Top 5 movie picks for Sarasota-Bradenton: May 12-18

After Marvel blockbuster "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" kicked off the summer movie season last weekend, this week's main new release is the Stephen King adaptation "Firestarter," which debuts both in theaters and on streaming service Peacock. Multiple acclaimed movies that previously played top film fests such as Cannes, Sundance and Venice also head to the big screen. And, like "Firestarter," some of those will be available to watch at home as well. Here are this week's highlights.

Ticket Newsletter: Sign up to receive restaurant news and reviews plus info on things to do every Friday

Summer movie guide: 15 biggest films to watch in theaters during May, June and July

1. 'Happening'

French director/co-writer Audrey Diwan's film, adapting Annie Ernaux's autobiographical novel, follows a young student (Anamaria Vartolomei) who gets pregnant in 1963 France and seeks an abortion, which was illegal in the country until 1975. The movie – given an added timeliness following the current Roe v. Wade news – premiered at last year's Venice International Film Festival, where it won the top Golden Lion prize, and was later chosen for this year's Sundance Film Festival and won other awards including Most Promising Actress for Vartolomei at the César Awards, France's Oscars equivalent.

Where to watch: Limited release in theaters including Burns Court Cinemas

2. 'Hit the Road'

Panah Panahi, the son of renowned Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, makes his own feature directorial debut with this movie following a family of four (and their dog) on a road trip across the Iranian countryside. "Hit the Road" premiered at last year's Cannes Film Festival in the Directors' Fortnight section where it earned widespread acclaim, with critics saying Panahi's work matches the quality of his father's, and is currently the best-reviewed movie of 2022, according to review aggregation site Metacritic.

Where to watch: Limited release in theaters including Burns Court Cinemas

3. 'On the Count of Three'

Jerrod Carmichael, the comedian who just recently released the acclaimed standup special "Rothaniel," directs and co-stars with Christopher Abbott in this dark comedy and drama that premiered at last year's Sundance in the U.S. Dramatic Competition about two best friends who decide to end their lives. Carmichael ably navigates the film's tone and weighty subject matter, aided by a strong performance by Abbott (who's proving himself to be one of today's finest young actors) and a supporting cast including Tiffany Haddish, J.B. Smoove and Henry Winkler.

Where to watch: Video on demand and limited release in theaters on Friday

4. 'The Innocents'

Eskil Vogt, who recently earned a Best Original Screenplay Oscar nomination for co-writing fellow Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier's romantic drama "The Worst Person in the World," writes and directs this horror movie about a group of children who have mysterious powers. Vogt previously showed his skill in the genre when he co-wrote Trier's 2017 supernatural thriller "Thelma," and "The Innocents" received positive reviews when it premiered at last year's Cannes in the Un Certain Regard section.

Where to watch: Video on demand and limited release in theaters on Friday

5. 'Firestarter'

Horror production company Blumhouse is behind the latest cinematic adaptation of author and Casey Key resident Stephen King’s 1980 novel, previously made into a 1984 film starring Drew Barrymore, about a father trying to protect his daughter with pyrokinetic abilities from a government agency pursuing her. Zac Efron and Ryan Kiera Armstrong play the respective lead roles in this reboot, which is set to debut simultaneously in theaters and on the streaming service Peacock.

Where to watch: Theaters and Peacock on Friday

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota-Bradenton top 5 movie picks, May 12-18