Gripping autumn drama: Suffragette, The Program and Macbeth

After a slice of weighty, compelling, all-star character-led drama? You're spoilt for choice this autumn at Cineworld, as history comes roaring back to life, eyes are cast on notorious sporting figures and a certain Scottish Play gets a bold reworking...

Suffragette

What's the story? Carey Mulligan and Meryl Streep fight for women's rights in this rousing factual drama.

At the turn of the 20th century in Britain, women are still struggling to have their voices heard. In a valiant attempt to get women's voting rights passed, the Suffragette movement is formed. Led by the determined Emmeline Pankhurst (Meryl Streep), their number includes Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan) whose forward-thinking views clash with those of her husband Sonny (Ben Whishaw).

As the women proceed, they are forced to confront brutal oppression in the form of the police force led by Inspector Steed (Brendan Gleeson) – nevertheless, the wheels have been set in motion and the country is set to change forever.

An outstanding, all-star cast features in this powerful historical drama, one that brings a watershed moment in British history to life. Suffragette is written by Abi Morgan, who scripted the hit 2011 Margaret Thatcher biopic The Iron Lady, also starring Meryl Streep.

Suffragette has its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on 7th October and opens nationwide on 12th October.


The Program

What's the story? Ben Foster plays disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong in this gripping account of one of the sporting world's most notorious scandals.

Lance Armstrong (Ben Foster) has climbed the ranks to become possibly the greatest cyclist the world has ever known, claiming an unprecedented seven victories in the famous Tour De France race.

However, journalist David Walsh (Chris O'Dowd) is suspicious of the sportsman's success. Investigating further, Walsh takes the first steps towards exposing Armstrong's carefully disguised, performance-enhancing drug program, eventually leading to his shocking conviction for doping.

Featuring an eerily accurate performance from Foster as the calculating Armstrong and directed by Philomena's Stephen Frears, this is a compelling look at a series of incidents that brought the world of cycling to its knees.

The Program is released on 16th October.


Macbeth

What's the story? Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard star in this striking new version of Shakespeare's timeless tragedy.

Amidst the bloodshed and brooding wastes of the Scottish landscape, ambitious general Macbeth (Michael Fassbender) has proven his worth on the battle field.

However, Macbeth's hunger for power is such that, with the insidious co-operation of his scheming wife (Marion Cotillard), he murders King Duncan (David Thewlis) and seizes control of the throne. Very soon, Macbeth's attempts to consolidate his power result in violence, carnage and ultimately tragedy.

One of Shakespeare's most famous, enduring and bloodthirsty plays, Macbeth's themes of hubris, betrayal and dishonour now get a visceral, dynamic reworking in the hands of Snowtown director Jed Kurzel. With two explosive central performances from Fassbender and Cotillard, this has been acclaimed by several critics as quite possibly the finest adaptation of the play ever put to screen.

Macbeth opens on 2nd October.


Which of these movies will you be going to watch? Drop us a tweet @Cineworld and tell us.