What’s showing this week at the Oriental Theatre, Downer Theatre, Marcus Theatres, AMC Mayfair Mall, Avalon Theater, Rosebud Cinema and more
Why certain brains love horror movies
Horror films kill at the box office, and there’s a good reason why. We explain the science behind scary movies.
Just the FAQs
Monsters of all sorts are at the center of many of the new movies in theaters this week.
Here’s what’s new in Milwaukee-area theaters starting Friday, as well as some of the new movies available on streaming and on demand this week.
‘Conclave’
Short version: When the pope dies, a cardinal (Ralph Fiennes) is charged with running the process to pick his successor. But once the conclave starts, so do the machinations, power grabs — and revelations that could rattle the Catholic Church. John Lithgow, Brian F. O’Byrne, Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini co-star in this thriller directed by Edward Berger (“All Quiet on the Western Front”), based on a bestselling novel.
Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas; Oriental Theatre; Silverspot Cinema.
‘Venon: The Last Dance’
Short version: In the final movie in the trilogy spun out of Marvel’s Spider-Man Cinematic Universe, Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and Venom — the violent alien symbiote that’s taken over his body — are on the run and, as the title suggests, heading for the end of the road.
Where you can see it: ACX Cinema/Bayshore; AMC Mayfair Mall; Avalon Theater; Marcus Theatres’ Bistroplex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas; Rosebud Cinema; Silverspot Cinema.
‘Your Monster’
Short version: After a woman (Melissa Barrera) is dumped by her longtime boyfriend, she gets help with her life — and handling her inner rage — from the unexpected but charming monster living in her closet.
Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres’ Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
‘Let’s Start a Cult’
Short version: In this black comedy, a loser misses out on his cult’s much-hyped ritual suicide, so he forces the group’s fake messiah to build a new cult “family.”
Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall.
‘The Man You Don’t Know’
Short version: This campaign-style documentary profiles former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump with clips and interviews from family and celebrity friends.
Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Ridge cinemas.
Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival
The 27th annual Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival, presented by the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, runs Oct. 27-31 at Marcus Theatres’ North Shore Cinema. This year’s lineup, five movies reflecting different perspectives on the Jewish experience around the world: “Running on Sand,” 7 p.m. Oct. 27; “The Blond Boy From the Casbah,” 7 p.m. Oct. 28; “Here Lived,” 7 p.m. Oct. 29; “Seven Blessings,” 7 p.m. Oct. 30; and “Auction,” 7 p.m. Oct. 31. Tickets are $12; all five movies also will be available Nov. 4-10 via streaming for $18 per title. Info and tickets: jccmilwaukee.org/filmfestival.
RELATED: 5 film festivals to check out in Milwaukee in fall 2024
‘Demons’ with live music by Goblin at Oriental Theatre
In what’s becoming an Oriental Theatre Halloween tradition, composer-musician Claudio Simonetti’s band Goblin will perform the score of a gem by Italian horror master Dario Argento — this year, it’s 1985’s “Demons,” screening at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Tickets are $50. Info: mkefilm.org/goblinhalloween.
Sports movies at Cedarburg’s Rivoli Theatre
The Rivoli Theatre in Cedarburg is holding a sports movie festival this month. Tickets are $5. Info: rivoliofcedarburg.com. The final week’s movies: Oct. 25, “Happy Gilmore” at 7 p.m.; Oct. 26, “Chariots of Fire” at 3:30 p.m. and “Cinderella Man” at 7 p.m.; Oct. 27, “Space Jam” at 3:30 p.m. and “Moneyball” at 7 p.m.; Oct. 28, “Hoosiers” at 7 p.m.; Oct. 29, “Field of Dreams” at 7 p.m.; “A League of Their Own” at 7 p.m.; Oct. 31, “Draft Day” at 7 p.m.
Vampire movies at Oriental Theatre
The Oriental’s “Bite Club” series takes a vampire-centric approach to Halloween. Showing this week: Oct. 25, “Thirst” at 9:30 p.m.; Oct. 26, “Irma Vep” (1996) at 1:30 p.m., “Nosferatu” (1922), synched up with Radiohead’s “Kid A” and “Amnesiac” at 4 p.m., and the made-in-Milwaukee 1994 horror movie “Aswang” (1994), with a post-screening Q&A with filmmaker Barry Poltermann and cast at 7 p.m.; Oct. 27, the 1931 horror classic “Dracula” at 4 p.m. Tickets are $13. Info: mkefilm.org/bite-club.
RELATED: More than 75 horror movies you can see in Milwaukee theaters from now till Halloween 2024
Shocktoberfest movies at Avalon Theater
The Avalon’s horror-centric movie lineup concludes with: Oct. 25, “Hereditary” at 6 p.m.; Oct. 26, “Scream” (1996) at 6 p.m.; Oct. 27, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” at 3 p.m. and “Donnie Darko” at 6 p.m.; Oct. 30, “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) at 6 p.m.; Oct. 31, “Halloween” (1978) at 6 p.m. Tickets are $6. Info: ntg-wi.com.
Shocktoberfest movies at Times Cinema
The Times wraps up its horror lineup with: Oct. 25, “Little Shop of Horrors” (1986) at 6 p.m. and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 8:45 p.m.; Oct. 26, “Halloween” (1978) at 6 p.m. and “Halloween II” at 8:45 p.m.; Oct. 27, “Tomorrow, You Pretty Ghost” at 6 p.m. Tickets are $6 ($10 for “Tomorrow, You Pretty Ghost”). Info: ntg-wi.com.
Halloween movies at Milky Way Drive-In
The Milky Way Drive-In, next to Franklin Field in Ballpark Commons, finishes its Halloween programming — and 2024 season — this weekend. Showing: Oct. 25, “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” at 6:30 p.m. and “Halloween Ends” (2022) at 9:15 p.m.; Oct. 26, “Gremlins” at 5 p.m., “Scream VI” at 7:30 p.m. and “Late Night With the Devil” at 10:15 p.m.; Oct. 27, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993) at 5 p.m. and “Trick ‘r Treat” at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $35 per carload. Info: milkwaydrivein.com.
Democracy documentaries at the Oriental Theatre
Showing this week under Milwaukee Film’s Democracy Docs banner: “Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power” at 7 p.m. Oct. 28. Tickets are $13. Info: mkefilm.org.
‘Total Recall’ at the Oriental Theatre
The 1990 “Total Recall” with Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn’t come back to theaters as often as it should. But you can see it 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Oriental Theatre. Tickets are $13. Info: mkefilm.org/oriental-theatre.
What’s showing at UWM Union Cinema
Highlights at the UWM Union Cinema, inside the student union at 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd., include modern psychological horror gems “Clean, Shaven” at 6 p.m. Oct. 25 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26, and 1981’s “Possession” at 7:45 p.m. Oct. 25 and 5 p.m. Oct. 26. Admission to both movies is free. Info: uwm.edu/union/cinema.
New movies on demand
“Hangdog”: When his girlfriend’s beloved new dog is stolen, her boyfriend, new to their Maine hometown, has to figure out how to find the dog and who to trust to get it back. Available Oct. 25.
“The House From … ”: This documentary follows people living in houses that are famous from movies or TV shows — and what it’s like to live in an unwitting tourist attraction. Available Oct. 28.
“Amityville: Where the Echo Lives”: A paranormal investigator discovers a woman’s house has a horrifying history — and it’s trying to pull her in. Available Oct. 29.
Recent releases newly available on demand: “Scarygirl,” Oct. 25; “Borderlands,” Oct. 29.
New movies on streaming services
“Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band”: Music-video maker Thom Zimny follows Springsteen and company on their 2023-’24 tour, combining the footage with rare archival footage and interviews in what’s billed as one of the most in-depth looks at the Boss ever. On Hulu and Disney+ Oct. 25.
“Martha”: Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker R.J. Cutler tells Martha Stewart’s story, through interviews with the lifestyle diva and tons of stuff from her personal archive. On Netflix Oct. 30.
“The Remarkable Life of Iberlin”: When Norwegian gamer Mats Steen died of a degenerative muscular disease at the age of 25, his parents, who thought he was a loner, began getting messages from online friends from around the world. The very different picture of their son and his world that they received is the focus of this Sundance Film Festival award-winning documentary. On Netflix Oct. 25.
“Don’t Move”: When a killer injects her with a paralytic agent, a grieving woman has to race to get help before her body shuts down. Kelsey Asbille and Finn Wittrock star in this thriller produced by horror master Sam Raimi. On Netflix Oct. 25.
“Time Cut”: In this time-travel horror movie, a high school student accidentally winds up back in 2003 and decides to stop the serial killer who murdered her sister. On Netflix Oct. 30.
“Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words”: The hip-hop star allowed extensive access for this documentary about her rise to stardom and navigating celebrity, loss and success. On Prime Video Oct. 31.
Recent releases newly available on demand: “Trap,” Max Oct. 25; “The Beast Within,” Hulu Oct. 25; “Despicable Me 4,” Peacock Oct. 31.
