SUPERMAN

RANGE Film Picks of the Month

From Ari Aster’s Covid Western to James Gunn’s new addition to the DC universe, here is what to watch in July.

by Prabhjot Bains

Historically, July not only ratchets up the heat but delivers the cinematic bounty of the summer movie season. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (7/3/91), Before Sunset (7/2/04), and even Eyes Wide Shut (7/16/99) all made their theatrical debuts on a sweltering July Friday. From festival favourites to arthouse outings, to superhero fare, this month looks to bring another dose of potential future classics.

Here are the releases RANGE doesn’t want you to miss:

Sorry, Baby (July 4)

Eva Victor’s Sundance darling is primed to be the sleeper hit of the summer. Starring Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges and Victor herself, Sorry Baby follows Agnes (Victor) dealing with the aftermath of sexual assault. Lauded for its frankness, naturalism, and grace, Sorry Baby proves summer isn’t solely a party for blockbusters, but a bastion for deeply personal and vital storytelling.

 

Superman (July 11)

Second time’s the charm for the DC Cinematic Universe? After leaving his mark on the MCU with the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, James Gunn is ready to shepherd a new era for the DCU with Superman. Starring David Corenswet as the titular hero, the film follows Clark Kent on a journey to stop Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) while reconciling his Kryptonian heritage with his adoptive human family. The film also stars Rachel Brosnahan, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced, while featuring Superman’s iconic pet dog, Krypto. Here’s hoping DC finally gets on the right cinematic track with Gunn’s hotly anticipated outing.

 

Eddington (July 18)

Ari Aster, the twisted mind behind Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau is Afraid, returns with another striking, wild, and divisive film with Eddington. Moving away from horror, Aster sets his sights on the polarized, tattered heart of America with a Western set in a small town during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, Austin Butler, and Luke Grimes, Eddington dredges up the political and social turmoil of a recent piece of confused history and brazenly lights it on fire.

 

I Know What You Did Last Summer (July 18)

Part reboot, part legacy sequel, I Know What You Did Last Summer brings back Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt to survive another hook-wielding killer after group of teenagers who covered up a fatal car accident that occurred a year prior.  The film, helmed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, looks to terrify a new generation of moviegoers while staying true to the premise that made it so chilling almost three decades ago.

 

Oh, Hi! (July 25)

When Harry Met Sally meets Misery in Sophie Brooks’ Oh, Hi! Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman star as a couple on a romantic weekend getaway. When they happen upon some BDSM gear, they indulge in a sex game that leaves Isaac (Lerman) chained to the bed when they realize they’re on different pages about their relationship: Iris (Gordon) thinks they’re exclusive while Isaac isn’t looking for anything serious. What starts as a romantic weekend transforms into a heartbreaking look at the pain of dating without labels.

Together (July 30)

Starring real-life married actors Dave Franco and Alison Brie, Together follows a couple that moves to the countryside only to find a mysterious force that corrupts and combines their flesh in horrifying ways. Though beleaguered by a plagiarism lawsuit, Michael Shanks’ film is not only shaping up to be a terrifying look at love and co-dependent relationships but the WTF movie of the summer.