10 (More) Movies to Keep an Eye on this Awards Season!

Because limiting the list to 10 unreleased films was just too hard.

The following list will cover another 10 films in contention for awards buzz that have yet to be released in Australia.

The Mule

Clint Eastwood returns to direct and star in the gritty drama The Mule, which tells the story of an elderly drug mule and his escapades with the law and his family.

Eastwood’s first acting role since The Trouble with the Curve (2012), The Mule reunites Eastwood with Bradley Cooper, who worked together on the critically successful war-drama American Sniper (2015).

The Mule looks to be a serious awards contender and a possible return to form fo Eastwood following his not-so-well received 2018 film The 15:17 to Paris.

The Hate U Give

Already this year we have seen the young adult genre be tackled in ways it hasn’t before with films like Love, Simon and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Beforetackling issues regarding same-sex relationships and representation.

Continuing this trend is The Hate U Give, which follows the activism of a 16-year-old black girl (Amandla Stenberg) whose friend dies after an interaction with the police.

Starring a strong lead performance from Hunger Games (2012) actress Stenberg, the topical nature behind the film mirroring what is currently in the headlines makes the film a serious awards contender.

Ben is Back

Like two supernovas colliding, Lucas Hedges stars alongside Academy Award winner Julia Roberts in what looks to be the heartbreaking drama of the year, Ben is Back.

Ben is Back takes place on Christmas Eve and follows Ben’s (Hedges) struggle with substance abuse during the 24-hour period he is allowed out of rehab under his family’s supervision.

The film is directed by Lucas’s father Peter Hedges, who has a long history with the child-to-parent narrative, having worked on the screenplays for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), About a Boy (2002) and The Good Dinosaur (2015).

If anything like Lucas Hedges’ other turn in 2016’s Manchester by the Sea and 2017’s Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri audiences should expect to feel emotionally shaken.

Mary Queen of Scots

Nothing says British history like an Australian woman playing an English queen.

Based on the ‘Rising of the North of 1569, Mary Queen of Scots follows the attempt of the titular character (Saoirse Ronan) to overthrow her cousin Queen Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie).

Josie Rourke, who has predominantly worked in theatre, takes the helm as director with David Tennant and Guy Pearce also featuring as cast.

Ronan and Robbie could be crowned Best Actress following strong buzz and building momentum following their nominations for their 2017 work.

Ralph Breaks the Internet

Looking at the trailer you will be forgiven for confusing Wreck-It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet (worlds longest title) for The Emoji Movie (2017).

Promising Disney Princesses and Stormtroopers, the film follows the adventures of two arcade game characters Ralph (John C. Reilly) and Princess Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) who journey into the internet.

It has been a long while since an animated film received a best picture nomination with the expansion of nominations from five to ten allowing non-dramas an opportunity to be nominated.

The film is destined to land consideration in the Animated Feature category, however, should the momentum build you cannot rule a game-over on its potential.

First Reformed

The way religion can be weaved into stories to motivate characters such as 2016’s Silence and Hacksaw Ridge follows suit in the Ethan Hawke lead drama-thriller First Reformed.

The film follows the story of a grieving priest (Ethan Hawke) who whilst dealing with the death of his son must deal with the traumas going on in his city.

Amanda Seyfried and Cedric the Entertainer also feature in the film which is directed and written by Taxi Driver (1976) scribe, and no stranger to unnerving characters, Paul Schrader.

Hawke’s performance combined with the highly visceral nature of the trailer makes the film look compelling and all-the-more a hopeful to end up on the Oscars stage.

Mid90s

Jonah Hill has shown great range in his film career being able to take on both comedic and dramatic roles.

His trajectory as not only an actor but as a filmmaker continues to build in 2018 with Hill standing behind the camera as both writer and director of the coming-of-age drama Mid90s.

Mid90s takes an authentic look at the 90’s LA skating scene with the thirteen year-old-main character Stevie (Sunny Suljic, who most recently starred in The House with the Clock in its Walls (2018)) using skating as an outlet to find a connection.

Here is to hoping the film is another super-good addition to Hill’s glowing resume.

Destroyer

It takes a good thirty seconds of the trailer to realise that it is Nicole Kidman who stars in the crime-drama Destroyer.

Revealing her gritty all, Nicole Kidman channels one part Sicario (2015) and one part Monster (2003) in what will become an unforgettable performance.

Destroyer follows an increasing amount of films being helmed by women with Karyn Kusama (who had previously worked with Charlize Theron on Aeon Flux (2005)) taking on directorial duties.

Nicole Kidman with a gun, Destroyer is set to go down as another strong entry for 2018.

Vox Lux

Bjork goes to New Jersey in the Natalie Portman vehicle Vox Lux.

Covering a twenty-year timeframe, Vox Lux follows the highs and lows of Portman’s avant-garde pop star Celeste, with many critics regarding Portman’s performance in the film as one of her best.

The film also stars Jude Law and is written and directed by Brady Corbet who is mostly known for his acting work in films including Melancholia (2011) and the Clouds of Sils Maria (2014).

Stan & Ollie

Comedy films are known for being under-represented at the Academy Awards with comedic films that have gone on to win the top gongs including Birdman (2013), The Artist (2010) and Chicago (2002) all being hybrid in genre.

The joker amongst next year’s awards wildcards is the biographical-comedy Stan & Ollie, which is based on the lives of slapstick comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.

Directed by Scottish filmmaker Jon S. Baird (who directed 2013’s Filth), Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly star in the title roles with the film already generating positive reviews since initial screenings.

Should Stan & Ollie continue to land with the critics it could well and end up on the awards podium.