STACK #262 August 2026

PREVIEWS MOVIES & TV PREVIEWS MOVIES & TV

WHAT’S OUT THIS MONTH? August brings the goods. Beyond the major releases featured elsewhere in this issue of STACK , here's a look at some other must-see movies landing this August. Words Glenn Cochrane

EDITOR’S PICK UNDERTONE AID RELEASE DATE: Aug 5 GENRE: Horror FORMATS: BD, DVD One of the year's best and most overlooked horror f ilms, Undertone proves that atmosphere can be far more frightening than jump scares (although it has those too). Fans of Session 9, Pulse, and Bring Her Back will appreciate its brooding, slow burn approach to terror. This Canadian chiller builds overwhelming dread through minimalist filmmaking, unsettling sound design, and remarkable restraint. Understated, intelligent, and deeply unnerving, it rewards patient viewers with a chilling payoff that lingers long after the credits roll. Horror this confident doesn't need excess to leave a lasting scar. Don't let this gem pass.

THE DRAMA AID RELEASE DATE: Aug 5 GENRE: Drama FORMAT: BD, DVD

WINTER BATTLEGROUND Defiant RELEASE DATE: Aug 12 GENRE: Action FORMAT: DVD Fans of The Terminator and The Creator should lock onto Winter: Battleground . Set in a near-future America where artificial intelligence has reshaped

From the director or Dream Scenario , The Drama is an audacious romantic comedy that constantly subverts expectations. Starring Zendaya and Robert

Pattinson, this sharply written relationship story explores love, trust, and uncomfortable truths with biting humour and emotional honesty. Darkly funny, provocative, and impossible to predict, it's a bold, conversation-starting film that lingers long after the credits, proving romance can still surprise audiences.

society, this lean sci-fi action thriller follows a rogue soldier battling elite assassins and cybernetic hunters on a desperate mission. Starring Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone and Johnny Messner, it's packed with explosive action, gritty survival thrills, and old-school genre entertainment.

MOTHER MARY AID RELEASE DATE: Aug 12 GENRE: Thriller FORMAT: BD, DVD If Vox Lux and Smile 2 struck the right chord, Mother Mary deserves your attention. Directed by David Lowery, this bold musical psychodrama stars

POWER BALLAD Madman RELEASE DATE: Aug 26 GENRE: Drama FORMAT: BD, DVD Following the music-infused hit movies Once, Begin Again, and Sing Street , Irish filmmaker John Carney returns with Power Ballad , a heartfelt comedy-drama

Anne Hathaway as a troubled pop icon opposite Michaela Coel in a haunting story of fame, creativity, and fractured friendship. Stylish, emotionally raw, and loaded with eerie psychological tension, it's an ambitious, genre-blurring experience that hangs around long after the final encore and demands to be seen.

about ambition, friendship, and songwriting. Starring Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Jack Reynor, and Havana Rose Liu, this irresistible crowd-pleaser has charmed critics with its warmth, humour, and soul. It’s another winning reminder that nobody blends music and emotion quite like Carney, delivering yet another unforgettable cinematic musical experience.

FINDING EMILY AID RELEASE DATE: Aug 12 GENRE: Comedy FORMAT: DVD

THE DEB AID RELEASE DATE: Aug 26 GENRE: Comedy FORMAT: DVD

From the makers of Bridget Jones’s Diary comes Finding Emily , one of the year’s best romantic comedies. Starring Australian favourite Angourie Rice

Australian musicals are a rare treat, making The Deb all the more reason to celebrate. Fans of Bran Nue Dae and Goddess will find plenty to love in Rebel

alongside Spike Fearn and Minnie Driver, this witty, feel-good crowd pleaser puts a fresh Gen Z spin on modern dating, social media, and campus life. Warm, funny, and effortlessly charming, it proves the rom-com still has plenty of heart and something new to say. This one’s full to the brim with British charm.

Wilson’s directorial debut, in which she also stars. Bursting with catchy songs, big laughs, and heartfelt charm, this coming-of-age comedy follows a country teenager determined to reinvent herself before debutante season. It’s funny, uplifting, and unmistakably Australian.

HOME DELIVERY Eagle RELEASE DATE: Aug 12 GENRE: Comedy FORMAT: DVD

DOLLY Madman RELEASE DATE: Aug 26 GENRE: Horror FORMAT: BD, DVD This one’s for the sickos, and we mean that affectionately. Fans of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre or Wrong Turn should put Dolly at the top of their

If The Family Stone and Little Miss Sunshine are your kind of comfort movies, Home Delivery belongs on your watchlist. When a plus-size supermodel

invites her entire family to witness the home birth of her first child, long-buried secrets, clashing personalities, and plenty of hilarious chaos follow. Featuring a terrific ensemble cast, it's a warm, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt celebration of family.

watchlist. Shot entirely on 16mm for an authentic ’70s exploitation aesthetic, it stars Seann William Scott, Ethan Suplee, Fabianne Therese, and Max the Impaler. Disturbing, depraved, and unforgettable, this backwoods nightmare will haunt you long after the credits roll.

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