5 films to watch in December including Kate Winslet directorial debut
A cinema expert has compiled a list of five must-see films for the festive period. While some Christmas rituals involve seaside strolls, Christmas Eve takeaways, or Boxing Day dips, for many, the ultimate Christmas treat is a trip to the pictures with family.
With numerous festive offerings at cinema during this period, selecting what to watch can prove challenging. James Briefel, host of the Pulp Kitchen Podcast who reviews films weekly and attended the London Film Festival this year, has identified five cinema-worthy releases, featuring stellar names including Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow and Sidney Sweeney.
In his TikTok announcement, he stated: “These are all the films coming out in December that you should probably know about.”
Goodbye June – December 12
Kate Winslet makes her directorial debut with Goodbye June, arriving in cinemas on December 12. The picture follows a father and his four offspring navigating family tensions as his circumstances deteriorate over the Christmas period.
The ensemble features Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren, Timothy Spall and Johnny Flynn amongst others. James revealed he would be viewing the production shortly and was “looking forward to it”.
Avatar: Fire and Ash – December 19
Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third instalment in the franchise, arrives in cinemas on 19 December. The story follows Jake and Neytiri’s family as they navigate their sorrow following Neteyam’s tragic passing.
James remarked: “The big question for me is are people as excited for this as they were the first two films? And will it be this huge gigantic box office success again? I’m sure it’s expected to do very well but I personally feel that nobody is really talking about Avatar Fire and Ash.”
Sentimental Value – 26 December
Joachim Trier, the filmmaker behind The Worst Person in the World and Thelma, unveils his latest work on Boxing Day titled Sentimental Value. This intimate drama delves into themes of family bonds, cherished memories and art’s healing qualities, starring Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas.
James commented: “I managed to catch this early at the London Film Festival and I think it’s really worth a watch, you should go see it.”
The Housemaid – 26 December
Boxing Day also sees the release of The Housemaid, a gripping psychological thriller starring Sidney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. The narrative centres on a woman down on her luck who secures employment as a domestic worker for a wealthy, privileged pair.
James noted: “I actually think this film might be good fun, and I’m up for giving it a go.”
Marty Supreme – 26 December
James expressed: “The film I’m without a doubt most excited for this December is Marty Supreme. It’s directed by Josh Safdie from the Safdie brothers and it tells the true story of table tennis world champion.”
With a star-studded cast including Timothée Chalamet and Gwyneth Paltrow, the film is set to hit screens on Boxing Day. James further added: “Everything about it just looks brilliant, my big question is, is this performance going to get an Oscar nomination for Timothée Chalamet?”.
