In Theaters: ONWARD, THE WAY BACK, SWALLOW, FIRST COW and BACURAU

Disney and Pixar have released "Onward", their latest animated film, in theaters, and while the film is likely to be a surefire winner this weekend, there are concerns among pundits relating to how COVID-19 will impact the domestic box-office. The film is well received by both critics and audiences, and has already raked in $2 million from Thursday previews. The film is expected to finish the weekend with around $40 million from 4,310 theaters.

Another new wide release this week is the drama "The Way Back" starring Ben Affleck. The film is looking to score a $7 million opening weekend from 2,718 theaters.

Also, the Jane Austen adaptation "Emma" will expand into over 1,500 theaters.

In limited release it might be worth checking out the psychological thriller "Swallow" starring Haley Bennett, the period drama "First Cow" based on Jonathan Raymond's novel "The Half Life", and the Brazilian thriller "Bacurau".

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

ONWARD

Official Synopsis

Set in a suburban fantasy world, Disney-Pixar's "Onward" introduces two teenage elf brothers who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there.

Film Details

• Director: Dan Scanlon
  
  
• Starring: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer, Mel Rodriguez, Lena Waithe
  
  
• Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
  
  
• Running Time: 102 min.
  
  
• Rating: PG for action/peril and some mild thematic elements
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 86% (177 fresh, 29 rotten, score: 7.1/10)
  
• Metacritic: 61 out of 100 (31 positive, 21 mixed, 2 negative).

Audience Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes: 97% (average score: 4.6/5 from 288 user ratings)
• Metacritic: 6.5/10 (18 positive, 6 mixed, 6 negative).
• IMDb: 7.6/10 (3,159 votes)
  

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THE WAY BACK

Official Synopsis

Back in high school, Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck) had everything going for him. A basketball phenom, he could have punched his ticket to college or even the pros, but, instead, he chose to walk away from the game, forfeiting his future. Jack's glory days are long gone... but, as it turns out, not forgotten. Years later, he gets the chance to take back his life when he is asked to coach the struggling basketball team at his alma mater. Jack reluctantly accepts, surprising no one more than himself, and as the boys start to come together as a team and win, he may get his last shot at redemption.

Film Details

• Director: Gavin O'Connor
  
  
• Starring: Ben Affleck, Al Madrigal, Janina Gavankar, Michaela Watkins, Glynn Turman
  
  
• Genre: Drama, Sport
  
  
• Running Time: 108 min.
  
  
• Rating: R for language throughout including some sexual references
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 87% (96 fresh, 14 rotten, score: 7.01/10)
  
• Metacritic: 68 out of 100 (27 positive, 8 mixed, 0 negative).

Audience Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes: 90% (average score: 4.2/5 from 157 user ratings)
• Metacritic: 7.8/10 (8 positive, 0 mixed, 2 negative).
• IMDb: 7.5/10 (512 votes)
  

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SWALLOW

Official Synopsis

On the surface, Hunter (Haley Bennett) appears to have it all. A newly pregnant housewife, she seems content to spend her time tending to an immaculate home and doting on her Ken-doll husband, Richie (Austin Stowell). However, as the pressure to meet her controlling in-laws and husband's rigid expectations mounts, cracks begin to appear in her carefully created facade. Hunter develops a dangerous habit, and a dark secret from her past seeps out in the form of a disorder called pica -- a condition that has her compulsively swallowing inedible, and oftentimes life-threatening, objects. A provocative and squirm-inducing psychological thriller, SWALLOW follows one woman's unraveling as she struggles to reclaim independence in the face of an oppressive system by whatever means possible.

Film Details

• Director: Carlo Mirabella-Davis
  
  
• Starring: Hayley Bennett, Austin Stowell, Elizabeth Marvel, David Rasche, Luna Lauren Velez, Zabryna Guevara
  
  
• Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
  
  
• Running Time: 94 min.
  
  
• Rating: R for language, some sexuality and disturbing behavior
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 89% (42 fresh, 5 rotten, score: 7.7/10)
  
• Metacritic: 68 out of 100 (13 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative).

Audience Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
• Metacritic: N/A
• IMDb: 6.6/10 (687 votes)
  

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FIRST COW

Official Synopsis

Kelly Reichardt once again trains her perceptive and patient eye on the Pacific Northwest, this time evoking an authentically hardscrabble early nineteenth century way of life. A taciturn loner and skilled cook (John Magaro) has traveled west and joined a group of fur trappers in Oregon Territory, though he only finds true connection with a Chinese immigrant (Orion Lee) also seeking his fortune; soon the two collaborate on a successful business, although its longevity is reliant upon the clandestine participation of a nearby wealthy landowner's prized milking cow. From this simple premise Reichardt constructs an interrogation of foundational Americana that recalls her earlier triumph Old Joy in its sensitive depiction of male friendship, yet is driven by a mounting suspense all its own. Reichardt again shows her distinct talent for depicting the peculiar rhythms of daily living and ability to capture the immense, unsettling quietude of rural America.

Film Details

• Director: Kelly Reichardt
  
  
• Starring: John Magaro, Orion Lee, Rene Auberjonois, Ewen Bremner, Toby Jones
  
  
• Genre: Drama
  
  
• Running Time: 121 min.
  
  
• Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 92% (47 fresh, 4 rotten, score: 8.6/10)
  
• Metacritic: 89 out of 100 (25 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative).

Audience Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
• Metacritic: 7.8/10 (4 positive, 0 mixed, 1 negative).
• IMDb: 7.2/10 (292 votes)
  

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BACURAU

Official Synopsis

A few years from now... Bacurau, a small village in the Brazilian sertão, mourns the loss of its matriarch, Carmelita, who lived to be 94. Days later, its inhabitants (among them Sônia Braga) notice that their village has literally vanished from most maps and a UFO-shaped drone starts flying overhead. There are forces that want to expel them from their homes, and soon, in a genre-bending twist, a band of armed mercenaries led by Udo Kier arrive in town picking off the inhabitants one by one. A fierce confrontation takes place when the townspeople turn the tables on the villainous outsiders, banding together by any means necessary to protect and maintain their remote community.

Film Details

• Director: Juliano Dornelles, Kleber Mendonça Filho
  
  
• Starring: Barbara Colen, Thomas Aquino, Silvero Pereira, Karine Teles, Sonia Braga, Udo Kier
  
  
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery
  
  
• Running Time: 131 min.
  
  
• Rating: Not Rated
  
  

Critical Reception

• Rottentomatoes: 89% (79 fresh, 10 rotten, score: 7.6/10)
  
• Metacritic: 79 out of 100 (15 positive, 3 mixed, 0 negative).

Audience Reception

• Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
• Metacritic: 7.1/10 (4 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative).
• IMDb: 7.8/10 (9,281 votes)
  

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