The Dive (out Nov 2) is an English-language remake of a 2020 Scandinavian thriller. It features just two actors and is about a scuba diving exploration that goes wrong after one becomes trapped under a rock on the ocean floor. The dialogue is wooden but this generates enough suspense from the scenario to keep you guessing about what will happen next. Grade: B.

Foe (out Nov 2) is directed by Brisbane-born Garth Davis and is a sci-fi drama set in a dystopian world (the year is 2065) about a married couple (Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal) asked to make a difficult decision about their future. While I admired the performances, I wish this offered more interesting subplots and character power-shifts instead of relying on quirky twists. Grade: B-.

Bring Him to Me (out Nov 2) is Australian made but given the appearance of an American flick. Those from Brisbane and the Gold Coast will recognise locations. It’s a cliched, unsurprising thriller about a heist gone wrong and the ramifications which follow. Grade: C.

The Killer (out Oct 26) is the latest from director David Fincher and is the tale of a softly-spoken, music-loving hitman (Michael Fassbender) who finds his own life in danger after a botched job. You're never quite sure where this film is heading. It's like a Jason Bourne-style spy flick except the focus is on the methods/process as opposed to the characters. Enjoyed it a lot! Grade: A-.

Five Nights at Freddy’s (out Oct 26) gets a few things right… but it’s a long way from five stars.  Framed as a horror-thriller, it’s the story of a dilapidated pizzeria, a down-on-his-luck security guard, and some “possessed” animatronic toys.  I liked the idea, star Josh Hutcherson, and the supernatural dream stuff.  On the flip side, the direction is uninspired, the horror is limited, and the plot loses its way. Grade: C+.

Mercy Road (out Oct 26) is a stylish Aussie thriller about a father trying to locate his missing 12-year-old daughter. The point of difference is that it takes place entirely inside a ute as the dad makes stressed phone calls while driving on remote roads. The music is over-cooked but aside, this is gripping. Grade: B+.

Monolith (out Oct 26) is an Aussie film about a young woman using her viral podcast to solve a mystery - a bunch of black, alien-like bricks which are messing with people’s minds. The film uses an interesting approach (it’s largely just a single actor talking with people over the phone) but it builds just enough intrigue to hold your attention for 90 minutes. Ending is iffy. Grade: B.

Fair Play (out Oct 3) follows two hedge fund colleagues who have secretly become engaged (against work policy) and the shifting power dynamic between them when one gets promoted. Decent script, good performances. Grade: B+.

Dumb Money (out Oct 26) is based on the truth-is-stranger-than-fiction true story about a "movement" of people who pumped up the value of a shitty stock on the New York Stock Exchange to punish rich hedge fund managers. The cast are terrific and director Craig Gillespie covers a wide range of angles inside the 104-minute running time. Grade: B+.

Scarygirl (out Oct 26) is an Aussie animated feature (how rare) about villainous animals who kidnap a giant octopus, and the one-eyed (literally) daughter trying to save the day. The dialogue is stiff and it has a vibe of a simple TV cartoon. For youngsters, not adults. Grade: C+.