“Persuasion”
The latest in a line of Jane Austen adaptations, “Persuasion,” starring Dakota Johnson, Cosmo Jarvis, and Henry Golding, is the feature-length debut from director Carrie Cracknell. The story follows Johnson’s Anne Elliot as a man who she once believed to be “the one” crashes unexpectedly back into her life. This romantic drama follows her as she must decide whether or not to give him a second chance while facing societal pressures.
Release Date: July 15 to stream via Netflix.
“The Gray Man”
Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling star in “The Gray Man,” the latest from the Russo Brothers following last year’s “Cherry.” Gosling stars as a CIA top asset who uncovers agency secrets that trigger a global hunt of assassins set loose by his ex-colleague. The action thriller also features Ana De Armas, Dhanush, Jessica Henwick, Regé-Jean Page, and Alfre Woodard. Evans in particular is playing against type in this role, the man leading the hunt for Gosling’s protagonist.
Release Date: July 15 in theaters then July 22 to stream via Netflix.
“Nope”
Few directors manage to merge blockbuster excitement with scathing and clever social commentary like Jordan Peele these days. Following Get Out,” and “Us,” Peele returns with yet another simply titled film, “Nope,” one of the most anticipated films of the year. Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Steven Yeun star, and the film follows caretakers at a California horse ranch as they encounter a mysterious, unknowable force that’s begun to affect both human and animal behavior. As is generally the case with his films, it’s best not to know much about “Nope” before going into it, something the teasers and trailers thus far have seemed to agree with.
Release Date: July 22 in theaters via Universal Pictures.
“Not Okay”
Writer, director, and actress Quinn Shephard made a powerful debut a few years ago with her film “Blame,” a light parallel of “The Crucible.” Shephard returns for this year’s social media, influencer culture parody, “Not Okay,” starring Zoey Deutch. Deutch plays a young woman who is desperate for friends and fame and, in order to acquire both, fakes a trip to Paris for an update on her social media. However, this coincides with a terrifying incident happening in the real world which becomes a part of her act. Dylan O’Brien, Nadia Alexander, and Embeth Davidtz also star.
Release Date: July 29 on Hulu via Searchlight Pictures.
