Marvel’s Blade reboot, which was widely seen as a misstep, may end up being one of the studio’s most significant misjudged projects. Despite having a talented actor in Mahershala Ali and a promising director, Bassam Tariq, the film underperformed. However, Tariq and Ali have since collaborated on a far more compelling project: Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, a hitman thriller that has been gaining attention. This was one of five films I watched on a busy third day at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), a reminder of why such events are so valuable. Each film offered a unique perspective, from a story about drifting cars to a horror film inspired by a classic Japanese ghost tale. The diversity of storytelling reaffirmed that the film world still has plenty of fresh ideas to offer. Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother (in theaters in October) follows Latif, played by Mahershala Ali, who lives a life of contradictions. A devout Muslim and devoted father, he also works as a hitman who operates under a strict moral code—only killing the guilty and never using a gun. When his wife dies, he must become a single parent to three children, including a newborn, while his past begins to catch up with him. Unlike the typical action-packed superhero films dominating the market, this film is more of a character-driven story, where the action is minimal but impactful. Mahershala Ali delivers a powerful performance as a man torn between his faith and his violent profession, while John Cho shines as a charismatic and unhinged villain. In Alaska (no theatrical date yet) is a slow-burning crime thriller directed by Jaap van Heusden and Vinnie Karetak. It follows Woody, a suicidal teen who accidentally causes millions in damage to an oil pipeline, putting him on the run from the FBI. The film balances his desperate attempts to survive with the perspective of Susan, a veteran agent (played by Noomi Rapace) who suspects the damage wasn’t caused by eco-terrorists. The film is moody and introspective, asking difficult questions about Woody’s desire to live, and it ends on a surprisingly hopeful note. The Face of Horror (no theatrical date yet) is a genre mashup directed by Anna Biller. Inspired by the Japanese ghost story Yotsuya Kaidan, it transplants the tale to 14th century England and stylizes it in the manner of classic Technicolor horror films. The result is a campy, theatrical experience with over-the-top performances and impressive special effects. Kristine Froseth and Jonah Hauer-King deliver strong performances as a jilted wife and a morally dubious knight, respectively. Drifter (no theatrical date yet), directed by Sung Kang, blends elements of Good Will Hunting and The Fast and the Furious into a story about a janitor who drifts cars on the side. While the film has some beautiful drifting sequences that highlight the artistry of the sport, it leans too heavily on clichéd underdog sports tropes. The characters, except for the lead, feel underdeveloped, and the mix of crime and feel-good elements doesn’t quite work. However, the film’s ending is completely unexpected, offering a surprising twist.