The Toronto International Film Festival returns September 5 to 15, 2024!
Here’s The TV Watercooler’s roundup of fifteen films worth checking out at the festival (should you be fortunate enough to score some tickets) or keep an eye out for when they hit theatres or streaming services.
To score rush tickets, visit https://tiff.net/schedule and select the film title.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night Live origin story follows a group of comedic misfits as they prepare to launch the first episode of what is now a cultural phenomenon. The film features a crop of rising stars – including Rachel Sennot, Cooper Hoffman, and Gabriel LaBelle – as well as J.K. Simmons, Willem Dafoe, and Matthew Rhys. Succession’s Nicholas Braun appears as both Jim Henson and Andy Kaufman. Hits theatres everywhere on Oct. 11.
Friendship
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I Think You Should Leave’s Tim Robinson plays a suburban dad who obsessively pushes a camaraderie with his charming neighbour played by Paul Rudd in Friendship. The film is from Andrew DeYoung who has written for Our Flag Means Death and PEN15.
We Live in Time
Oscar nominees Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield star in We Live in Time, which explores love, loss, and the preciousness of time.
Nightbitch
In Nightbitch, an overworked and overwhelmed stay-at-home mom (Amy Adams) begins to exhibit strange, canine-like behaviours in this darkly humorous tale of motherhood and transformation.
Bring Them Down
Christopher Abbott and Barry Keoghan star in Christopher Andrews’ debut Bring Them Home, a gripping tale of rivalry and desperation set against the backdrop of Ireland’s rugged countryside.
Shook
In Shook, Ash (Saamer Usmani), a struggling writer, finds himself torn between his budding romance with barista Claire (Amy Forsyth) and his estranged father’s recent Parkinson’s diagnosis. This marks director Amar Wala’s first feature – the York University grad previously directed The Secret Trial 5, Payday and Superfan: The Nav Bhatia Story.
Queer
In Luca Guadagnino’s (Call Me By Your Name) adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ Queer, Lee (Daniel Craig), recounts his life in Mexico City among American expatriate college students and bar owners surviving on part-time jobs and GI Bill benefits. He is driven to pursue a young man named Allerton (Drew Starkey). Lesley Manville and Jason Schwartzman also star. Queer had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival.
Babygirl
In Babygirl, a powerful executive (Nicole Kidman) risks everything when she enters into a forbidden relationship with a young intern (Harris Dickinson). Halina Reijn’s (Bodies Bodies Bodies) film will explore power, desire, and the consequences of crossing boundaries.
Anora
Mikey Madison (2022’s Scream, Better Things and Lady in the Lake) stars as Anora, a young sex worker from Brooklyn, who meets and impulsively marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as the parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled. Anora, which also stars Paul Weissman and Lindsey Normington, won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Emilia Pérez
Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofia Gascon, and Selena Gomez star in Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez where lawyer Rita has to help a feared cartel boss retire from his forever by becoming the woman he’s always dreamed of being. The film, which won the Jury Prize at Cannes, will premiere on Netflix on November 13.
Paying For It
Sook-Yin Lee’s adaptation of Chester Brown’s graphic novel Paying for It is about his decision to start frequenting prostitutes after his real-life breakup with Lee.
Universal Language
Storylines intertwine in Matthew Rankin’s Universal Language as two women find frozen cash, a tour guide leads confused tourists around Winnipeg sites, and a man visits his mother after quitting his job.
Nutcrackers
In Nutcrackers,Ben Stiller stars as a city slicker who finds himself unexpectedly responsible for a group of mischievous orphans. David Gordon Green’s (Halloween Ends) new film is a heartwarming comedy about discovering hidden talents and the power of family. Linda Cardellini also stars.
Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
In Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Bruce Springsteen narrates this look at his band’s career as he teams up with longtime collaborator Thom Zimny to investigate the singular alchemy that produced such a tight-knit and enduring group.
The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal
Mike Downie assembles The Tragically Hip for an emotional look at the band’s origin, impact, and legacy. The four-part documentary series will premiere on Prime Video on Friday, Sept. 20.
