Delve into the fascinating lives and groundbreaking legacy of one of cinema’s most enduring creative partnerships in this definitive documentary about director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant. Alongside primary associates such as writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and composer Richard Robbins, Merchant Ivory Productions redefined arthouse cinema with Oscar-winning films such as A Room with a View, Howards’ End and The Remains of the Day.

Director Stephen Soucy not only chronicles the Merchant Ivory filmography but also offers a captivating look at the collaborative process of moviemaking itself. Through numerous interviews with the actors and technicians who worked with them, complemented by rich archival material, the documentary pulls back the curtain on how their marvellous films were made. This is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of cinema, offering an insightful and intimate look at a partnership which left an indelible impact on film culture.

Written and directed by Benny Safdie, this gritty sports drama from A24 dives into the tumultuous life of Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson), one of the most celebrated and feared mixed-martial arts (MMA) pioneers of the brutal early UFC era. The film traces Kerr's dominance inside the cage and the subsequent toll which fame and the physical demands of the sport took on him, exploring his struggles with addiction and the strain it placed on his relationship with his then-wife, Dawn Staples (Emily Blunt).

The Smashing Machine is an unconventional biopic that sidesteps the usual clichéd trappings of the genre, most notably with a transformative, stripped-down performance from Johnson, best known for his blockbuster fare. His first serious dramatic role has garnered significant attention, with early buzz suggesting a career-defining role that could put him in the conversation for major awards next year. Look out, Oscars!