Synopsis

New Zealand,1954. Friends Nellie, Daisy, and Lou make mischief together at an institution for delinquent girls that has recently relocated to a remote island. A strict and devout matron lords over the girls’ education, working to shape them into pious, obedient, “civilized” young women. But it’s hard to reform girls who don’t believe they need reforming.

When the matron approves experimental forms of punishment set to take place in the dead of night, the trio’s rebellion soon becomes an urgent plot to escape by whatever means possible. We Were Dangerous beautifully juxtaposes a charming wit and playfulness against the grim reality of the girls’ life on the island, crafting a love letter to fierce and disobedient young women past and present.

Synopsis

Stefan Mortensen (Geoffrey Rush), an elderly judge, moves into a retirement home after a near-fatal stroke leaves him partially paralyzed. There, Mortensen clashes with another resident, the slightly off-kilter Dave Crealy (John Lithgow), who secretly terrorizes the residents with a sadistic, doll-based game called “The Rule of Jenny Pen.” Although it’s supposed to be used for dementia therapy, in Crealy’s hand the puppet is an instrument of torture. As Crealy’s actions escalate, Mortensen must struggle against his own aging body and mind to put an end to Crealy’s reign of terror.

In one of the most unexpected performances of the year, Oscar-nominated actor John Lithgow (also in this year’s Conclave) delivers a marvelously menacing performance as the perverse Crealy, while Oscar-winner Rush (Shine) is a formidable match. Full of creepily twisted and originally unsetting set pieces, The Rule of Jenny Pen doesn’t just tap into the universal fear of death, but also the perils of getting old.

Synopsis

Young Wei is a blossoming scientist continuing the controversial, yet innovative research on skin grafting begun by her late father. Shunned by her family in China because of a hereditary facial disfigurement, she gets a scholarship to study in New Zealand, where she stays with her kind but absent aunt and mean-girl cousin Angela. Wei proves herself a brilliant student who catches the attention of a down-on-his-luck professor, but is still mercilessly bullied by Angela and her popular friends. Then she reaches her breaking point. What ensues is a gut-wrenching dive into visceral body horror, where vengeance and scientific hubris collide to lead Wei on a violent quest to possess the power of beauty and popularity at any cost. Grafted is a deliciously disgusting ride that pushes the societal obsession with normative beauty to horrific extremes.