Capsule reviews for July 31

Mustache

Sharply observed and charmingly nostalgic, this tender and heartfelt comedy tackles familiar themes of self-acceptance and teenage angst through a fresh cultural lens. In the 1990s, Ilyas (Atharv Verma) is a suburban high school freshman whose anxiety after transferring from private to public school is exacerbated by his prematurely hairy upper lip. Burdened with sometimes unreasonable expectations of family and faith, Ilyas hatches a scheme to return to his comfort zone, which backfires in unexpected ways. Verma’s understated portrayal conveys sincerity and compassion for the scrappy outsider. Despite some coming-of-age cliches and forced quirks, the film smartly balances exaggerated social absurdities with grounded underlying insecurities. (Not rated, 83 minutes).

The Samurai and the Prisoner

Deliberately paced yet exquisitely crafted, this evocative Japanese period drama from director Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Cloud) is an alternately thoughtful and thrilling feudal mystery beneath its handsomely mounted surface. Set in the 16th century, it unspools a story of sacrifice, loyalty, and political maneuvering centered on the lord (Masahiro Motoki) of a castle accused of an elaborate series of crimes, prompting a reluctant alliance with a former adversary (Masaki Suda) to learn the truth and clear his name. Weaving familiar cat-and-mouse whodunit elements into a fresh narrative package, this literary adaptation is an intricate saga of deceit and revenge that rewards patience with layered historical intrigue. (Not rated, 147 minutes).

Terrestrial

Like its troubled protagonist, the screenplay for this science-fiction thriller from director Steve Pink (Hot Tub Time Machine) becomes lost between fantasy and reality. Alan (Jermaine Fowler) channeled his obsession with an old sci-fi television show into an apparently lucrative writing career. At least that’s what he wants some old college friends to believe when he invites them to his lavish house for the weekend. But Alan’s erratic behavior makes them suspicious that he’s hiding secrets. Despite some scrappy ambition and solid performances, the film loses coherence and momentum in the final act while juggling some intriguing concepts. Amid its muddled twists, the tension dwindles. (Not rated, 94 minutes).