The Secret Agent (out Jan 22) won the Golden Globe for best foreign language film. The title may have you thinking it's a slick spy film, but it's more of a slow-burn drama that’s about people instead of Hollywood-style action and thrills. I wasn't sold on every plot point (maybe need to see it a second time) but it pulls you into its world and makes you care about the fate of its interesting characters. So many distinctive performances! Grade: A-.

Somebody to Love (out Jan 22) is best described as an adult-themed, live-action version of Inside Out. Two people go on a first date and as the night progresses, we follow their thoughts through people who live inside their head. The novelty wore off quickly for me. I didn't find the two leads interesting at all. Grade: C.

Primate (out Jan 22) is a dreadfully written thriller about a pet chimpanzee which gets infected with rabies and terrorises its owners. So many of the characters' actions lack logic and common sense. Grade: C.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (out Jan 15) continues this excellent franchise by taking chances and spinning in new, interesting directions. Screenwriter Alex Garland weaves together violent gore, heart, laughs, and political themes. I was never bored and the performances, headlined by Jack O'Connell, are superb. Grade: A-.

Hamnet (out Jan 15) is a work of fiction but imagines what life was like for William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne, following the death of their young son. I was a little underwhelmed by the opening two acts but the stirring climax leaves an impact. Grade: B+.

No Other Choice (out Jan 15) is a Korean dark comedy about an unemployed man who considers killing fellow applicants (more experienced than him) to help land a new job. A wild idea but I struggled to get my head around the lead character. I grew tired of his continually goofiness/clumsiness. Grade: B.

Grow (out Jan 15) is a family flick about a young girl trying to win a pumpkin growing competition to save her auntie's farm. It's simple, perhaps too much so at times, but kids are likely to follow and have fun. Grade: B-.

Christy (out Jan 8) is a biopic, directed by Australian David Michôd (Animal Kingdom), about female boxer Christy Salters who rose to fame in the 1990s. It's a positive story about boxing and a negative story about domestic violence but in trying to balance both narratives, it comes across as shallow. Still an interesting true story. Grade: B-.

Orwell: 2+2=5 (out Jan 8) is an excellent film that blends the words of acclaimed writer George Orwell, author of 1984, with footage from documentaries, movies, news shows, and other interviews. It's covering a lot of topics and offers just as much to think about. Grade: A-.

Six: The Musical Live! (out Jan 8) is a filmed version of the stage show which took place on London's West End in June 2022. As a newbie to the material, I found it to be a simple, entertaining romp with a charismatic cast. Providing a history lesson while also reflecting on Henry VIII’s legacy, it's like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton except with a lighter tone and a less complex premise. Grade: B+.