A lady in the street but a freak in the bed? Not according to Julia Leigh’s grown-up fairy tale that woke up audiences at Cannes. Emily Browning strips down to play an escort who meets with johns while she’s out cold. It’s slow and calculated and not for everyone, but it’s anything but a snooze fest.
It’s like: Eyes Wide Shut during The Girlfriend Experience.
Take: NoDoz. And watch it on demand.
Premiered: Last Friday

Find showtimes online at fandango.com.

Michael Fassbender. The man is down for anything. Whether starving in Steve McQueen’s Hunger or going full monty from the get-go (read: Irish curse officially debunked), he commits. So just sit back and be patient while tormented Brandon gives in to each of his sexual compulsions. And though we’re all adults here, there’s no shame in a nervous giggle or two.
It’s like: Leaving Las Vegas for the East Coast.
Take: Anyone but Mom and Dad.
Premiered: Last Friday

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He’s unnerving folks from la Croisette to le Upper West Side. Lynne Ramsay’s horror-flirting drama stars Tilda Swinton as Eva, a mother dealing with the wreckage left behind by her disturbed, nihilistic teenager (Ezra Miller). Eva may miss the mark with her problem child, but Kevin’s hitting the bull’s-eye with us.
It’s like: Rosemary’s Baby meets Beautiful Boy.
Take: Someone who hasn’t read the book and compare notes.
Premieres: Today

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Reunited and it feels so good: Diablo Cody and Jason Reitman’s second flick arrives by way of a bitchy blonde who never matured beyond seventh period. Rattled by the news of her old flame’s new baby girl, Mavis Gary returns to her hometown to steal him back. Leave it to Charlize Theron to turn a dark script into a bundle of joy.
It’s like: Sweet Valley High meets Bad Santa.
Take: Your big man on campus.
Premieres: Today

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A quickie from the Roman empire (it’s only 79 minutes), Polanski’s NYFF opener invites you to have a watch, so check your coat and your manners at the door. Adapted from the stage, the Seinfeld-ish comedy of etiquette is more of an oral action film with enough dialogue punch to TKO Larry David. The gist: one room, two couples, and a nasty verbal massacre.
It’s like: Words with Frenemies.
Take: Another couple. And Scotch.
Premieres: December 16

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Screw bright spirits and good cheer. David Fincher’s feel-bad movie of the year kicks the holidays’ sweet ass. The gritty director reinvents the original Swedish film based on the original Swedish novel series. If that doesn’t make an imprint, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross bringing the funk again will. P.S. The piercings are real — all of them.
It’s like: You know it.
Take: The girl with the butterfly tattoo.
Premieres: December 21

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So you think you can dance? Wait until you see the cast of Wim Wenders’s masterful 3-D tribute to the famed choreographer spin circles around you. With unspoken interviews and elaborate dance numbers, Wenders finds humor in melancholic situations — and highlights Pina’s ability to expose a dancer’s soul.
It’s like: Truth or Dare meets Dancer in the Dark.
Take: A hoofer.
Premieres: December 23

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Loud and close Grandma’s mishap with that reindeer was, but we’re referring to the 9/11 tearjerker from Stephen Daldry. A boy searching for a key’s matching lock hopes to find a message from his dead dad. Another story pulled from the pages of a best-seller, the gift of a movie comes with two previous Oscar winners and an ending neatly tied with a bow. Tissues not included.
It’s like: Hugo meets The Hedgehog.
Take: Those left on your list.
Premieres: December 25

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Let’s be honest: Growing up is hard, and not everyone’s Alike. A butch teenager living in Brooklyn, she’d rather play with best friend Laura than just be friends. Gotham Breakthrough Director winner Dee Rees’s little project began on Kickstarter, which got it to Sundance, where it received its first standing ovation. A Pariah it may be, but don’t avoid it.
It’s like: Precious meets Circumstance.
Take: Your girlfriend.
Premieres: December 28

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Looking for a renter to chill with? Bundle up with Gaby Dellal’s snowy small-town Tribeca film available on demand now before it hits theaters. You have Ethan, a dad whose parenting gives him wings, and Cindy, a mother who doesn’t deserve a halo. Both of their worlds implode when their little boy goes missing.
It’s like: Boy A doing Snow Angels.
Take: Nana’s chicken noodle back to bed and pull the sheets up high.
Premieres: December 30

Find showtimes online at fandango.com.