New Films Hit Cinemas: '28 Years Later' Sequel, 'If I Could Kick You' Lead Releases

This week brings a fresh selection of films to cinemas, including the latest 28 Years Later installment, the thriller If I Could Kick You, a new take on The Incredible Shrinking Man, Juanma Bajo Ulloa's El mal, Petra Volpe's Shift, the drama The Salt Path, Belladonna Island, and the animated adventure Chickenhare and the Secret of the Marmot.

For horror fans, 28 Years Later: The Temple of Bones marks the exciting return of Danny Boyle's "infected" saga. This time, Nia DaCosta directs, with a screenplay by Alex Garland. The film features a strong cast including three-time Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, and young Alfie Williams. In this installment, Dr. Kelson forms a powerful connection that could redefine the world, while Spike falls into Jimmy Crystal's dangerous trap amid betrayals and a brutal fight for survival.

If I Could Kick You is now in theaters, having already earned Rose Byrne a Golden Globe for Best Actress. This adds to her Silver Bear from the Berlinale and a Best Performance award at the Sitges Festival. Directed by Mary Bronstein, this fast-paced and witty thriller stars A$AP Rocky and Conan O’Brien. It explores motherhood in crisis with sharp humor and intense pacing. The story follows Linda as her life crumbles, dealing with her daughter's mysterious illness, an absent husband, a missing person, and a growingly hostile relationship with her therapist.

Also hitting cinemas is a new version of The Incredible Shrinking Man, directed by Jan Kounen and starring Oscar winner Jean Dujardin. This adaptation of Richard Matheson's classic story, which previously screened at Sitges, combines stunning visuals with an intimate look at the fragility of modern man. It tells the story of Paul, a family man who, after a strange event, begins to shrink until he's trapped in his own basement, fighting for his life.

Juanma Bajo Ulloa, known for cult films like Butterfly Wings, The Dead Mother, and Airbag, also releases his new film, El mal. Four years after his last work, Baby, this haunting movie delves into the depths of the human soul. It features a prestigious international cast, including Natalia Tena, who reunites with the director, Belén Fabra, and Tony Dalton.

Swiss filmmaker Petra Volpe's Shift is a fast-paced film she both wrote and directed. It depicts an intense day in the life of a hospital nurse, played by Leonie Benesch, highlighting the precarious conditions and extreme pressure within the healthcare system.

The UK box office hit The Salt Path is now showing, directed by Marianne Elliott and starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. Based on the true memoirs of Raynor Winn, this emotional story follows a couple who lose their farm and face a terminal diagnosis. They embark on a 630-mile walk along the South West Coast Path, an journey that transforms their lives.

Additionally, Belladonna Island, directed by Alanté Kavaïté and starring Nadia Tereszkiewicz, is in theaters. Set in 2050, the film features Tereszkiewicz as Gaëlle, a 30-year-old woman isolated on an island, caring for a small group of elderly people. Her quiet life is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of a sailboat, bringing joy, bustle, and renewed vitality.

For families looking for animated fun, Chickenhare and the Secret of the Marmot arrives in cinemas after attracting a million viewers in France. This vibrant adventure celebrates identity and family bonds with fresh humor and spectacular animation. Chickenhare and his friends go on an epic quest for a magical marmot that can alter the past to save their species, only to discover that others also desire its power.