Speak No Evil (2022, Dir. Christian Tafdrup)

A Danish family meets a Dutch family on holiday who are not all they seem. Truly uncomfortable and challenging to watch at times, this is one of the all time shout at the screen films. Awkward and unflinching – you will feel the tension and atmosphere – recommended.

Death Race 2000 (1975, dir. Paul Bartel)

A near-future fascistic USA is focused on an annual cross-continent murderous road race. Scattershot but sprightly, this exploitation effort (a Rollerball mockbuster) juggles media satire, cartoony splatter, 1984 riff, and car-chase comedy. Full of ideas, though, and hugely influential. A remake – spawning several DTV sequels – followed.

Here’s the trailer.

The House That Dripped Blood (1971, dir. Peter Duffell)

A detective investigates a missing film star, leading him to enquire into a house’s tragic history. Brisk Amicus anthology horror based on Robert Bloch short stories (with one standout yarn) – four twisty tales plus a wraparound story – delivering value for money and some genre-friendly faces.

Here’s the trailer.

The Outfit (2022, dir. Graham Moore)

An unassuming tailor finds himself caught in a war between rival mobsters. Deliberately stagey crime drama seemingly based on the pun in the title, with the kinds of twists one might expect: anchored by an immaculate Mark Rylance performance. Not especially filmic, but enjoyable on its own terms.

Here’s the trailer.

Office Space (1999, dir. Mike Judge)

A disaffected software engineer rebels against his employer. Generally focused office comedy, good on the minutiae of cubicle life and on the personality types found in any large organisation. Almost a documentary in places, plus strength in depth in casting and performances. Recommended.

Here’s the trailer.

Idiocracy (2006, dir. Mike Judge)

An average soldier wakes from cryosleep to find himself the cleverest man in 26th-century America. Shambolic but consistently funny satire, held together by an intrusive voiceover and weakened a little for sometimes mistaking sneering at the working class for satirising commercialised stupidity.

Here’s the trailer.

Disenchanted (2022, dir. Adam Shankman)

A now-disaffected Giselle and family have to work together when a magical accident means Andalasia overlaps with upstate New York. Patchy, padded belated sequel stuffed with duff songs and no real reason to exist. Maya Rudolph has fun as a baddie this time out, and that’s about it.

Here’s the trailer.

Sideshow (2020, dir. Adam Oldroyd)

A misanthropic stage psychic is the victim of a home invasion. Grubby little comedy-thriller with a focus on making Les Dennis as authentically unlikable as possible. Some good lines sneak through, there’s an okay end-of-the-pier vibe to it, and a genuinely WTF ending that makes this a passable one-time watch.

Here’s the trailer.

Gatlopp: Hell Of A Game (2022, dir. Alberto Belli)

Four old friends play a mysterious drinking game: matters soon get out of hand. Fun little riff on Zathura / Jumanji with a little escape room stuff thrown in. At its strongest when focused on the game itself (its weakest in engineering soapy issues to be addressed), but there’s talent and some confidence on display here.

Here’s the trailer.