10 of the best movies you can watch in April

StudioCanal

9. I swear

John Davidson suffers from Tourette’s Syndrome, a movement disorder that forces him to make offensive remarks at the worst possible moments: he was awarded an OBE in 2019 for his outreach work in Scotland, and shouted an expletive at Elizabeth II during the ceremony. This poignant biopic, written and directed by Kirk Jones (Waking Ned, Nanny McPhee), shows how difficult Davidson’s life was, but it manages to be sweet and optimistic as well. In the lead role, Robert Aramayo (The Rings of Power) beat out the likes of Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio to take home the Best Actor award at the BAFTAs, although the film’s triumphs were overshadowed when the real Davidson involuntarily chanted racist slurs while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. “Kirk Jones’ warm and very generous film contains a wonderful performance from Robert Aramayo, full of wit and charm,” says Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian. “This is a fun and compassionate film.”

It was released on April 24 in the United States

Universal Pictures

10. Michael

Michael is one of the most controversial films of the year. Directed by Antoine Fuqua ( Training Day ), the film is a biopic of Michael Jackson (played by his nephew, Jafar Jackson), charting his life from childhood stardom in the Jackson 5 to global fame as the King of Pop. The project faced delays, reshoots, and questions about the sexual assault allegations against Jackson (which his estate dismissed). But its producer, Graham King, also produced Bohemian Rhapsody, so perhaps Michael will end up like his Queen biopic – a troubled production that became an Oscar-winning hit. “[Jackson was] “An enigma full of eccentricity and exciting talent, he is arguably the most famous artist to ever cross the planet,” King said at the 2024 CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas. “Yet, behind the constant scrutiny, accusations and searing media spotlight, he was just a man.” A man who lived a very complicated life. The film will go into all of that.”

It will be released globally on April 23-24

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