The 2015 Toronto International Film Festival begins this week, and like every year, it’s jam-packed with films that look like they could be terrific. Even setting aside that it almost always plays host to the year’s Best Picture winner (last year’s victory for Birdman was more the exception than the rule), the programmers always find terrific variety in their selections, and this year looks like another strong group of selections. There are biopics, character dramas, and even some sci-fi and animation in the bunch. And these are just some of the films that look captivating on first glance; we don’t know if there’s a breakout film on the horizon.

While I’ll be getting to as many films as I can (about 3-4 per day), these are (in no particular order) the 15 that I absolutely must see while I’m at TIFF.

Hitchcock/Truffaut

hitchcock-truffaut
Image via TIFF

Official Description:

In 1962, two of the greatest minds in cinema sat down for an intimate and expansive conversation. Based on the original recordings of this meeting — used to produce the influential book Hitchcock/Truffaut — this film illustrates the greatest cinema lesson of all time and plummets us into the world of the creator of Psycho, The Birds, and Vertigo. David Fincher, Richard Linklater, Martin Scorsese and other legendary filmmakers add to the discussion of Hitchcock’s enduring legacy and influence on cinema.

Why It’s a Must-See: I'm a sucker for documentaries about filmmaking and filmmakers, and this one provides legends talking about and interviewing legends.  Hitchcock/Truffaut is already a must-own book among cinephiles, and I'm eager to see how director Kent Jones (A Letter to Elia) has adapted and brought in other master directors like Fincher, Linklater, and Scorsese.  It's one thing to read about Hitchcock's work and get thoughts from the filmmaker himself, but Jones' documentary has the opportunity to incorporate clips and provide a deeper education about the legend's filmography.

Legend

legend-tom-hardy-2
Image via Universal Pictures

Official Description:

The true story of the rise and fall of London’s most notorious gangsters, brothers Reggie and Ron Kray, both portrayed by Tom Hardy in an amazing double performance. LEGEND is a classic crime thriller that takes audiences into the secret history of the 1960s and the extraordinary events that secured the infamy of the Kray twins.

Why It’s a Must-See:  Tom Hardy is one of the best actors working today, and Legend is two Hardys for the price of one. While I have mixed feelings about director Brian Helgeland, the true story of the Kray Brothers, and putting Hardy in both roles, is too good to pass up, especially when the supporting cast includes Paul Bettany, Emily Browning, Taron Egerton, Christopher Eccleston, and David Thewlis.  Additionally, London-set 1960s crime dramas isn't a sub-genre we normally see, so this should be, at the very least, a nice change of pace.

 

The Martian

the-martian-movie-image-matt-damon
Image via 20th Century Fox

Official Description:

During a manned mission to Mars, astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible rescue mission. Based on a best-selling novel, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, The Martian features a star-studded cast that includes Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Pena, Kate Mara, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover.

Why It’s a Must-See: Even though at times the book reads like a word problem turned into a novel, I tore through it in less than a week, and I can easily see how it could be a terrific film. If director Ridley Scott can keep his eye on the ball and find the drama in problem solving, he could have the success to Apollo 13—a scientifically minded dramatic thriller that boasts an amazing cast giving top-notch performances. The cast is in place; the question is which Ridley Scott will show up: the one who can create classic films or the one who churned out dummy scientists like the ones in Prometheus.

 

Anomalisa

anomalisa-image
Image via TIFF

Official Description:

A man struggles with his inability to connect with other people. Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan and David Thewlis.

Why It’s a Must-See: I can’t believe it’s been seven years since Charlie Kaufman’s last directorial effort (the mind-bending Synecdoche, New York) but he’s finally returned with the help of co-director Duke Johnson and a successful Kickstarter campaign. I’m already a big fan of stop-motion animation, and I think the format should serve Kaufman’s brand of loopy, cerebral storytelling well. Hopefully, it’s slightly easier to follow than Synedoche, but even if it’s not, it will likely be worth watching nonetheless.

Beasts of No Nation

beasts-of-no-nation-idris-elba
Image via Netflix

Official Description:

Based on the highly acclaimed novel, director Cary Fukunaga’s Beasts of No Nation brings to life the gripping tale of Agu (newcomer Abraham Attah), a child soldier torn from his family to fight in the civil war of an African country. Idris Elba dominates the screen in the role of Commandant, a warlord who takes in Agu and instructs him in the ways of war.

Why It’s a Must-See: This could be a huge turning point for director Cary Fukunaga, star Idris Elba, and distributor Netflix. For Fukunaga, this is his follow-up to True Detective, a show that clearly suffered without his input. For Elba, the acclaimed actor is finally going front-and-center in a serious drama that could easily bring him awards attention. For Netflix, it’s a test to see if they can succeed as a theatrical distributor, or if people will stay home and watch this one (or if they’ll watch it all). Personally, nothing replicates the audience experience, and I’m glad I’ll get to see this one with a crowd.

 

Black Mass

black-mass-johnny-depp
Image via Warner Bros.

Official Description:

In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly persuades Irish-American gangster Jimmy Bulger to act as an informant for the FBI in order to eliminate their common enemy: the Italian mob. The drama tells the story of this unholy alliance, which spiraled out of control, allowing Whitey to evade law enforcement while becoming one of the most ruthless and dangerous gangsters in Boston history. Starring Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rory Cochrane, Jesse Plemons, Kevin Bacon, Dakota Johnson, Julianne Nicholson, Corey Stoll and Peter Sarsgaard.

Why It’s a Must-See: Could it be? Could Johnny Depp give a real performance again? That’s the big question that’s been swirling around the film since its terrific teaser trailer. We’ve written off Depp for so long that it’s astounding to think that his turn as notorious gangster Whitey Bulger could grab audiences in a positive away as opposed to him either vanishing under makeup or malaise. He’s also got an outstanding supporting cast, so hopefully this will be a strong film all around.

 

The Danish Girl

the-danish-girl-eddie-redmayne
Image via Focus Features

Official Description:

The Danish Girl is the remarkable love story inspired by the lives of artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener (portrayed by Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander), directed by Academy Award winner Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech, Les Misérables). Lili and Gerda’s marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili’s groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer.

Why It’s a Must-See: This is a must-see not necessarily because I’m excited about it, but because it already feels like a lock for a Best Picture nomination because it has all the right pieces in play. There’s Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper, Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne, co-star Alicia Vikander who’s having a breakthrough year, and the subject matter—transsexuality—is incredibly topical right now. However, there’s a big difference between being a genuinely good film and just checking off boxes. Hopefully The Danish Girl is the former.

 

Room

room-movie-image-brie-larson
Image via A24

Official Description:

Told through the eyes of five-year-old-Jack, Room is a thrilling and emotional tale that celebrates the resilience and power of the human spirit. To Jack, the Room is the world… it’s where he was born, where he and his Ma eat and sleep and play and learn. But while it’s home to Jack, to Ma it’s a prison. Through her fierce love for her son, Ma has managed to create a childhood for him in their 10-by-10-foot space. But as Jack’s curiosity is building alongside Ma’s own desperation — she knows that Room cannot contain either indefinitely. Starring Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, Sean Bridgers and William H. Macy.

Why It’s a Must-See: Aside from the film picking up positive buzz at Telluride (here are Brian's thoughts) this past weekend, I was a big fan of director Lenny Abrahamson’s previous film, Frank. More than that, this looks like a big showcase for star Brie Larson, who was totally snubbed for her outstanding turn in Short Term 12, and according to those who saw it at Telluride, she’s delivered another great performance in Room along with newcomer Jacob Tremblay.

Sicario

sicario-emily-blunt-victor-garber
Image via Lionsgate

Official Description:

In the lawless border area stretching between the U.S. and Mexico, an idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) is enlisted by an elite government task force official (Josh Brolin) to aid in the escalating war against drugs. Led by an enigmatic consultant with a questionable past (Benicio Del Toro), the team sets out on a clandestine journey that forces Kate to question everything that she believes.

Why It’s a Must-See: I still haven’t been blown away by a Denis Villeneuve movie, but I feel like it’s only a matter of time, and that time may come with his drug-trafficking thriller Sicario. Throw in legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins and a powerhouse lead trio of Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, and Josh Brolin, and I’m hoping that this will be the film where Villeneuve finally hits it out of the park.

 

Spotlight

spotlight-john-slattery-michael-keaton
Image via Open Road Films

Official Description:

Spotlight tells the true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation that would rock the city and cause a crisis in one of the world’s oldest and most trusted institutions. When the newspaper’s tenacious “Spotlight” team of reporters delves into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston’s religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world. Starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, Stanley Tucci, Brian d’Arcy James and Billy Crudup.

Why It’s a Must-See: Because writer-director Tom McCarthy did The Station Agent, The Visitor, and Win Win, we’re going to do him a solid and forget that he was also behind last year’s wildly derided Adam Sander vehicle The Cobbler, and instead pretend that Spotlight is the filmmaker’s new movie. It’s got an outstanding premise—the true story to uncover sex abuse in the Catholic Church—along with (and you may be sensing a trend) a top-notch cast. The movie pulling in positive buzz after Venice and Telluride doesn’t hurt either.

The Final Girls

final-girls-movie-image-2
Image via 2015 Stage 6 Films & Vertical Entertainment

Official Description:

Max (American Horror Story’s Taissa Farmiga) is a high school senior whose mom (Malin Akerman) was a celebrated ’80s scream queen. At a screening, Max and her friends are mysteriously transported inside her mom’s most infamous movie, where they must fend off the camp counselors’ raging hormones, battle a deranged machete-wielding killer and find a way to escape the movie and get back home.

Why It’s a Must-See: The movie got a strong response when it played at SXSW earlier this year, and I love its delightfully meta premise that will allow it to comment on 80s slashers. I’m also a big fan of Todd Strauss-Schulson’s previous film, A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas, so hopefully this will be on my comic wavelength.

 

Green Room

green-room-movie-image-2
Image via TIFF

Official Description:

Broke, tired and at each other’s throats after a cancelled gig, a young punk rock band accepts a sketchy matinee show to get themselves home. When they stumble upon something they weren’t supposed to witness, the quartet is trapped in a terrifying siege. Directed by Jeremy Saulnier (of 2013 Cannes Film Festival FIPRESCI Prize winner Blue Ruin), the film stars Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat, and Patrick Stewart. (Green Room is preceded by the previously announced short film The Chickening from directors Nick DenBoer and Davy Force).

Why It’s a Must-See: I heard nothing but good things about Jeremy Saulnier’s Blue Ruin from the time it premiere at Cannes in 2013 to when I eventually saw it at Sundance in 2014.   I don’t intend to be behind the curve on his follow Green Room, which features Patrick Stewart playing a neo-Nazi. Saulnier has proven he knows how to deliver a potent mix of thrills, pathos, and dark comedy, and hopefully he’ll have another smash success on his hands with his new movie.

 

High-Rise

high-rise-tom-hiddleston
Image via Magnet Releasing

Official Description:

1975. Two miles west of London, Dr. Laing moves into his new apartment seeking soulless anonymity, only to find that the building’s residents have no intention of leaving him alone. Resigned to the complex social dynamics unfolding around him, Laing bites the bullet and becomes neighbourly. As he struggles to establish his position, Laing’s good manners and sanity disintegrate along with the building. The lights go out and the elevators fail but the party goes on. People are the problem. Booze is the currency. Sex is the panacea. Starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans and Elisabeth Moss.

Why It’s a Must-See: I’m embarrassed that I’ve fallen behind on my Ben Wheatley viewing (I still need to see A Field in England), but based on his other films, he always delivers something that’s unforgettable. His latest could prove to be a searing socio-economic indictment of income inequality, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s got Tom Hiddleston in lead alongside Elisabeth Moss and Jeremy Evans. However, just because he has bigger name actors, I don’t think that means Wheatley is going mainstream. If anything, this could be—in its own way—his most controversial film yet.

 

Our Brand Is Crisis

our-brand-is-crisis-sandra-bullock-billy-bob-thornton
Image via Warner Bros.

Official Description:

A Bolivian presidential candidate enlists a management team led by damaged but brilliant strategist “Calamity” Jane Bodine, who seizes the chance to beat her professional nemesis Pat Candy, coaching the opposition. But as Pat zeroes in on every vulnerability, Jane faces a personal crisis as intense as the one her team exploits to boost their numbers, in this drama revealing the machinations of political consultants for whom nothing is sacred and winning is all that matters. Starring Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton, Anthony Mackie, Joaquim de Almeida, Ann Dowd, Scoot McNairy and Zoe Kazan.

Why It’s a Must-See: After three ventures into deep indie territory (Prince Avalanche, Joe, and Manglehorn), David Gordon Green is going mainstream again, and it could be a big crowdpleaser, especially with Sandra Bullock in the lead role of hard-charging political fixer. The film could also prove timely within our own silly season and we see American politicians fall over themselves in an increasingly twisted charade of pursuing the most uncomfortable positions possible. Our Brand Is Crisis may take place in Bolivia, but I can easily see it connecting with many Americans.

Equals

equals-kristen-stewart-nicholas-hoult
Image via Venice Film Festival

Official Description:

In a futuristic, utopian society known as the Collective — where inhabitants have been bred to be peaceful and emotionless — a man and a woman discover that they have feelings for one another. Together, they attempt to understand this connection. Starring Kristen Stewart, Nicholas Hoult, Guy Pearce and Jacki Weaver.

Why It’s a Must-See: I like the old-school sci-fi set-up, and while Drake Doremus’ breakthrough feature Like Crazy failed to connect with me, I still think he has plenty of potential as a talented director. Add to that you have Nicholas Hoult and Kristen Stewart in the lead roles, and this could be a nice under-the-radar flick that may not be an awards contender, but still stick with me throughout a busy and hectic festival.