Venice Film Festival 2021: Here Are the 8 Most Anticipated Movies to Watch

The 78th annual Venice Film Festival is just days away with an exciting lineup featuring more than 90 movies.

From Spencer’s heartwrenching portrayal of Princess Diana to the dystopian future found in Dune, here are 10 of the most anticipated movies of the 2021 Festival

1. Dune

This thrilling tale of space travel and dystopian worlds stars Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya. Directed by Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049), Dune follows Paul Altreides (Chalamet) as he seeks out answers on distant planets in the midst of a cosmic war. “Let’s not fear,” Paul can be heard telling Chani (Zendaya) in the trailer. “Fear is the mind-killer.”

2. Last Night in Soho

Thomasin McKenzie (JoJo Rabbit) plays Eloise, aspiring fashion designer who finds herself back in time in this psychological thriller. Set in 1960s London during the “Swinging Sixties,” Last Night in Soho follows Eloise’s encounter with her “wannabe” singer Sandy (Anya Taylor-Joy) and takes over her body. Between a romantic relationship and strange occurrences, the past and present go astray. This movie also marks the last appearance for the late Margaret Nolan, who passed in November 2020.

3. The Lost Daughter

The Lost Daughter, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, is based on Elena Ferrante’s 2008 novel by the same name. Leda (Olivia Coleman) is a college professor who moves to a small Greek beach house to work on her novel. But the arrival of a loud family next door and a young mother’s struggle to find her daughter’s doll takes a toll on the author. Leda traces her past as she grapples with decisions relating to her personal and professional life. This powerful film also stars Dakota Fanning and Paul Mescal (Normal People).

In select theaters December 17. On Netflix December 31. pic.twitter.com/VTkb4ZcEze

— the LOST DAUGHTER (@thelostdaughter) August 18, 2021

4. The Card Counter

Directed by Paul Schrader and executive produced by Martin Scorsese, The Card Counter stars Oscar Isaac in a thrilling crime film. William Tell (Isaac) is an ex-military interrogator who starts gambling as a way to escape his past. He travels around the country betting big before jumping to the next casino. But he’s not alone; Tell brings his manager (Tiffany Haddish) on the road.

5. Spencer

In the late 1990s during Christmastime, Princess Diana Spencer spent three days at a royal family estate. Director Pablo Larrain captures this pivotal time in a powerful biopic starring Kristen Stewert as Diana.

6. Becoming Led Zepplin

Imagine decades of back-stage footage, interviews, and tell-alls are put into one documentary telling the tale of a globally loved rock band. Becoming Led Zepplin does just that, following the formation and legacy of members Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, John Bonham, and Jimmy Page. According to Director Bernard MacMahon, he wanted to create something “that looked and feels like a musical… {with] devised fantasia sequences, inspired by Singin’ in the Rain.“

‘Becoming Led Zeppelin,’ the first-ever, band-sanctioned documentary, will premiere at the Venice Film Festival this September https://t.co/nyNfpcmEfs

— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) August 7, 2021

7. Halloween Kills

Three decades after the original Halloween release, Jamie Lee Curtis (who will also recieve a Lifetime Achievment Award at the Festival) returns as Laurie Strode in Halloween Kills. Director David Gordon Green brings the same slasher-horror themes to the film, as Laurie takes on the menacing Mike Meyers (James Jude Courtney) once again.

8. Parallel Mothers

Penélope Cruz, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, and Milena Smit star in a compelling tale of womanhood and family. Directed by Pedro Almodóvar, Parallel Mothers follow two single women who meet in the same hospital room about to give birth. The two form a bond over fear and motherhood that lasts beyond the births of their children.

The Venice Film Festival begins on September 1 until September 13. Celebrations are underway, so be sure to follow along with @la_biennale on Twitter for updates. In the meantime, audiences can find a full list of films being played here.