The first month of the year has finally arrived. Of course it comes with a bunch of new movies and series that have been long-anticipated by cinephiles and a few others that may have flown under the radar but are still worth the watch. What are they, you ask?
Autobiography
First made its debut in the 2022 Venice Film Festival, Makbul Mubarak-directed Autobiography will finally hit the local theaters starting on January 19th, 2023! Set in Bojonegoro, Autobiography centers on Rakib, a caretaker of an empty house belonging to a retired man named Purna. One day, Purna returns to run for regent of the village, which automatically makes the house Rakib takes care of no longer empty. Rakib accompanies Purna on various campaigning activities to the extent that he sees a father figure he longs for in Purna, until an unexpected event begins to change all his views towards him.
M3GAN
Another Chucky-like doll, M3GAN is an artificial intelligence that is programmed to be a child's greatest companion and a parent's greatest ally. Moreover, M3GAN can play the role of friend, teacher, playmate, and protector. M3GAN becomes Cady's companion after her parents died in a car accident, but she gets self-aware and overprotective of Cady, M3GAN begins to kill everyone in her way. M3GAN will be available to watch in theaters starting January 6th 2023.
Kaleidoscope
After the interactive Black Mirror: Bandersnatch movie that allows viewers to choose how the main character acts by providing multiple choices, it seems like Netflix will once again introduce how the audience will interact with episodic content through a new crime series titled Kaleidoscope. As an eight-part heist series, Kaleidoscope follows a master thief and his crew over 25 years as they attempt a $7 billion heist together. It's set to release on January 1st, 2023 and will be distributed to Netflix subscribers in a random viewing order. You heard it right, Kaleidoscope offers a non-linear format that you can watch in any way you please yet still getting away with a cohesive narrative. Interesting, right?
True Haunting
Based on the true story of the first televised exorcism in 1971, True Haunting follows the story of the Becker family who unknowingly buys a house that is haunted by the family that previously lived there. Desperate to escape the disturbing encounters, the Beckers agree to let NBC broadcast an exorcism of the house which actually made things become much worse. True Haunting's cast features The Boys star Erin Moriarty and Stranger Things star Jamie Campbell Bower.
The Way of The Househusband Season 2
Anime lovers, rejoice! This giggle-inducing show centered around the retired yakuza, Tatsu, will come back to entertain you once more through a new season, slated to release on Netflix, January 1st, 2023. Adapted from a manga of the same name, The Way of The Househusband tells the story of a legendary yakuza feared boss known as the "Immortal Dragon". One day, he decided to hang up his criminal past to support the recovery of his wife, Miku. He then spends his days keeping a tidy home by using his skills to hilariously perform and complete household chores.
Jung_E
Set in a dystopian future, Jung_E portrays an inhabitable Earth in the 22nd century. Amid the chaos, an internal war breaks out in the shelter specially built for human survival whose outcome hinges on cloning the brain of an elite soldier to create a robot mercenary. Jung_E is starred by Kang Soo-yeon, Kim Hyun-joo and Ryu Kyung-soo. It also features the final film appearance of Kang Soo-yeon who died ahead of its release.
Missing
An upcoming computer screen mystery thriller film like Unfriended, V/H/S, and Profile is coming in January 2023! Serving as a standalone sequel to the 2018 film Searching, Missing will follow the story of June, who must utilize various technologies to find her mother after she disappears on vacation in Colombia with her new boyfriend. Instead of answers, she's faced with questions and the secrets about her mom that made her think she never really knew her at all.
Alice, Darling
Anna Kendrick will have her role in the psychological thriller Alice, Darling directed by Mary Nighy. First premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, Alice, Darling will have its wide release on January 20th, 2023. The story follows Alice, a woman who is psychologically abused by her boyfriend Simon. While on vacation with her friends, Alice gains a revelation and new perspectives and tries her best to get out of Simon's grip and their toxic relationship.
Fear
Another psychological horror film on the block, Fear is set to come out in late January, which plot tells the story of a group of friend gathering in the remote Tahoe Mountains to stay at the Historic Strawberry Lodge for a weekend getaway, only for things to take a turn when the terror sets in and each person start facing their worst, well, fear.
When You Finish Saving The World
American actor Jesse Eisenberg is having his feature directorial debut in A24's When You Finish Saving The World, slated for January 2023 release. In this heartfelt-drama movie, Julianne Moore and Finn Wolfhard star as a mother and son who tries to navigate their relationship. The film first premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and received generally positive reviews from critics with praise for the performances of Moore and Wolfhard.
Infinity Pool
Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgard in one scene? Count me in! Infinity Pool tells the story of a rich couple having a beach vacation at an all-inclusive island resort in fictional island of Li Tolwa. What seems like a relaxing vacation, quickly turns into a nightmare as the couple are swept into a world of over-indulgence, exploitation, and sadism. Written and directed by Brandon Cronenberg, Infinity Pool will have its premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in January, and will make its way for theatrical release on January 27th.
(HAI/alm)