From left: Jeremy Strong in Aaron Sorkin's 'The Social Reckoning,' Zendaya in Denis Villeneuve's 'Dune Part Three' and John Malkovich in Martin McDonagh's 'Wild Horse Nine.' Layer Ø After the studios snubbed Cannes — for the first time in decades not a single studio-backed movie premiered on the Croisette this year — the focus has shifted to Venice and the question of whether the majors will return to the Lido in force.
A big studio show this year would strengthen director Alberto Barbera’s position as the award season whisperer. Venice 2025 saw the launch of eventual Oscar-winner Frankenstein and multi-nominee Bugonia but also the quick-fire fizzles A House of Dynamite and Jay Kelly. (Not to mention After the Hunt and The Smashing Machine, which were dead on arrival).
A few big names have ruled themselves out — Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars will drop ahead of the festival — but the studio contenders still looks impressive. Netflix is certain to be out in force — David Fincher’s Brad Pitt-starrer The Adventures of Cliff Booth is their biggest fall title that could be Lido-bound — and tentpoles including Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Digger (Warner Bros.) and Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning (Sony) can’t be ruled out.
Beyond the majors, Venice should have its pick of arthouse faves. Here is our long list of the projects most likely to make the cut for the 83rd Biennale — from Lido regulars and up-and-comers, studio stalwarts and indie darlings.
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‘A Good Little Soldier,’ Director Stéphane Brizé
Image Credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis French director Stéphane Brizé has screened his last three features — A Woman’s Life (2016), Another World (2021) and Out of Season (2023) — in competition at Venice, and it would be a shock if his latest doesn’t make the Lido cut. Gaumont has set a Nov. 25 release in France, so a Fall festival bow looks certain.
Venice faves Alba Rohrwacher (2014 Best Actress winner for Hungry Hearts) and Vincent Lindon (Best Actor winner for 2024’s The Quiet Son) star in this corporate drama, with Rohwacher playing a devoted HR executive caught between caring for her colleagues’ well-being and the performance goals of her demanding boss (Lindon).
