In Theaters: MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS, VOX LUX, BEN IS BACK and BACK ROADS

The post title should actually read "In Select Theaters", because this week there are no new wide releases. Instead, we have a varied selection of limited releases with awards ambitions. Among the best we find the historical drama "Mary Queen of Scots" starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie, the pop-star drama "Vox Lux" starring Natalie Portman, the drama "Ben is Back" starring Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges, and Alex Pettyfer's directorial debut "Back Roads".

Synopses, details, critical/audience reception, trailers, and more after the jump.

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS

Official Synopsis

"Mary Queen of Scots" explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart (Ronan). Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth I (Robbie). Each young Queen beholds her "sister" in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth's sovereignty. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones - and change the course of history.

Film Details

• Director: Josie Rourke
  
  
• Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn, David Tennant
  
  
• Genre: Biography, Drama, History
  
  
• Running Time: 124 min.
  
  
• Rating: R for some violence and sexuality
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 75% (46 fresh, 15 rotten, score: 6.8/10)
  
• Metacritic: 64 out of 100 (16 positive, 11 mixed, 0 negative).

Audience Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
  
• Metacritic: N/A
• IMDb: 6.8/10 (294 votes)
  

---

VOX LUX

Official Synopsis

VOX LUX, A 21st Century Portrait, begins in 1999 when teenage Celeste (Raffey Cassidy) survives a violent tragedy. After singing at a memorial service, Celeste transforms into a burgeoning pop star with the help of her songwriter sister (Stacy Martin) and talent manager (Jude Law). Celeste's meteoric rise to fame dovetails with a personal and national loss of innocence, consequently elevating the young powerhouse to a new kind of celebrity: American icon, secular deity, global superstar. By 2017, adult Celeste (Natalie Portman) is mounting a comeback after a scandalous incident almost derailed her career. Touring in support of her sixth album, a compendium of sci-fi anthems entitled, "Vox Lux," the indomitable, foul-mouthed pop savior must overcome her personal and familial struggles to navigate motherhood, madness and monolithic fame.

Film Details

• Director: Brady Corbet
  
  
• Starring: Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Raffey Cassidy, Willem Dafoe, Jennifer Ehle, Christopher Abbott, Stacy Martin
  
  
• Genre: Drama, Music
  
  
• Running Time: 110 min.
  
  
• Rating: R for language, some strong violence, and drug content
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 73% (57 fresh, 21 rotten, score: 6.9/10)
  
• Metacritic: 73 out of 100 (14 positive, 7 mixed, 2 negative).

Audience Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
  
• Metacritic: N/A
• IMDb: 6.2/10 (1,036 votes)
  

---

BEN IS BACK

Official Synopsis

19 year-old Ben Burns (Lucas Hedges) unexpectedly returns home to his family's suburban home on Christmas Eve morning. Ben's mother, Holly (Julia Roberts), is relieved and welcoming but wary of her son staying clean. Over a turbulent 24 hours, new truths are revealed, and a mother's undying love for her son is tested as she does everything in her power to keep him safe. Ben is Back also stars Courtney B. Vance (The People V. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story) and Kathryn Newton (Lady Bird).

Film Details

• Director: Peter Hedges
  
  
• Starring: Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges, Courtney B. Vance
  
  
• Genre: Drama
  
  
• Running Time: 103 min.
  
  
• Rating: R for language throughout and some drug use
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 83% (43 fresh, 9 rotten, score: 6.8/10)
  
• Metacritic: 64 out of 100 (10 positive, 5 mixed, 0 negative).

Audience Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
  
• Metacritic: N/A
• IMDb: 6.7/10 (406 votes)
  

---

BACK ROADS

Official Synopsis

After his mother (a gritty Juliette Lewis) goes to jail for shooting and killing his abusive father, Harley Altmyer (Alex Pettyfer) is left to care for his three younger sisters in a rural Pennsylvania town. The uneducated Harley works two dead-end jobs to preserve what's left of his family, including the rebellious, sexual 16-year-old Amber (Nicola Peltz). Angered and traumatized by his painful past, Harley finally begins to feel hope when he connects with an older, married woman (Jennifer Morrison), and they embark on an affair. When shocking family secrets emerge, Harley's life begins to spiral downward, leading to a devastating conclusion that impacts the entire community.

Film Details

• Director: Alex Pettyfer
  
  
• Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Jennifer Morrison, Nicola Peltz, Juliette Lewis, Tom Everett Scott
  
  
• Genre: Drama, Thriller
  
  
• Running Time: 101 min.
  
  
• Rating: Not Rated
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 83% (10 fresh, 2 rotten, score: 7.2/10)
  
• Metacritic: 44 out of 100 (0 positive, 4 mixed, 1 negative).

Audience Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
  
• Metacritic: N/A
• IMDb: 6.1/10 (146 votes)
  

---

Entertainment Factor