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Browse Vera and you’ll discover the latest must-see Hollywood films along with recent chart toppers, a selection of underrated gems, quirky short films, and festival favourites. Want to know more about the actors, directors, and comedians behind them? Watch What’s on Vera, where film critic and broadcaster Jason Solomons presents the latest highlights onboard. We never edit the movies we show either, so you see them just as the director intended.
If you still can’t choose, look out for the ’Vera Loves’ label – that means we think it’s the best of the best. Travelling with kids? Don’t worry – parental locking is available on all aircraft.
Don't forget...
These are our recently added titles this month, you'll find plenty more movies to choose from once you're settled in onboard.
Following the assassination of President Park in 1979, various military factions wrestle for control
during a violent coup in this tense South Korean period action drama.
It should be a simple plan for these crims when they kidnap young ballerina prodigy Abigail. Taking her to a secluded manor
they wait for her rich dad to pony up. However, it soon becomes clear that Abigail is no ordinary little girl – and this is no ordinary kidnap.
Wear special gloves while watching Arcadian or your fingernails won’t survive the journey. With a plot that
revolves around brothers trying to keep their wounded dad (Cage) safe while being hunted by nasty creatures, this is brilliantly nerve-jangling stuff.
None-more craggy Penn stars in this cracking tale of a young paramedic, Ollie Cross (Sheridan),
assigned to the NYC night shift with a seasoned partner (Penn). Not only do the dark nights reveal a city in crisis, but Ollie soon finds himself with an ethical dilemma…
Described by at least one critic as ‘the Bridesmaids of babymaking’, Babes is a comedy about pals Eden and Dawn,
who find their bond of friendship tested when after a one-night stand, Eden decides that she wants to keep her baby.
Abela is uncanny as Amy Winehouse in this biopic from director Sam Taylor-Johnson. Telling the tale of Amy’s
rise to global fame – a journey that saw her demons rise to the surface – this is an unflinching look at the modern celebrity machine.
The world's favourite Bad Boys are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your-seat action and outrageous comedy
but this time with a twist: Miami's finest are now on the run.
As visually inspired as you’d expect from its director, Luca Guadagnino, Challengers tells of a three-sided love affair
between tennis prodigies played by Zendaya, Faist and O’Connor. It’s sexy and stylish, and the tennis scenes are frankly gobsmacking.
The visionary writer-director Alex Garland steers this brilliantly realised dystopian mind-bender that reimagines the US
in a state of modern conflict. In other words, a civil war. Awesomely staged action makes this one a thriller – but a distinctly uneasy sense of timeliness gives it a topical, almost newsy edge.
Best known for his work on the other side of the camera, Mortensen takes the directorial reins for this Western
set during the US Civil War. Themes of love, loss and survival crop up in a tale of Vivienne (Krieps), who must navigate the harsh realities of frontier life.
Acclaimed as an accurate portrait of autism – and featuring a superb cast – Ezra tells the story of Max, whose cross-country trip
with his son has a lifechanging effect on them both. The moving result is expertly weighted between comedy and drama.
Gosling plays the lovestruck stuntman trying to woo Emily Blunt’s Jody – while also investigating a murder –
in this supremely entertaining spin-off from the beloved TV show. It went slightly under the radar on its cinema release, but in fact it’s a joy.
Mad Max is left out of this latest in the franchise (or is he? Keep your eyes peeled and you may see him) which focuses
on a young Furiosa (Taylor-Joy). The action is gobsmacking, of course, while Hemsworth as the baddie Dementus is a scene-stealing wonder.
Garfield, the Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure!
After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father, Garfield is forced from his perfectly pampered life into joining a hilarious, high-stakes heist.
Some critics have criticised this tale of kids who leave high school and embark on a coming-of-age
road trip as ‘just a load of drunk teenagers talking’. Others have praised it for its insight, feeling and heart. Maybe it’s both?
Along with Challengers, Hit Man is one of the movies credited with ‘bringing sexy back’. Its story revolves around
a guy who pretends to be a hitman in order to catch crims, but then falls in love with one of his marks. Funny, idiosyncratic and, yes, pretty sexy, too.
When war between the superpowers breaks out on Earth, the US and the Russian crews of the International
Space Station are ordered to take control of the space station by their respective governments. As the blurb says, ‘the war on Earth will be decided in space’.
Rom-com massive, get ready to be happy, because this one’s a keeper. Hathaway is Solène, a 40-year-old single mom
who begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes, lead singer of the hottest boy band on the planet.
Written and directed by John Krasinski (a change of pace from his last outing, A Quiet Place II), Ryan Reynolds stars in this cute
comedy about a young girl who can see the imaginary friends of others. Hearts are warmed, tears jerked, and the result is rather lovely.
This superb true story – a real triumph of human spirit in adversity – tells of Irena Gut, a Polish nurse who risked her life
to save 12 Jewish people from the Holocaust and was honoured with the title Righteous One in Israel for her actions.
High-octane Indian action-thriller with enough chases, bone-crunching fights and head-spinning plot twists to keep
even the most committed adrenalin-junkie purring. This is one that takes ‘no holds barred’ to a whole new level.
Kinds of Kindness is a triptych fable following a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life, a policeman
who is alarmed that his wife who was missing-at-sea has returned and seems a different person, and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader.
Generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, apes are living harmoniously as the dominant species — and humans
are living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
Following the rise of the eponymous real-life rap group, this boisterous biopic takes us on a joyride through the streets of Belfast,
showcasing beats, rebellion, and the joyous spirit of the underdog. It’s bold, it’s unapologetic, it’s very sweary – and it’s utterly ace.
There’s a hint of the Coen Brothers – especially Fargo – in this thriller-comedy-drama. Zahn stars as Ray,
who discovers that his wife is cheating on him and decides to top himself. However, his plans suddenly change when a stranger mistakes him for a low-rent hitman.
Great to see Gillan in a lead role as a woman who ends up caring for an elderly Polish lady after a drunken accident.
If you’ve ever watched a film, like ever, you’ll know how this goes. The fact that it’s executed with such skill and heart is a credit to all concerned.
Lazy, workshy director Guy Ritchie (a mere five major projects in two years) has furnished us with a winner
in this cracking tale of highly skilled and unorthodox soldiers who go behind enemy lines during World War II.
Written by, directed and starring Dev Patel, this is the brilliant, bloody and bullet-strewn story of Kid,
who’s on a mission of revenge for the brutal murder of his mother. Action (lots and lots of action) meets social commentary, and the result is dazzlingly brilliant.
In this extraordinary film we meet Rudy as he negotiates life with synaesthesia, a condition where sufferers
hear rhythm in everyday sounds. Director-star Rudy Mancuso illustrates the condition using bright colours and percussive noises for a truly immersive experience.
Prequel instalment catapulting us back to the first invasion, where silence is golden and screams are a death wish.
Needless to say, the cast is a fresh one, but with series writer Krasinski onboard you can be sure it’s got all the nail-biting scares you’ve come to expect.
Grab your hankies for this tale of a grieving architect, Dawson (like the creek), who after the death of his best friend
(London, like the city), goes in search of London’s secret twin sister – only to fall in love along the way.
Edge-of-seat, genuinely creepy horror in which an eight-legged nasty begins to hunt the occupants of an apartment building.
The only person who can stop it is little Charlotte, who has a strange unearthly connection with the stinger.
Knoxville turns out to have serious acting chops in this comedy-drama, which is, as they used to say, ‘totes emosh’.
He plays a guy who must train a softball team of fellow addicts in order to get his life back on track. The funny-sad result is eminently watchable.
A group of friends unknowingly unleashes the unspeakable evil of a cursed Tarot deck. One by one,
they end up in a race against death to escape the future foretold in their readings.
Nothing to do with the turtles of the teenage mutant ninja variety (although the characters are teenagers if that counts),
this adaptation of a bestselling novel focuses on obsessive-compulsive Aza, who negotiates life and love while also searching for a missing billionaire.
Based on a true story, when David Smallbone's successful music company collapses, he moves his family
from Australia to the States. With nothing more than their seven children, suitcases, and their love of music, David (for KING + COUNTRY's Joel Smallbone) and his pregnant wife Helen (Daisy Betts) set out to rebuild their lives. With their own dreams on hold, David and Helen begin to realize the musical prowess in their children, who would go on to become two of the most successful acts in Inspirational Music history: five-time Grammy Award-winning artists for KING + COUNTRY and Rebecca St. James.
Nominated for three 2023 Independent Spirit Awards, including best feature, this simply told drama tells of two boys,
Malik and Eric, whose friendship is tested in Chicago's Cabrini-Green Housing Project in 1992.
Le Ying has been living at home for years, with no direction, doing nothing in particular . After graduating from college
and only working for a short time, Le Ying chooses to withdraw from society. One day, after several twists of fate, she decides to live life in a different way. In cautiously venturing into the outside world, Le Ying meets boxing coach Hao Kun. Just when she thinks life is about to take a positive turn, the challenges that follow far exceed her imagination, and her vibrant life is just beginning...
Jenny and Paul meet at a pub. Quickly, they fall in love. The beginnings of their relationship blossom against a world
that's falling apart - Jenny becomes radicalised; Europe moves further to the Right; martial law is in place.
Determined to not have any more kids, a dim witted dad reluctantly goes for a vasectomy.
following the reunion of estranged brothers Turlough and Lorcan following the untimely death of their mother.
Fast and frantic, this comedy follows Brian the morning after meeting Amy during a night out on the town. When he wakes up
and things seem oddly more serious between them, he realizes that life is moving much faster than he anticipated.
Mourning the death of his young daughter, a grieving father goes to extreme measures, using A.I technology
to relive their fondest memories. A story with an ominous warning to society.
This collection of dementia-friendly short films has been put together by the Women Over 50 Film Festival exclusively for Vera. The films have been reviewed by Carers UK, a UK charity making life better for carers.
Filmmaker Adeyemi Michael pays homage to his mother, Abosede Ajao, who travelled from Nigeria to England more than 30 years ago.
In this fantasy documentary he re-imagines her first immigrant experience. Wearing traditional Yoruba ceremonial attire, she rides majestically on horseback through the streets of Peckham in South London. Entitled is vibrant, joyful and colourful.
People living with dementia may find this beautifully-crafted, slow-motion film calming to watch and listen to.
The Honeys and Bears is a synchronised swimming team for people 55 and older. In this feel-good documentary, we witness the freedom
that comes from being in the water. These performers can do all kinds of things that they can’t do on land. As one member puts it, swimming with the team keeps her “92 years young.” The women move in formation to “The Nutcracker Suite” by Tchaikovsky.
If you’re living with dementia, you may recognise and enjoy this music.
In this charming animation, an older woman longs to learn how to swim but when she dips her toe in the water, she awakens creatures
deep in the ocean. Is she brave enough to take the plunge, or will she retreat to the safety of dry land? An enchanting film with no words is accompanied by “Music with No Words” by Mendelssohn.
This jaunty classical soundtrack may be familiar to people living with dementia and might get some feet tapping.
A dandelion struggles to grow from a seed but doesn't hesitate to shelter and feed a caterpillar. The new butterfly doesn't forget this love
and offers an act of support in return. The cycle of life is marked by small gestures until the circle is complete.
This animation is filled with muted natural colours and a soothing soundtrack. If you live with dementia, you may find the sights and sounds of this gentle film comforting and soothing.
Lay Me Low brings people together in music and movement. Individual voices are woven together to make one song; steps are taken in rhythm
to make one dance. This beautiful traditional Shaker lament is performed by dancers and singers. Each person expresses something different and together they create a sense of unity and belonging.
If you’re living with dementia, the gentle, rhythmic music and sounds of Lay Me Low may appeal to you.
80-year-old Sanna lives alone with her memories and houseplants. One day she looks out her window and sees something that reminds
her of her friends. Reality and memories become intertwined as a playground game of “Statues” - or “Grandma's Footsteps” - leads Sanna on a journey from childhood to old age.
People living with dementia may enjoy the “Statues” game in this film and it may spark childhood memories for some viewers.
Two dancers unite across the generations. A connection is shared between younger and older selves in this dance film from Scottish Ballet.
The dance is inspired by a specially-commissioned poem by one of Scotland's Makars (National Poets), Jackie Kay, and the poem is recited by Jackie in Scots-English.
The dreamy atmosphere surrounding the dancers and the tender music of the score create a film that people living with dementia may find relaxing and restful.
A blackbird and her family came to live in the garden of jazz singer and filmmaker Sophie Bancroft. The mother blackbird worked tirelessly to feed
and protect her babies until they were ready to fly away. This love inspired Sophie to create Old Mother Blackbird, a film about a woman who watches over the comings and goings of a blackbird through the seasons.
People living with dementia may be soothed by the gentle jazz vocals in this playful stop-motion animation.
Key:
Closed captioning Audio description Vera Loves Unsuitable for children