With plenty more fresh releases, this month’s lineup is quite the mixed bag in the best possible way. Here’s a look at eight films to help you choose your next watch.
1. ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ (Sep 5)
It hs been 11 years since James Wan’s “The Conjuring” first crept into cinemas, spawning one of the most successful horror franchises. Now comes the ninth, and final, chapter.
Under the direction of Michael Chaves, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their iconic roles as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Inspired by the real-life Smurl haunting of 1986, the film unfolds five years after “The Devil Made Me Do It“. The trailer teases the shocking return of a demon from the Warrens’ earliest case – one so terrifying it’s said to have marked their final paranormal investigation.
2. ‘Madharasi’ (Sep 5)
If horror isn’t your thing, Tamil cinema has an action-packed alternative. Renowned director A R Murugadoss returns after a five-year break to team up with Sivakarthikeyan, fresh off the blockbuster “Amaran”, the highest-grossing film of his career.
Here, Sivakarthikeyan stars alongside Rukmini Vasanth and Biju Menon, with Vidyut Jammwal returning as the villain – a full-circle moment since his breakout in Murugadoss’s “Thuppakki”.
The makers remain tight-lipped about the story, but the trailer promises a high-octane action-thriller in true Murugadoss fashion, with Anirudh Ravichander’s soundtrack adding to the excitement.
3. ‘Baaghi 4’ (Sep 5)
Bollywood’s “Baaghi” series needs no introduction: Tiger Shroff’s high-kick action franchise has been thrilling fans since 2016, and the fourth instalment promises to be the darkest and bloodiest entry yet.
The teaser already has people talking: Tiger, bloodied and furious, wielding a machete. This time, his character Ronnie survives a catastrophic train crash and spirals into grief, guilt, and possibly madness.
Adding to the buzz, Sanjay Dutt returns as the villain, while Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu makes her Bollywood debut.
As of press time the trailer hasn’t yet been released, so here’s a music video instead:
4. ‘Magik Rompak’ (Sep 11)
Imagine “Now You See Me” through a Malaysian lens – that’s “Magik Rompak”, directed by Adrian Teh.
Zul Ariffin stars as Hadi, a former stage magician with a dark past who recruits a crew of master thieves to steal the legendary Hati Kesuma necklace worth millions – all under the guise of magic.
Shot entirely in Malaysia, the film boasts cross-border star power with Singapore’s Tay Ping Hui, and local stars Sharnaaz Ahmad and Amelia Henderson.
5. ‘A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’ (Sept 18)
What if a single moment from your past could change everything about your future? Directed by Kogonada, this film pairing Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell is part romance, part fantasy.
Sarah and David meet by chance at a wedding and are swept into a funny, magical adventure, guided through strange doorways into their most pivotal memories.
Along the way, they must face the choices that shaped them, and discover whether rewriting the past can lead to a bolder, more beautiful life ahead.
6. ‘Him’ (Sep 19)
Produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, this chilling psychological thriller strips the shine from sports glory and replaces it with existential dread.
Tyriq Withers stars as Cameron Cade, a rising football star who, having had his career shattered by a freak injury, is sent to a secluded island to train under legendary but unhinged quarterback Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans).
What begins as intense conditioning soon devolves into twisted rituals, blurring the line between rehabilitation and brainwashing. Packed with bloodshed and eerie imagery, “Him” explores the dangerous cost of greatness.
7. ‘One Battle After Another’ (Sept 25)
Inspired loosely by Thomas Pynchon’s novel “Vineland”, this film follows a group of former revolutionaries who team up again when the daughter of one of their own goes missing. A battle resumes – but this time, it’s personal.
Leonardo DiCaprio leads as the rebel-turned-fugitive, while Sean Penn portrays the tenacious officer on his trail.
From writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson, this action-thriller promises equal parts tension, black humour, and emotional gravity.
8. ‘Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc’ (Sep 25)
“Chainsaw Man” is a smash-hit dark fantasy manga and anime about Denji, a troubled young hero who battles devils with chainsaw powers.
Directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara, “Reze Arc” explores Denji’s chaotic world through his fateful encounter with Reze – a seemingly sweet café worker hiding deadly blades and an even sharper emotional grip.
It also marks a milestone for the franchise, as “Chainsaw Man” slashes his way into cinemas instead of living rooms.