We highlight the 10 most interesting new releases hitting UK/ROI cinemas in October.
Words by Eric Hillis (@hilliseric)
The Girl on the Train (Oct 5th)
Get On Up director Tate Taylor adapts Paula Hawkins' bestselling novel. Emily Blunt stars as an alcoholic who becomes obsessed with a young couple living near the home she once shared with her ex-husband, and subsequently finds herself embroiled in a mystery surrounding the disappearance of the titular commuter.
Blood Father (Oct 7th)
Hollywood persona non grata Mel Gibson makes a comeback this Autumn, as a director with Hacksaw Ridge and as an actor in this action thriller. Gibson plays an ex-con who comes to the aid of his estranged daughter when she finds herself targeted by a violent gang, and his screen return has been largely praised by critics.
Read our review
The Greasy Strangler (Oct 7th)
A tour guide for LA sites once frequented by stars of the disco era begins to suspect his perpetually grease-slathered father may be responsible for a series of murders in this blackly comic oddity. Reviews from its Sundance debut compared director Jim Hosking's film to the work of John Waters and Harmony Korine.
War on Everyone (Oct 7th)
John Michael McDonagh follows his brother Martin to Hollywood for this homage to buddy cop movies. Alexander Skarsgard and Michael Pena are crooked cops who supplement their police wage by blackmailing criminals. They land in trouble when their latest target proves far from a pushover.
American Honey (Oct 14th)
Another British filmmaker making their US debut this month is Andrea Arnold. American Honey is a road movie centred on a teenage girl (newcomer Sasha Lane) who takes to the road with a ragtag crew of magazine subscription sellers lead by Shia Lebeouf. Arnold's film scooped the Jury Prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
I, Daniel Blake (Oct 21st)
As with this year's French drama The Measure of a Man, Ken Loach's Palme d'Or winner focusses on a middle-aged man and his struggles to traverse the bureaucracy of the social welfare system.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (Oct 21st)
2012's Jack Reacher didn't quite set the box office alight, but here's a sequel nonetheless. Tom Cruise returns to the role of the titular tough guy - who this time finds himself falsely accused of a murder - and reunites with The Last Samurai director Ed Zwick.
Queen of Katwe (Oct 21st)
Positive stories from Africa rarely interest first world filmmakers, but Mira Nair's Queen of Katwe is the true story of a young Ugandan woman (Madina Nalwanga) who becomes a Chess Master. Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo co-star.
Doctor Strange (Oct 28th)
At this point it's difficult to find enthusiasm for a comic book adaptation, but this one boasts a stellar (if racially controversial) cast. Benedict Cumberbatch is the title hero, while Tilda Swinton, Benedict Wong and Chiwetel Ejiofor add to the British thesp factor. With Mads Mikkelsen and Rachel McAdams also appearing, this has to be the most talented cast ever assembled for a Marvel movie.
Train to Busan (Oct 28th)
No matter how many headshots it takes, the zombie movie just won't die. This Korean horror is said to revitalise the undead sub-genre, confining its gory action to a high speed train and adding some social commentary along the way. George A Romero would approve.