With a new slate of films arriving in theaters this weekend, audiences are once again faced with that familiar question: what’s worth the ticket price? Below is a quick early look at how critics and viewers are responding to the major new releases—ranging from high-concept sci-fi and franchise horror to intimate literary drama and ambitious historical storytelling. While some titles are still too fresh for fully formed audience scores, initial reactions and early metrics offer a useful snapshot of which films are connecting immediately and which may appeal more to niche or art-house tastes as word of mouth develops.
Mercy is a high-concept sci-fi thriller directed by Timur Bekmambetov, starring Chris Pratt as LAPD Detective Chris Raven and Rebecca Ferguson as the AI judge Maddox in a near-future Los Angeles where artificial intelligence runs the justice system. Raven wakes accused of killing his wife and has 90 minutes to prove his innocence before the AI system executes him, navigating a “screenlife” narrative that plays out on surveillance feeds, social media, and digital records. Early reaction highlights its immersive format — much of the film unfolds through on-screen media displays — and its provocative theme of digital footprints and personal privacy, though critics have yet to compile wide ratings as official reviews are still forthcoming with its wide release. The film’s blend of action, mystery, and sci-fi courtroom pressure makes it a strong genre choice for fans of futuristic thrillers.
Return to Silent Hill is the latest installment in the long-running horror franchise based on the classic video game Silent Hill 2. Directed by Christophe Gans and starring Jeremy Irvine and Hannah Emily Anderson, the film follows a man named James who receives a mysterious letter from his lost love, drawing him back to the fog-shrouded town of Silent Hill — now transformed into a nightmarish realm of monstrous forces and psychological terror. As James navigates the horrors of the abandoned town to find Mary, he uncovers dark secrets that put his sanity and survival at stake. Early expectations among fans of the series focus on its atmospheric dread and world-building, with Silent Hill devotees especially keen to see how recent lore and visual design are adapted for the big screen.
H Is for Hawk is a heartfelt drama based on Helen Macdonald’s bestselling memoir, directed by Philippa Lowthorpe and starring Claire Foy as Helen. After the sudden death of her father, Helen is engulfed by grief and impulsively buys a hawk named Mabel to train — a relationship that becomes her path toward healing. The film blends nature, grief, and personal transformation with stunning visuals of training and flight, and it has been warmly received by audiences who appreciate its emotional depth and cathartic storytelling. Reviews from early festival screenings (including Telluride and London) note its tender pacing and the power of its central performance, making it a strong pick for moviegoers interested in character-driven resilience stories.
The Testament of Ann Lee is a historical drama directed by Mona Fastvold, featuring an acclaimed performance by Amanda Seyfried as Ann Lee, the real-life founder of the Shaker movement. The film chronicles Lee’s unconventional spiritual journey as she preaches gender equality, communal living, and religious devotion in a world resistant to change. Combining biographical narrative with musical and choreographic elements rooted in traditional Shaker hymns, the film has attracted significant critical praise for its ambition and Seyfried’s commanding lead turn. On review aggregator sites, it holds strong critic support (with an especially high Tomatometer), though its deliberate rhythm and artistic style have made it more appealing to critics and cinephiles than to mass audiences, according to early feedback. Viewers describe it as haunting, formally daring, and deeply felt, with several critics and awards bodies recognizing its craft and performances.