The copious amount of Jewish holidays is shortly coming to a close, leaving more free time to watch movies.
And the timing is perfect, because there are a variety of Jewish-themed movies (and one series) playing throughout October in South Florida.
“Bad Shabbos” — a comedic film about an interfaith couple and their families — will be returning to Movies of Delray, while newcomers, like Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut “Eleanor the Great,” which tells a personal Holocaust story, are premiering in various theaters.
Whether you are looking to laugh, to learn or to feel, there’s an option for you. Here are some can’t-miss movies to catch this month.
‘Bau: Artist at War’
The based-on-a-true story film follows Joseph Bau, a Holocaust survivor who created false documents to save others, as he finds hope — and eventually marriage — inside a concentration camp. Starring Emile Hirsch as Bau, the film has won several awards including Audience Choice Award for Best Narrative at the Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival in 2024.
WHEN: Through Oct. 9
WHERE:
- Movies of Delray, 7421 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach
- Movies of Lake Worth, 7380 Lake Worth Road, Greenacres
- CMX Downtown at the Gardens, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., Palm Beach Gardens
- AMC Aventura 24, 19501 Biscayne Blvd.
COST: Varies by theater
INFORMATION: baumovie.com
“Eleanor the Great”
Scarlett Johansson, who discovered her familial ties to the Holocaust in 2017, set out to direct her first movie, “Eleanor the Great.” It follows 94-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein, played by Jewish actress June Squibb, who after moving from Florida to New York City, joins a survivor support group and tells a story that is not her own. Real-life Holocaust survivors star in the film, including Rita Zohar who plays Bessie, Eleanor’s best friend.
WHEN: Playing now
WHERE: Multiple theaters
COST: Varies by theater
INFORMATION: eleanorthegreat.com
‘Bad Shabbos’
This film premiered at Movies of Delray in Delray Beach last year and is returning to the screen for its final American theater showing this month. The movie follows an interfaith couple who plans a Shabbat dinner as the official familial meeting — until a dead body is discovered and their plans go awry. The film stars Kyra Sedgwick and David Paymer.
WHEN: Oct. 10-17
WHERE: Movies of Delray, 7421 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach
COST: $8 at moviesofdelray.com
INFORMATION: menemshafilms.com/bad-shabbos
‘Red Alert’
The Boca International Jewish Film Festival is hosting an exclusive premier of the first two episodes of the limited series, “Red Alert,” which portrays the story of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Through first-hand accounts, writer and director Lior Chefetz shows the resilience, bravery and heroism of those who survived. After the first episode, guests will get the chance to participate in a discussion with Chefetz, along with Bat-Sheva Yahalomi, a survivor and inspiration for one of the series’ storylines.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Oct. 25
WHERE: Movies of Delray, 7421 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach
COST: $15
INFORMATION: jfilmboca2025.eventive.org
‘Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire’
The documentary by Oren Rudavsky tells the story of Elie Wiesel, one of the most public survivors of the Holocaust. Narrated in Wiesel’s own voice, the documentary also features interviews with wife Marion and son Elisha. The film recently won the Torchbearer Prize at the Miami Jewish Film Festival.
WHEN: Opens Oct. 31
WHERE: Movies of Delray, 7421 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; Movies of Lake Worth, 7380 Lake Worth Road, Greenacres
COST: Not yet available
INFORMATION: panoramafilmsus.com/film