One of the best things about the Christmas break is that there’s plenty of time to take a quick trip to the cinema and watch a great film- while its still cold and dark outside. While Christmas TV might be what everyone talks about in the hours after you’ve eaten your turkey, there’s still some amazing films coming out this year, from an action movie twist on Santa Claus to the highly anticipated sequel to James Cameron’s Avatar.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Continuing the recent surge in biopics about famous musicians like Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody, December’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody tells the story of late singing sensation Whitney Huston, and how she journeyed from obscurity to become a world famous superstar, and the biggest R&B singer on the planet. English actress Naomi Ackie, who’s featured in The End of the F***ing World, Star Wars and Doctor Who, is stepping into the shoes of the legendary singer. She’s joined by Stanley Tucci as her record producer Clive Davis, Ashton Sanders as Bobby Brown, Tamara Tunie as her mother Cissy, and Nafessa Williams as Robyn Crawford. It’s directed by Kasi Lemmons (Harriet), and releases on Boxing Day.
Release date 26.12.22
Violent Night
If Santa is traditionally too kind and gentle for your tastes, then you might want to check out new black comedy action film Violent Night. Starring Stranger Things’ David Harbour as Santa, the film’s plot sees a group of violent mercenaries, led by Mr. Scrooge (John Leguizamo), attack a wealthy family’s estate on Christmas Eve- forcing Father Christmas himself to step in and save the day, locked and loaded. Violent Night also stars Cam Gigandet, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder and Beverly D’Angelo. Absurd? Yes. Christmassy? Mostly. Fun? Let’s hope so.
Release date: 2.12.22
Avatar: The Way of Water
Not only the biggest film release of December, the long awaited sequel to Avatar is probably the most anticipated film of the year. Everyone remembers how James Cameron’s original film about blue aliens swept the box office to become the biggest money maker of all time, and while it remains to be seen how well this one does, it’s set to be another technological marvel. Filmed back to back with Avatar 3 (which is partly why this one has taken 13 years), Avatar: The Way of Water tells the continuing story of Jake Sully and Neytiri and their family, as an ancient threat resurfaces. The film will see the return of cast members Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Stephen Lang, as well as new cast members like Kate Winslet and Edie Falco.
Release date: 16.12.22
Emancipation
Will Smith stars in this slave drama based on real events. He stars as Peter, a man who escaped slavery and became famous for the shocking photographs of his back after being whipped repeatedly whilst as slave. The photos were taken in the 1860s, when photography was still in its infancy, and they gave proof of the cruelty of slavery in America to the abolitionist movement. The film is directed by Atoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Guilty) and also stars Ben Foster, Charmaine Bingwa, Steven Ogg, Mustafa Shakir, Timothy Hutton and Grant Harvey. It’s set to arrive in cinemas on 2nd December.
Release date: 2.12.22
Women Talking
Directed by Sarah Polley (Stories We Tell), Women Talking follows a group of eight women from an isolated Mennonite community, who are together struggling to come to terms with their faith and lives, after they release that they have all been abused by a number of the men in their oppressive community. Based on real events that occurred in the late 2000s, the women take refuge and together debate and reflect on their lives and roles, and whether they should stay in their community and simply forgive their attackers, or find some kind of way to escape. It features an impressive cast, with Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Ben Wishaw, Frances McDormand and others all playing prominent roles. You can read more here
Release date: 23.12.22
Rather stay in? Then check out our list of the best stuff to stream in December
