Our guide to the best movies coming this March.
Words by Eric Hillis
Now that we've come out the other side of awards season, the year begins to get really interesting. March offers so many tempting releases it was tough to pick 10 must sees, but here are the best UK/ROI March releases we've either already seen or are most excited for.
Logan
Yes, we're recommending a superhero movie, but this one's a little different. A genuinely dark take on the genre, James Mangold's movie scales back its premise for a bloody road movie that plays like a '70s Clint Eastwood thriller, with giant beams of blue light nowhere to be seen. If it truly is Hugh Jackman's final outing as Wolverine, he's going out on a high.
In cinemas March 1st.
Certain Women
Oddly ignored during awards season on its US release, Kelly Reichardt's anthology finally hits the UK and Ireland, and it's worth the wait, featuring a quartet of compelling performances from Laura Dern, Michelle Williams, Kristen Stewart and newcomer Lily Gladstone across three separate but incrementally connected Raymond Carver-esque stories.
In cinemas March 3rd.
The Student
A young religious fanatic duels with his liberal biology teacher in this gripping Russian drama from director Kirill Serebrennikov. The Student is a timely tale with a pair of knockout central performances from Pyotr Skvortsov and Victoria Isakova.
In cinemas March 3rd.
Elle
Ever since its debut at last year's Cannes Film Festival, Paul Verhoeven's controversial sexual assault drama has fuelled many debates. Is it an offensive male fantasy take on a serious issue that affects far too many women, or a feminist takedown of the male ego? You can make your own mind up, but one thing's for sure - it features one of the best performances you'll see all year, from the great Isabelle Huppert.
In cinemas March 10th.
Kong: Skull Island
While we admired Gareth Edwards' Godzilla, that movie had its detractors, most of whom complained at the lack of appearances by the titular lizard. Judging by its trailers, Kong: Skull Island, which is set in a shared universe with Edwards' film, seems determined to avoid such accusations, with the eighth wonder of the world front and centre, and bigger than ever. We can't wait to hear the big guy roar (and we don't mean John Goodman).
In cinemas March 10th
The Love Witch
If you only see one movie on the big screen this month, make it The Love Witch. Shot in 35mm, Anna Biller's film is a feast for the eyes, a loving homage to technicolor melodramas and '70s exploitation cinema. It's on limited release sadly, so if you can't make it to a cinema, we highly recommend the upcoming blu-ray.
In cinemas March 10th.
Get Out
Jordan Peele's directorial debut has proved a surprise hit in the US, with both audiences and critics, currently boasting a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. A satire on American race relations, it's a horror movie that looks to do for race what The Stepford Wives did for gender.
In cinemas March 17th.
Personal Shopper
Kristen Stewart fans will be happy this month with both Certain Women and this oddity from her Clouds of Sils Maria director Olivier Assayas hitting cinemas. Stewart has never been better as a young medium attempting to make contact with her dead twin while trawling the boutiques of Paris and London.
In cinemas March 17th.
The Salesman
Fresh off its Best Foreign Language Film Oscar win, Asghar Farhadi's latest drama arrives in UK and Irish cinemas. While politics may have played a role in its Oscar success, and reviews suggest it doesn't quite live up to the director's recent work, it's a recommendation from us nonetheless.
In cinemas March 17th.
Aquarius
March is a great month for female led dramas. This acclaimed Brazilian drama from director Kleber Mendonca Filho stars Sonia Braga as a determined woman who refuses to move out of her apartment building, much to the chagrin of real estate developers.
In cinemas March 24th.
Other tasty looking releases that couldn't quite make the list include Tomato Red (March 3rd, Ireland only) Catfight (March 10th), Beauty and the Beast (March 17th), Age of Shadows, Life, The Lost City of Z (March 24th) and The Void (March 31st).