New film trends: post-Covid cinema and exciting premieres in Vienna!

New film trends: post-Covid cinema and exciting premieres in Vienna!

There's a lot going on in the Viennese film scene at the moment. The effects of the Covid pandemic are still being felt, and this is also reflected in the latest film productions. A total of three works deal with the “post-Covid mania” and the political madness of the present: “Bugonia” by Yorgos Lanthimos, “Eddington” by Ari Aster and “One Battle after Another” by Paul Thomas Anderson. The latter will be shown on selected dates on November 22nd and 27th and December 3rd and 7th at the renowned Gartenbaukino in Vienna on 70mm, something film fans are already looking forward to.

Doris Priesching and Valerie Dirk discuss these films in the first “Film Edition” of the STANDARD podcast “Serienreif”, in which they talk to film expert Alexander Horwath about current topics in Hollywood cinema. Horwath's own work "Henry Fonda for President" will also be shown at the Gartenbaukino on November 30th. A subsequent discussion with the actress Birgit Minichmayr rounds off the evening and promises interesting insights.

Highlights from the new releases

A particularly exciting project is “Poor Creatures” (English: “Skurdžios būtybės”), which has been available on Disney+ since June 20, 2025. The film is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and stars Emma Stone in the leading role. Considered a modern take on Frankenstein's story, the film explores themes such as female independence and social norms. Bella, portrayed by Stone, is played by Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe) is brought back to life and sets off on an exciting journey to discover the world. With a touch of German expressionism and a mix of humor and drama, the film has already won the “Golden Lion” at the Venice Film Festival and the “Golden Globe” for best comedy and for Stone as best actress.

How the film industry has developed in recent years is also reflected in the increasing number of films that deal with the challenges of the Covid pandemic. A lot has changed in Hollywood too: In March 2020, North American cinemas were still seeing weekend sales of $100 million, while two weeks later ticket sales fell to just $4,160. Many film productions have been postponed and the industry has had to adopt new standards to ensure that both actors and crew are not put at risk. Films like “Little Fish” and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” address these experiences and challenges.

A look into the future

Five years after its lowest point in movie attendance, Hollywood continues to struggle for survival, and the trajectory remains uncertain. Ticket sales for the first nine weeks of 2023 were $1.09 billion, but well behind the pre-pandemic $1.67 billion. Despite these challenges, there are bright spots in the present, not least thanks to creative projects such as the films mentioned above that continue to attract audiences to the cinema.

Going to the cinema in our city is far from being written off, and Vienna remains a hotspot for film fans. Thanks to the current discussions and film screenings, there is enough material for lively conversations and inspiring nights at the cinema.

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