HOLD THE DARK

In 2018, before there was a Bitesize Breakdown, I had the chance to attend my first TIFF. I only saw two films. The Predator, the highly anticipated Shane Black-directed sequel that couldn’t have been more of a disappointment, and a Jeffrey Wright-led film called Hold the Dark. Now, I’m not here to tell you Hold the Dark is an exceptional film by any means, but it deserved more than an understated Netflix release only weeks later. Anchored by Jeremy Saulnier's direction, the tone and atmosphere give this Alaskan wilderness-set action thriller an eerie True Detective vibe, while the trio of Wright, Riley Keough, and Alexander Skarsgård are each solid in their own rights. If you’re looking for an under-the-radar gem to check out — particularly on a chilly evening — give this one a shot.

CAUSEWAY

Do you remember in 2022 when Brian Tyree Henry was deservedly nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Apple TV+’s Causeway? Do you remember how good everyone felt to see him get that accolade?  Of course, you do. Did you watch the film, though? Sadly, many didn’t, which is a shame because Causeway not only boasts a great showing from Henry, but also one of Jennifer Lawrence’s best roles in years. The story focuses on two people bonding over their shared PTSD (albeit in different ways), and it is both a moving and harrowing look at the effects of trauma and how it shapes us. It can be a heavy watch, but it’s something more people should have seen, especially since it's one of Henry’s and Lawrence’s best efforts.

DEVOTION

In May 2022, Top Gun: Maverick was released in theatres. For Glen Powell, it must have been a dream come true because the film was a bigger hit than anyone could have expected. It’s also the reason his other release that year, Devotion, was such a box-office flop. I truly would like to see how Devotion would have done had it come out prior to Maverick‘s release, but sadly we’ll never know. Another film about pilots, Devotion stars Powell and, at the time, an up-and-coming Jonathan Majors. Effects-wise, it’s a step down from Maverick, but in a world without that comparable, they are more than serviceable. Plus, it’s just nice to see another piece of Glen Powell’s rise to stardom.

ALICE, DARLING

In 2023, I watched Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut Woman of the Hour, which will be releasing later this year. The year prior, however, she had another film at the festival called Alice, Darling. Both films focus on power dynamics and abuse, and although Woman of the Hour’s success is yet to be determined, Alice, Darling came and went. I’m not sure why, either. Although the film certainly has its challenges, Kendrick’s performance is enough to earn a recommendation for people to check it out. She achieves a level of painfully honest vulnerability that made me feel as if someone I knew personally was dealing with this situation instead of a character on screen. It was unsettling and uncomfortable, but extremely powerful, which is a credit to Kendrick’s great performance.

THE INSPECTION

Some of the films I mention here are good. Some are even very good. This next one, though? I think it’s great. One of my favourite films from the 2022 festival, The Inspection tells the story of Ellis French (a fictionalized version of director Elegance Bratton), a young, gay, black man who joins the Marines to gain the acceptance of his mother. The film is heartbreaking, but it’s stuffed with wonderful performances. Gabrielle Union gives a career-best showing as Ellis’ mother, but Jeremy Pope, an actor mostly known for his stage work, is a revelation. His performance was rewarded with a Golden Globe nomination, but this film was still far underseen by the public. We should rectify that immediately.

FLORA & SON

Much like Causeway, Flora & Son is a TIFF film that was quietly released as an Apple TV+ original. As such, it didn’t get a ton of attention, save for a Best Original Song nomination — for the WRONG song, by the way, as “Meet in the Middle” is the far superior choice, but I digress. The story is two-fold as it focuses on both the relationship between mother (Eve Hewson) and son (Orén Kinlan), as well as the budding relationship between said mother and her music teacher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). It’s a sweet, feel-good story that I’d personally like to see continued, but that definitely won’t happen if you don’t check it out. Oh, and did I mention it’s from John Carney, the director of the critical darling Sing Street?

WICKED LITTLE LETTERS

Olivia Colman. It’s a name that evokes class, prestige, and a near-guaranteed Oscar nomination. Wicked Little Letters is about as far removed from that as you can get, so maybe that’s why this gem flew under so many radars. Although not on my original TIFF viewing schedule in 2023, solid word of mouth made me add it to my slate, and I’m so glad I did. Colman and Jessie Buckley play off each other wonderfully as two catty women spouting out the most outlandish expletives, while the whodunnit gives the film a nice throughline. If you’re looking for laughs and a little (lot) foul language, then I think you’ll have a joyous time with Wicked Little Letters. I added it to my schedule; now it’s your turn.

HEY, VIKTOR!

I’ll be honest with you… I’ve never heard of the 90s cult classic Smoke Signals, nor am I a fan of the mockumentary format, so I don’t know what drew me to check out Hey, Viktor! at the 2023 festival. What I do know, though, is how much this film made me laugh. Cody Lightning plays a spoiled man-child to a tee as he attempts to resurrect a bit part from the aforementioned film for a sequel. It’s outlandish and ridiculous in the best ways, and it’s bound to put a smile on your face. Although it had a theatrical release in Canada, it only did so in limited form, and it has yet to make its way to the United States or other international markets. I hope this is fixed soon because this little indie deserves more eyes on it.