Fall Film Releases That Are Shifting Cultural Narratives

This fall has a very exciting lineup of films to wrap up the year. With awards season around the corner, this is always a time of year when some of the year’s best come out. Many of these films feature voices and stories that are often underrepresented in Hollywood.

We’re highlighting some films that are pushing the boundaries of what representation looks like to open doors for even more people in entertainment.

This is one of the year’s most anticipated films starring Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio. The movie also stars Teyana Taylor, who got her start as an artist and has been taking on more acting roles, and this is her first blockbuster film. Director and writer of the film Paul Thomas Anderson told GQ about her, “She displayed a fierceness and emotional vulnerability that was very interesting to me as a director.”

The film also features Regina Hall and is the debut film for Chase Infiniti, who starred in Presumed Innocent on Apple TV last year.

The biopic film stars Dwayne Johnson, following the life of UFC fighter Mark Kerr. Mark is a mixed race athlete of Puerto Rican and Irish descent who had a very public career of highs and lows. The film is produced by new Hollywood production powerhouse A24. The film is one of Dwayne’s biggest and most serious roles to date, and it is already receiving some heavy Oscar buzz. 

The global sensation is making its final showing later in the fall for part two. The first film became the top-grossing music adaptation ever, a little over a month after its release, so the follow-up is highly anticipated, with merch already hitting shelves. Part one received numerous awards and nominations, including nods for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at the Oscars for their performances. Cynthia is almost an EGOT, only missing an Oscar, and many believe this film will make her the third Black woman in history to have this honor. 

Ayo Edebiri is continuing her rise in Hollywood, starring alongside legend Julia Roberts in this college-set drama. Ayo is coming off two Emmy nominations for best lead actress and director for “The Bear,” but she’s been slowly moving into bigger movie roles.

This time, Ayo plays a student who accuses a professor of sexual misconduct, and Julia’s character grapples with what to believe about her close friend who’s been accused. 

Jennifer Lopez stars in this movie musical adaptation of the stage play. The movie follows a prisoner as he retells the story of his favorite movie starring Ingrid Luna, played by Jennifer. The film also has a predominantly Latino cast and is being released during Latino History Month. 

This film is the 1891 stage play reimagined and directed by Nia DaCosta. This is the filmmaker’s follow-up to the 2023 Marvel movie “The Marvels” and is one of the very few major box office films directed and written by a Black woman released this year. “Hedda” stars Tessa Thompson as the titular character, a woman who wants to be “good” to her new husband but finds herself wanting to be a little bad.

All of these films, in one way or another, share stories that often are not the predominant narrative in our society. Nonetheless these are important films are changing what is important and valuable to Hollywood. If any of these look interesting make sure to see it so that the powers that be know you want more of them.