It’s fall film preview time, finally. Before that though, one of the big stories coming from the entertainment industry this summer has been the Strike. The Writers Guild of America went on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on May 2, and just over a month later after approving their own strike authorization, The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and later joined the WGA in their call for better regulations and compensation. And yes, its quite the interruption and disruption, to say the least.
And yes, we stand in solidarity with the writers, actors, and everyone in the industry trying to get fair compensation, but the show must go on or slowly trudge ahead as is the case for everyone doing their best to move forward.
READ MORE: Warner Bros. Pushes ‘Dune: Part Two’ To A March 15, 2024 Release
Surprisingly, we haven’t seen a massive effect on this fall’s plans due to the strike, relatively anyhow in terms of the schedule (see our massive 60+ film list). Press tours are practically non-existent and some of our most anticipated films have been pushed back, such as Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” starring Josh O’Connor, Zendaya, and Mike Faist and of course “Dune 2” that just moved into 2024. Hell, Sony basically moved all their 2023 movies a year because they’re not taking chances. That being said, most projects that were set before the strike are still hitting the silver screens. From Tom Cruise and the newest ‘Mission Impossible” film to fan favorites such as Emma Seligman’s “Bottoms” and Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” which premiered at festivals earlier this year, here is what audiences have to look forward to in our fall film preview.
SEPTEMBER
“The Equalizer 3” Denzel Washington is back as Robert McCall, the Defense Intelligence Agency operative who has moved to Italy to escape his past. Later, he discovers his friends are under the control of the Sicilian Mafia, and Robert has to protect himself and his new friends.  The final installment of “The Equalizer” trilogy also stars Dakota Fanning and David Denman and is directed by Antoine Fuqua. Release Date: September 1 via Sony Pictures.
“Bottoms” Starring Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, and Nicholas Galitzine, “Bottoms” is a coming-of-age comedy. The film shows two high school seniors who set up a club to hook up with cheerleaders before graduation. The film is co-written by Sennett, who wrote it alongside its director Emma Eligman. Elizabeth Banks produces. Release Date: September 1 via MGM.
“Perpetrator” Directed and written by Jennifer Reeder, “Perpetrator” follows Jonny, a reckless teen sent to live with her aunt. After several new classmates go missing, she goes after who is responsible. The horror film, which debuted earlier this year at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival,  stars  Kiah McKirnan, Alicia Silverstone, Christopher Lowell, Melanie Liburd, Casimere Jollette, Ireon Roach, Sasha Kuznetsov, and Greta Stolte. Release Date: September 1 via Shudder.
“Rotting In The Sun“Sebastián Silva is the indie Chilean filmmaker known for his irreverent, discomforting, and surreal comedies that never fit neatly into one genre (“Nasty Baby” (2015) with Kristen Wiig and “Crystal Fairy & the Magical Cactus” (2013) starring Michael Cera). His latest stars himself, and is an audacious meta-comedy that skewers the business of filmmaking and our self-obsessed culture. Oh yeah, and will a lot of male nudity in it tooRelease Date: September 8 via Mubi.
“El Conde“Acclaimed Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín (“Jackie,” “Spencer“), turns his attention away from moody, affecting biopics featuring A-list American stars, to return to a more personal tale about Chilean dictator Augustus Pinochet who ruled his country for 17 years before finally ceding to an election in 1990. But Pinochet was something a monster at first, and thus Larrain reimagines his story with the Dictator as a vampire in what is a black comedy horror film. Jaime Vadell stars alongside Chilean talent like Gloria Münchmeyer and Alfredo Castro.Release Date: September 15 via Netflix.
“Cassandro” This biographical dramatic film by Roger Ross Williams is set in the 1980s and tells the story of wrestler Saul Armendariz. Armendariz is a gay wrestler who lives in Texas but often travels to Mexico to participate in “Lucha Libre” wrestling matches. The film stars Gael Garcia Bernal, Roberta Colindrez, Raul Castillo, Joaquin Cosio, and Bad Bunny. Release Date: September 8 via Prime.
“A Haunting in Venice” Based on the 1969 novel Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie, “A Haunting in Venice” follows Hercule Poirot, a now-retired detective who must solve the murder of a seance guest. The film is directed and starring Kenneth Branagh and features an all-star cast including Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Kyle Allen, and Kelly Reilly. The film serves as a sequel to “Death on the Nile.” Release Date: September 15 via 20th Century Studios.
“Flora and Son”A single mother in Dublin is having issues with her son Max and is encouraged to try to find Max a hobby. With the help of an old guitar and an online guitar teacher, she discovers that one person’s garbage is another’s salvation. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jack Reynor, and  Eve Hewson. Written and directed by John Carney. Release Date: September 22 via Apple TV+.
“Dumb Money” “Dumb Money” sees both the lives of billionaires on Wall Street and the lives of everyday people, such as Keith Gill, get flipped upside down when GameStop becomes the world’s hottest company. The film has a great ensemble cast, including Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, Vincent D’Onofrio, America Ferrera, Nick Offerman, Anthony Ramos, Shailene Woodley, Sebastian Stan, and Seth Rogan. “Dumb Money” is directed by Craig Gillespie and based on the book “The Antisocial Network” by Ben Mezrich. Release Date: September 22 via Sony Pictures.
“Stop Making Sense”“Stop Making Sense” is a 1984 concert film of the live performance of Talking Heads at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre the year earlier. Director Jonathan Demme captured the energy of the concert and the band at their best. Returning to the screen for the film’s 40th anniversary is a new and complete restoration of the film. Release Date: September 22, 2023 via A24.