New films debut on October 28
Several films are set for release on October 28, including The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Alexandre Castagnetti. This film is an adaptation of the eponymous novel by Gaston Leroux, published in 1910. Background of The Phantom of the Opera
The story is inspired by rumors surrounding the Paris Opera Garnier and portrays the torment of Anastasia (Deva Cassel), a dancer at the Paris Opera who falls in love with a mysterious pianist (Julien de Saint-Jean). Another film joins the lineup
Another film, The Mystery of Lucy Lost, directed by Olivier Clert, will be released on the same date. This animated film is adapted from the children's novel Listen to the Moon (The Mystery of Lucy Lost, Gallimard Jeunesse), written in 2015 by Michael Morpurgo. Plot of The Mystery of Lucy Lost
The story follows the adventures of Lucy, a mysterious girl with extraordinary abilities, determined with the help of her friend Milly to uncover the secret of her powers. Third film set for release
Additionally, The Temptation, directed by Nicolangelo Gelormini, will be released on October 28. This adaptation of the play Se non sporca il mio pavimento by Gioia Salvatori and Giuliano Scarpinato, itself inspired by an Italian news story, retraces the ambiguous and difficult relationship between a literature teacher and her student, who she gives private lessons to. Disney+ releases final episode
On Disney+, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, directed by Hikaru Murata in collaboration with the Pierrot Films studio, will air the final episode of season 4 on October 26. This direct adaptation of the manga by Tite Kubo (covering volumes 55 to 74) is supervised by the author himself. Final episode details
Titled Death & Strawberry, this 50th and final episode features the titanic confrontation between Ichigo Kurosaki and the king of the Quincy, Yhwach, to save the balance of the universe. New release on Prime Video
Prime Video will release Apocalypse Z: New World, directed by Carles Torrens, on October 30. This Spanish horror film is an adaptation of the science fiction bestseller Apocalypse Z (the first volume is titled The Beginning of the End, Panini Books) by Spanish author Manel Loureiro. Setting of Apocalypse Z: New World
The story takes place in the Canary Islands, which have become the last refuge of Europe after the TSJ virus epidemic. When a special mission goes to the continent in search of food and essential supplies, Roberto (Carlos Alcaide) joins the team with dubious intentions. Another Prime Video release
Drive - The Pretenders, directed by Sergej Moya, will be available on Prime Video starting October 28. This adaptation of the first volume of Drive from the The Pretenders series by Tamara Lush, published between 2022 and 2024, retells the romance between Savvy (Lisa-Marie Koroll), a mechanic in the pits, and the famous race driver Dante Annunziata (Amin Baahmed). Publication details for Drive
Tamara Lush's book is available in French as an e-book and will be released in bookstores in January 2027, published by Milady. Critique of The Phantom of the Opera
One report describes The Phantom of the Opera as a film that struggles with adapting the cult novel by Gaston Leroux, missing the essence of its subject. It notes that the previous adaptation in France was by Joel Schumacher, and this new version by Alexandre Castagnetti is criticized for its "sloppy and kitschy" staging. Stylistic elements of the film
The film is described as playing Twister, contorting itself in all directions to touch as many cinematic genres as possible. It combines dark romance and elements reminiscent of Emily in Paris, with Anastasia, a dancer who came to Paris from Romania, embodying the meme "I can fix him." Setting and criticism
The report also mentions the film's attempt at updating the story is undermined by an ultra-outdated imagination, featuring romantic Parisian settings such as apartments at the foot of the Sacré-Cœur and a sequence at the top of the Opéra Garnier with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
