Wilding (PG)
Directed by David Allen
★★★
 
 

THIS stunningly shot documentary recounts the extraordinary story of how the owners of Knepp Castle in West Sussex breathed new life into their 3,500 acres of land by conducting a radical experiment to rewild it. 
 
Acclaimed writer and conservationist Isabella Tree and her husband Sir Charles Burrell introduced native ponies, deer, pigs and other wildlife to transform their land into a thriving wildlife haven and an English landscape that has not been seen for hundreds of years. It has taken 20 years, but their barren soil is now teaming with life and at least 19 species of earthworms. One of the highlights of the film is seeing Sir Charles’s excitement over the discovery of earthworms. 
 
Directed by David Allen and written by Isabella, whose 2018 book this is based on, this proves a thought-provoking documentary. With its gorgeous photography and breathtaking landscapes it shows what can be done to save and reinvigorate the environment. 
 
The couple’s experiment has seen the return of turtle doves, storks and one of the rarest of butterflies, the Purple Emperor, which is now thriving at Knepp. 
 
The film shows the highs and lows of their endeavours including the staunch opposition they faced from neighbouring farmers and the eight years they spent trying to get a licence to introduce beavers on their land which seems wild. However, it is the animals that take centre stage, capturing hearts. 
 
Whether others will follow suit it is a case of wait and see. 

Out in cinemas, June 14

Hounds (15)
Directed by Kamal Lazraq
★★★
 

 
UNFOLDING over the course of one night in Casablanca this father-and-son crime thriller is a riveting tragedy of errors and an impressive debut feature from writer-director Kamal Lazraq. 
 
It follows Hassan (Abdellatif Masstouri) and his son Issam (Ayoub Elaid) who carry out small trafficking jobs for the local mafia until one day they are asked to kidnap a man in revenge for killing their boss’s prized dog.  
 
Things go awry and they spend the night trying to cover their tracks, plunging deeper into trouble and keeping the viewer on tenterhooks as to what is going to happen next. 
 
Masstouri and Elaid, both non-professional actors, give compelling and nuanced performances, with their characters’ life stories written on their faces. You can’t keep your eyes off them in this fascinating exploration and treatment of outcasts in which a dog’s life is valued more highly than theirs. 

Out in cinemas, June 14
 
 
 

Arcadian (15)
Directed by Benjamin Brewer
★★★

ARCADIAN is a powerful coming-of-age family drama set within a post-apocalyptic horror flick which centres on survival and loss. 
 
It stars Nicolas Cage as a single father who teaches his twin sons Joseph (Jaeden Martell) and Thomas (Maxwell Jenkins) to survive amidst the evil creatures that are hunting humans to extinction at night. They are free to wander out from their isolated farmhouse during the day but by dark they need to be safely back as that is when the monsters strike. 
 
Cage, who is in a genre of his own, is magnificent as a quietly earnest dad determined to protect his kids. Martel and Jenkins hold their own beautifully opposite Cage. The young cast, which also includes Sadie Soverall as the love interest, are really impressive. 
 
Director Benjamin Brewer keeps the tension by not revealing the creatures until at least mid-way through in this gritty and chilling family-drama sci-fi horror mash-up which works. 
 

Out in cinemas, June 14.

 
Inside Out 2 (PG)
Directed by Kelsey Mann
★★★★
 

The unfathomable workings of a teenage girl’s mind are explored in Pixar’s inimitable way in this visually bold and colourful yet wonderfully engaging and heartfelt sequel. 
 
On turning 13 Riley (Kensington Tallman) transforms overnight from a sweet, goofy, fun-loving child into a moody, surly, temper tantrum throwing teen with rampant smelly hormones, a situation which most parents can relate to. 
 
As puberty hits, Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Disgust (Liza Lapira), Fear (Tony Hale) and Anger (Lewis Black) are forced to make way for Riley’s new emotions of Anxiety (Maya Hawke who steals the film), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser) and my favourite, Ennui (Adele Exarchopoulos) who provides the attitude of bored nonchalance. They completely rewire Riley’s brain creating a new persona who is driven by anxiety and is hell-bent on self-preservation. 
 
There are some great visual gags which include brainstorming and sarcasm. But being Pixar this is a film with hidden depths which works on two levels appealing to youngsters and adults alike. 
 
Not quite as mind-blowing as the original, but it still holds its own. 

Out in cinemas, June 14