TIFF Lightbox begins the year with a compelling lineup of new releases that span genres, geographies, and emotional terrain. From intimate family portraits to bold directorial debuts and inventive genre cinema, January’s slate offers something for every kind of cinephile.

Jim Jarmusch returns with Father Mother Sister Brother, a wry and idiosyncratic triptych anchored by an exceptional ensemble including Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, Charlotte Rampling, and Tom Waits. The film observes family ties with Jarmusch’s signature deadpan humour and quiet insight.

Making her feature directorial debut, Kristen Stewart delivers a raw and impressionistic adaptation of The Chronology of Water, an unflinching exploration of addiction, trauma, and self-reclamation that announces a striking new voice behind the camera.

From Gus Van Sant comes Dead Man’s Wire, a #TIFF50 Official Selection that revisits the bizarre true story of a 1977 kidnapping that transformed Indianapolis businessman Tony Kiritsis into an unlikely outlaw folk figure — a tale as unsettling as it is darkly fascinating.

Youthful discovery takes centre stage in DJ Ahmet, where a 15-year-old shepherd in rural North Macedonia stumbles upon EDM, setting off a charming and unexpected coming-of-age journey infused with music and wonder.

In Cactus Pears, director Rohan Kanawade crafts a tender portrait of grief and reconnection, following a young man who returns to his isolated hometown after his father’s death and forges a delicate bond with a childhood friend.

Genre fans can look forward to The Plague, Charlie Polinger’s stylish and unnerving thriller that blends psychological tension with body horror, set against the pressure-cooker environment of a pre-teen water polo camp.

Rounding out the lineup is The Raja Saab, a Hindi-language horror-comedy that takes a playful turn on destiny and inheritance when a young man discovers he may be royal after all.

TIFF Members enjoy savings on tickets and concessions, making it the perfect time to start the year at the movies. Full details and membership information are available at tiff.net.