Movies: 11 new releases hitting theaters this week

A big wave of new releases hits Brazilian theaters this Thursday, September 24 — from a re-released blockbuster to homegrown auteur films. We picked 11 titles worth watching for, with a brief synopsis and a press photo for each.

Avengers: Endgame Encore

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, this rerelease of the 2019 epic brings the heroes’ final battle against Thanos back to theaters, with new bonus footage and a first look at “Avengers: Doomsday.” Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans and Mark Ruffalo lead the cast.

Heart of the Beast (Coração Selvagem)

A former special forces soldier and his retired combat dog fight to survive Alaska’s harsh wilderness after a plane crash. Brad Pitt stars alongside J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe in this action thriller directed by David Ayer.

Forgotten Island (A Ilha Esquecida)

In this animated adventure, best friends Jô and Raissa are pulled through a mysterious portal to the Island of Nakali, home to creatures from Filipino folklore. To get home, they must face the feared Manananggal before the island’s magic erases their memories of each other.

Virtuosas

A luxury retreat promising women their “best version” turns into an absurd and dangerous ordeal in this Brazilian horror film directed by Cíntia Domit Bittar, starring Bruna Linzmeyer and Maria Galant.

We Need to Talk (Precisamos Falar)

Two families are confronted with a devastating discovery: their teenage children are involved in the death of a homeless woman. This psychological thriller, directed by Pedro Waddington and Rebeca Diniz, stars Marjorie Estiano and Alexandre Nero and is one of Brazil’s bets for international awards season.

Husband for Hire (Marido de Aluguel)

After her ex-husband is jailed for embezzlement, a woman hires a “rental husband” to put her mansion back in order — chaos ensues when the fugitive father reappears. A slapstick comedy starring Maurício Manfrini, directed by Paulo Fontenelle in the spirit of classic Brazilian comedy trios.

Not Every Love Story Ends in Death

Sol falls for Lola, a deaf actress, but things get complicated when Lola moves in with Sol’s ex-husband Miguel. Directed by Bruno Costa, this romantic comedy features the first deaf lead actress in a Brazilian feature film.

Hotel Amor

Catarina must prove she can run a hotel after its sale, wrangling a disastrous staff and very strange guests. A Portuguese comedy starring Jessica Athayde and Marcelo Adnet, directed by Hermano Moreira.

Papaya

A little papaya seed in love with the idea of flying must keep moving to avoid growing roots — until it discovers the transformative power of doing just that. The dialogue-free debut animated feature from Priscilla Kellen, co-produced with Alê Abreu (“The Boy and the World”), features music with singer Tulipa Ruiz.

A Professora de Francês (The French Teacher)

Graça returns to her childhood home after a family emergency and finds her neighbors leading a cult. Directed by Ricardo Alves Jr. and starring Grace Passô, this Brazilian film blends suspense, horror and psychological thriller to explore gender intolerance and religious fanaticism.

The Fox Sisters

In 1848, phenomena attributed to the Fox sisters in a house in upstate New York made national headlines and sparked the spiritualism movement, which spread across the US, Europe and Brazil. Directed by Wagner de Assis, starring Lua Blanco.