Here are Cinephile Corner’s 10 recommendations for movies like The Cut:
Creed
Reboots aren’t new in Hollywood, but good reboots are relatively difficult to come by. Not only is the first Creed a worthy reboot of the Rocky franchise – it sets the standard moving forward for sports movies and franchise entertainment.
Bring Them Down
Bring Them Down isn’t without merit. It’s a serious-minded adult drama that digs into masculinity, family obligation, and rural hardship with conviction. But it’s also a film that feels like it’s holding back when it should be going for the jugular. Given the caliber of its cast—Christopher Abbott and Barry Keoghan co-starring—it’s hard not to wish the material had been sharper or more focused.
Infinity Pool
There are some real highlights in Brandon Cronenberg‘s newest art house horror movie, mainly the chemistry between Alexander Skarsgard and Mia Goth. But Infinity Pool struggles to build into anything beyond a set of shocking horror images and audacious scenes.
Borderline
Borderline is too tame to be a great horror film and too clunky to be a great comedy. It’s not outright terrible, but it’s forgettable—another mid-tier genre entry that will likely be lost in the shuffle. Samara Weaving stars in the film and remains its strongest asset.
The Line
The Line delivers a tense and chilling exploration of toxic masculinity and its deep entanglement with fraternity culture. Ethan Berger’s debut film thrives in its darkest moments, crafting a harrowing narrative that examines the destructive traditions and unchecked power dynamics of college fraternities. While its uneven script and underdeveloped subplots leave certain elements adrift, the movie’s gripping intensity and committed performances ensure it remains a compelling watch.
The Girl with the Needle
The Girl with the Needle is not a film I plan on revisiting anytime soon, and that in itself is a testament to its power. From its devastating opening moments to its suffocating final act, the film tightens its grip with unrelenting intensity, refusing to offer easy catharsis. It’s a brutal but masterfully executed experience—one that lingers long after the credits roll, leaving you desperate to escape its grasp.
Joker: Folie à Deux
Regardless of how you feel about Joker, Todd Phillips‘ blockbuster film was a striking reinvention of the superhero genre when it debuted in 2019. It was received with a level of reverence rarely granted to superhero films, winning the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and becoming a major contender during awards season. What set Joker apart was its grounded, almost claustrophobic atmosphere, which felt far removed from the usual bombastic superhero fare. It was a character study, not a franchise entry, and it didn’t suggest a larger universe or an inevitable sequel. This sense of finality and self-containment made it feel like a singular, daring vision—one that didn’t need anything more, which is what makes Joker: Folie à Deux such an odd and ill-conceived idea.
A Different Man
Although the story sometimes feels like it’s chasing its own tail, Aaron Schimberg deserves praise for his calculated setup, precise direction, and visual flair. A Different Man is not just intellectually stimulating, but it also offers a bright, grainy color palette and shot design that recalls old school B-movies. It’s schlocky in all the best ways while maintaining a serious script and story about valuing yourself and staying confident in your abilities.
The Menu
A mixed bag of ideas and food for thought, Mark Mylod‘s The Menu still excels with winking characters and great visual design. The movie struggles to establish much beyond its own genre beats, but that doesn’t take much away from the crowd-pleasing journey the film goes on.
Knox Goes Away
Knox Goes Away becomes a race against time for the titular character, outrunning the police and attempting to make good on his past before his own memory deteriorates beyond recoverable. Knox Goes Away could’ve been a surprisingly enthralling genre movie, but instead resorts too often to run-of-the-mill technical work and plot choices.
