A BLESSED little indie gem arrives on the big screen this week in Your Monster.

A “romantic horror-comedy” from filmmaker Caroline Lindy, it tells the story of Laura (Melissa Barrera), an aspiring actress who has been dumped while in hospital after being diagnosed with cancer.

While adjusting to her new circumstances, she discovers a monster in her wardrobe (played by Tommy Dewey), and begins to form a bond.

The only thing that makes independent films competitive with studio movies is the strength of the performers, and this movie has that covered.

The leads are a delight on their individual merits, but have a fantastic chemistry that almost hearkens to the era of Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds.

For those looking to deepen their world knowledge, Green Border will play for a short time on select screens.

A dramatised account of the situation faced by countless migrants and refugees caught in the Belarus-European Union border crisis of 2021, the film is a co-production between Poland, France, the Czech Republic and Belgium, directed by Agnieszka Holland.

The (very) simplified account of the crisis is that the government of Belarus convinced tens of thousands of migrants from North Africa and the Middle East that they would gain quick and easy passage to Europe through propaganda and false advertising.

The suggested intent of the Belarusians was to destabilise Europe by flooding the region with all the issues associated with mass-migration (drugs, crime, social crisis).

The film is an exploration of how desperate families are dehumanised by government systems and suffer for conflicts that they did not start.

A new psychological horror/thriller starring Hugh Grant is released this week titled Heretic.

When Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) embark on their missionary journey they encounter the welcoming and charming Mr Reed (Grant) who graciously invites them into his home.

They very quickly realise that his good nature is a façade, and they are in very real danger.

Hugh Grant has always been an actor that is impossible to dislike because even when playing a scumbag he is so charismatic and charming.

A highly effective pot-boiler in a single location, this film comes from the team of Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, who previously collaborated on A Quiet Place.

None of these films are competing with this week’s heavyweight, however, which happens to be Moana 2.

The original film is one of the interesting Disney entries which is highly regarded by those who watch it, but doesn’t have the cultural impact of The Lion King or Frozen.

Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Scherzinger and Temuera Morrison return for a new adventure on the seas (along with Alan Tudyk as the dopey rooster!).

With a new team of songwriters working on this film you can expect a lot of energy and adventure, and you’ll be fairly safe taking both your girls and boys along to this one.

By Lindsay HALL