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The Critic is a deliciously dark and sharp-witted thriller set in 1930s London ‘theatreland’ featuring an all-star cast including Ian McKellen, Gemma Arterton, Mark Strong, Ben Barnes, Alfred Enoch, Romola Garai and Lesley Manville.

When the most feared and vicious theatre critic in town Jimmy Erskine (McKellen), finds himself suddenly in the crosshairs of the Daily Chronicle’s new owner David Brooke (Strong), he strikes a sinister Faustian pact with struggling actress Nina Land (Arterton) who is desperate to win his favour.

Guardian ★★★

Directed by Anand Tucker
With Ian McKellen, Gemma Arterton, Mark Strong
1hr 36mins // UK 2024

In blood-soaked Tudor England, twice married, accomplished, and educated Katherine Parr (Alicia Vikander), reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII (Jude Law). Her consent to marry him carries great personal risk, given that her predecessors are either vanquished, beheaded, or dead. When Henry appoints her as Regent, the nation’s ruler during his absence when he departs to fight overseas, he lays a dangerous path for her. Henry’s courtiers, suspecting she’s sympathetic to radical Protestant beliefs that have taken root in the kingdom and are a threat to their power, scheme against her and cast doubts upon her fidelity to the increasingly ailing and paranoid King.

Once Henry returns to England, his courtiers convince him to turn his fury on the nation’s radicals, including Katherine’s childhood friend Anne Askew, who becomes one of the scores of people convicted of treason and burned at the stake. Horrified and privately grieving, Katherine finds herself under ever-increasing scrutiny and suspicion. Knowing that even a whisper of scandal might lead to her downfall, Katherine must unleash her own scheme to fight for survival.

“Jude Law is horribly good” Telegraph ★★★★

“Incendiary…Jude Law is scarily good… A vividly constructed drama, expertly played” Times ★★★★

Directed by Karim Aïnouz
With Alicia Vikander, Jude Law
2hrs // UK 2023

It Ends With Us, the first Colleen Hoover novel adapted for the big screen, tells the compelling story of Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), a woman who overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life in Boston and chase a lifelong dream of opening her own business. A chance meeting with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) sparks an intense connection, but as the two fall deeply in love, Lily begins to see sides of Ryle that remind her of her parents’ relationship. When Lily’s first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), suddenly re-enters her life, her relationship with Ryle is upended, and Lily realizes she must learn to rely on her own strength to make an impossible choice for her future.

“Colleen Hoover’s smash hit novel gets a winning and emotionally effective transfer to the big screen” Guardian ★★★

Directed by Justin Baldoni
With Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni
2hrs 10 mins // US 2024

Wild Water provides a glimpse into the world of cold water swimming at Gaddings Dam, the site of the highest beach in England. The film showcases the breathtaking landscape and the people drawn to the restorative power of cold water swimming. It explores how the community uses the icy waters to reconnect with their mental health, identity, nature, and each other. Viewers get an insight into the lives of the wild swimmers at Gaddings Dam and the positive and fun impact that cold water swimming can have on wellbeing.

Features the short film Tonic of the Sea prior to the screening

1hr 15 minutes, including the short film

Returning to the mind of the newly teenage Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone…

Telegraph ★★★★ Independent ★★★★ Empire ★★★★ Radio Times ★★★★

Directed by Kelsey Mann
Voiced by Maya Hawke, Amy Poehler
1hr 36mins // US 2024