What happens when a creator-led indie horror storms 3,000+ theaters while studio tentpoles still rule the charts? We kick off Season 4 by unpacking a summer that brought crowds back, from Zootopia 2’s family juggernaut to Avatar: Fire and Ash proving its staying power without chasing old records. Then we turn to the wild card everyone’s talking about: Iron Lung, a claustrophobic nightmare born from a cult video game and powered into cinemas by a massive online fanbase. It’s not just a release—it’s a distribution experiment that could reshape how audience-driven films reach the big screen.

We pair that with Send Help, a sharp, survival-driven thriller starring Rachel McAdams as a competent worker stranded with her overbearing boss after a crash. The result is equal parts tension and dark humor, with Sam Raimi’s genre instincts pushing the pace. For a contrast in tone and texture, The Coral offers a moving British period drama set in 1916 Yorkshire, where a choral society recruits wounded veterans and welcomes a brilliant yet mistrusted choirmaster. It’s a story about loss, suspicion, and the healing force of shared music—perfect for viewers who crave resonance over spectacle.

Awards talk adds spice: Timothy Chalamet’s acclaimed turn in Marty Supreme, a nomination tsunami for Sinners, and a spirited debate over Mercy, where an AI judge weighs guilt and probability. We also celebrate the local side of cinema: a packed festival stop, a heartfelt Q&A and song from Don McGlashan, and new indie shoots happening inside the theater itself. We close with our box office predictions for Iron Lung in New Zealand—split picks, no spoilers—and an open invite to weigh in. If you love bold releases, smart genre blends, and the community that keeps cinemas alive, you’re in the right place. Subscribe, share with a friend, and tell us: which film has your ticket this week?

Book your tickets to the movies at Cathay Cinemas Kerikeri here - or at Lido Cinema Hamilton here!