and Once Upon a Time in Harlem down below.

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Elizabeth Holmes, Street Fighters, 'Whalefall' and 'La Bola Negra'

We tackle movies big and small, action flicks and sweeping period romances, on KCRW this week. Alison Willmore and I teamed up to review You Can See Everything, Street Fighter, Whalefall and La Bola Negra. Lots to talk about, and you can hear our conversation down below.

'Street Fighter' Review

This is the third attempt to make Street Fighter a film franchise. Not on my watch! My review of the pretty meh movie is up at the Los Angeles Times. 

White Zombie - "More Human Than Human"

I got to the premiere of Street Fighter early on Monday, which meant I sat inside the Chinese listening to the pre-show music on a loop. "More Human Than Human" came on at some point. "Man," I thought, "that song still slays." 

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'The Social Reckoning,' 'My Undesirable Friends: Part II' and 'Animals'

We've got a little bit of everything on this week's episode. We disagree on Aaron Sorkin's The Social Reckoning and then we take a look at Julia Loktev's follow-up to the incredible My Undesirable Friends. Finally, we kick Ben Affleck's terrible thriller Animals around. Check out the banter and reviews down below.

Los Dug Dug's - "I Don't Care (Yo No Se)"

It doesn't always matter how I find cool songs. It just matters that I do.

My Interview With Cristian Mungiu, Writer-Director of 'Fjord'

Cristian Mungiu makes searing dramas. But what's he like to talk to? For the Los Angeles Times, I chatted with the director of Fjord about fatherhood, his brief time making comedies, and why he hopes his movies inspire a little debate. Hope you enjoy.

'You Can See Everything' Review

Since its secret premiere at Telluride, You Can See Everything has been roundly proclaimed the movie of the year. Is it? My review is up at Screen International.

Eva Marie Saint, 1924-2026

The star of North by Northwest and On the Waterfront is gone. For Rolling Stone, I eulogized Eva Marie Saint. 

New York 2026: 'Artificial' Review

Wanna hate the people responsible for foisting AI on us? Then perhaps Artificial will do the trick, with Andrew Garfield playing controversial OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. My review is live. 

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Digger,' 'Verity' and 'Fjord'

We've now entered awards season, so the podcast is gonna be jam-packed with Oscar hopefuls and the occasional fall blockbuster for the next few months. This week, we debate Tom Cruise's risky satire but are much more aligned on the hit thriller Verity and Christian Mungiu's Palme d'Or winner. You can check out the conversation down below. 

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Tom Cruise, Colleen Hoover, 'The Last First: Winter K2' and 'Atonement'

Lots to talk about on KCRW as Christy Lemire and I review the weekend's new releases. We discuss Digger, disagree about Verity and look at two smaller films: a documentary about a deadly mountain climb and an indie about the aftermath of the Iraq War. You can hear our conversation down below.

Kevin Morby - "Badlands"

I think I may be close to officially slotting Little Wide Open as "exceedingly melodic but not especially affecting," but I will continue to enjoy its title track. 

'Atonement' Review

It was on my second viewing of Reed Van Dyk's Atonement when its quiet power really got to me. I reviewed this sensitive, astute drama for the Los Angeles Times. 

'Verity' Review

The twisty, sexy thriller Verity is meant to be silly and trashy. But is it any good? My review is live at Screen International.

'Digger' Review

The wait is over: Is Tom Cruise's Digger a disaster, a masterpiece or somewhere in the middle? My review is up at Screen International.  

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Primetime,' Mahershala Ali and 'Heart of the Beast'

On this week's episode, we disagree on two movies: Primetime and Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. Then, Will asks me about Brad Pitt's new survival thriller, Heart of the Beast. We also make some predictions about the MLB playoffs. Hear it all down below.

'Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!' Review

There's nothing quite like a great dance movie. Sadly, Josef Kubota Wladyka's romantic comedy-drama ends up falling far short of greatness. I did quite like Rinko Kikuchi in it, though. My review of Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! is up at the Los Angeles Times.

Zurich 2026: 'Tenzing' Review

One of the last films I saw at Toronto was Tenzing, which tells the story of Tenzing Norgay (Genden Phuntsok), the Himalayan Sherpa who accompanied Edmund Hillary (Tom Hiddleston) on his historic scaling of Mount Everest. It's an interesting life that's been turned into a so-so film, which served as the opening-night screening for Zurich. You can read my review here. 

'Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother' Review

In Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, Mahershala Ali plays a Muslim hitman forced to raise his kids on his own after his wife dies. Religion and pulp thrills mesh in this fun thriller. My review is up at the Los Angeles Times. 

Boards of Canada - "The Word Becomes Flesh"

I've been digging Inferno all year, but it took a rewatch of Backrooms for me to realize that one of its highlight tracks is used quite well during the end credits.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: The 10 Best Films From Our First 500 Episodes

To celebrate our 500th episode, we each listed our 10 favorite films since the podcast started in early 2016. It is wild to think we've been doing this so long. Thanks for listening: This is a fun episode.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Resident Evil,' 'The History of Concrete' and My Festival Recap

I'm back in America, so it's time for another episode of the podcast. This week, we review Zach Cregger's take on Resident Evil, John Wilson's follow-up to How To With John Wilson, and The Uprising. Plus, I share some thoughts about my experiences at Venice and Toronto. A very fun time was had by all, and you can check it out down below.

Venice/Telluride/Toronto 2026: The Wrap-Up and the Rankings

I've been going to film festivals long enough that I have a group of friends who I only see at them. Colleagues and pals who live in New York, London, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, Toronto and elsewhere all converge at different festivals, our lives intersecting for a week or two before we return to our normal world. And when we see each other, it's a chance to catch up on what's going on beyond movies: Kids grow up, parents die, people get new romantic partners, people become grandparents. I have joked to my peers that going to film festivals is my equivalent of Boyhood in which I always see someone a year older, quickly discovering what has changed since last time we met. You go to festivals for the films, but you discover that what you also come to treasure are the other folks who are there.

Like this year's Cannes, Venice and Toronto had their share of strong movies, but the truth is that the festivals weren't as consistently stellar as in the past. And when that's the case, what helps compensate is hanging out with people you enjoy. In that regard, my two-and-a-half-week trip to Italy and Canada was far from a disappointment. I feel very lucky to encounter so many friendly faces wherever I go, all of us bonded by the shared madness of navigating the stress and exhaustion of a film festival. And when you do see something amazing, these are the people you share that experience with. It's an incredible feeling and a wonderful memory.

There is also another rewarding element about attending festivals. Every once in a while, you bump into someone who lets you know that your work is meaningful to them. I cannot thank enough the many people who came up to me at TIFF to introduce themselves — or reintroduce themselves, since it had been a while since we'd seen each other — and then launch into conversations about movies they'd really loved at the festival, or just to thank me for my writing or the podcast. Every single time it happened, it made my day. I get energized traveling to festivals, but the kind words and unbridled enthusiasm from others also adds fuel to my tank. Those warm, random conversations between films can be such a high.

When you start going to festivals, it can be tempting to see how many movies you can consume, as if the person who logs the most films "wins." People grow out of that tendency pretty quickly, though, realizing that it's often a case of diminishing returns, and one reason is you'd rather have dinner with a friend than check out one last movie that night. You can always watch that movie down the line — time with buddies is far more precious. 

I've been aware of all this for a few years now. But after having a delightful Venice and Toronto, watching a ton of noteworthy films, I realize as I'm sitting here at home that I'm thinking a lot about the people, as opposed to the films. We do this work because we love it. But we also do it because we love so many of our fellow travelers we run into while doing that work. 

* * * * *   

Below is a ranking of every film I've seen that played at Venice, Telluride and/or Toronto. To be clear, I didn't see all of these during this fall festival window: Many of these movies were watched at Sundance or Cannes. But I find it helpful to make myself list them all out, figuring out which ones rise to the top. And what I've determined is that, even though this year's festivals weren't as terrific as earlier editions, I sure have seen some stunners. There are plenty of films still to catch, but my Top 10 of 2026 is already looking pretty stacked. Links lead to individual reviews. 

58. Up Against It
57. Hombre Al Agua
56. A Talent for Murder
55. Being Heumann
54. The Idiot(s)
53. The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd
52. The Girl With the Leica
51. Father Joe
50. Gentle Monster
49. Primetime
48. Tenzing
47. Alpha Gang
46. La Bola Negra
45. Look Back
44. Bitter Christmas
43. The Face of Horror
42. I Play Rocky
41. Love of Your Life
40. The Basics of Philosophy
39. Bucking Fastard
38. Babies
37. Misty Green
36. Elsinore
35. The Beloved
34. The Unknown

33. In Waves
32. Coward
31. Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger
30. Ashes
29. The Assassin(s)
28. Club Kid

27. Hope
26. Furies
25. Queer Edward II
24. Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney
23. Musk
22. The Dreamed Adventure
21. The Diary of a Chambermaid
20. Ink
19. The Debut
18. The Only Living Pickpocket in New York
17. Too Much Sugar
16. Rehearsals for a Revolution
15. Clarissa
14. Wild Horse Nine
13. La Gradiva
12. Minotaur
11. A Long Winter
10. Fjord

9. Josephine
8. The Man I Love
7. Everytime

6. Tender Loving Care
5. Woman Unknown
4. My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile
3. Possible Love
2. Once Upon a Time in Harlem
1. All of a Sudden 

* * * * *   

What else is there to say? Well, I'm looking forward to seeing Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother and NAZA, among other films. Also, I am still recovering from that one film that has a supporting character named Grierson, which is said several times during the movie. (I cannot tell you how rare it is to hear my name in a movie.) And if you'd like to hear me talk about my festival experiences, you're in luck. I was on The Screen Podcast both in Venice and in Toronto. I joined Nicolas Rapold for The Last Thing I Saw in Venice, as well as hung out with Devika Girish over at The Film Comment Podcast. 

Thanks for tagging along with my festival adventures. There are so many good movies heading to theaters soon. And hopefully several others none of us have seen yet. 

(The above picture was taken one morning at Venice. It was such a beautiful day. In the midst of a festival, sometimes it's good to look up and admire the clouds.) 

'The Screen Podcast': My Favorites From TIFF 2026

I was back on Screen International's podcast, this time from Toronto, to talk about my favorite films from the festival. (Also in this episode: My colleague Jeremy Kay discusses the festival's new market, and then Jonathan Romney previews San Sebastian.) Check out all our wise words down below.

The New Pornographers - "Wish You Could See Me I'm Killing It"

Carl Newman has the ability to sketch the briefest of stories in his lyrics, suggesting so much while saying so little. Ever since The Former Site Of came out in March, I have focused on this song, which gives us a glimpse of a man struggling to buy flowers. Why? The answers are there in the words, but not entirely. And that chorus kills me every time.

Toronto 2026: 'The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd' Review

Based on actual events, The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd stars Amanda Seyfried as a teacher who falls in love with an inmate (Scoot McNairy), going to extremes so that they can be together. Unfortunately, the film recalls several elements of much better films. My review is up at Screen International. 

Toronto 2026: 'A Talent for Murder' Review

I've been a fan of Alden Ehrenreich's for a while, and I'm glad that Solo did not derail his career. He's back with A Talent for Murder, in which he plays an anxious editor trying to convince the reclusive Patricia Highsmith (Helen Mirren) to write another Tom Ripley book. This impish thriller is potentially a lot of nasty fun, but it ends up disappointing. You can read my review over at Screen International.

Toronto 2026: 'Up Against It' Review

Every once in a while, you encounter a real stinker at TIFF. Such is the case with Up Against It, about a very divorced married couple (Antonio Banderas, Eva Birthistle) who decide to have another child so it can be a "savior sibling" for their 14-year-old daughter (Eden Hamilton), who has leukemia. But how will their new romantic partners react to this unusual arrangement? This is emotionally and ethically tricky material, and director Trudie Styler badly mishandles it. I explain why over at Screen International. 

Toronto 2026: 'The Assassin(s)' Review

On August 15, 1974, the South Korean president was nearly assassinated. (His wife was killed in the shooting.) More than 50 years later, The Assassin(s) dramatizes the event, looking at some journalists and detectives trying to uncover the truth of what really happened on that fateful day. You can read my review of this engaging thriller here. 

Toronto 2026: 'Alpha Gang' Review

I really liked David and Nathan Zellner's last film, Sasquatch Sunset, and their latest is somewhat in the same vein. Alpha Gang is about a group of aliens who land on Earth, tasked with wiping out humanity. But things don't go as planned. My review is up at Screen International. 

'The Last Thing I Saw': Griping About 'Primetime,' Raving About 'Possible Love'

It was great to catch up with Nicolas Rapold while recording an episode of his podcast in Venice. We talked about Possible Love and Unknown Woman, which ended up snagging the Golden Lion, but we also bonded over our shared dislike of Primetime. You can check out the conversation below.

Toronto 2026: 'The Debut' Review

 
I feel pretty confident predicting that Julianne Moore will be getting an Oscar nomination for The Debut, in which she plays a quiet housewife who gets cast in a local musical. My review is up at Screen International. 

The Film Comment Podcast: Tackling Oasis and 'Woman Unknown' in Venice

Near the end of this year's Venice, I was on Film Comment's podcast with host Devika Girish and fellow Screen International critic Jonathan Romney. Jonathan and I debated Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger, and we all got into Woman Unknown. Before I showed up, the two of them reviewed The Pervert's Guide to Utopias. So, a little bit of everything in this episode. You can listen below.

Toronto 2026: 'Babies' Review

In Babies, Anna Kendrick and Seth Rogen play a happily married couple who wonder if they should finally have a kid. Let's just say the movie touched on things I understand. My review is here. 

Toronto 2026: 'Misty Green' Review

Chris Rock takes on the sexism and racism of Hollywood in Misty Green, which stars Rosalind Eleazar as a next-big-thing actress who never really panned out. Can she get her big comeback? My review is live at Screen International. 

Toronto 2026: 'Being Heumann' Review

The 51st edition of the Toronto Film Festival kicked off with the new movie from CODA filmmaker Sian Heder. Being Heumann tells the story of real-life disability activist Judy Heumann as she fights for equal rights in the 1970s. This is an important subject told in a flimsy way. My review is up at Screen International. 

Toronto 2026: 'A Long Winter' Review

And now I'm in Toronto. I reviewed A Long Winter, the new film from All of Us Strangers director Andrew Haigh. I really appreciate how he never makes the same movie twice. I quite like his new one. 

Bob Dylan - "Sugar Baby"

Happy 25th anniversary to Love & Theft and this incredible closing track.

'The Uprising' Review

Andrew Garfield leads the peasants' revolt in 14th-century England in The Uprising. But the real problem is the film's director, Paul Greengrass. My review is live at Screen International. 

Venice 2026: 'Hombre Al Agua' Review

Long a fan of Gael Garcia Bernal, I was looking forward to his latest feature directorial effort, about a going-nowhere lifeguard who saves a rich businessman from drowning, his life changed in the process. But I was let down by Hombre Al Agua. You can read my review here. 

Venice 2026: 'Musk' Review

"God, I have to hear about him enough on a regular basis. I can't imagine sitting through a four-hour documentary about the guy." That's what a colleague said when I told him I'd be seeing Alex Gibney's Musk, which goes deep on the Tesla billionaire's personal and professional life. Is the film worth the time investment? My review is up at Screen International. 

Venice 2026: 'Look Back' Review

Sad to say, but Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda has put out not one but two disappointing films this year. I was underwhelmed by Sheep in the Box at Cannes, and now comes Look Back, a story of childhood friendship and tragedy. You can read my review here.

'The Screen Podcast': My Top Three Films From Venice 2026

Always a pleasure to be on Screen International's podcast. I joined host Wendy Mitchell to talk about the movies that most impressed me on the Lido. A hint: It's a documentary and two competition films. Check out the conversation down below.

Venice 2026: 'Possible Love' Review

Lee Chang-dong's Possible Love has some spiritual connections to his last film, the incredible Burning. But it's very much its own astounding creation. My review is live over at Screen International. 

Venice 2026: 'Father Joe' Review

I'll say this about Father Joe: It sure ain't boring. In this 1990s action-thriller, Kiefer Sutherland plays a humble priest who wants to end New York's drug problem by killing the dealers. Trying to stop him is Al Pacino as a very hammy mob boss. Written by Luc Besson, the movie is decidedly bonkers. My review is up at Screen International.  

Venice 2026: 'Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger' Review

Don't Look Back in Anger isn't a straightforward concert film. Instead, it combines live footage with a meditation on the beloved 1990s band's legacy. Would I have preferred that Oasis just play the hits? My review is up at Screen International.