‘anora’

What’s happening: An escort makes a deal with an oligarch’s son. Then the gangsters step in.
Reason to Believe: Three of the last four Palme d’Or winners made the best picture cut for Neon, and one won (Interference).
Reason for Suspicion: Are Independent Baker and his unconventional visions too much for some voters?

‘Press’

What’s happening: In Blitz-era London, a single mother and her son are separated.
Reason to Believe: Period reputation and past Oscar darling Steve McQueen.
Reason for Suspicion: Saving Private Ryan, Dunkirk, 1917: World War movies are in short supply these days.

‘Brutalist’

What’s happening: An architect escaping the Holocaust sets out for the USA to live an epic life.
Reason to Believe: A far-reaching vision that lasts more than three hours.
Reason for Suspicion: A far-reaching vision that lasts more than three hours.

‘A Complete Unknown’

What’s happening: Bob Dylan is bound for Newport and everyone needs shelter from the storm.
Reason to Believe: After zooming forward with Ford vs Ferrari, Mangold is looking for the finish line. Also Timothée Chalamet as an icon.
Reason for Suspicion: Does the rock-folk thriller look relevant enough in 2024?

‘Meeting’

What’s happening: A pope dies and everyone wants the big job.
Reason to Believe: Delicious fun with serious outfits.
Reason for Suspicion: Is it enough? Also a divisive ending.

‘Dune: Part Two’

What’s happening: More adventures of Paul Atreides as he forms new unions and wages new wars.
Reason to Believe: It’s a franchise and director that’s been gaining momentum for years.
Reason for Suspicion: Distant planet epics and March releases are often forgotten.

‘Emilia Perez’

What’s happening: Typical Spanish cartel thriller/trance-themed family drama with musical elements.
Reason to Believe: Pure audacity, relevant timeliness.
Reason for Suspicion: Is the Never Netflix voter still valid?

‘Gladiator II’

What’s happening: The adult Lucius returns to Rome to restore the glory of his people.
Reason to Believe: Nostalgia… for both the Roman period and the days of studio history epics.
Reason for Suspicion: “Didn’t we honor this movie in 2001?”

‘Seed of the Sacred Fig’

What’s happening: In repressive Iran, a family is torn apart by politics.
Reason to Believe: A director who escaped from Iran with geopolitical resonance and his film.
Reason for Suspicion: The best movies aren’t usually long, foreign-language dramas set on the other side of the world.

‘September 5’

What’s happening: A day in the ABC News control room in Munich during the 1972 Olympics.
Reason to Believe: Sorkin-like urgency on major media issues.
Reason for Suspicion: Global independent films may struggle without as many crew members and filmmakers as voters know. Also worrying is the Israeli-Palestinian environment.

‘Bad’

What’s happening: Witches Elphaba and Glinda begin their journey.
Reason to Believe: Really? cats Or is it? Chicago?
Reason for Suspicion: Really? Chicago Or is it? cats?

‘Wild Robot’

What’s happening: Robot Roz lands on an animal island and learns how to feel.
Reason to Believe: A sincere and accessible artificial intelligence movie. Plus it’s already a hit.
Reason for Suspicion: Only three animated films have ever been nominated; none of them won.

This story appears in the October 30 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.