Cinema News: Movies Update: ‘Fantastic Beasts’ and More

April 15, 2022

By Mekado Murphy

Movies Editor

Hey, movie fans!

Prepare your spells, a new "Fantastic Beasts" has hit the big screen — though this time with a lot less emphasis on magical creatures and a much deeper focus on the deceitful wizard Grindelwald, now played by Mads Mikkelsen. This installment, "The Secrets of Dumbledore," has an election at its center. The critic Amy Nicholson calls the film "a political primer sprinkled in magic dust."

Elsewhere in the movie world, the Cannes Film Festival lineup has been announced. New works from seasoned directors like David Cronenberg, Claire Denis, Park Chan-wook and Cristian Mungiu will be in competition at the prestigious festival, which begins May 17.

Speaking of movies and France, Manohla Dargis has reviewed what she calls "a very French French movie": the new work from Jacques Audiard, "Paris, 13th District." It is a Critic's Pick.

The Robert Eggers viking drama "The Northman" arrives next week. Ahead of that, Kaly Soto spoke to the film's star, Alexander Skarsgard, about all the time spent in production (and in the mud) to complete it.

And Viola Davis has a memoir coming later this month. She spoke to Jazmine Hughes about overcoming a life of hardship to become one of the most revered actresses of her generation.

Other movies out this week include an experimental horror film, an oddball priest drama, an Australian zombie sequel and a Netflix horror entry about a killer computer game.

Enjoy the movies.

Warner Bros.

'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore' Review: The Plot Against Muggles

Mads Mikkelsen plays an evil wizard with political talent in the latest "Harry Potter" spinoff movie, which also stars Jude Law and Eddie Redmayne.

By Amy Nicholson

Robbie Lawrence for The New York Times

Alexander Skarsgard's Viking Dream

Stories from his grandfather inspired what would eventually become "The Northman." But it took years of development and then seven months in the mud to complete.

By Kaly Soto

Ruven Afanador for The New York Times

Viola Davis, Inside Out

How she drew on a life of private hardship to become one of the greatest actors of her generation.

By Jazmine Hughes

Continue reading the main story

CRITICS' PICKS

IFC Films

Critic's Pick

'Paris, 13th District' Review: Groping Toward Happiness

In his latest movie, the French director Jacques Audiard tells the story of lovers finding their way in Paris.

By Manohla Dargis

Oscilloscope

Critic's Pick

'The Tale of King Crab' Review: In Exile, Both at Home and Abroad

This fiction feature debut follows a scandalous son of a physician turned adventurer in spite of himself.

By Glenn Kenny

MOVIE REVIEWS

Utopia

'We're All Going to the World's Fair' Review: Is It Horror, or Just Ennui?

In Jane Schoenbrun's first feature, a teenager finds terror and distraction in a multiplayer online game.

By A.O. Scott

RLJE Films

'Dual' Review: Seeing Double, Inviting Trouble

A woman prepares to battle her clone in Riley Stearns's imprecise satire that invites questions about the self and then leaves them unexplored.

By Natalia Winkelman

Thom Davies/XYZ Films

'Wyrmwood: Apocalypse' Review: Maximum Zombie Slayage

In this Australian zombie sequel, a soldier helps a pack of vigilantes rise up against his evil boss.

By Lena Wilson

Netflix

'Choose or Die' Review: Press Start. Or Not.

In this horror movie, a vintage computer game forces players to make gruesome decisions.

By Ben Kenigsberg

Vertical Entertainment

'To Olivia' Review: Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal Cope With Tragedy

This drama about the author and the actress is poignant, elegant and aggravating.

By Lisa Kennedy

Deborah Anderson

'Women of the White Buffalo' Review: Speaking Out on the Reservation

This documentary sheds light on the destitute conditions in two South Dakota reservations through the stories of the communities' women.

By Concepción de León

Karen Ballard/Sony Pictures, via Associated Press

'Father Stu' Review: Screwball Salvation

Mark Wahlberg throws himself into the real-life story of an oddball priest in Rosalind Ross's debut feature.

By Nicolas Rapold

Continue reading the main story

NEWS & FEATURES

OK McCausland for The New York Times

A New Horror Film Finds Solace, and Identity, in Terror

The director Jane Schoenbrun and the actress Anna Cobb talk about their experimental horror film "We're All Going to the World's Fair."

By Erik Piepenburg

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

David Cronenberg and Claire Denis Will Compete at Cannes Film Festival

Organizers announced a lineup of nearly 50 movies for the event's 2022 edition, including 18 in the running for the top honor, the Palme d'Or.

By Alex Marshall

Richard Drew/Associated Press

New Era Begins at Warner Bros., Tinged With Nostalgia

With a new owner, the 99-year-old movie studio appears headed back to its traditional sweet spot as an entertainment company. But the business of Hollywood is no longer the same.

By Brooks Barnes

STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS