Gripping November biopics: Steve Jobs, Bridge of Spies and more

After a riveting slice of real-life drama in Cineworld? Then you're spoilt for choice this November. Scroll down for details of what's on...

He Named Me Malala

What's the story? Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim presents this touching portrait of the teenage girl who was targeted by the Taliban.

In 2012, when she was only 15, a teenage girl by the name of Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by a gunman after blogging about life under Taliban rule in Pakistan. Miraculously, she survived and went on to win the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.

This inspirational documentary tells the story of Malala and how she adjusted to her new life in Birmingham, England as well as her new role on the world stage, advocating education and the rights of women. It's a fascinating study of a girl born to an ordinary background, who would end up touring the world, and having meetings with the American president.

He Named Me Malala is released on 6th November.


Steve Jobs

What's the story? Discover the man behind the image in this candid biopic about computer genius Steve Jobs, featuring an explosive performance from Michael Fassbender.

From the pen of Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, A Few Good Men, The Social Network) comes this riveting and revealing movie about one of the late 20th century's most towering figures – Apple supremo Steve Jobs. Taking place at three key stages of Jobs' life, from the unveiling of the first Mac in 1984, through his split from Apple in 1988 to his return in 1998 and the release of the revolutionary iMac, the film provides an intimate study of a man whose private life was often as turbulent as his professional life.

Michael Fassbender (X-Men: Days of Future Past) takes on the lead role as Steve Jobs, heading up a starry cast that includes Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen and Jeff Daniels. And in the director's chair is Slumdog Millionaire Oscar winner Danny Boyle.

Steve Jobs is released on 13th November.


The Lady in the Van

What's the story? Dame Maggie Smith stars as an eccentric homeless woman who befriends famous playwright Alan Bennett in this heartfelt true-life tale.

In the early 1970s, playwright Alan Bennett befriended an elderly homeless woman named Mary Shepherd. In an act of typical kindness, Bennett let the eccentric Shepherd live in a caravan on his driveway, in what he believed would be a short-term arrangement. Fifteen years later, she was still there.

The Lady in the Van tells the remarkable true-life story of Alan Bennett and Mary Shepherd, about their unusual and sometime stormy relationship and about her eccentric run-ins with authority. The Queen actor Alex Jennings plays Alan Bennett, with Dame Maggie Smith, in a role far away from her turn as Violet Crawley the Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey, as the bedraggled Mary Shepherd.

The Lady in the Van opens on 13th November.


Black Mass

What's the story? Johnny Depp and Benedict Cumberbatch star in an engrossing true-life crime thriller.

As leader of the Winter Hill Gang, ruthless Irish-American mobster James 'Whitey' Bulger (Johnny Depp) controls the streets of early 70s South Boston. But the Angiulo family from the north of the city are looking to muscle in on his territory. Whitey's childhood friend, FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton), is under pressure to nail the Angiulos. He covertly offers his brutal underworld chum immunity from prosecution in return for turning informant. With Whitey's powerful state senator brother (Benedict Cumberbatch) turning a blind eye, an extraordinary crimewave is unleashed.

Based on an incredible true story that also partially inspired Scorsese's The Departed, this taut and gripping crime thriller boasts a compelling performance by Johnny Depp as one of America's most notorious gangsters. Crazy Heart director Scott Cooper also gets outstanding, nuanced performances out of Joel Edgerton and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Black Mass opens on 25th November.


Bridge of Spies

What's the story? Tom Hanks re-teams with Steven Spielberg for this dramatic, factual Cold War drama.

The year is 1957. The world is caught in the grip of the Cold War. James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks) is a noted American insurance lawyer who finds himself caught up in an international crisis when he's recruited by the CIA to defend incarcerated Soviet spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance).

The situation escalates when Donovan is sent to East Berlin to negotiate the release of American pilot Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell), whose spy aircraft was shot down over the Soviet Union, in exchange for Abel. Before long, the fate of the world comes to rest on the shoulders of this unassuming, all-American hero.

The dream team of legendary Saving Private Ryan director Steven Spielberg and Forrest Gump star Tom Hanks promises to make this a gripping and involving look at a fascinating true story, one that plays out against the tense relationship between these two great superpowers.

Bridge of Spies is released on 27th November.