Film News Today — September 5, 2026
‘The Liberation’ Review: Carrie Coon Is Breathtaking as a Woman Lured by a Cult in Guy Nattiv’s Deeply Personal Film and more — today's film signal.
The world of film is abuzz with new releases and emerging talent, as independent studios and established filmmakers alike continue to push the boundaries of storytelling. On the review front, critics are raving about a range of films that showcase exceptional performances and bold narrative choices. Carrie Coon stars in Guy Nattiv's "The Liberation," a deeply personal film about a woman lured by a cult, earning Coon a breathtaking performance. Meanwhile, a new adaptation of a Dostoevsky classic, "The Idiot(s)," is being praised for its rambunctious and tonally off-kilter take on the source material.
Beyond the reviews, industry news is also making waves. Indie studio Topic is dominating the festival circuit with a string of successful films, including "The Debut," "Club Kid," and "Wicker." On the business side, Producers United is joining forces with lawmakers to push for a federal film and television production tax incentive, aiming to support the industry's continued growth. And in the realm of new releases, Brainstorm Media has acquired the North American theatrical rights to "Falling," a YA romance starring KJ Apa, Isabel May, and Archie Renaux. Rounding out today's headlines is a glowing review of "The City of the Living," a superbly acted film based on a real event that shook Rome to its core.
Today's signal:
• ‘The Liberation’ Review: Carrie Coon Is Breathtaking as a Woman Lured by a Cult in Guy Nattiv’s Deeply Personal Film (variety.com)
• ‘The Idiot(s)’ Review: Dostoevsky Is an Endearing Drunken Fool in This Rambunctious, Tonally Off-Kilter Two-Hander (variety.com)
• Meet Topic, the Indie Studio Dominating the Festival Circuit With ‘The Debut,’ ‘Club Kid,’ ‘Wicker’ (variety.com)
• Producers United Joins Bipartisan Push for Federal Film and Television Production Tax Incentive (variety.com)
• KJ Apa, Isabel May and Archie Renaux YA Romance ‘Falling’ Getting North America Theatrical Release From Brainstorm Media (EXCLUSIVE) (variety.com)
• ‘The City of the Living’ Review: A Superbly Acted and Heartbreakingly Real Story Based on a Real Event That Shook Rome to Its Core (variety.com)