She was celebrated for iconic performances in classics like ‘Home Alone,’ ‘Beetlejuice,’ and a string of beloved Christopher Guest ensemble comedies.
More recently, she was part of the cast for ‘The Studio.’
Catherine O’Hara, a beloved comic actor whose work has spanned different generations, has died at her Los Angeles home the age of 71 following a brief illness. Once best known for her performances in movies such as ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Beetlejuice’, she has enjoyed a more recent career resurgence thanks to hit sitcom ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and Apple TV’s ‘The Studio.’
Catherine O’Hara in 1990’s ‘Home Alone’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
Born March 4, 1954, in Toronto, Ontario, Catherine Anne O’Hara grew up in a large Irish-Catholic family where humor was central to daily life. After graduating high school she began performing with the famed Second City comedy troupe in Toronto, quickly gaining notice for her improvisational skills and character work.
O’Hara joined the cast and writing staff of ‘Second City Television’ (‘SCTV’) in the late 1970s, where her sharp wit and comic range helped define the show’s irreverent voice and won her early industry acclaim, including a Primetime Emmy Award for writing.
Catherine O’Hara: A Life in Film and Television
(L to R) Annie Murphy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara and Daniel Levy in ‘Schitt’s Creek’. Photo: CBC Television.
O’Hara’s film career took off in the 1980s and ’90s with memorable roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and as Kate McCallister in the holiday classics ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’, roles that endeared her to global audiences.
Her portrayal of former soap star Moira Rose on ‘Schitt’s Creek’ was a career-defining performance — earning her a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild accolades, and cementing her status as one of television’s most inventive comic actresses.
In later years she continued to surprise and delight audiences with projects including the 2024 sequel ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,’ dramatic turns in ‘The Last of Us’ Season 2, and the Apple TV+ series ‘The Studio,’ for which she garnered further critical praise.
Catherine O’Hara: Offscreen
(L to R) Willem Dafoe, Catherine O’Hara, Justin Theroux and Michael Keaton for ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ at CinemaCon 2024. Photo: Warner Bros.
O’Hara was known for her warmth, humility, and generosity off camera, traits shared by friends and collaborators throughout her long career. She married production designer Bo Welch in 1992, and the couple raised two sons together.
Despite her fame, O’Hara often spoke of her roots in live comedy and improv, crediting her early days at Second City with shaping her creative voice and grounding her approach to performance.
Catherine O’Hara: Legacy
(L to R) Seth Rogen and Catherine O’Hara in ‘The Studio,’ premiering March 26, 2025 on Apple TV+.
Across a career spanning five decades, Catherine O’Hara brought laughter, heart, and unforgettable characters to audiences around the world. Whether playing a bewildered mom, an eccentric TV diva, or a mockumentary ensemble member, she infused each role with intelligence and soul.
Catherine O’Hara in ‘Argylle,’ directed by Matthew Vaughn.
Yes, we’re back in reboot territory, since studios –– in this case Sony –– are still hunting for recognizable IP to churn through their development process and pump out new takes on older titles.
The young women quickly form a bond, but as Allison starts to rethink her engagement, Hedra grows jealous and hostile. As Allison learns new details about her roommate’s life, Hedra gets violent in her efforts to get Sam out of the picture.
With Hedra turning more menacing by the minute, Allison finally understands what she’s up against…
While the movie didn’t exactly click with critics, audiences were happy to move in, with the $16 million-budgeted film scoring more than $48 million worldwide at the box office.
And in an age when we’re all unsure about who or what to trust, and so much happens through apps, it still feels like a pertinent story.
Nothing has been said yet about who might take the main role and who would be the psycho roommate, but we can see Russell and Ortega in those parts respectively.
Yet who knows? With no director or writer attached, who is to say that the new movie might mix up the story so that it’s a little less clear who is who?
Rising star Ortega might currently be best known for Netflix’s ‘Addams Family’ spin-off series ‘Wednesday,’ which has been a giant hit for the streaming service and is returning later this year for a second season.
This is what she told Variety about the status of the second run:
“We’re still in the edit. I was doing ADR for it two weeks ago That’s the funny thing about these jobs is you’re done, you wrap, but you’re not really done. So, I’ll probably be working on it until the end. I feel like we kind of had a little bit more trust, and therefore, we felt like we could do bigger, more elaborate sequences, which is nice.”
And here’s what she said about progress on the third, which has yet to be commissioned but is surely a no-brainer:
“We haven’t gotten an official thumbs up or anything like that, but I know that the writers are messing around and throwing out ideas. With a show like that, you kind of want to get ahead of the game.”
Elsewhere, Ortega has been seen in the likes of the recent ‘Scream’ movies (though she’s not back for the new one) and ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.’
Coming up, she has new thriller ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow,’ about an insomniac musician who encounters a mysterious stranger, leading to a journey that challenges everything he knows about himself.
That one, directed by Trey Edward Shultz and co-written by/co-starring The Weeknd, will be in theaters on May 16th.
It’ll be followed by Taika Waititi’s latest, ‘Klara and the Sun,’ a fable about a robot girl designed to help humans prevent loneliness. The movie doesn’t yet have a release date.
And ‘Death of a Unicorn’ recently premiered to great acclaim at the SXSW festival.
Written and directed by Alex Scharfman, it also stars Paul Rudd, Anthony Carrigan and Richard E. Grant in the story of Father-Daughter duo Elliott and Ridley, who hit a unicorn with their car and bring it to the wilderness retreat of a mega-wealthy pharmaceutical CEO.
It’ll be in theaters on March 28th.
Taylor Russell in ‘Bones and All’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Russell, meanwhile, is recognizable from the ‘Escape Room’ movies and indie drama ‘Waves,’ and made an impression opposite Timothée Chalamet in Luca Guadagnino’s cannibal drama ‘Bones and All.’
More recently, she has worked on a new thriller called ‘Hope’ for director Na Hong-jin.
The movie, charts what happens mysterious discovery is made on the outskirts of the remote harbor town. The residents find themselves in a desperate fight for survival against something they have never encountered before.
She’s also attached to a new version of ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ (the third, for those keeping score) which Michael B. Jordan is preparing to direct and star in.
When will the new ‘Single White Female’ move into theaters?
Sony hasn’t yet confirmed the film at all, let alone when it might actually hit our screens.
Though she’s one of the most recognizable people in the music world and has certainly made an impact on film (particularly in ‘A Star is Born’), having Lady Gaga in a project is not always a guarantee of success, as the team behind ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ might be able to tell you (in between the wailing, gnashing of teeth and rending of garments over the movie’s lackluster box office).
Still, given that her song “Bloody Mary” was used by TikTokers recreating the dance scene from ‘Wednesday’s first season, it somehow makes sense that she’ll be making a cameo appearance in the second.
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According to Variety, while the producers had hoped she might take on a bigger role, she’s only going to be a small part of the show. Still, a cameo is better than nothing if you want people talking about your show.
Not that ‘Wednesday’ necessarily needs the help: the series, starring Jenna Ortega, ranks as the most-watched English language show that Netflix has ever released and was nominated for 12 Emmys, winning four.
Season 1 had to be delayed due to the double punch of the writers’ and actors’ strikes last year, and Ortega’s filming schedule on ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.’
(L to R) Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia Addams, Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, Luis Guzmán as Gomez Addams, and Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley Addams in Netflix’s ‘Wednesday.’
The first season told the tale of Wednesday’s enrollment at the Nevermore Academy, where she discovers she has inherited her mother’s psychic abilities, allowing her to solve a local murder mystery.
Season 2 will pick up the threads of that, while plunging her into a new mystery, likely with fresh creatures to deal with. The expanded roles for her family members means we can expect more of the Addams clan this time around.
When will ‘Wednesday’ Season 2 land on Netflix?
The streaming service has yet to confirm a formal date, but the show should return next year.
Adam Driver and Lady Gaga in ‘House of Gucci’. Photo: Universal Pictures.
(Left) Natalie Portman. (Right) Jenna Ortega attends the world premiere of Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ on November 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Netflix.
Preview:
Jenna Ortega and Natalie Portman are in talks to star in ‘The Gallerist.’
Cathy Yan co-wrote and would direct the movie.
It’ll follow an art gallery owner with a desperate plan.
While not every movie that Jenna Ortega has appeared in since ‘Wednesday’ helped her profile skyrocket has been a winner, you just know that any filmmaker would be happy to have her even consider appearing in their work.
And before you ask, no “gallerist” does not mean someone who is prejudiced against art galleries; it means the owner/manager of one.
What’s the story of ‘The Gallerist’?
Natalie Portman attends Netflix’s ‘May December’ Los Angeles premiere at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Natasha Campos/Getty Images for Netflix.
Per Deadline, ‘The Gallerist’ will follow a desperate art gallery owner who attends the Art Basel show (an annual shindig featuring over 250 of international galleries showing the works of more than 4,000 artists) in Miami with an audacious plan to sell a dead man at the show.
At least, that’s the basic logline for the movie, which Yan co-wrote alongside James Pedersen (‘High Heat’). It could, in other hands, be a ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’–style romp, though we have a feeling Yan will be opting for a sharper, more satirical edge to her movie.
There’s no word on exactly what either actor would play in the movie –– our guess at this point is Portman as the gallerist –– and it remains to be seen if they hop aboard at all, as their deals have yet to close.
And the actor has also been working with Burton on Season 2 of ‘Wednesday,’ which should be hitting Netflix next year.
On the movie front, she has found time for a role in Taika Waititi’s next film, ‘Klara and the Sun,’ will be seen in musical mystery thriller ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ and worked on ‘Death of a Unicorn.’
There have also been rumors that she’ll be part of the cast for J.J. Abrams’ mysterious new movie.
She has a voice role in new Roald Dahl animated adaptation ‘The Twits’ and recently finished work on Guy Ritchie’s new fantasy adventure movie ‘Fountain of Youth.’
When will ‘The Gallerist’ be on screens?
While ‘The Gallerist’ appears to be gaining momentum, it has yet to lock in a distribution home, so we’ll have to wait and see when it might arrive in theaters or on streaming.
(L to R) Mikey Madison and Natalie Portman in ‘Lady in the Lake,’ premiering July 19, 2024 on Apple TV+.
David Howard Thornton as “Art the Clown” in the horror film, ‘Terrifier 3’, a Cineverse release. Photo: Jesse Korman/Dark Age Cinema.
Preview:
‘Terrifier 3’ won the box office this weekend.
‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ suffered one of the biggest second-weekend drops in history.
‘The Wild Robot,’ which is doing well for DreamWorks, has a sequel in development.
Turns out audiences do want to watch a sequel where a clown causes chaos… just not the big budget studio version.
In a major triumph for both independent filmmaking and the horror genre, clown slasher movie ‘Terrifier 3’ has topped the domestic box office with an impressive $18.3 million.
That might not seem like a huge amount in an era where the likes of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ open to north of $200 million but given that ‘Terrifier 2’ was made for $5 million, that’s still a big win.
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And it comes as the other clown on screens right now is continuing to be a huge disappointment. ‘Joker: Folie à Deux,’ itself with a roughly $190 million budget, saw its earnings drop 81% this weekend, one of the worst in comic book history and films in general.
Following its launch last week with an already-disappointing $37.6 million, Todd Phillips’ sequel fell to $7.05 million despite showing on more than 4,000 screens (by comparison, ‘Terrifier 3’ was on 2,514).
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What’s behind ‘Terrifier 3’s success?
Lauren LaVera in ‘Terrifier 3’. Photo: Cineverse.
The indie horror movie franchise, directed by Damien Leone, stars David Howard Thornton as Art, a demonic clown figure who terrorizes a small town with grisly killings.
While he normally strikes around Halloween, ‘Terrifier 3’ sees him appear at Christmas, dressed as Santa, but still with murder on his mind.
Yet despite all the gore and violence, the movies have built a cult following and display no little skill for classic schlockbuster marketing tactics, such as setting up a hotline for outraged audience members to decry its content.
It also spent a lot less on advertising, targeting horror fans and keeping its budget low.
What else happened at the box office this weekend?
DreamWorks has reason to celebrate, as family animation ‘The Wild Robot’ took second place, earning $13.45 million in its third weekend.
The new movie has been successful enough that director Chris Sanders, who wrote and directed based on Peter Brown’s book, is putting plans in place for a follow-up to the story of Roz the robot (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) and the animals she befriends on an isolated island.
‘Folie à Deux’ had to settle for third place given its dismal figure. Warner Bros. will be happier with ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,’ which slipped to fourth place with $7 million, but which has been in theaters for six weeks and is now on home VOD.
(L to R) Clint Howard as “Smokey” and Daniel Roebuck as “Santa” in the horror film, ‘Terrifier 3’, a Cineverse release. Photo: Jesse Korman/Dark Age Cinema.
Director Damien Leone has said he’s got plans for at least a couple more films, so we’ve not heard the last of Art the Clown. Perhaps Warner Bros. should consider picking that franchise up if it’s looking for a successful franchise?
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ opened huge at the US box office.
It made $ $145.4 million globally.
Elsewhere, the box office was quiet.
Audiences flocking to theaters to see Tim Burton and Michael Keaton’s return to the weird ‘Beetlejuice’ world they created in 1988 clearly invoked the ghost with the most, as the sequel ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ has wound up doing huge business at the box office.
The new movie launched in 4,575 theaters and rustled up a massive $110 million in its opening weekend.
And overseas, it debuted with $35.4 million, for a worldwide total of $145.4 million.
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How does ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ shape up in release terms?
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ has become the second-highest September opening –– and studio Warner Bros. will be happy, as it is slipping in between the two ‘It’ movies. The original, 2017’s ‘It’, earned $123 million, while sequel ‘It: Chapter 2’ took in $92 million.
It was the latest success story for a summer season that has seen some big hits but had been lagging some in the last couple of weeks as it closed out.
This sequel picks up the story of the Deetz family –– Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz and Catherine O’Hara as step-mom Delia, with Jenna Ortega joining as Lydia’s daughter Astrid –– suffers more trouble from “bio-exorcist” Beetlejuice (Keaton), who still has designs on Lydia.
Though it was more of a small-scale release, the original “Beetlejuice” built across several weeks became one of the highest-grossing movies of 1988 with $74.7 million and later inspired a Tony-nominated Broadway musical, which is still touring the country.
The cult appeal of that first film clearly helped drive interest in the new one, despite it arriving 36 years later.
What else happened at the box office this weekend?
While Burton’s sequel was grabbing plenty of business, only one other movie was a new release, and nothing else in the charts did particularly well.
A24 put horror thriller ‘The Front Room’ into 2,095 theaters, but it launched at 10th place with $1,663,954.
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ slipped back to second and earned $7.2 million. The superhero buddy comedy doesn’t have to worry too much, though, as that was from its seventh weekend in release, a miracle in itself given how short release windows tend to be these days.
Not forgetting the fact that it has now made $614 million domestically and $1.287 billion globally. It’s the second-biggest movie of the year and 23rd largest of all time.
Dennis Quaid-starring biopic ‘Reagan’ clung to third place, making $5.2 million, ahead of fellow holdovers ‘Alien: Romulus’ ($3.9 million) and ‘It Ends With Us,’ which took in $3.7 million.
Moviefone has compiled a list of the most anticipated movies opening in theaters and/or streaming from September to December of 2024, which not only includes major studio releases but also smaller independent films that you won’t want to miss.
After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife.
Emotions run high when three estranged sisters (Natasha Lyonne, Carrie Coon and Elizabeth Olsen) reunite in a cramped New York City apartment to watch over their ailing father during his final days.
A former Marine (Aaron Pierre) confronts corruption in a small town when local law enforcement unjustly seizes the bag of cash he needs to post his cousin’s bail.
(L to R) Peter Dinklage in ‘The Thicket’. Photo: Samuel Goldwyn Films.
An innocent young man, Jack (Levon Hawke), goes on an epic quest to rescue his sister Lula (Esme Creed-Miles) after she has been kidnapped by the violent killer Cut Throat Bill (Juliette Lewis) and her gang. To save her, Jack enlists the help of a crafty bounty hunter named Reginald Jones (Peter Dinklage), a grave-digging alcoholic son of an ex-slave (Gbenga Akinnagbe), and a street-smart prostitute (Leslie Grace). The gang tracks Cut Throat Bill into the deadly no-man’s land known as The Big Thicket — a place where blood and chaos reign.
A girl (Nadine Crocker) suffering from depression is forced to get her life together when she is taken involuntarily to a mental institution after trying to follow in her fathers footsteps, but failing in her suicide attempt. She finds unlikely friends, unwavering love, and a life she never imagined possible for a girl like her. All to find out some decisions can’t be undone.
(L to R) Kayli Carter, Edie Falco, and Jeannie Berlin in ‘I’ll Be Right There.’ Photo: Brainstorm Media.
Wanda (Edie Falco), a single mother with a pregnant daughter (Kayli Carter), a wayward son, a mother (Jeannie Berlin) who believes is dying. Barely having time for herself and living to take care of her family but everyone around her doesn’t seem to accept it, why isn’t that enough?
Everything goes to hell for newly-pregnant Belinda (Brandy Norwood) after her mother-in-law moves in. As the diabolical guest tries to get her claws on the child, Belinda must draw the line somewhere…
Dave Bautista in ‘The Killer’s Game’. Photo: Lionsgate.
In the new action-comedy ‘The Killer’s Game’, when top hitman Joe Flood (Dave Bautista) is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he decides to take matters into his own hands – by taking a hit out on himself. But when the very hitmen he hired also target his ex-girlfriend (Sofia Boutella) , he must fend off an army of assassin colleagues and win back the love of his life before it’s too late.
James McAvoy in ‘Speak No Evil.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.
When an American family (Scott McNairy and Mackenzie Davis) is invited to spend the weekend at the idyllic country estate of a charming British (James McAvoy and Aisling Franciosi) family they befriended on vacation, what begins as a dream holiday soon warps into a snarled psychological nightmare.
(L to R) Reed Northrup, Nicholas Cirillo and Austin Zajur in director Kevin Smith’s ‘The 4:30 Movie’. Photo: Saban Films.
Writer-director Kevin Smith presents his most personal film to date with this coming-of-age story — set in the summer of 1986 — that follows three sixteen-year-old friends who spend their Saturdays sneaking into movies at the local cineplex. When one of the guys invites the girl of his dreams to see an R-rated film, all hilarity breaks loose, as a self-important theater manager (Ken Jeong) and teen rivalries interfere with his best-laid plans.
(L to R) Megan Fox as “Alice” in the Sci-Fi/Thriller, ‘Subservience’, an XYZ Films release. Photo courtesy of XYZ Films.
Megan Fox stars as Alice, a lifelike artificially intelligent android, who has the ability to take care of any family and home. Looking for help with the housework, a struggling father (Michele Morrone) purchases Alice after his wife becomes sick. Alice suddenly becomes self-aware and wants everything her new family has to offer, starting with the affection of her owner – and she’ll kill to get it.
Director Susanna Fogel’s ‘Winner’. Photo: Vertical.
Winner is a brilliant young misfit from Texas who finds her morals challenged while serving in the U.S. Air Force and working as an NSA contractor. A fresh take on the traditional whistleblower thriller, the coming-of-age story follows an idealistic young woman persecuted for standing by her principles.
Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth) and Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry), better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.
Halle Berry as Momma in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.
In this new psychological thriller/horror, as an Evil takes over the world beyond their front doorstep, the only protection for a mother, played by Oscar-winner Halle Berry, and her twin sons is their house and their family’s protective bond. Needing to stay connected at all times – even tethering themselves with ropes – they cling to one another, urging each other to never let go. But when one of the boys questions if the evil is real, the ties that bind them together are severed, triggering a terrifying fight for survival.
A fading celebrity (Demi Moore) decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.
(L to R) Mary-Louise Parker and Ayo Edebiri in ‘Omni Loop’. Photo: Magnolia Pictures.
Diagnosed with a black hole growing inside her chest and stuck in a loop reliving the last five days of her life, a 55-year-old wife and mother (Mary-Louise Parker) from Miami, Florida decides to solve time travel in order to go back and be the person she always intended to be.
(L to R) Brad Pitt and George Clooney in ‘Wolfs’. Photo: Sony Pictures.
A professional fixer (George Clooney) is hired to cover up a high profile crime. But when a second fixer (Brad Pitt) shows up and the two “lone wolves” are forced to work together, they find their night spiraling out of control in ways that neither one of them expected.
Frank Grillo, Robert Patrick and Rhona Mitra star in ‘Hounds of War’ about the best military mercenaries money can buy. Known as ‘The Hounds’, they are sent on a final mission by their creator: a carefully planned trap set up to destroy them.
Never-before-seen home movies and extraordinary personal archives reveal how Christopher Reeve went from unknown actor to iconic movie star as the ultimate screen superhero. He learned the true meaning of heroism as an activist after suffering a tragic accident that left him quadriplegic and dependent on a ventilator to breathe.
(L to R) Adam Driver and Nathalie Emmanuel in ‘Megalopolis’. Photo: Lionsgate.
Genius artist Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver) seeks to leap the City of New Rome into a utopian, idealistic future, while his opposition, Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), remains committed to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests, and partisan warfare. Torn between them is socialite Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), the mayor’s daughter, whose love for Cesar has divided her loyalties, forcing her to discover what she truly believes humanity deserves.
(from back center) Roz (Lupita N’yongo), and Brightbill (Kit Connor) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘Wild Robot,’ directed by Chris Sanders.
A robot — ROZZUM unit 7134 (Lupita Nyong’o), “Roz” for short — is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling.
Kate Winslet ‘Lee’. Photo: Roadside Attractions & Vertical.
Miller (Kate Winslet) had a profound understanding and empathy for women and the voiceless victims of war. Her images display both the fragility and ferocity of the human experience. Above all, the film shows how Miller lived her life at full throttle in pursuit of truth, for which she paid a huge personal price, forcing her to confront a traumatic and deeply buried secret from her childhood.
Director Thordur Palsson’s ‘The Damned’. Photo: Vertical.
A 19th-century widow is tasked with making an impossible choice when, during an especially cruel winter, a ship sinks off the coast of her impoverished Icelandic fishing village. Any attempt to rescue survivors risks further depleting the starving villagers’ supplies.
Sam Claflin as Patrick McKee in ‘Bagman’. Photo Credit: Vladislav Lepoev.
In the dark horror film ‘Bagman’, a family finds themselves ensnared in a nightmare as they are hunted by a malevolent, mythical creature. For centuries and across cultures, parents have warned their children of the legendary Bagman, who snatches innocent children and stuffs them into his vile, rotting bag—never to be seen again. Patrick McKee (Sam Claflin) narrowly escaped such an encounter as a boy, which left him with lasting scars throughout his adulthood. Now, Patrick’s childhood tormentor has returned, threatening the safety of his wife Karina (Antonia Thomas) and son Jake (Caréll Rhoden).
Sarah Paulson in ‘Hold Your Breath’. Photo: Searchlight Pictures.
A young mother in 1930s Oklahoma who is haunted by her past and trapped in horrifying dust storms. She becomes convinced that her family is threatened by a mysterious presence and takes extraordinary measures to protect them.
(L to R) Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck / Joker and Lady Gaga as Dr. Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ Photo: Todd Phillips’ Instagram Account.
While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him.
(L to R) Adam David Thompson as “Joseph” and Riley Dandy as “Sidney” in the Sci-Fi/Thriller, ‘Things Will Be Different’, a Magnet release. Photo courtesy of Magnet Releasing.
In order to escape the police after a robbery, two estranged siblings lay low in a metaphysical farmhouse that hides them away in a different time. There they reckon with a mysterious force that pushes their familial bonds to unnatural breaking points.
(L to R) Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), Jane Curtain (Kim Matula), Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman), Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris), Alan Zweibel (Josh Brener) and Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) in ‘Saturday Night’. Photo: Sony Pictures.
At 11:30pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. This is the story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of ‘Saturday Night Live‘.
(L to R) Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield in ‘We Live in Time’. Photo: A24.
Almut (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield) are brought together in a surprise encounter that changes their lives. As they embark on a path challenged by the limits of time, they learn to cherish each moment of the unconventional route their love story has taken, in filmmaker John Crowley’s decade-spanning, deeply moving romance.
Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) unleashes chaos on the unsuspecting residents of Miles County as they peacefully drift off to sleep on Christmas Eve.
Heather Graham in ‘Chosen Family’. Photo: Bleeker Street.
Ann (Heather Graham) is a yoga teacher struggling to achieve inner peace despite the fact her family is driving her crazy and her dating life is miserable. She doesn’t know how to say no and wants to fix everyone’s problems.
‘Piece By Piece’ is a unique cinematic experience that invites audiences on a vibrant journey through the life of cultural icon Pharrell Williams. Told through the lens of LEGO® animation, turn up the volume on your imagination and witness the evolution of one of music’s most innovative minds.
Naomi Scott stars in Paramount Pictures Presents a Temple Hill Production of a Parker Finn Film ‘Smile 2’.
About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.
Mikey Madison as Ani in ‘Anora’. Courtesy of Neon.
Anora (Mikey Madison), a young sex worker from Brooklyn, gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she meets and impulsively marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as the parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled.
(L to R) André Holland and Andra Day in ‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’. Courtesy of Roadside Attractions.
Utilizing his paintings to find freedom from his past, a Black artist on the path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, a recovering addict desperate to reconcile. Together, they learn that forgetting might be a greater challenge than forgiving.
(L to R) Elijah Wood and Nell Fisher in ‘Bookworm’. Photo: Rialto Distribution.
Eleven-year-old Mildred’s (Nell Fisher) life is turned upside down when her mother lands in hospital and estranged, American magician father, Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood), comes to look after her. Hoping to entertain the bookish tween, Strawn takes Mildred camping in the notoriously rugged New Zealand wilderness, and the pair embark on the ultimate test of family bonding – a quest to find the mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther.
(L to R) Carrie-Anne Moss and Douglas Smith in ‘Die Alone’. Photo: Filmoption.
Lost in a world reclaimed by nature and overrun by mysterious creatures, a young man with amnesia teams up with an eccentric survivalist to find his missing girlfriend.
Eddie (Tom Hardy) and Venom are on the run. Hunted by both of their worlds and with the net closing in, the duo are forced into a devastating decision that will bring the curtains down on Venom and Eddie’s last dance.
From director Edward Berger (‘All Quiet on the Western Front’) ‘Conclave’ follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting a new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of The Church.
(L to R) Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans in ‘Red One.’ Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
After a villain kidnaps Santa (J.K. Simmons) from the North Pole, an E.L.F (Extremely Large and Formidable) operative (Dwayne Johnson) must partner with the world’s most accomplished tracker (Chris Evans) to find Santa and save Christmas.
Paul Mescal plays Lucius in ‘Gladiator II’ from Paramount Pictures.
Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus (Russell Crowe) at the hands of his uncle (Joaquin Phoenix), Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.
(L to R) Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba and Ariana Granda is Glinda in ‘Wicked’, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), an ostracized but defiant girl born with green skin, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), a privileged aristocrat born popular, become extremely unlikely friends in the magical Land of Oz. As the two girls struggle with their opposing personalities, their friendship is tested as both begin to fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and The Wicked Witch of the West. The first of a two-part film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical ‘Moana 2’ takes audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana (Auli’i Cravalho), Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.
183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy, a sudden attack by Wulf (Luke Pasqualino), a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm Hammerhand (Brian Cox) and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Héra (Gaia Wise), the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Sergei Kravinoff / Kraven the Hunter in ‘Kraven the Hunter.’
Kraven the Hunter is the visceral, action-packed origin story of how and why one of Marvel’s most iconic villains came to be. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Kraven, a man whose complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff (Russell Crowe), starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunter in the world, but also one of its most feared.
Shadow (Keanu Reeves) in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc.
Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Knuckles (Idris Elba), and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow (Keanu Reeves), a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.
Rafiki (John Kani) relays the legend of Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) to lion cub Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter), daughter of Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyoncé). Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) —the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion a journey of misfits searching for their destiny and working together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’ is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.
Tim Burton directs a screenplay written by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar, and together the three bring us a true love letter to not only the original film but also to it’s fans. Scene by scene, frame by frame it is like watching the inner workings of Burton’s imagination come to life. The attention to detail of every moment was like watching a perfect Burton symphony play out on the screen and is undoubtedly why his work has become almost it’s own genre of magic. While some may find few scenes odd or misplaced, I found them to be in true Burton nature completely unexpected and fun.
While the initial trailer left most fans feeling more than unsure, the second gave us a much closer look at what you can expect from the film. If you haven’t seen either, the film follows three generations of the Deetz family as they return home to Winter River following an unexpected tragedy and loss. Still haunted by Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) life is turned upside down by her rebellious daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), who’s discovered the model of the town in the attic and soon the portal to the afterlife is opened again. Not only does our favorite mischievous demon return but trouble starts brewing in both realms for more than one Deetz daughter.
We find Lydia still questioning wether the living and dead can co-exist only with a new partner in tow Rory (Justin Theroux) who lets just say makes some seriously questionable choices all while trying to convince Lydia he’s not only the best choice as her manager but her possible husband. Beetlejuice is no longer searching the ad section for new work but has never quite let go of the “love of his life” Lydia and still dreams of becoming her husband. But thanks to a bit of what one could only call an origin story moment, we are introduced to a serious supernatural force who well can’t be reckoned with, Delores (Monica Bellucci), who brings a whole knew meaning to the phrase “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”
Masterfully directed by Burton, the sequel 35 years in the making comes together with an ease and excitement that only a true Beetlejuice lover could have brought to life. His love for the characters both new and old shines through each performance and shows that he was asking all the same questions the fans were, what would two of the most iconic characters in film lives look like 35 years later? Burton didn’t just revisit these characters, with the help of great story telling he gave them more depth, love and quirk letting the spirit of the original shine through, something I believe only he could do with the gravitas a sequel of this caliber needed.
The film delivers on every aspect if you’re looking for the ‘Beetlejuice’ experience, which in essence is a zany ride full of outlandish characters and a story that has as much fun with knowing what moments are tongue in cheek while allowing there to be room for great storylines full of heart. There are no other films or characters that give a breathe of life into something the way that ‘Beetlejuice’ has. From the afterlife waiting room to the dining room table the original gave us something to remember forever and it’s sequel hits the same marks.
There is without a doubt not one weak link in terms of the cast for the entire film, well unless you count the shark bite victim in the waiting room, but we’ll let you decide on that one yourselves. Michael Keaton’s performance gave viewers an even better version of Beetlejuice, if that’s at all possible, with moments that will have you in tears from laughter and seeing a new side to the character that I found a little unexpected and absolutely heartwarming.
Keaton delivers in every way and gave fans that wow factor that made us all fall in love with Beetlejuice 35 years ago. Delia (Catherine O’Hara) and Lydia’s relationship has completely changed, now that Lydia is a parent herself, giving fans of the original even more depth to two already complex women who we never thought we’d ever see work together.
The relationship between Lydia and her daughter Astrid is like watching history repeat itself in the best way possible having Jenna Ortega bring the extreme sarcasm the world fell in love with from her roll of Wednesday. It allowed Ryder to show the audience a new sense of who Lydia has become and what parenting must be like when you can talk to ghosts.The characters of the afterlife are probably the most fun to watch, especially Bob and Jeff Shrinker who fans will adore.
Willem Dafoe’s character of Wolf Jackson, a cop who was an actor when he was alive who most likely did some very B list action movies, might be a little confused if you told him he wasn’t still the star of the show. Bellucci’s Delores is completely unforgettable as the most glamorous woman on a mission to do whatever it takes to get back her man, and her performance of her character becoming fully animated should be applauded.
The stand out performance for me hands down was that of Justin Theroux as Rory. Waiving every red flag possible, it was Rory’s world and everyone else was just living in it. He may not be the most complex man, but he took himself very seriously. Theroux’s ability to take a character so out of the wheelhouse from what fans have come to expect was a thrilling experience to watch. He gave a character who most of us would probably hate this undeniable spirit that was a welcomed addition to a cast of beloved characters. ,
If what you loved about the original was its quirky and campy, without feeling silly, look at the wild world of the afterlife and its crazy characters bleeding into daily life. Or even its slight gore within a story that’s told full of heart than ‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’ will be as beloved to you as was the original. With stand out performances that will bring you to tears from laughter and unexpected moments full of choices you’d never expect, the film will take you on an enjoyable albeit an insane ride full of fun. It will also give you some very very Burton moments, checking boxes of all the things that make Tim Burton spectacular.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ receives 9.5 out of 10 stars.
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What is the plot of ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’?
36 years after the events of ‘Beetlejuice’, the Deetz family returns home to Winter River after Charles Deetz’s unexpected death. Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened, releasing Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton).
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in-person in New York with Monica Bellucci and Justin Theroux to talk about their work on ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’, their first reaction to the screenplay, their new characters, working with Michael Keaton in his signature role, collaborating on the set with Tim Burton, and why they are excited for fans to finally see the film.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.
Moviefone: To begin with, Justin, what was your first reaction when you read the script?
Justin Theroux: I was blown away. You’re always sort of nervous when there’s such a beloved movie, and then you’re hearing that there’s a beloved sequel hopefully being made, or hopefully beloved. I had some conversations with Tim. He sent me the script. I read it, and I was like, “Oh, this is perfect. This is going to be good,” knowing what he’s done in the past.
MF: What can you tell us about your character and his role in the story?
JT: He is obviously the love interest to Lydia. He’s sort of a competing rival for affections with Beetlejuice, I guess. It’s sort of a love triangle. He’s just a shallow narcissist who has, I think, kind of hoodwinked Lydia initially into thinking that he’s a great guy, and he is not.
MF: Monica, what can you say about your character and the role she plays in the movie?
Monica Bellucci: Dolores is a creature. She’s a soul sucking demon in the afterlife. While Beetlejuice hunts everybody, she hunts him and she’s the bride of Beetlejuice. They had a short and intense love story that ended very badly in death. When she wakes up in the afterlife full of rage and desperation and obsessed with vengeance, she puts herself together. We’ll see how in a scene that is almost like a horror dancing scene. It took two or three days to film this moment, and I had to learn an entire choreography. I felt a bit like a mime because this role is very much about body language. So, I played like a broken doll, and it was so much fun, I have to say.
MF: What is it like being on a Tim Burton set and watching him execute his unique vision for this project?
MB: I mean, everything was already in his mind because he came to me and he said, “I have a key role in this film for which I thought about you.” So, I was very happy to accept it and to play it. Tim is so precise. He knows what he wants, and his creative energy is really inspiring for everybody. He loves to draw, so there are always drawings of situations and characters, and this is very helpful. Also, to go on these beautiful sets and to wear those amazing costumes by Colleen Atwood. Also, I had three hours of makeup every day, but I did this with pleasure and with passion. When I saw the movie, I was so shocked because, even though I knew everything, I knew the script, but the impact was so incredible because the film is unpredictable and so shocking and funny and full of emotion as well.
MF: Justin, what was your experience like working with Tim Burton?
JT: It’s a thrill when you have someone that’s as creative as him. He’s a genius, which is thrown around a lot for people and undeservedly. He genuinely is a genius. When you watch the way in which he, like a good conductor, just orchestrates all the instruments that are going into making a scene, and then obviously the film at large, it’s just so impressive. It’s sort of the shortest distance between the artist and the product, and I hate that word product, but the result. It’s whatever is on film is the shortest distance between his brain and the film, I guess is how I would say it.
MF: Monica, what are you most excited for fans to see in this new sequel?
MB: Oh, we can say that this new ‘Beetlejuice’, maybe it goes farther in visuals and maybe it’s a bit scarier.
MF: Justin, do you have a favorite moment in the movie that you are excited for fans to see?
JT: The movie. I mean, the movie itself I think is a home run. I think it’s a wonderfully executed film. Also, the filmmaking. I know that that sounds maybe obvious, but I think the filmmaking is so good. There are these big swings that Tim took that you do not find in many big studio movies that show a real level of artistry that’s on another tier. But I’m excited for people to see the ending. I think it’s such a poignant and touching ending, which you could take in so many ways and goes in so many different directions and is just so touching. The fourth wall gets broken a little bit where you go, “Is this Tim telling us something? Or is this his take on life? What is he saying?” I’ve only seen the film once, and I look forward to seeing it again so I can break that scene apart again in my head.
MF: Finally, Justin, what was it like working with Michael Keaton in his signature role as Beetlejuice and did you feel any pressure working with members of the original cast?
JT: I adored that (original) movie. I’ve known Winona for a bit, and I’m an enormous fan of Catherine O’Hara and Willem (Dafoe) and all the rest. I think Michael was the one that I was most intimidated to work with because he has some of the heaviest lifting to do just as far as energy and speed. So, it’s a fine line between playing in a scene with him and just wanting to get out of the way. So, my instinct a lot of times was like, “Just get out of the way. Let him do his thing.” But then you also must participate in it as well. It was great though. He was such a joy to work with.
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What is the plot of ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’?
36 years after the events of ‘Beetlejuice’, the Deetz family returns home to Winter River after Charles Deetz’s unexpected death. Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened, releasing Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton).
Jenna Ortega as Cairo Sweet in the Psychological Thriller film, ‘Miller’s Girl,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Zac Popik.
Preview:
Jenna Ortega is reportedly in final talks for J.J. Abrams’ new film.
Glen Powell is making his own deal to star.
Warner Bros. is backing the new movie.
If we know anything about J.J. Abrams, it’s that the man loves a mystery. In fact, he became famous for his “mystery box’” filmmaking as both a director and producer.
It’s perhaps not shocking then, that much about his next movie –– his first as a director since 2019’s ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ –– is being kept under wraps.
But according to Deadline, we are at least learning –– assuming it all works out –– who could end up starring, as both Jenna Ortega and Glen Powell are reportedly making deals to appear.
Can the polar bear from ‘Lost’ be far behind? Okay, probably not, but you can already sense Abrams’ old friend and frequent cinematic lucky charm Greg Grunberg waiting to see how he might be included.
(L to R) Composer Michael Giacchino and director J.J. Abrams on the set of ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’ Photo courtesy of Michael Giacchino’s Twitter.
As we mention above, this one is a big ol’ mystery. No plot details have emerged (there was some chatter about it being a time travel tale, but that has since been denied) and the title remains locked in a vault somewhere.
Abrams wrote the script for the new movie and his Bad Robot company is naturally involved to produce. It’ll be released by Warner Bros’. but beyond that… your guess is as good as ours.
What else are Jenna Ortega and Glen Powell working on?
Glen Powell as Tyler in ‘Twisters’, directed by Lee Isaac Chung.
Ortega is in high demand of late thanks to her star-making turns in the recent ‘Scream’ outings and Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’.
Next up for her in terms of release date is a reunion with ‘Wednesday’ director Tim Burton for ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’, with the supernatural comedy sequel due to premiere at the Venice Film Festival ahead of its September 6th arrival.
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She’s also part of the cast for Taika Waititi’s sci-fi pic ‘Klara and the Sun’ and Alex Scharfman’s comedy ‘Death of a Unicorn’ which also stars Paul Rudd and Will Poulter. Finally, she’s been busy shooting a second season of ‘Wednesday’.
As for Powell, he’s enjoying success on screen with ‘Twisters’, which is doing solid business. The actor has been working on comedy thriller ‘Huntington’ and will star for Edgar Wright in a remake of ‘The Running Man’ and John Lee Hancock’s legal true story ‘Monsanto’. Plus, he’s been talking of late of having been told the date he’ll need to be ready to shoot another ‘Top Gun’ movie.
When will the new Abrams movie be in theaters?
Among the many details that Abrams and co. are keeping quiet for now is any potential release date for the movie. We have to assume that someone at Abrams’ level can demand not to lock down a date until he’s ready to commit to something, though Warners will no doubt hope this can hit cinemas as soon as possible.
Jenna Ortega attends the world premiere of Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ on November 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Netflix.
