The best new movies in Singapore to catch

In cinemas January 12

Directed by Jeymes Samuel and produced by popular rapper Jay-Z, this biblical comedy puts a twist on what we know about the events in the Bible. The film follows Clarence, a struggling Hebrew man who pretends to be a messiah like Jesus to earn money and be free from debt. Although prior knowledge of events that occur in the Bible would provide additional context to the shenanigans in The Book of Clarence, the story is still easy to follow, and the themes of the film – the concept of faith and what it takes to become a better person – are not compromised.

In cinemas February 2

Fans of the Kingsman series will be thrilled to know that director Matthew Vaughn is back with yet another spy action thriller. Argylle revolves around the successful spy fiction novelist Elly Conway and her sudden involvement in real life espionage when the plot of her book seemingly predicts the activities of an underground crime syndicate. The film is decked out with a star-studded cast such as Bryce Dallas Howard, Henry Cavill, and Bryan Cranston. Even famous singer Dua Lipa makes an appearance in the film.

In cinemas February 14

As part of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, Madame Web tells the story of one of Marvel’s most enigmatic heroines. Dakota Johnson takes on the titular role of Cassandra Webb, a paramedic who suddenly gains the ability to see visions from the future. The suspense-driven thriller follows Cassandra as she unravels mysteries about her past while being hunted by a relentless adversary. Joining the cast are Sydney Sweeney of Euphoria as  Julia Carpenter, and Emma Roberts from Scream Queens, whose role is yet to be revealed.

In cinemas March 1

The long-awaited sequel will finally grace the silver screen this March. Based on the 1965 science fiction novel by Frank Herbert, Dune: Part Two continues the story of Paul Atreides and his journey into becoming his own man following the death of his father Leto Atreides (played by Oscar Issac) and his uncle Duncan Idaho (played by Jason Momoa), who served as his mentor figures. The end of Dune: Part One saw Paul coming to his destiny and joining the Fremen, who revere Paul as their prophesied messiah. Part One was met with mixed reviews, with some claiming that the story felt incomplete due to the film being split into multiple parts, and that the film felt like a series of aesthetically pleasing scenes lacking substantial plot. As the events of Part One are meant to build the foundation and motivations for Paul Atreides, we can only hope that Part Two delivers a satisfying portrayal of his development that warrants the story being split into multiple parts.

In cinemas April 26

The trailer for Challengers sparked a huge discussion about Tom Holland and Zendaya’s relationship after it featured Zendaya’s character engaging in a romantic tryst with two men, with many making “Stay Strong, Tom Holland” jokes while others have gone as far as to say that the beloved Spiderman: No Way Home couple have broken up. Relationship rumours aside, Zendaya plays Tashi Duncan, a Grand Slam tennis champion who engages in a sexual relationship with two other tennis players who happen to be best friends. Years later, we learn that Tashi suffered from a serious injury that stopped her from pursuing tennis, and that she married Art Donaldson, one of the boys from the earlier sexual encounter. Art signs up for a challenger event that places him against his former best friend, and the repercussions of that night start to surface. The character of Tashi Duncan is more complex compared to  Zendaya’s usual roles – a perfect vehicle for her to show a new side whilst embodying the driven and mysterious Tashi onscreen.

In cinemas May 17

Ever wondered where your childhood imaginary friends disappeared to when you grew out of them? John Krasinski’s IF – short for Imaginary Friend – features a girl named Bea and her neighbour (played by Ryan Reynolds) who can see these imaginary friends, with the duo helping them to find new children to accompany. This kid-friendly fantasy has a star-studded cast, including Steve Carell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Maya Rudolph, all of whom will be playing various imaginary friends in the film.

In cinemas May 24

It’s been eight years since the release of the theatrical spectacle, Mad Max: Fury Road, and while many praised Tom Hardy’s version of Max Rockatansky, Charlize Theron’s portrayal of Furiosa left everyone in awe and clamouring for more. Writer and director George Miller revealed that during the writing process of Fury Road, Furiosa was given such an extensive backstory for her character that an entire script was written. Furiosa’s origins will be the main focus of the upcoming film, with Anya Taylor-Joy – most known for her edifying performance in The Queen’s Gambit – taking on the role of the electric Furiosa. The plot remains relatively ambiguous, but one thing’s for sure: you can expect impressive cinematography and thrilling action sequences that will keep you on the edge of your seat.