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“The Invisible Man”
R, 2:04, psychological horror
The latest film version of H.G. Wells’ story works largely because a riveting and fearsomely committed Elisabeth Moss mines writer-director Leigh Whannell’s stalker scenario for all sorts of psychological nuance. Two minutes in, we’re in the grip of a tight, suspenseful overture. In bed with her abuser (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), the budding architect Cecilia (Moss) hatches a plan for her escape: Poison him and flee. Staying with friends, she’s terrified of leaving the house but senses a presence within it. A job interview leads to evidence that her ex-boyfriend is not dead yet, and Cecilia’s fate as a victim of a monstrously clever blackmailer appears sealed. — Michael Phillips
“Sonic the Hedgehog”
PG, 1:39, family
Expectations have been low for this adaptation of the ’90s video game, but it’s legitimately funny and heartwarming. Ben Schwartz voices Sonic, a lonely alien on Earth, where he longs to connect with the humans around him in a small Montana town. James Marsden is Tom Wachowski, the cop who takes Sonic under his care, with Tika Sumpter playing his wife, and Adam Pally and Natasha Rothwell in very funny supporting roles. But the big news here is Jim Carrey’s glorious return to form as Sonic’s main antagonist, a secretive government mad scientist named Dr. Robotnik. This entire review could be dedicated to Carrey’s delightfully campy performance. — Katie Walsh
“The Call of the Wild”
PG, 1:40, adventure
Based on the classic novella by Jack London, this is what one might call a literary dog movie, even if there is technically no actual dog in it. Buck, the dog, is a CGI creation. And it’s only through technology that his dangerous and harrowing adventures in the Alaskan wilderness during the Gold Rush could be realistically brought to the big screen, for better or for worse. Buck’s digital nature is off-putting, and something you can never quite shake throughout the film. Fortunately Buck plays opposite several solid human actors who can hold up their end of the tale: Omar Sy as Perrault, Harrison Ford as John Thornton, and Dan Stevens as Hal. — Katie Walsh
“Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey”
R, 1:44, action-adventure
The best thing to come out of 2016’s antihero team-up “Suicide Squad” was Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, self-proclaimed “Joker’s girl” and quirky chaos clown. She’s back and better than ever in this brilliant, breakneck circus for the senses, with characters that give the film heart and humor: Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), a butt-kicking blaxploitation queen; Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a mysterious, neurotic assassin out for vengeance; renegade cop Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez); and precocious pickpocket Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco). Harley’s new girl gang bands together against the sinister Roman Sionis, aka Black Mask (Ewan McGregor). — Katie Walsh
“Emma”
PG, 2:09, drama
This latest depiction of the Jane Austen novel is a little edgier, driven by a more ambiguous and emotionally guarded portrayal of the blithe young matchmaker played by Anya Taylor-Joy. At 21, Emma is marketable in the marriage sense but more interested in matchmaking for everyone around her. The movie strains at the outset; then it starts getting better and better. The importance of Emma’s friendship with Harriet Smith (Mia Goth) has been heightened and deepened here, and it never hurts to have Bill Nighy in your movie. He plays Mr. Woodhouse, whose wealth and standing helps him not a bit with his perpetual dread of drafts. — Michael Phillips