Play Hard

What’s on at the cinema in February

It’s officially awards season and you know what that means – the new films coming out this month are very possibly the best of the best.

Written by Chris Kingston

Published 28.01.2023

By Christopher Kingston

The Whale

3^rd February

This touching drama follows a reclusive, morbidly obese English teacher who suffers from depression, conducting all his Zoom classes with his camera switched off, as he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter (Stranger Things star Sadie Sink) for one last chance at redemption.

Those who hear Brendan Fraser’s name and immediately think of The Mummy franchise will be in for a pleasant surprise – he’s almost a shoo-in for awards season after this performance.

WATCH THE TRAILER

Knock At The Cabin

3^rd February

M. Night Shyamalan movies are a bit like marmite – you either love them or you hate them. But if the trailer for his new psychological horror looks anything to go by, get ready to fall hard.

Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge star as a couple who, along with their daughter, are held against their will by a group of four strangers. Led by Leonard (Dave Bautista), these strangers inform them that they’ve been chosen to make a choice – one which could prevent the apocalypse…

WATCH THE TRAILER

Women Talking

10^th February

An all-star female cast and pertinent subject matter has got critics buzzing about this feature film – which has already been nominated for a swathe of Oscars and is being touted by many as ‘the best film of the year’.

Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley and Frances McDormand star as women living on an isolated Mennonite colony in Bolivia, as they discover a shocking secret about the community’s men – who have controlled their lives, and faith, since birth.

Now, they face a decision: do they do nothing, stay and fight, or try to escape?

WATCH THE TRAILER

Magic Mike’s Last Dance

10^th February

Channing Tatum and his superb six-pack return for a third and final outing.

Thanks to a business deal that turned sour, Mike finds himself broke and bartending in Florida. That is, until a wealthy socialite (Salma Hayek) lures him to London with an offer he simply can’t refuse…

With everything on the line, Mike has to whip a hot new roster of talented dancers into shape.

WATCH THE TRAILER

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania

17^th February

Another month, another new release from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Phase five of the adventures sees superhero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) reunite as Ant Man and The Wasp, as they find themselves exploring the Quantum Realm – and cross paths with MCU’s newest village, Kang the Conqueror.

We’re especially looking forward to guest appearances from Michael Douglas and queen of the screen, Michelle Pfeiffer.

WATCH THE TRAILER

The Son

17^th February

Recently married to his second wife, Peter Miller (Hugh Jackman) is celebrating the birth of a new baby. That is, until his 17-year-old son to his first wife (Laura Dern) commits suicide.

As he tries to navigate his grief alongside the joy of a new life, Peter also attempts to reconcile himself with the fractured relationship he has with his own father (Anthony Hopkins), in this sensitive examination of paternal parenthood.

WATCH THE TRAILER

Cocaine Bear

24^th February

Elizabeth Banks directs this black comedy thriller based on a bizarre true story.

The film follows the chain of events that occur after an American black bear – who was later dubbed by some as ‘the ultimate party animal’ and, by others, as ‘Pablo Escobear’ – eats a duffel bag full of cocaine.

Weighing in at a cool 500lb, the bear embarks on a drugs-fuelled rampage that sees an eccentric gathering of cops, criminals, tourists and teenagers assemble in a Georgia forest.

WATCH THE TRAILER

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

24^th February

This cross-cultural romantic comedy is one of those you can just sense is going to become an immediate British classic.

Young filmmaker Zoe (played by Lily James) has lived next door to her best friend Kazim (Shazad Latif) all her life. When he tells her that his parents have begun to secure an arranged marriage for him, Zoe decides to document the journey on film. Of course, she’s not prepared for all the feels that come with it… not least from herself.

Look out for another star turn by our forever leading lady, Emma Thompson.

WATCH THE TRAILER