Diverse New Films Pack Cinemas, Led by Safdie, Raimi, Holland

This week, cinemas are packed with exciting new movies. Highlights include the multi-award-winning Marty Supreme, Sam Raimi's surprising new thriller Send Help, the comedy Aída y vuelta, the Canarian film La lucha, The Left-Handed Girl (co-written by Oscar winner Sean Baker), and Franz Kafka, a biopic by Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland. It's a diverse lineup promising thrills, laughs, and a taste of the Canary Islands.

Marty Supreme, nominated for nine Oscars, is the solo directing debut of Josh Safdie, known for co-directing Uncut Gems. Timothée Chalamet stars as Marty Mauser, an ambitious young man in 1950s New York who dreams of greatness. Alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and Odessa A’Zion, Chalamet plays a charismatic table tennis hustler determined to make a name for himself in a world obsessed with success.

From legendary director Sam Raimi, known for The Evil Dead and the Spider-Man trilogy, comes Send Help. This new thriller is a surprising mix of genres, starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien. It combines dark humor, psychological suspense, and pure survival. The story follows two co-workers who get stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash, forcing them to confront their pasts – and each other – to survive.

The beloved Spanish TV comedy Aída returns to the big screen with Aída y vuelta. The film brings back Carmen Machi, Paco León, Miren Ibarguren, Mariano Peña, and the entire cast. Featuring around a hundred performers, it blends fiction with a behind-the-scenes look at the Aída phenomenon. Full of laughter, challenging shoots, and familiar humor, Aída y vuelta explores fame, the boundaries of comedy, and what it means to be a comedian.

Also arriving in cinemas after its successful premiere at the San Sebastián Festival is La lucha, the new film by Canarian director José Alayón. This powerful movie explores identity and emotional heritage. It stars real Canarian wrestlers like Tomasín Padrón, Yazmina Estupiñán, and Inés Cano, capturing the strength and beauty of the Canary Islands' most iconic sport. Set in Fuerteventura, the film tells the story of a father and daughter connected by Canarian wrestling, speaking to themes of resilience, tradition, and family love in the face of loss. Shot on 16mm film, it features Mauro Herce as director of photography, a Goya winner for Fire Will Come and nominated again for Sirat.

Premiering this Friday, after being shown at Cannes Critics' Week and Seminci, is The Left-Handed Girl. Directed by Taiwanese Shih-Ching Tsou and co-written with Oscar winner Sean Baker (Anora), the film was shot entirely on an iPhone in Taipei's busy night market. It stands out for its authentic visuals and natural energy, offering a close look at family, superstitions, and the daily challenges faced by three generations of women, inspired by Tsou's own life.

Finally, acclaimed Polish director Agnieszka Holland presents Franz Kafka. This bold and deeply human film explores the life of the famous Czech author. Newcomer Idan Weiss stars as Kafka, showing him at a crossroads between his career as a lawyer and his calling as a writer, caught between societal expectations and his inner world.