From rom-coms to slashers to dramas, moviegoers have plenty of options when it comes to films made by and about women this February.
The month kicks off with the February 1 release of Catherine Hardwicke’s “Miss Bala,” a thriller starring “Jane the Virgin’s” Gina Rodriguez. Gloria (Rodriguez) is thrust into the middle of a cross-border conflict between drug traffickers and the DEA and must outsmart all sides to save her best friend — and her own life. Out the same day is “Braid,” written and directed by Mitzi Peirone, which sees two wanted women revisiting the home of a mentally unstable childhood friend, hoping to rob her. Instead, they find themselves forced to play twisted, hallucinogenic games, hoping to escape with their lives.
Hitting screens February 8 is “What Men Want,” a gender-swapped version of Nancy Meyers’ “What Women Want.” Written by Tina Gordon Chism, Alex Gregory, and Peter Huyck and starring Taraji P. Henson, the film follows a female sports agent as she gains the ability to read men’s minds after a visit to a psychic. Also opening February 8 is Taylor Schilling’s latest, “The Prodigy.” The “Orange Is the New Black” star plays a mother torn between protecting her son — who may be inhabited by an evil force — and seeking answers about his condition. You can catch Penelope Cruz-starrer “Everybody Knows,” Emma Forrest’s romantic comedy “Untogether,” and horror flick “St. Agatha” beginning February 8 as well.
Shortlisted for the Oscar for Best Foreign Feature, “Birds of Passage” follows a member of the Wayúu indigenous people, Rapayet (José Acosta), as he becomes involved with the blossoming drug trafficking business in 1970s Colombia. An exploration of a crucial time in the country’s history and a moving portrait of a society in flux, Cristina Gallego and Ciro Guerra’s critically acclaimed film will make its way to theaters in New York February 13.
For those seeking a romantic comedy for Valentine’s or Galentine’s Day, look no further than “Isn’t It Romantic?” (February 13), written by Erin Cardillo, Dana Fox, and Katie Silberman. Rebel Wilson leads an ensemble cast as Natalie, an architect frustrated by her job and skeptical of love who wakes up after a mugging to find that her life has become a rom-com. Those less interested in romance can choose between three other women-centric films being released around Valentine’s Day. “Alita: Battle Angel” (February 14), penned by Laeta Kalogridis, Robert Rodriguez, and James Cameron, follows the eponymous character (Rosa Salazar) as she searches for clues about her past and discovers how powerful she truly is. “Happy Death Day 2U” (February 13), the follow-up to 2017’s slasher hit, sees protagonist Tree Gelbmen (Jessica Rothe) grapple once again with the time loop that plagued her throughout the original film, only this time her friends’ lives are at risk as well. For a more family-friendly flick, check out “Fighting with My Family” (February 14), a biopic about a female WWE star (played by Florence Pugh).
February ends with the release of another handful of women-made features. Documentary lovers can check out “The Competition,” Claire Simon’s look at the application process for one of the world’s most prestigious film schools, France’s La Fémis. Last but not least, viewers can check out “Styx,” written by Ika Künzel and Wolfgang Fischer. Tackling one of the most pressing issues of today, “Styx” follows an ER doctor (Susanne Wolf) as she embarks on a solo-sailing trip and comes across a boat of refugees. “Styx” will premiere in New York on February 27.
Here are all the women-centric, women-directed, and women-written films debuting in February. All descriptions are from press materials unless otherwise noted.
February 1
“Miss Bala” – Directed by Catherine Hardwicke
“Miss Bala”: Columbia Pictures
Gloria (Gina Rodriguez) finds a power she never knew she had when she is drawn into a dangerous world of cross-border crime. Surviving will require all of her cunning, inventiveness, and strength.
“Braid” – Written and Directed by Mitzi Peirone (Also Available on VOD)
“Braid”
Two wanted women (Madeline Brewer, Imogen Waterhouse) decide to rob their wealthy yet mentally unstable friend who lives in a fantasy world they all created as children. To take her money, the girls must take part in a deadly and perverse game of make believe throughout a sprawling yet decaying estate. As things become increasingly violent and hallucinatory, they realize that obtaining the money may be the least of their concerns.
“Daughter of Mine” – Directed by Laura Bispuri; Written by Laura Bispuri and Francesca Manieri (Opens in NY and LA)
“Daughter of Mine”
Ten-year-old Vittoria’s (Sara Casu) summer will be one of two mothers to challenge, to hate, to love, and to forgive. Shy Vittoria has a close relationship with her loving good mother Tina (Valeria Golino). But their quiet Sardinian life will be upset when the young girl discovers that local party girl Angelica (Alba Rohrwacher) is her birth mother. When Angelica is forced to move away because of financial troubles, she asks to become acquainted with Vittoria. Tina agrees, comforted by the idea that the woman will soon be leaving town. Searching for something deep and inexplicable, Vittoria and Angelica spend more and more time together against Tina’s will.
“Dear Ex” – Directed by Mag Hsu and Chih-Yen Hsu; Written by Mag Hsu and Shih-yuan Lu (Available on Netflix)
When Sanlian’s (Ying-Xuan Hsieh) ex-husband passes away, she discovers he has altered his insurance policy, cutting out their son in favor of a stranger named Jay (Roy Chiu). Outraged, Sanlian decides that she and her son will confront Jay, but Jay proves equal to her scheme. However, when her son unexpectedly moves in with Jay, she is forced to reassess her relationship with them both.
“Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga” – Directed by Shelly Chopra Dhar; Written by Shelly Chopra Dhar and Gazal Dhaliwal
“Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga”
Some love stories are not simple. Sweety’s (Sonam Kapoor) is one such story. She has to contend with her over-enthusiastic family that wants to get her married, a young writer who is completely smitten by her, a secret that she harbors close to her heart, and ultimately the truth that her true love might not find acceptance in her family and society. Resolving these issues proves hilarious, touching, and life-changing. Welcome to the most unexpected romance of the year.
“The Saint Bernard Syndicate” – Written by Lærke Sanderhoff (Available on VOD February 5)
Two men head to China to make money selling Saint Bernard Dogs in this oddball comedy film. One of the pair has recently learned he has A.L.S. and wants to seize the day, the other sees a potential business opportunity and a partner with the funds to make it happen. Together they head off on a clueless assignment where this unlikely pairing do anything but thrive.
“The Golem” (Opens in LA) (Available on VOD February 5)
During an outbreak of a deadly plague, a young woman, Hanna (Hani Furstenberg), must save her tight-knit Jewish community from invaders. Turning to Jewish mysticism, she conjures a dangerous entity to protect her and her people. However, the powerful creature she summons may be far more evil than anything she could have ever imagined.
February 8
“What Men Want” – Written by Tina Gordon Chism, Alex Gregory, and Peter Huyck
“What Men Want”: Jess Miglio/Paramount Players
Inspired by the Nancy Meyers hit romantic comedy “What Women Want,” this film follows the story of a female sports agent (Taraji P. Henson) who has been constantly boxed out by her male colleagues. When she gains the power to hear men’s thoughts, she is able to shift the paradigm to her advantage as she races to sign the NBA’s next superstar.
“Untogether” – Written and Directed by Emma Forrest (Also Available on VOD)
“Untogether”
“Untogether” is the story of Nick (Jamie Dornan) and Andrea (Jemima Kirke), whose one night stand evolves into something more, though the exact parameters are blurry and undefined. He is a doctor and author whose heroics in the Middle East gained him international fame. She is a writing prodigy fully consumed with destructive vices, navigating Los Angeles without a driver’s license or credit card and sharing a home with her sister, Tara. Meanwhile, Tara (Lola Kirke) is dealing with relationship issues of her own as she slowly slips away from her boyfriend, Martin (Ben Mendelsohn), who gave up his Australian fame as a rock ‘n’ roll god to be with her. Her way of acting out is to lose herself in religion and seek solace in a charismatic rabbi (Billy Crystal). This is who they’ve all been so far but do they have the courage to find out who they really are?
“Everybody Knows”
“Everybody Knows”
“Everybody Knows” follows Laura (Penélope Cruz) on her travels from Argentina to her small home town in Spain for her sister’s wedding, bringing her two children along for the occasion. Amid the joyful reunion and festivities, her eldest daughter is abducted. In the tense days that follow, various family and community tensions surface and deeply hidden secrets are revealed.
“The Prodigy”
Taylor Schilling stars in “The Prodigy” as Sarah, a mother whose young son Miles’ (Jackson Robert Scott) disturbing behavior signals that an evil, possibly supernatural force has overtaken him. Fearing for her family’s safety, Sarah must choose between her maternal instinct to love and protect Miles and a desperate need to investigate what — or who — is causing his dark turn. She is forced to look for answers in the past, taking the audience on a wild ride; one where the line between perception and reality becomes frighteningly blurry.
“St. Agatha” – Written by Sara Sometti Michaels, Andy Demetrio, Shaun Fletcher, and Clint Sears
“St. Agatha”
It’s the 1950s in small town Georgia, a pregnant con woman on the run (Sabrina Kern) seeks refuge in a convent hidden in deafening isolation. What first starts out as the perfect place to have a child turns into a dark lair where silence is forced, ghastly secrets are masked, and every bit of will power she has is tested. She soon learns the sick and twisted truth of the convent and the odd people that lurk inside its halls. She must now find a way to discover the unyielding strength needed to escape and save her baby before she’s caged behind these walls forever.
“The Isle” – Written by Tori Butler-Hart and Matthew Butler-Hart (Also Available on VOD)
On a remote island off the west coast of Scotland in 1846 a heavy storm hits, causing a ship to sink. Three survivors row through a thick early morning mist, lost and disorientated. The mist begins to clear and The Isle appears before them. They soon discover that it is almost abandoned except for four sole residents: an old harbor man, a farmer, his niece, and a young mad woman. Once rested and recovered the sailors are desperate to leave and return to the mainland, but the promised boat never appears. One of them starts to investigate and learns of a tragedy at sea that occurred five years previously causing several young men from the island to perish. When his two shipmates meet with accidents, the myth of a ghostly siren haunting the island leads him to uncover the truth whilst he battles to save his own life.
“Berlin, I Love You” (Anthology) – Directed by Dianna Agron, Gabriela Tscherniak, Massy Tadjedin, Dani Levy, Til Schweiger, Peter Chelsom, Fernando Eimbcke, Justin Franklin, Dennis Gansel, Daniel Lwowski, and Josef Rusnak; Written by Gabriela Tscherniak, Alison Kathleen Kelly, Massy Tadjedin, Dani Levy, Fernando Eimbcke, Justin Franklin, Dennis Gansel, and David Vernon (Also Available on VOD)
Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren, Jim Sturgess, and Diego Luna head an all-star cast in this sparkling film from the producers of “Paris, Je T’Aime.” Set against the vivid backdrop of Berlin, “Berlin, I Love You” weaves 10 stories of compassion, redemption, and acceptance into a rich tapestry of life — and love.
February 13
“Birds of Passage” – Directed by Cristina Gallego and Ciro Guerra; Written by Maria Camila Arias and Jacques Toulemonde Vidal (Opens in NY; Opens February 15 in LA)
“Birds of Passage”
From the Oscar-nominated team behind the genre-defying “Embrace of the Serpent,” comes an equally audacious saga centered on the Wayúu indigenous people during a crucial period in recent Colombian history. Torn between his desire to become a powerful man and his duty to uphold his culture’s values, Rapayet (José Acosta) enters the drug trafficking business in the 1970s and finds quick success despite his tribe’s matriarch Ursula’s (Carmiña Martínez) disapproval. Ignoring ancient omens, Rapayet and his family get caught up in a conflict where honor is the highest currency and debts are paid with blood.
“Isn’t It Romantic?” – Written by Erin Cardillo, Dana Fox, and Katie Silberman
“Isn’t It Romantic”
New York City architect Natalie (Rebel Wilson) works hard to get noticed at her job but is more likely to be asked to deliver coffee and bagels than to design the city’s next skyscraper. And if things weren’t bad enough, Natalie, a lifelong cynic when it comes to love, has an encounter with a mugger that renders her unconscious, waking to discover that her life has suddenly become her worst nightmare — a romantic comedy — and she is the leading lady.
“Happy Death Day 2U”
“Happy Death Day 2U” is the follow-up to Blumhouse’s surprise 2017 smash hit of riveting, repeating twists and comic turns. This time, our hero Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) discovers that dying over and over was surprisingly easier than the dangers that lie ahead.
February 14
“Alita: Battle Angel” – Written by Laeta Kalogridis, Robert Rodriguez, and James Cameron
“Alita: Battle Angel”
When Alita (Rosa Salazar) awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize, she is taken in by Ido (Christoph Waltz), a compassionate doctor who realizes that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is the heart and soul of a young woman with an extraordinary past. As Alita learns to navigate her new life and the treacherous streets of Iron City, Ido tries to shield her from her mysterious history while her street-smart new friend Hugo (Keean Johnson) offers instead to help trigger her memories. But it is only when the deadly and corrupt forces that run the city come after Alita that she discovers a clue to her past: she has unique fighting abilities that those in power will stop at nothing to control. If she can stay out of their grasp, she could be the key to saving her friends, her family, and the world she’s grown to love.
“Fighting with My Family”
“Fighting with My Family”
“Fighting with My Family” is a heartwarming comedy based on the incredible true story of WWE Superstar Paige. Born into a tight-knit wrestling family, Paige (Florence Pugh) and her brother Zak (Jack Lowden) are ecstatic when they get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try out for WWE. But when only Paige earns a spot in the competitive training program, she must leave her family and face this new, cutthroat world alone. Paige’s journey pushes her to dig deep, fight for her family, and ultimately prove to the world that what makes her different is the very thing that can make her a star.
February 15
“Patrick” – Directed by Mandie Fletcher; Written by Mandie Fletcher, Vanessa Davies, and Paul de Vos (Also Available on VOD)
Sarah Francis (Beattie Edmondson) is a young woman whose life is a bit of a mess. The last thing she needs is someone else to look after, let alone someone who dribbles, snores, and eats from the trash! Yet, like it or not, her grandmother has bequeathed her a very spoiled dog, Patrick — her pug. Surely, she must have had her reasons?! Apparently not, as this four-legged interloper proceeds to cause chaos in all aspects of Sarah’s life. But then something remarkable happens: Patrick, with all his stubby, stumpy attitude, begins to turn her life around.
“Ruben Brandt, Collector” – Written by Radmila Roczkov and Milorad Krstic
“Ruben Brandt, Collector”
Ruben Brandt (Iván Kamarás), a famous psychotherapist, is forced to steal 13 paintings from the world’s renowned museums and private collections to prevent his suffering from terrible nightmares he has as a result of subliminal messaging he received as a child. Accompanied by his four patients, he and his band of thieves strike regularly and with great success: the Louvre, Tate, Uffizi, Hermitage, the Museum of Modern Art. “The Collector” quickly becomes the most wanted criminal in the world. Gangsters and headhunters chase him around the world while the reward for his capture keeps rising, approaching a hundred million dollars.
February 22
“The Competition” (Documentary) – Directed by Claire Simon (Opens in NY)
“The Competition”
“The Competition” begins, significantly, with the image of a locked gate — that of the Fondation Européenne pour les Métiers de l’Image et du Son, or, as it’s more popularly known, La Fémis. One of the most prestigious film schools in the world, every year La Fémis attracts hundreds upon hundreds of applicants hoping to fill only 40 annual slots. The film offers a unique look into the process whereby those lucky 40 are selected — a process involving examiners from the French film industry which is highly personal and idiosyncratic and subject to the vagaries of taste and personal prejudice.
“The Changeover” – Directed by Miranda Harcourt and Stuart McKenzie (Also Available on VOD)
“The Changeover”: Dean MacKenzie
Sixteen-year-old Laura Chant (Erana James) lives with her mother and four-year-old brother, Jacko (Benji Purchase), in a poor new suburb on the edge of a partially demolished Christchurch, New Zealand. Laura is drawn into a supernatural battle with an ancient spirit who attacks Jacko and slowly drains the life out of him as the spirit becomes ever younger. Laura discovers her true identity and the supernatural ability within her, and must harness it to save her brother’s life.
February 27
“Styx” – Written by Ika Künzel and Wolfgang Fischer (Opens in NY)
“Styx”
ER doctor Rike (Susanne Wolff) embarks on a one-woman solo sailing trip to Ascension Island in the Atlantic Ocean. When Rike comes across a sinking ship of refugees, she is quickly torn out of her contented and idealized world and must make a momentous decision. Aptly named after the mythological river that separates the living from the dead, “Styx” is an astute modern day parable of Western indifference in the face of marginalized suffering.
