The return of legendary Nicolas Winding Refn ('Drive') after a 10-year hiatus, a Japanese action anime in the spirit of 'John Wick', a Spanish version of 'Misery', and the continuation of a retro-detective story about a mysterious masked robber. The main film premieres of this week.

'Her Private Hell'

Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn, author of the cult 'Drive' and 'The Neon Demon', returns to the big screen with a new film based on his own clinical death due to a cardiac arrest. According to the plot, aspiring actress Elle (Sophie Thatcher) is preparing for the filming of a crazy movie about space. In the director's chair sits her despotic father, with whom the girl has a somewhat strained relationship. Parallel to this, a maniac nicknamed Leather Man has appeared in a mysterious city, and he is being hunted by former special forces soldier Kay, whose daughter died at the hands of the killer.

'Her Private Hell', by the director's own admission, is a deeply personal story, experienced and transferred to the screen after a difficult period in the filmmaker's life. Fans of Refn's work can again expect a neon-drenched screen, long pauses, and a fragmented narrative. Critics, however, were not particularly moved by Refn's emotional torments and gave the film mostly 'unsatisfactory' reviews. Before the world premiere, the aggregate rating of 'Her Private Hell' on Rotten Tomatoes was only 48% based on 48 reviews. In particular, critics noted the artistically refined visuals but mercilessly scolded Refn for the complete lack of emotional component, gloomy pretentiousness, and tedious runtime.

'Sakamoto Days'

A fun Japanese action movie in the spirit of 'John Wick' about hitman Sakamoto (Ryo Meguro), who retired but was forced to return to the profession because a bounty was placed on his head. By that time, Sakamoto had started a family, and his wife made him swear never to kill anyone again.

'Sakamoto Days' is a fun comedic action movie by Yuichi Fukuda based on the popular manga and recently released anime. The film is full of pun-filled situations (e.g., a hitman who gained weight), choreographic delights, grotesque characters, and inventive action scenes. Pure, sparkling enjoyment for fans of the genre.

'Vieja Loca'

Pedro (Daniel Endler) is forced to look after his ex-mother-in-law Alicia (Carmen Maura). At some point, the woman mistakes him for a criminal from her past. Wanting revenge, Alicia knocks out her ex-son-in-law, ties him up, and every hour devises a new torture for him, forcing him to confess to crimes committed long ago.

The new film by Spanish director Martin Morega is another representative in the series of self-mutilation horrors of recent years. 'Vieja Loca' follows a classic style that includes a dilapidated mansion, a large number of sharp objects, an abundance of blood, and a bit of mysticism. Plus, the filmmakers have prepared a small surprise in the form of a simple but, given the overall setting of the film, rather elegant plot twist.

'Diabolik Chi Sei?'

The third part of the adventure film about the elusive masked thief nicknamed Diabolik and the inspector Ginko who is hot on his trail. This time, the roles will be reversed: both the criminal and the pursuer will end up in the clutches of a cruel robber, and their lovers—Countess Altea di Wallenberg and another criminal, Eva Kant—will come to their rescue.

The film by the Manetti Bros. is based on the Italian comic 'Diabolik', which was quite popular in the country in the 1960s. The first part of the trilogy, released in Russia, was called exactly that. The second part was released under the title 'Diabolik: The Italian Job'. The trilogy stays true to the spirit of the comic: detective intrigues, a villain who changes identities like Fantômas, a funny police inspector, retro-futuristic cars, and sharp camera zooms on characters' faces. Monica Bellucci appears in the final part, and that's another good reason to go to the cinema and enjoy the retro aesthetics.

'My Wild Friend: Return Home'

The continuation of the touching story about the boy Sasha and the fox Ryzhy. The grown-up hero meets his forest friend again and learns that Ryzhy's family, along with the cubs, has been kidnapped by a taxidermist. Sasha decides to do whatever it takes to help bring them back, and ahead of them lie a dangerous journey, new trials, and unexpected allies.

In the sequel, Elisha Chuchilin ('Major Grom') returned to the role of Sasha, and the director's chair was again taken by Anna Kurbatova. The star cast was joined by Yan Tsapnik and Valentina Mazunina as villains.

Which of the list did you like the most? Which movie are you planning to see? We look forward to your answers in the comments.