The blockbuster month is here at last. July has a few can’t-miss films – so head to your coldest movie theater and strap in!
First up, a horror-filled entry called Evil Dead Burn. The sixth installment in the Evil Dead franchise, this story follows a mother gathering her family together after the death of her son. The plot quickly darkens further as otherworldly entities begin to take over each family member one by one. The Evil Dead films largely follow a similar outline (involving the Book of the Dead and a whole lot of violence), and this looks to pursue that pretty closely. We’ll see if it adds any new frights when it releases on July 8.
For the giant epic fantasy of the year, don’t miss The Odyssey. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight trilogy), the story adapts Homer’s ancient Greek epic which chronicles Odysseus’ long journey home after the Trojan War. As usual with a Nolan film, the cast is stacked with names like Matt Damon (Oppenheimer), Tom Holland (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Anne Hathaway (Interstellar), and Zendaya (Dune) to name a few. The most expensive film of Nolan’s career and shot entirely on IMAX’s 70mm film cameras, this looks to be one of his most extravagant ventures to date. It releases on July 17.
If you want a bizarre horror-thriller, look no further than Her Private Hell. Directed by Nicholas Winding Refn, known for strange yet compelling films like Drive (2011) and Valhalla Rising (2009), the movie sees a town engulfed in a mist as we follow a troubled woman and an American GI each searching for someone important in their lives. Refn has created polarizing film and TV projects, and this will likely be no different, but there is a certain charm to what he does as, frankly, no one else is really taking risks like him. Even if it doesn’t work, it will likely be an excellent dinner discussion topic when it releases on July 24.
For a sports comedy, take a look at The Dink. Starring Jake Johnson (New Girl) and Ben Stiller (There’s Something About Mary), the story follows an aging tennis pro who must change tactics and play pickleball in order to save a local club. Pickleball has seemingly had a surge in popularity over the last decade and a comedic film centered around the sport could prove good grounds for laughs when it releases on July 24.
Lastly, your summer isn’t complete without another superhero film: Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Peter Parker has been forgotten by the world and must now deal with loneliness while also grappling with newfound powers with potentially dangerous side effects. Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker/Spider-Man for the fourth time as the MCU chugs along in its sixth phase. The homework required to understand the plot is heavy, but we’ll see if it’s all worth it when it releases on July 31.
