The Bend in the River
By Jeffery Berg August 13, 2026
A quietly fascinating continuation of Robb Moss’s chronicling of five friends over the decades.
A quietly fascinating continuation of Robb Moss’s chronicling of five friends over the decades.
At first, this feels almost like a documentary on the opioid crisis: There is little cinematic flourish, and the acting feels raw.
Under its cloak of slasherdom and horror, Jane Schoenbrun’s latest is, in a way, perhaps just a euphoric, queer romantic comedy.
Kiyoshi Kurosawa finally ventures into the samurai genre for the first time, though in a far less conventional fashion than its impeccable production design and lavish craftsmanship initially suggest.
The absorbing documentary explores how an owl that has spent its life in captivity finds itself in the wild and urgently needs to learn basic skills to survive.
More than just a commentary on leadership and hubris, The Odyssey is an adventure film, a romance story, a coming-of-age tale, and a Greek tragedy all rolled into one.
Ross McElwee’s latest film may be his most personal exploration yet, chronicling the grief he has felt since 27-year-old son died of a fentanyl overdose.
Carla Simón’s third feature is a truly special film—and her best yet. She captures the dynamics of family life with all its secrets, regrets, and resentments.
Director Olivia Wilde’s greatest asset is the chemistry among her quartet of performers. It is also worth remembering how committed and versatile Wilde can be as an actress.