Innovative and Entertaining Films to Watch This May

From profoundly moving dramas on marriage to nail-biting thrillers to innovative cinema, here are five movies that will keep you riveted this May.

In the mood for an emotional getaway? | Midwinter Break

In Polly Findlay’s Midwinter Break, Stella and Gerry (Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds) take an impromptu trip to Amsterdam to get away from the winter gloom, only to find themselves confronting the reality of their lives together. Adapted from Bernard MacLaverty’s acclaimed novel by the author and screenwriter Nick Payne, the film allows the Dutch postcard scenery—from the scenic canals to the Staalmeestersbrug Bridge to the Rijksmuseum—to bring out the complexity of their marriage, including the tragedy that forced them to leave Belfast years before. With haunting simplicity, the film is “a sad, spiky and brilliantly acted portrait of rupture and rapture,” writes The Guardian.

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In the mood for an award-winning drama? | Hamnet

Adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s award-winning novel, Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet is an unforgettable story about love, death, and the transformative power of art. Following the lives of Will Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and his wife, Agnes (Jessie Buckley), from their early romance to later tragedies, the story probes the mystery of the Bard naming his greatest tragedy after his son. Screen Rant writes, “With an aching heart, lush visuals, and magnetic acting, Hamnet is undoubtedly one of the best movies of the year and will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.” Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet was nominated for eight Academy Awards®, winning Best Actress for Jessie Buckley.

 Stream Hamnet on Peacock!

In the mood for an international thriller? | Conclave

In Edward Berger’s Conclave, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) must move beyond backroom conspiracies and dark secrets after the Pope suddenly dies to help the church pick the right man to lead the world’s billion Catholics. With a supporting cast that includes John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini, the movie provides a rarely seen look into the private workings of one of the oldest and most powerful institutions. “It feels like a timeless classic,” writes Film Threat. “It takes us into the forbidden spaces we can’t otherwise know, not just cloistered rooms but deep into the human soul.” Conclave was nominated for eight Academy Awards®, winning for Best Adapted Screenplay.

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In the mood for an acting masterwork? | TÁR

In Todd Field’s TÁR, Cate Blanchett gives a mesmerizing performance as Lydia Tár, a world-class classical composer whose ambition is matched only by her talent. The dynamic leader of the Berlin Orchestra, Tár pushes her musicians and staff to match her own level of excellence, especially in her quest to create the definitive recording of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. When rumors of improper behavior bubble up, however, Tár’s perfectly orchestrated world, including her marriage to the symphony concertmaster (Nina Hoss), begins to unravel. “The movie is breathtaking—in its drama, its high-crafted innovation, its vision,” Variety writes.

 Stream TÁR on Peacock!

In the mood for a wildly imaginative musical doc? | Piece By Piece

Piece By Piece, Morgan Neville’s documentary about the life and times of Pharrell Williams, takes a startlingly unique approach to a creative musician by using LEGO animation to tell its story. This magical mystery tour follows Pharrell from growing up in Virginia Beach to emerging as a superstar to relearning the importance of being happy. We Got This Covered writes, “Piece By Piece constructs a vibrant, beating heart as transcendentally trailblazing as Pharrell Williams himself.” Morgan Neville’s new documentary, Lorne, is an insider’s look at the creator of Saturday Night Live.

 Stream Piece By Piece on Peacock!