Monster is Hirokazu Kore-eda channelling Christopher Nolan: twisty storytelling in the service of wise empathy. There is no judgement in Kore-eda’s worldview, just human behaviour in all its glorious complexity.

Do the right thing — take a break from summer spectacle to check out this assured and eloquent indie.

A tough yet tender and beautifully crafted human drama that more than earns those Loach comparisons.

Huge ghostly fun, and a fine achievement from the early days of CGI.

A bold social satire that never loses its sense of fun, Dead Pigs finally lets us confirm what Birds Of Prey already suggested: Cathy Yan has a sharp eye and a fearless voice — we’re lucky to have her.

Knocked Up touches places most comedies wouldn't dare, some of them scarily biological, some of them scarily accurate. It's the sleeper hit of the summer, but don't worry: it's much better than that.

Somewhere between the pop-culture deconstruction of "Zombieland" and the skewed romance of "(500) Days Of Summer," this manages to make the apocalypse seem charming. Warm is the right word.

Dreamlike Ghibli animation that's well worth seeking out.

Grubby and yet vital, it stays with you.

Wendell & Wild marks the anarchic return of one of the most exciting directors in animation, retooling his idiosyncrasies in service of a boundary-pushing children’s horror with strong political messaging.

The young Aprile is a standout in a moving, hard-hitting and surprising adaptation of the Henry James novel.

While it doesn’t defy genre conventions like "Cabin In The Woods," Wingard’s tale of a dysfunctional family under siege is an outrageously entertaining crowd-pleaser — if you have the stomach for it.

Visually striking and explosively violent, this simmering parable makes exceptional use of its rustic locations — and the faces of a vibrant cast — to reinforce a sense of authenticity.

Queen & Slim tackles urgent, difficult subjects with bravery, care and adrenalised genre cool. But it triumphs because it shows you the personal toll beyond the politics. And how black lives brimming with potential can still turn on one fateful moment.

The Dissident explodes genres by combining them, equal parts political analysis, murder investigation, cyber thriller and paean to free speech. It also celebrates the life of late journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who tirelessly gave a voice to the voiceless. 

An insight-filled take on prejudice in post-11/7 London that packs a hefty punch.

First-time director Franklin, a former actor, proves himself remarkably adept behind the camera, wringing the plot for every bit of tension, then sitting back and letting his cast stew in it.

A stylish, darkly satirical horror-thriller, raising serious questions about Hollywood’s sanitisation of violence.

A really satisfying backstage drama, this is an exhilarating tour around a man whose talent was almost as big as his ego.

The performances transform this otherwise orthodox cat-and-mouse movie into a gripping experience.

An efficient and no-nonsense depiction of the worst disaster in US oil drilling history, buoyed by excellent performances.

A poignant reflection on what it means to be alive and, visually, a true cinematic experience.

Instantly gripping, with a powerhouse star performance, it'll make you want to speed through the weeks to get to part two.

Like Mickey himself, it’s goofy and a little inconsistent, but it’s also funny, thoughtful and more plausible than we might like. A charming space oddity for these unusual times.

An idiosyncratic, thematically dense twist on the vampire myth that’s oddly paced but beautifully played. One to sink your teeth into.

Sober and empathetic, Sweat understands how social media equally harms and helps those looking for love in the modern era. Magdalena Koleśnik’s performance is bound to make any woman online feel seen.

Not as depressing as the subject matter might suggest, this tackles heavy themes of modern life.

Many will find Kansas City unbearable, because Leigh (with a mouth full of jagged teeth and a permanent snarl) and Richardson (who totters along in a druggy stupour), give brilliant performances as extremely unpleasant characters. Furthermore, the ending is a real slap-in-the-face downer. But if you can get past that, this is the real stuff.