Director Srikanth Odela reunites with actor Nani for ‘The Paradise’, a period action drama set in 1980s Secunderabad centered on a marginalized nomadic community fighting for identity. Despite heavy visual effort, extensive graphic violence, and music by Anirudh Ravichander, the film suffers from an emotional disconnect, making its portrayal of suffering feel distant, bleak, and unconvincing to viewers.

Director Zach Cregger tackles Capcom’s legendary survival horror video game franchise with Resident Evil, hitting theaters on September 18, 2026. Starring Austin Abrams as a medical courier stranded in Raccoon General Hospital during a viral outbreak, the 95-minute film boasts impressive practical creature effects and Dariusz Wolski’s crisp cinematography. However, its thin story and frustrating character logic leave it lacking true dread.

Director Aditya Hasan’s Telugu film Epic – The First Semester builds on the success of 90’s A Middle Class Biopic, presenting a delicate tale of young love. Starring Anand Deverakonda as a Wanaparthy youth studying in London and Vaishnavi Chaitanya as his erratic partner, the film turns quiet, everyday interactions into heartfelt romantic milestones. Supported by Sivaji and Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music, it offers a warm slice of life.

Priyadarshan’s Hindi thriller Haiwaan, starring Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar, fails to replicate the suspense of its 2016 Malayalam predecessor Oppam. With a bloated 165-minute runtime, ill-timed comedy, and an over-the-top villain performance, the film fumbles its solid core premise. While supporting turns by Sharib Hashmi and the late Asrani offer brief relief, the execution lacks the required chill to keep audiences hooked.

In Ben Rekhi’s 97-minute adaptation of Aravind Adiga’s novel Last Man in Tower, stellar performances from Manoj Bajpayee, Divya Dutta, and Boman Irani elevate a tense narrative on Mumbai’s redevelopment pressures. While the film’s directorial choices leave central questions frustratingly ambiguous and unvalidated, the raw acting brilliance captures the dark, coercive realities of urban greed, neighborly betrayal, and moral compromise.

Director Srinidhi Bengaluru returns to Kannada cinema with Video, an ambitious found-footage horror film exploring the eerie disappearance of five YouTube content creators known as the Tarle Gang. After reaching one million subscribers, the vloggers travel to Odisha to investigate the fictional Diniwa tribe, only to vanish during a lunar eclipse. Packed with technical thrills, raw footage, and chilling sound design, Video delivers an engaging horror experience.

Vignesh Srikanth’s debut, ‘Once More,’ starring Arjun Das and Aditi Shankar, explores second chances and destiny with warmth and sensitivity. While praised for its natural handling of complex themes and strong performances, the romantic drama occasionally retreats into familiar tropes, leaving audiences with a film that’s lovely in parts but doesn’t quite reach its full potential.

Dulquer Salmaan’s ‘I’m Game’ begins with a compelling premise of a gambler, a mysterious hand transplant, and cricket syndicates. While the first half shines with strong direction and performances, the film falters post-interval, devolving into a predictable revenge drama. Vibe News reviews its missed potential.

Yash’s highly anticipated return in ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups’ struggles to meet expectations, delivering a visually stunning but narratively muddled experience. The film, directed by Geetu Mohandas, is criticized for prioritizing style over substance, underutilizing its strong female cast, and suffering from inconsistent pacing and editing, leaving audiences with a sense of unfulfilled ambition.

Ravi Teja’s latest film, ‘Irumudi,’ directed by Shiva Nirvana, marks a significant shift for the actor, earning critical praise for its socially relevant narrative and his nuanced performance. Breaking a series of flops, the family action drama delves into crucial themes of girl child empowerment, resonating deeply with audiences and critics alike.