Which Drama Movie Should You See This Fall?

You spent the summer watching superheroes battle evildoers, foul-mouthed bears crack jokes, and Channing Tatum show off his finest assets, but now that it’s Fall, you’re looking for something a little meatier (that is, if there’s anything meatier than Channing Tatum’s assets). No problem there: the autumnal season is overflowing with dramatic films to balance out your year. But which one is for you? Here’s a rundown of everything coming your way in the next two months with a handy rundown to decide which tearjerker, which ripped from the headlines tale, which artsy exploration of the human condition fits your personal criteria:

Arbitrage

Release Date: Sept. 14

Rating: R

You should see it if…: You missed Richard Gere as a leading man. You’re looking for more reasons to hate the 1 percent. You don’t know what the word “arbitrage” means. 

The Master

Release Date: Sept. 14

Rating: R

You should see it if…: You’re in the mood to take in a cinematic existential crisis. You’re looking for greater understanding in the world. You know what 70mm is. You find beauty in the soothing sounds of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s voice. 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Release Date: Sept. 14

Rating: PG-13

You should see it if…: You fondly remember the ’90s. You continue to loathe the ’90s. You barely remember the ’90s, but you still have all your old mix tapes from the ’90s. You were born in the ’90s but are eager to see what all the fuss was about. You love feelings.

End of Watch

Release Date: Sept. 21

Rating: R

You should see it if…: You’re ready for Jake Gyllenhaal to stop being such a nice boy. You want the first person action perspective of a video game without all the finger blisters. You want an inside look at the underbelly of South Central, Los Angeles. You want an inside look at the underbelly of quinceaneras. 

Trouble with the Curve

Release Date: Sept. 21

Rating: PG-13

You should see it if…: You need a reminder of Clint Eastwood’s day job. You miss baseball. You’re having trouble with your curve. You need a feel good drama to make you warm and cuddly as Fall really begins to set in. 

Wuthering Heights

Release Date: Oct. 5

Rating: R

You should see it if…: You want a period drama stripped of its stuffiness. You like fog. You recall reading the book in high school but would much rather have someone else re-read to you. You need a day off from your Pride and Prejudice/Mr. Darcy obsession.

The Paperboy

Release Date: Oct. 10

Rating: R

You should see it if…: You want to see Zac Efron do some aaaaaacting! You’re committed to witnessing Matthew McConaughey climb every rail of the comeback ladder. You loved Precious. You’re curious about that whole “peeing on Nicole Kidman” thing.

Argo

Release Date: Oct. 12

Rating: R

You should see it if…: You’re a Gone Baby Gone and The Town fan. You own a t-shirt with Ben Affleck’s face on it. You’re fascinated by ’70s era poltico thrillers. You’re wondering what an “argo” is (note: it’s not an arbitrage).

Holy Motors

Release Date: Oct. 17

Rating: R

You should see it if…: You want to see an artist’s interpretation of ultimate despair. You don’t need your movies to bogged down by “narrative.” You’re sticking with creativity as your drug of choice.

Killing Them Softly

Release Date: Oct. 19

Rating: R

You should see it if…: Brad Pitt. You love crime films. Brad Pitt. You love political metaphors. Brad Pitt. You’re a die hard fan of Sopranos actor James Gando—ok, Brad Pitt.

The Sessions

Release Date: Oct. 26

Rating: R

You should see it if…: You want to see how an iron lung really works. You love poetry. You want to see Helen Hunt bravely bare all. You want your mind blown by actor John Hawkes, who transforms himself to play a paraplegic.

On the Road

Release Date: Oct. 31

Rating: R

You should see it if…: The only people for you are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.

Flight

Release Date: Nov. 2

Rating: R

You should see it if…: You’ve long awaited the return of Denzel Washington’s prestige drama side. You want to be more scared of flying in planes. You want to see if Robert Zemeckis still remembers what working with real people is like. 

 Lincoln

Release Date: Nov. 9

Rating: N/A

You should see it if…: You want to see the real Abraham Lincoln star in a Spielberg movie. Wait, that’s Daniel Day-Lewis?! No way!!! That’s insane! He looks just like the real Lincoln. You want to know how they did that. Immediately. 

The Silver Linings Playbook

Release Date: Nov. 11

Rating: R

You should see it if…: You want to know if Bradley Cooper is a guy you actually like or just really want to like. You want to see what everyone was raving about at TIFF. You need to fill time between Catching Fire. You love the Eages — go Eagles!!

Anna Karenina

Release Date:

Nov. 16

Rating: R

You should see it if…: You want to see a romantic epic brought to life. You want see if Keira Knightley still has something to add to the “costume drama” genre. You want to see what all the fuss is about.

Life of Pi

Release Date: Dec. 14

Rating: N/A

You should see it if…: You read that book! You roomed with a tiger once. You love high seas adventures. Visual spectacle is an immediate draw. You want to see what a guy like Ang Lee can do with 3D (and the guess is, a ton).