film
Coming soon—to a theater near you?
Both chain and indie theaters are limited by accessibility and distribution, but the local scene is ready to adapt.
Latest stories
Chicago Filmmakers celebrates its 50th anniversary
The nonprofit’s special anniversary programming continues into 2024.
This year, Chicago Filmmakers celebrates its 50th anniversary, a landmark achievement in the history of any nonprofit, let alone one focused on the cinematic arts.
Review: All the Light We Cannot See (Miniseries)
This wartime miniseries suffers from the same shortcomings as its source material.
This Netflix original miniseries suffers from the same sickly sweet sentimental shortcomings as the novel, if not more so.
CICFF40 teaches families that ‘Chicago is a film town’
Explore movies for children and teens at the 40th Chicago International Children’s Film Festival.
As the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival celebrates its 40th year, festival program director Deidre Searcy wants people to know it offers something for everyone.
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Features
Hollywood Hates Rats
But I stand with the little guy.
The Joker belongs to us all
The People’s Joker, Vera Drew’s copyright-challenging trans film, makes its local debut at this year’s Chicago International Film Festival.
In Chicago’s ‘top five,’ High Fidelity is a chart-topper
John Cusack will host an intimate screening of one of Chicago’s most impactful films at the Auditorium Theatre in early 2024.
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REviews
Review: The Boy and the Heron
Hayao Miyazaki’s latest isn’t perfect, but it’s full of the magic that viewers have come to expect.
Review: May December
Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore star in this electrifying slow-burn film about fame, trauma, and sensationalized scandals.
Review: Fallen Leaves
Despite its solid love story, this Finnish film fails to hit the high standard set by its director’s past credits.
Review: Dream Scenario
This surrealist horror-comedy starring Nicolas Cage is (mostly) a delight.
Review: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
A strong leading lady carries this busy prequel.
Review: Common Ground
A-list stars and humble farmers alike advocate for regenerative agriculture in this new documentary.
Review: The Marvels
The newest Marvel film has originality and promise, but it ultimately chooses MCU world-building over character.
Review: Reporting for Christmas
This made-in-Chicago Christmas movie is inoffensive but hardly worth watching.
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Small screen
Review: Fellow Travelers (Miniseries)
This book-turned-limited series brings essential queer history to life.
Review: Gen V (Season one)
This superhero spin-off of The Boys is a pared-down version of the original formula.
Review: The Continental (Miniseries)
Action fans and John Wick franchise devotees might be satisfied, but the miniseries structure limits the true potential of The Continental.
Review: Sex Education (Season four)
The final season of this Netflix hit series isn’t the best, but it’s totally necessary.
A local industry renaissance
Film and television production in Chicago still lacks the resources, glamour, and consistency of opportunity found on the coasts—but you can’t build Chicago’s community and authenticity in a Hollywood hangar.
In defense of dirtbags: Jake Johnson on why he loves a checkered past
The New Girl and New Trier alum on Belushi, beaches, and his new show
Chicago Academy for the Arts students debut TV pilot at Music Box Theatre
Local students move to the big screen to premiere their lighthearted TV pilot.
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High Fidelity gets the oral history treatment
An interview with Andrew Buss, author of Top Five: How High Fidelity Found Its Rhythm and Became a Cult Movie Classic
Fall Theater & Arts Preview
Reeling returns
Chicago’s LGBTQ+ international film festival celebrates its 41st year with stories of found family, gay disco, bigoted parasitic worms, and more.
‘125 is feeling very good’
Celebrating Chicago’s cultural past and present at the Fine Arts Building
Setting the stage for queer stories
A seasonal preview of LGBTQ+ theater
Fall in love with Chicago’s visual arts scene
Our picks for must-see exhibitions
Archive
The Reader’s comprehensive-ish film review index
An index of the Chicago Reader‘s long reviews from 1971 to now.
Best of chicago 2022
Best film programming that celebrated Black women filmmakers
An Open Window: Black Female Directors Across the Diaspora at Doc Films
Best film series that interrogates the meaning of ‘high art’
Highs & Lows at the Music Box Theatre