This is the story of Jean-Luc Godard making BREATHLESS, told in the style and spirit in which Jean-Luc Godard made BREATHLESS.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Richard Linklater (BOYHOOD, DAZED AND CONFUSED) has crafted a playful, poignant love letter to cinema with NOUVELLE VAGUE, which ably reimagines the making of Godard’s landmark vérité BREATHLESS, in an exuberant exploration of the youthful rebellion and creative chaos that shaped the French New Wave. With Zoey Deutch, Guillaume Marbeck, and Aubry Dullin.

"Absolutely delightful!" (FilmWeek)

"“Nouvelle Vague” isn’t a portrait of Godard by Linklater but a feature-length thank-you note, from Richard to Jean-Luc, for freeing him to make films his own way." (The New Yorker)

Monday, December 8
Doors 5:45 pm | Movie 6:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

NOUVELLE VAGUE (Richard Linklater, 2025 / 106 mins / 14A / English and French w. EST) After writing for Cahiers du cinéma, aspiring French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard decides making films is the best film criticism. He finds funding for a low-budget feature, creating a treatment with François Truffaut about a gangster couple.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos (POOR THINGS, THE FAVOURITE, THE LOBSTER) brings his signature, bold and irreverent storytelling style to BUGONIA, an English-language remake of Jang Joon-hwan's 2003 South Korean film SAVE THE GREEN PLANET! This darkly satiric comedy thriller about a pair of conspiracy-obsessed young men who kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company because they are convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth, finds the director re-uniting with muse Emma Stone (who took home her second Oscar for her memorable turn as Bella in POOR THINGS) and Jesse Plemons (KINDS OF KINDESS). With Alicia Silverstone, Aidan Delbis.

"Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons are at the top of their game in 'Bugonia', a bonkers black comedy that applies director Yorgos Lanthimos' whip-smart method to modern society's madness." (Rotten Tomatoes)

"Perhaps this nihilism will prove too trenchant and reactive for some viewers. That’s perfectly fine: Sometimes it feels good to scream for help, even if it will never come." (Salon.com)

Monday, December 8
Doors 8:30 pm | Movie 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

BUGONIA (Yorgos Lanthimos, 2025 / 119 mins / 14A) Two conspiracy-obsessed men kidnap the CEO of a major company when they become convinced that she's an alien who wants to destroy Earth.

Mountains on Stage aims to bring the mountains to the city and to share all the beauty of mountain sports! A selection of the best films related to mountain activities are presented.

Complete program info and lineup coming soon!

Tuesday, December 9
Doors 6:15 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

John Achkar's "Tryin' / 3am Jarrib"
Presented by INNOVENT

Comedian John Achkar takes you on a heartfelt and hilarious journey through the chaos of life in his thirties. While the world seems to have it all figured out (HA!), John is still just Tryin’.

From navigating life's absurdities to giving marriage another shot, he’s here to remind us that being a little lost is perfectly okay. With candid observations and relatable stories, John’s special will leave you laughing, nodding, and feeling a little less alone in this wonderfully crazy thing called life.

Wednesday, December 10
Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

VIP (Rows A-D / Main Floor) $100+ s/c
Tier 1 (Rows E-I / Main Floor) $80+ s/c
Tier 2 (Rows J-O / Main Floor) $65+ s/c

*Please note: This performance is in Arabic.

Artist Bio:

John Achkar is a Lebanese stand-up comedian, actor, and entrepreneur renowned across the Middle East for his sharp humor and relatable storytelling. Known for blending wit with insightful social commentary, Achkar has become a household name in the comedy scene, performing sold-out shows in Lebanon, the GCC, Europe, North America, and Australia.

Achkar rose to prominence in 2020 after a viral skit on TikTok and Instagram catapulted him into the public eye. Since then, he has performed multiple one-hour comedy specials, including No Worries(2022), Wein 3ayish?(2023), Shou Zakeh?!(2024), and his latest hit AAM JARRIB(2025) : a bold exploration of trial, error, and embracing life’s constant experiments. The special dives into the humor and chaos of pushing boundaries, trying new things, and learning to keep moving forward.

In addition to comedy, Achkar co-founded Everythink, a small business aimed at creating interactive experiences through play. His entrepreneurial spirit and comedic talents have also led him to host Tar El Waet(2024), a Lebanese TV show blending satire with cultural and political critique.

Achkar’s achievements include touring in more than 60 cities for his world tour special in 2024, as well as opening for renowned comedian Gad El Maleh in Dubai and Paris , a career milestone that fulfilled a lifelong dream. Through his work, Achkar continues to inspire laughter and introspection, proving that comedy can be a powerful tool for connection and change.

Connect on Instagram: @johnachr

Paul Anthony's Talent Time returns to the Rio Theatre on Thursday, December 11 for a yearly tradition of song, dance, comedy and free warm socks with an overall feeling of joy to the world! They haven't done an Xmas show in years (because of New Year's Eve), but this year, they have chosen to focus on Christmas instead! Featuring some beloved traditions and some new ones...

Thursday, December 11
Doors 7:15 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Please arrive on time. Start time subject to change.
Tickets $22+ fees

Featuring...

KIDS FROM VANCOUVER PERFORMING STARS!!
Nothing says Christmas like a bunch of kids singing in matching seasonal vests. VPS was founded out of a need for accessible, high-calibre performing arts education at a community level. Through comprehensive training in dance, music, and dramatic arts, they empower young performers to develop the discipline, creative thinking, and collaborative skills essential for success both onstage and in life.

SEASONAL SCENTED VAPE TRICKS!!
Some local vape lords blow sick tricks that smell like fresh baked gingerbread!

SHREDDING SANTA: IT'S "COOL SANTA" ON GUITAR!!
Elliot Langford IS cool Santa and he will be shredding along to some Xmas classics soooo hard!

BILLY AND THE PAROLE MODELS!!
Christmas songs lit on fire by this super group led by Billy Ho-Ho-Hopeless with Chelsea Spector and more!

YOUNG SINGER: ROCKET BARNETSON!!
It's fun to witness the spirit through a child's eyes. Rocket from VPS is gonna sing an adorable xmas classic!

RONG! AS THE HOUSE BAND!
Featuring Kristy-lee Audette, Byron Slack & Emilor Jayne! They will also play their original Christmas Song.

RE-GIFTING STATION!
Bring your unwanted items, trade for a wanted item and we will wrap it for you! This might not come together so just check back here the week of the show and see if we are still offering it lol.

LIVE SEASONAL SCARF WEAVER: ROSIE KERSCHBAUMER!
Over the course of the show, scarves for Paul & Ryan will be weaved LIVE in front of your very eyes by this pro.

FREE WARM SOCKS!!
We have obtained a large slingshot and will be firing out pre-warmed socks to people wishing to increase their comfort while enjoying the show. (Yes, for real)

"There's no funner night out than the monthly Talent Time." (The Georgia Straight)

"Talent Time is the most innovative, raucus, totally silly and inspired show I have seen in years. Watching it is like freebasing sheer fun!" (Matthew Hays, Globe & Mail/CBC Arts Online)

Join award winning host DANDY as he haunts legendary miser Ebenezer "Humbug" Scrooge (Jordy Matheson) in a jaunty tale of the true meaning of Christmas: SCARY GHOSTS and CONFRONTING TOXIC BEHAVIOUR. In this immersive drag cabaret we wretch the meaning of the holidays from the clasping clutches of Capitalists. Don't miss the gay of Christmas past, drag king Tiny Tim, and an assortment of burlesque GHOSTS! Will this troupe of Vancouver's best in drag save the spirit of the holidays with a bevy of spirits? Find out December, 12th at the iconic Rio Theatre at DANDY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL!

Friday, December 12
Doors 7:00 PM | Show 8:00 PM *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

EARLY BIRD, Save $10 off tickets until November 15, midnight.

Main Floor Assigned $30+ s/c in advance |  $35+ s/c at the door
VIP (Priority Seating & Prop Bag) $40+ s/c
Dandy's Figgy Foursome  – Save $20! (Available online only)

Featuring:

Dandy as Jacob Marley
Jordy Matheson as Ebenezer "Humbug" Scrooge
Ben Anna Split as Tiny Tim
Arabella Boop as Ghost of Christmas Past
Melrose Twist as Ghost of Christmas Future
plus
The Dancing Dandies!

About your Host:

Dandy (he/him) is the award-winning host made popular on TikTok for his viral videos promoting queer joy! Winner of Host of the Year 2024 for Vancouver International Burlesque Festival and awarded runner up in the Georgia Straight’s BEST OF VANCOUVER for his show Drag Attack! – you can catch him regularly on stage in his shows at the iconic Rio Theatre in Vancouver, or touring this Fall between LA and New York City. His all new series Dandyland, which highlights businesses, organizations, and artists in the lower-mainland’s LGBT Community, premiered this Summer on Optik TV and was nominated by the Costume Designers Guild Awards for Excellence in Short Form Design 2024, and WON a CAFTCAD Award for Excellence in Webseries 2024 thanks to already award winning, multi-talented Costume Designer, Rafaella Rabinovich.

@dandyandfriends

As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen, and children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go awry quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie, and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Even worse, Clark's employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs.With Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, and Randy Quaid.

"If it doesn't make you at least giggle, then you clearly don't understand the true meaning of the festive season." (Empire Magazine)

"Chevy Chase's befuddled Dad remains a genuinely amusing creation, and the sight gags are impeccably timed." (Entertainment Weekly)

Friday, December 12
Doors 11:00 pm | Movie 11:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION (Jeremiah S. Chechik, 1989 / 97 mins / PG) The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.

Deck the halls with endless cereal...

The Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party is returning to the Rio Theatre with a brand new collection of specially curated retro TV goodness covered in sugary cereal, and sprinkled with endless Holiday cheer. It's Volume XI - The Christmas Show! Even better? This program will be screening on Saturday, December 13 and again on Saturday, December 20, so you have TWO chances to make merry and eat cereal in a movie theatre.

Kids today may not realize the significance of the Saturday morning ritual, but once upon a time, we had to wait a whole week to get our cartoon fix, and when we got it, we tended to binge. Well – welcome to The Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party - that special time when kids and kids-at-heart get to relive the exciting Saturday morning ritual of non-stop retro cartoons, and binge on the multi-colored sugary cereals that used to be a part of every “balanced” breakfast!

The cartoon lineup is always a mystery, but Volume VI will be covered in an extra coating designed to make merry and spread all kinds of Holiday cheer. Expect the unexpected, from faves and obscurities spanning the '30s through the '90s, all punctuated with vintage commercials, PSAs and station IDs for a 3-hour trip down memory lane! Get ready for a sugar rush and an explosion of nostalgia in one hair-raising morning.

Even better...? A Holidaze COSTUME CONTEST! Show us what you've got, or maybe just show off your best Holiday-inspired jammies. Costumes (and, as always, comfy pajamas in chic patterned flannel sporting elasticized waistbands) are welcome and encouraged.

Curated by David Bertrand

Please note: Dairy-free options are available. Compostable bowls and spoons will be provided, but we absolutely do encourage all of our guests to bring their own NON-BREAKABLE (ie, not ceramic) bowls and spoons.

Saturday, December 13
Doors 9:30 am | Event 10:00 am *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Adults $22
Kids Pricing (13 and under) $15

Group pricing in effect! Grab one of our Reindeer Squad passes - a sweet treat for a birthday party or Holiday celebration of your own.

Reindeer Squad Jr. (2 Adults, 4 kids $90 - online only)
Reindeer Squad Sr. (6 Adults $102 - online only)

Helvetica Productions is once again proud to present Tits the Season! at the Rio Theatre on Saturday, December 13!

Proving that there’s no business like snow business, Helvetica Productions is back with a fifth installment of Vancouver’s naughtiest and nicest new holiday tradition: Tits the Season! Treat yo’elf to a holidate with this over-the-top festive extravaganza featuring drag, burlesque, circus, and variety performers from Vancouver and beyond.

Kicking us off on this slay ride is our headliner, the iconic King Molasses, the first ever winner of King of Drag! This holiday spectacular is sure to keep you Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree and warmer than a cup of mulled wine. So, meet us under the mistletoe, Yule definitely be entertained!

We’ve made our (cast)list and checked it twice and this year’s Tits the Season includes: 

Batty Banks
La Dame Derrière
Helvetica’s Follies
Homo Hardware
Ariel Helvetica
Cali Cobalt
Vancouver Burlesque Co.
Mx Bukuru
Quantum Roller Duo

Hosted by: Miss Kiss

Saturday, December 13
Early Show
Doors 5:00 pm | Show 6:00 pm *Start time and cast list subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Snowbells $40+ s/c

Snowballers $55 + s/c
Best seats in the house!

Snow Angels $75+ s/c
First two rows with a Meet + Greet photo opportunity with King Molasses. Go home with a VIP swag bag full of holiday presents for yourself, including a signed photo from King Molasses!

Limited VIP tickets available — frost come, frost served!

About Helvetica Productions

With more than a decade of experience under her G-String, Ariel Helvetica is everyone’s type. She has boldly crossed the globe (and uncrossed her legs) in some of the top burlesque shows across Europe, Canada, and the USA. With her unique blend of glamour, cheese, and stratospheric high-kicks, this purveyor of Tits and Teeth has received many accolades, including performing twice at the Burlesque Hall of Fame, as well as being named one of 21st Century Burlesque Magazine’s Most Influential Performers.

Underlining her performance bonafides, Ariel is also the Assistant Director of the Vancouver Burlesque Company, and in late 2021 she combined her burlesque prowess and showbiz moxie to create Helvetica Productions, which debuted with two sold-out shows of the holiday smash Tits the Season.

Helvetica Productions is once again proud to present Tits the Season! at the Rio Theatre on Saturday, December 13!

Proving that there’s no business like snow business, Helvetica Productions is back with a fifth installment of Vancouver’s naughtiest and nicest new holiday tradition: Tits the Season! Treat yo’elf to a holidate with this over-the-top festive extravaganza featuring drag, burlesque, circus, and variety performers from Vancouver and beyond.

Kicking us off on this slay ride is our headliner, the iconic King Molasses, the first ever winner of King of Drag! This holiday spectacular is sure to keep you Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree and warmer than a cup of mulled wine. So, meet us under the mistletoe, Yule definitely be entertained!

We’ve made our (cast)list and checked it twice and this year’s Tits the Season includes: 

Batty Banks
La Dame Derrière
Helvetica’s Follies
Homo Hardware
Ariel Helvetica
Cali Cobalt
Vancouver Burlesque Co.
Mx Bukuru
Quantum Roller Duo

Hosted by: Miss Kiss

Saturday, December 13
Late Show
Doors 9:00 pm | Show 10:00 pm *Start time and cast list subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Snowbells $40+ s/c

Snowballers $55 + s/c
Best seats in the house!

Snow Angels $75+ s/c
First two rows with a Meet + Greet photo opportunity with King Molasses. Go home with a VIP swag bag full of holiday presents for yourself, including a signed photo from King Molasses!

Limited VIP tickets available — frost come, frost served!

About Helvetica Productions

With more than a decade of experience under her G-String, Ariel Helvetica is everyone’s type. She has boldly crossed the globe (and uncrossed her legs) in some of the top burlesque shows across Europe, Canada, and the USA. With her unique blend of glamour, cheese, and stratospheric high-kicks, this purveyor of Tits and Teeth has received many accolades, including performing twice at the Burlesque Hall of Fame, as well as being named one of 21st Century Burlesque Magazine’s Most Influential Performers.

Underlining her performance bonafides, Ariel is also the Assistant Director of the Vancouver Burlesque Company, and in late 2021 she combined her burlesque prowess and showbiz moxie to create Helvetica Productions, which debuted with two sold-out shows of the holiday smash Tits the Season.

Join Outside Voices Choir for our biggest winter concert yet!

Two choirs. One stage. An unforgettable 150+ voice finale.

Expect lush harmonies, contagious joy, and an epic super-choir set that’ll leave you buzzing. This season features songs you know and love, reimagined with the signature Outside Voices sound—rich, heartfelt, and soaring.

Arranged and directed by David Beckingham (Hey Ocean!), this show is going to soar.

Sunday, December 14

Matinée Show
Doors 2:00 pm | Show 3:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Join Outside Voices Choir for our biggest winter concert yet!

Two choirs. One stage. An unforgettable 150+ voice finale.

Expect lush harmonies, contagious joy, and an epic super-choir set that’ll leave you buzzing. This season features songs you know and love, reimagined with the signature Outside Voices sound—rich, heartfelt, and soaring.

Arranged and directed by David Beckingham (Hey Ocean!), this show is going to soar.

Sunday, December 14

Evening Show
Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Paran (2025) is a heartfelt Nepali family drama that follows Dharmanath, a devoted father whose world revolves around the warmth, laughter, and presence of his children. As life takes them abroad in search of dreams, he is left confronting the quiet loneliness of an empty home. Through tender moments, emotional reflections, and universal family experiences, Paran beautifully portrays the unbreakable bond between parents and children — and the silent sacrifice that often accompanies love.

Meaning “life” or “breath,” the title symbolizes how relationships give true purpose to living. Its tagline, “Driven not by breath, but by togetherness,” captures the film’s core message: family is what keeps us alive. Celebrated for its relatable storytelling and powerful performances, “Paran” resonates deeply with audiences at home and abroad.

Screening in Nepalese with English subtitles.

Monday, December 15
Doors: 5:00 PM | Movie: 5:30 PM *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Assigned Seating - All tickets $25

*Please note:  Shorter patrons (or those with young children) will have a better balcony viewing experience if selecting seats in Rows BB – FF.
**This film screens with a brief intermission.

PARAN (Deepak Prasad Acharya | 2025 | 146 mins | Nepalese w. EST | NR) Paran is a heartfelt family drama about Dharmanath (Neer Shah), who treasures his children as his “essence of life” and dreams of growing old in their love. Set in Dhankuta, the film beautifully portrays love, legacy, and the true meaning of family.

Scottish director Lynne Ramsay's (WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN, YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE) intense psychological drama DIE MY LOVE offers a blistering depiction of a woman engulfed by love and madness.

In one of 2025's most talked about performances, Jennifer Lawrence is Grace, a writer and young mother, who is slowly slipping and spiraling into the troubling mental abyss of post-partum psychosis. Locked away in an old house in and around Montana, we see her grow increasingly agitated and erratic, leaving her companion, Jackson, increasingly worried and helpless. With Robert Pattinson.

"Lynne Ramsay’s raw and animalistic character study proves to be the perfect vehicle for Jennifer Lawrence. She’s never been better as a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown." (Empire Magazine)

"Jennifer Lawrence is superb at exemplifying Grace’s confusion. She alternates fluidly between domestic tranquility and feral rage, often in the same scene. Even as Grace’s grasp on reality seems to slip, her turbulence comes off as entirely natural." (The Atlantic)

"[Executive Producer] Martin Scorsese, it’s reported, was convinced that no other actor could do justice to the complex character. He may well be correct: Lawrence is thrillingly uninhibited and physically impulsive." (Observer UK)

"[Jennifer] Lawrence gives a performance to die for in a devastating tragicomedy about postpartum depression that drives away her husband (Robert Pattinson). Scottish director Lynne Ramsey doesn’t know from comfort zones and she may push you too far. Let her push." (The Travers Take)

Monday, December 15
Doors 9:00 pm | Movie 9:20 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

DIE MY LOVE (Lynne Ramsay, 2025 / 119 mins / 14A) In a forgotten patch of countryside, a woman is battling her demons: embracing exclusion yet wanting to belong, craving freedom whilst feeling trapped, yearning for family life but wanting to burn the entire house down. Given surprising leeway by her family for her increasingly erratic behavior, she nevertheless feels ever more stifled and repressed. Motherhood, womanhood, the banality of love, the terrors of desire, the brutality of another person carrying your heart forever.

The live, smash hit epic comedy THE CRITICAL HIT SHOW returns to the Rio Theatre's stage on Wednesday, December 17 for more monstrous mirth, merriment, and snacks!

Prepare yourself for a night of laughter, as some of Vancouver’s best comedic performers grace the stage in a night featuring intrepid players on a gallant quest for comedy glory (and more snacks) in a hilariously epic adventure that has been running continuously since 2012.

Spanning over 100 live performances in both Canada and the United States, two years of “at-home” streaming, and frequent festival appearances, The Critical Hit Show is one of the longest running comedy shows around. #DNDLive is an improvised adventure that takes its inspiration from tabletop role-playing games, fantasy film and TV, and (most importantly) you!

Whether you’re a longtime fan, you’ve been enjoying our live streamed shows, or you’re brand new to The Critical Hit Show - you’re going to have a great time.

Wednesday, December 17
Doors 6:15 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Please arrive on time. Start time subject to change.
Advance tickets $17 +s/c | $20+ s/c at the door

THE ADVENTURERS

Eric Fell as The Dungeon Master
Ian Boothby as Benoit the Anointed, the Half-Elf Cleric
Joanna Gaskell as Freya, the Elf Warlock
Barbara Beall as Ingrid, the Halfling Fighter
Ellen MacNevin as Belle Strummer, the Half-Elf Ranger
Allen Morrison as Spitz Lube’n, the Human Wizard
Shaun Stewart as Brask Hellbeard, the Dwarf Bard

More monsters! More Magic! More Mayhem! More Off-Brand soda!

Twitter: @critshow
www.criticalhitshow.com
www.facebook.com/dndlive

"HELLo tHERE."

In the second of Tim Burton's blockbuster BATMAN films, the legendary hero (Michael Keaton) does battle against the slinky, mysterious Cat Woman (Michelle Pfeiffer) and the diabolically bizarre, sinister Penguin (Danny DeVito). Can Batman (Michael Keaton) battle two formidable foes at once? Especially when one wants to be mayor and the other is romantically attracted to Bruce Wayne?

"BATMAN RETURNS is the rarest of Hollywood beasts -- a sequel that's better than the original." (Boston Globe)

"The strange, ambitious character work that comprises 'Batman Returns' is wrapped in the perfunctory framework of a Tim Burton superhero film." (Slant Magazine)

Wednesday, December 17
Doors 9:00 pm | Movie 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

BATMAN RETURNS (Tim Burton, 1992 / 126 mins / PG) Having defeated the Joker, Batman now faces the Penguin - a warped and deformed individual who is intent on being accepted into Gotham society. Crooked businessman Max Schreck is coerced into helping him become Mayor of Gotham and they both attempt to expose Batman in a different light. Selina Kyle, Max's secretary, is thrown from the top of a building and is transformed into Catwoman - a mysterious figure who has the same personality disorder as Batman. Batman must attempt to clear his name, all the time deciding just what must be done with the Catwoman.

Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi's IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT seems to mine much of its inspiration from his own life as a noted political dissident, with its plot centered on a former political prisoner who believes he has found his torturer. The film follows Vahed, an unassuming Azerbaijani mechanic and former prisoner who has a chance encounter with Eghbal, an Iranian man he strongly suspects to be his sadistic jailhouse captor on account of his wooden leg. Vahed gathers other ex-prisoners, including a photographer and a couple on their wedding day, to confirm Eghbal's identity and decide if and how how to seek revenge.

The narrative explores themes of trauma, the morality of revenge, and how different people cope with systemic abuse, often using a blend of thriller, road comedy, dark social satire, and moral debate. At its core, Panahi's latest is a deeply felt moral thriller, where high stakes tension combines with unexpected flurries of humor and thoughtful, sometimes devastating questions regarding persecution and revenge. With Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr.

Cannes Film Festival Winner - Palme d'Or

"'It Was Just an Accident' plays like an ideal melding of the filmmaker Panahi was and the filmmaker he’s been forced to become. It’s an endlessly fascinating and extraordinarily powerful work." (New York Magazine / VULTURE)

"The first film Panahi made after his 2022 arrest, the most recent of his many conflicts with the Iranian government, 'It Was Just an Accident' is both typically uncompromising and, for long stretches, disarmingly funny." (The Reveal)

"Bursting with humanity and dark humor, it’s a sharply well-acted, written and directed modern thriller that grapples with urgently existential questions of justice, violence and resistance." (Seattle Times)

"If anyone has the right to make a revenge fantasy, it’s Jafar Panahi. And yet, this movie isn’t that. Panahi doesn’t make statement films; he makes question films, designed to instigate soul-searching and debate." (Washington Post)

"Panahi reaches some kind of terrible career high. This is a movie born out of a lifetime that no one should have been forced to endure. And yet, the film world is stronger for the suffering." (Globe and Mail)

Friday, December 19
Doors 2:00 pm | Movie 2:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT "Yek tasadef sadeh" (Jafar Panahi, 2025 / PG / 102 mins / Farsi w.EST) In Iran, a man bumps into the man he believes to be his former torturer. However, faced with this person who fiercely denies having been his tormentor, doubt sets in.

Jake Lambert—one of the UK’s most exciting new comedians—is heading to the Rio Theatre with his smash-hit show The Sunshine Kid.

Fresh from sell-out shows across the UK, Europe, and Australia, Jake Lambert brings his worldwide tour The Sunshine Kid to Canada in 2025.

Described by The Telegraph as “a joke machine,” Jake has firmly established himself as one of the UK’s rising stand-ups. Known for his fast-paced, gag-packed storytelling, his online videos have attracted more than half a billion views, earning him a loyal global following.

The Sunshine Kid is Jake’s debut tour, and has been an international success that continues to grow with new dates around the world, now including Canada. Alongside his touring success, Jake has performed on Live at the Apollo and joined Michael McIntyre on his world tour.

★★★★★ "...pure brilliance from start to finish" - London Theatre 1
★★★★★ “An absolute must-see” - RGM
★★★★- "A joke machine" - The Telegraph
★★★★ "A great storyteller" - The Arts Desk
★★★★ "Winningly self-deprecating" – Chortle
★★★★ “All the ingredients are there to make Jake Lambert a household name” - ITalkTelly
★★★★ "Catalyses laughter that cannot be contained" - Fest Magazine

Friday, December 19
Doors 6:00 pm | Sow 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Tickets selling fast! Over 50% sold in the first 48 hours. Don't delay Vancouver, reserve your tickets today!

"Yippee ki yay, motherfudger!

Send your movie-loving' self into Christmas overdrive with what is - hands down - one of the absolute biggest, baddest motherfudging edge-of-your-seat big screen thrill rides ever, DIE HARD. In (arguably) his signature performance, Bruce Willis shines as a streetsmart (and mostly barefoot!) cop tasked with outsmarting a group of terrorists who have taken over a building in downtown LA. Also starring the late, great Alan Rickman (Hans Gruber!) and Bonnie Bedelia.

"Its many imitators (and sequels) have never come close to matching the taut thrills of the definitive holiday action classic." (Rotten Tomatoes)

"DIE HARD is an action picture with a capital A. In fact, you might as well go ahead and capitalize the whole darn word." (Orlando Sentinel)

"For all its moments of almost overwhelming cheese, DIE HARD is still the definitive action thriller." (Total Film)

Friday, December 19
Doors 10:30 pm | Movie 11:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Late Night Date Night! Friday Late Night Movies are two-for-one entry, so bring a bestie, date or an estranged ex and be a hero!

DIE HARD (John McTiernan, 1988 / 131 mins / 18A) New York City Detective John McClane has just arrived in Los Angeles to spend Christmas with his wife. Unfortunately, it is not going to be a Merry Christmas for everyone. A group of terrorists, led by Hans Gruber, is holding everyone in the Nakatomi Plaza building hostage – including Mrs. McClane! With no way of anyone getting in or out, it’s up to the street-smart (and barefoot) McClane to stop them all and save the day.

Deck the halls with endless cereal...

The Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party is returning to the Rio Theatre with a brand new collection of specially curated retro TV goodness covered in sugary cereal, and sprinkled with endless Holiday cheer. It's Volume XI - The Christmas Show! Even better? This program will be screening on Saturday, December 13 and again on Saturday, December 20, so you have TWO chances to make merry and eat cereal in a movie theatre.

Kids today may not realize the significance of the Saturday morning ritual, but once upon a time, we had to wait a whole week to get our cartoon fix, and when we got it, we tended to binge. Well – welcome to The Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party - that special time when kids and kids-at-heart get to relive the exciting Saturday morning ritual of non-stop retro cartoons, and binge on the multi-colored sugary cereals that used to be a part of every “balanced” breakfast!

The cartoon lineup is always a mystery, but Volume VI will be covered in an extra coating designed to make merry and spread all kinds of Holiday cheer. Expect the unexpected, from faves and obscurities spanning the '30s through the '90s, all punctuated with vintage commercials, PSAs and station IDs for a 3-hour trip down memory lane! Get ready for a sugar rush and an explosion of nostalgia in one hair-raising morning.

Even better...? A Holidaze COSTUME CONTEST! Show us what you've got, or maybe just show off your best Holiday-inspired jammies. Costumes (and, as always, comfy pajamas in chic patterned flannel sporting elasticized waistbands) are welcome and encouraged.

Curated by David Bertrand

Please note: Dairy-free options are available. Compostable bowls and spoons will be provided, but we absolutely do encourage all of our guests to bring their own NON-BREAKABLE (ie, not ceramic) bowls and spoons.

Saturday, December 20
Doors 10:00 am | Event 10:30 am *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Adults $22
Kids Pricing (13 and under) $15

Group pricing in effect! Grab one of our Reindeer Squad passes - a sweet treat for a birthday party or Holiday celebration of your own.

Reindeer Squad Jr. (2 Adults, 4 kids $90 - online only)
Reindeer Squad Sr. (6 Adults $102 - online only)

A copious cavalcade of top notch talent and captivating cabaret await at The Rio Theatre Burlesque and Variety Show on Saturday, December 20.

A copious cavalcade of top notch talent and captivating cabaret await at The Rio Theatre Burlesque and Variety Show on Saturday December 20th! Local luminary April O’Peel has curated a show full of wonder sure to dazzle and delight our fun loving audience! Expect classic festive tunes, winter wonderland vibes, and performers who know how to warm up even the chilliest December night. Gorgeous, glamorous, and just the right amount of naughty. Gather your favorite people and let the holiday magic shimmy its way into your evening!

Saturday, December 20
Doors 8:00 pm | Show 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

General Admission $30 + s/c | $35 + s/c at the door
VIP tickets (Rows A-C, centre section) $40+ s/c
Squad Pass (Group of Four Tickets – online only) $100+ s/c

With Featured Performances By:

Gia Sangria | April O'Peel | Vita Devour | Lola Loops | Ruthe Ordare | Disco Squad
Heavy Duty Dance Collective| Fantastique | Mrs Claus and the Drunken Elves | Passion & Performance Sugar Plums

Hosted by Miss Kiss

The Muppets perform the classic Charles Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Other Muppets --Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and Sam the Eagle -- weave in and out of the story, while Scrooge receives visits from spirits of three Christmases -- past, present and future. They show him the error of his self-serving ways, but the miserable old man seems to be past any hope of redemption and happiness.

"There may be some people who can watch Kermit the Frog's nephew Robin give his heart-wrenching performance as Tiny Tim in The Muppet Christmas Carol without choking up. I am not among them." (The Guardian)

"Michael Caine is perfect and there are many genuine belly laughs." (Empire Magazine)

Sunday, December 21
Doors 10:45 am | Movie 11:15 am *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
All tickets $12

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (Brian Henson, 1992 / G / 85 mins) A retelling of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, miser extraordinaire. He is held accountable for his dastardly ways during night-time visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and future.

Our marquee is going full-tilt merry-merry with beloved Christmas classics this season, including one of the most requested holiday favourites we get this time of year, WHITE CHRISTMAS.

In beloved musical WHITE CHRISTMAS, icons Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye star as veteran singers Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, who join up with the sister act of Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (Vera-Ellen) to perform a Christmas show in rural Vermont. There, they run into the boys' former WW2 commander who, they learn, is having financial difficulties - his quaint country inn is failing. So what's the foursome to do but plan a yuletide miracle: a fun-filled musical extravaganza that's sure to put Waverly and his business in the black!

Sunday, December 2
Doors 1:00 pm | Movie 1:30 pm
All tickets $12!

WHITE CHRISTMAS (Michael Curtiz, 1954 / 120 mins / G) A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.

TOKYO GODFATHERS, the acclaimed holiday classic from master director Satoshi Kon (PAPRIKA, PERFECT BLUE), returns to theaters in a brand-new, 4K restoration.

In modern-day Tokyo, three homeless people’s lives are changed forever when they discover a baby girl at a garbage dump on Christmas Eve. As the New Year fast approaches, these three forgotten members of society band together to solve the mystery of the abandoned child and the fate of her parents. Along the way, encounters with seemingly unrelated events and people force them to confront their own haunted pasts, as they learn to face their future, together.

Co-written by Keiko Nobumoto (COWBOY BEBOP) and featuring a whimsical score by Keiichi Suzuki, TOKYO GODFATHERS is a masterpiece by turns heartfelt, hilarious and highly original, a tale of hope and redemption in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

"Takes anime to a whole new level." (Variety)

“A beautiful, hilarious movie and one that cemented Kon Satoshi as a visionary and narrative master.” (Nerdist)

Sunday, December 21
Doors 3:45 pm | Movie 4:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

TOKYO GODFATHERS "Tôkyô goddofâzâzu" (Satoshi Kon, 2003 / 92 mins / 14A / Japanese w/EST) Middle-aged alcoholic Gin, teenage runaway Miyuki and former drag queen Hana are a trio of homeless people surviving as a makeshift family on the streets of Tokyo. While rummaging in the trash for food on Christmas Eve, they stumble upon an abandoned newborn baby in a trash bin. With only a handful of clues to the baby's identity, the three misfits search the streets of Tokyo for help in returning the baby to its parents.

"What is it you want, Mary? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.”

Hot Dog! At this time of year, we get inundated with audience requests for the "holiday classic to define all holiday classics,"Frank Capra's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, and are continuing our tradition of giving it the big viewing it so richly deserves.

For movie-lovers around the world, this bittersweet yet optimistic sentimental comedy drama is as essential a holiday tradition as chestnuts roasting on an open fire. And we couldn't agree more! Beyond its own charming warmth, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE is one of the most influential fantasy films ever made and one of the most universally adored example of old-school Hollywood. Come on out to dance by the light of the moon and get put under the magic spell (again!) of this transcendent cinematic masterpiece - with the newly restored, big-screen viewing it so richly deserves.

Jimmy Stewart gives one of his all-time best performances as George Bailey, a good man with a big heart. Though George is the guiding force behind the modest local building and loan company he inherited from his own generous father, he is eternally in debt himself, and has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. George has always longed to travel beyond his idyllic small town and see the world, but he never has, lest the local rich despot Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore, in a role that provided the DNA for The Simpsons' Mr. Burns) take over - all that prevents him from doing so is George and his company. But on Christmas Eve 1946, George's Uncle Billy loses the business' entire $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. When Mr. Potter finds the misplaced money, he hides it. In a pivotal moment of sheer desperation, George wishes he was never born, at which point a bumbling angel named Clarence (he needs to get his wings!) is sent from beyond to show him what his life would look like - without him in it. Also starring Donna Reed and Henry Travers.

"IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE is about hunger. It's about greed. It's about the many ways a good man is stymied. Finally, it's about George Bailey, whose decency prevents him even from killing himself." (Salon)

"This is the all-time great, curl-up-on-the-sofa-with-a-cup-of-tea movie. Not only is it beautifully photographed, but it also contains enough emotional strength to hold your attention for all of its two-hour running time." (Total Film)

"IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE is a pretty wonderful movie." (TIME Magazine)

Sunday, December 21
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (Frank Capra, 1946 / 130 mins / G) After George Bailey wishes he had never been born, an angel is sent to earth to make George's wish come true. George starts to realize how many lives he has changed and impacted, and how they would be different if he was never there.

"I hate you, I hate this house, and I hate Christmas!"

In celebration of filmmaker and legendary raconteur John Waters' recent live performances at the Rio Theatre, we thought it was only fitting to filth up our seasonal programming with the second film in the "Pope of Trash's" so-called "Trash Trilogy," 1974's FEMALE TROUBLE, his singularly hilarious and campy counter-Christmas-culture cult-classic comedy.

Water's longtime muse Divine (Harris Glenn Milstead) stars as the unforgettable delinquent Dawn Davennport, an obese "holy terror" who goes ballistic and suffers a major meltdown that sets her off on a depraved, lifelong path of crime and chaos after her parents fail to supply her with the Christmas present highest on her list, a pair of coveted Cha-Cha heels (because they think they're "ugly" and for "bad girls"). A staple for any fan of the renowned auteur, FEMALE TROUBLE features Waters' singular wit as it celebrates rebellion and the grotesque over traditional (or as he might say, "nauseating") sentimentality while simultaneously satirizing notions of the "American family," consumerism, and beauty standards. Also starring Mink Stole, Edith Massey, David Lochary, and Mary Vivian Pearce.

"The resulting feast of sex, violence, cruelty, and frivolity mocks sentimental notions of family, work, and love, and turns the egomaniacal furies of pop culture inside out." (The New Yorker)

"One of John Waters' best and most notorious movies." (Dallas Morning News)

Sunday, December 21
Doors 9:00 pm | Movie 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

FEMALE TROUBLE (John Waters, 1974 / 98 mins / R) A spoiled schoolgirl runs away from home, gets pregnant while hitch-hiking, and ends up as a fashion model for a pair of beauticians who like to photograph women committing crimes.

FortNine attempts to break the circumnavigation world record with award-winning filmmaker Edwin El Bainou riding pillion. It's a dangerously silly race across thousands of kilometres per day, with the polished and authentic eye that only a ride-along cinematographer can capture. Part documentary and part dark comedy, this is motorcycling as FortNine has never experienced before. In less than 19 days, the trio must ride from Anchorage to Miami, Lisbon to Istanbul, Mumbai to Kolkata, Bangkok to Singapore and Perth to Sydney. Their time is inclusive of all flights, border delays and sleep (what few minutes of it there is). Ducati supplied Multistrada V4 Rally motorcycles in each continent for this expedition, and the rest is just gas, swass and the hourglass. Yalla Habibi!

Filmmakers in attendance for post-show Q&A.

Monday December 22
Doors 5:30 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

YALLA HABIBI! "Let's go brother!" (FortNine, 2025 / NR / 90 mins) FortNine attempts to break the circumnavigation record by motorcycling around the world in less than 19 days.

FortNine attempts to break the circumnavigation world record with award-winning filmmaker Edwin El Bainou riding pillion. It's a dangerously silly race across thousands of kilometres per day, with the polished and authentic eye that only a ride-along cinematographer can capture. Part documentary and part dark comedy, this is motorcycling as FortNine has never experienced before. In less than 19 days, the trio must ride from Anchorage to Miami, Lisbon to Istanbul, Mumbai to Kolkata, Bangkok to Singapore and Perth to Sydney. Their time is inclusive of all flights, border delays and sleep (what few minutes of it there is). Ducati supplied Multistrada V4 Rally motorcycles in each continent for this expedition, and the rest is just gas, swass and the hourglass. Yalla Habibi!

Filmmakers in attendance for post-show Q&A.

Monday December 22
Doors 9:00 pm | Movie 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

YALLA HABIBI! "Let's go brother!" (FortNine, 2025 / NR / 90 mins) FortNine attempts to break the circumnavigation record by motorcycling around the world in less than 19 days.

HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS is a one of a kind indie gem! A charming mix of live action and computer animation (think Buster Keaton meets Bugs Bunny and the Road Runner), this wildly unusual slapstick epic follows a frostbitten battle between Jean Kayak and diabolical beavers - hundreds of them - who stand between him and survival. Since its initial release in 2023, HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS played in over 50 festivals worldwide and has since emerged as a bona fide arthouse cult hit. A weirdly hilarious supernatural winter epic set in the 19th century about a drunken applejack salesman who must go from zero to hero to become North America's greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers...? Yes, please!

"An unexpected visionary work that will rip you a new perspective on classic cinematic art... Exciting in ways you can not imagine, and must be see to be believed." (Film Threat)

"This is dam good stuff." (Film School Rejects)

"If you have even the slightest love for slapstick comedy and goofball antics, then this will undoubtedly be the most gut-busting time you have at the movies this year. ... 'Hundreds of Beavers' is very good. See it with friends." (ScreenAnarchy)

Tuesday, December 23
Doors 9:00 pm | Movie 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS (Mark Cheslik, 2023 / 108 mins / 18A) A 19th century, winter action-comedy, a drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become North America's greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers.

"What is it you want, Mary? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.”

Hot Dog! At this time of year, we get inundated with audience requests for the "holiday classic to define all holiday classics,"Frank Capra's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, and are continuing our tradition of giving it the big viewing it so richly deserves.

For movie-lovers around the world, this bittersweet yet optimistic sentimental comedy drama is as essential a holiday tradition as chestnuts roasting on an open fire. And we couldn't agree more! Beyond its own charming warmth, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE is one of the most influential fantasy films ever made and one of the most universally adored example of old-school Hollywood. Come on out to dance by the light of the moon and get put under the magic spell (again!) of this transcendent cinematic masterpiece - with the newly restored, big-screen viewing it so richly deserves.

Jimmy Stewart gives one of his all-time best performances as George Bailey, a good man with a big heart. Though George is the guiding force behind the modest local building and loan company he inherited from his own generous father, he is eternally in debt himself, and has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. George has always longed to travel beyond his idyllic small town and see the world, but he never has, lest the local rich despot Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore, in a role that provided the DNA for The Simpsons' Mr. Burns) take over - all that prevents him from doing so is George and his company. But on Christmas Eve 1946, George's Uncle Billy loses the business' entire $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. When Mr. Potter finds the misplaced money, he hides it. In a pivotal moment of sheer desperation, George wishes he was never born, at which point a bumbling angel named Clarence (he needs to get his wings!) is sent from beyond to show him what his life would look like - without him in it. Also starring Donna Reed and Henry Travers.

"IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE is about hunger. It's about greed. It's about the many ways a good man is stymied. Finally, it's about George Bailey, whose decency prevents him even from killing himself." (Salon)

"This is the all-time great, curl-up-on-the-sofa-with-a-cup-of-tea movie. Not only is it beautifully photographed, but it also contains enough emotional strength to hold your attention for all of its two-hour running time." (Total Film)

"IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE is a pretty wonderful movie." (TIME Magazine)

Wednesday, December 24
Doors 5:00 pm | Movie 5:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (Frank Capra, 1946 / 130 mins / G) After George Bailey wishes he had never been born, an angel is sent to earth to make George's wish come true. George starts to realize how many lives he has changed and impacted, and how they would be different if he was never there.

Join us at the Rio Theatre for the final Friday Late Night Movie selection of 2025, John Carpenter's seminal work of winter-y body horror, THE THING.

This 1982 remake of Howard Hawke's 1951 classic is a bleak, tense and frightening sci-fi thriller that delivers some truly memorable practical and makeup effects, in addition to Kurt Russell's pitch-perfect performance. THE THING is an ice-cold white-knuckle chiller about about scientists in the Antarctic who are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills.

"THE THING is a peerless masterpiece of relentless suspense, retina-wrecking visual excess and outright, nihilistic terror." (Empire Magazine)

"THE THING is one of [Carpenter's] greatest moments, creating a terrifying atmosphere of claustrophobia, suspense and paranoia. And Kurt Russell is as good as he's ever been, wearing one of the best beards in movie history." (Total Film)

Friday, December 26
Doors 10:30 | Movie 11:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Late Night Date Night! Bring your favourite friend or bestive and get two-for-one entry!

THE THING (John Carpenter, 1982 / 109 mins / PG) It’s the first week of winter in 1982. An American research base is greeted by an alien force, that can assimilate anything it touches. It’s up to the members to stay alive, and be sure of who is human, and who has become one of the Things.

Кожна мрія має збутися!

Намагаючись з’ясувати, хто тепер опікується зимовими святами в Україні, три легендарні чарівники — Святий Миколай, Санта Клаус і прадавній Дух Зими — сперечаються і наввипередки здійснюють бажання маленької Віри. Але Віра хоче, щоб Різдва взагалі не існувало! Свято, з усіма його атрибутами, зникає з міста і з пам’яті людей. Замість колядок і різдвяного настрою місто поглинає сум. Чарівники перетворюються на звичайних людей і обʼєднуються, щоб урятувати світ від спричиненого зникненням Різдва Армагеддону і повернути дівчинці віру в чудеса й надію на світле майбутнє.

ФІЛЬМ УКРАЇНСЬКОЮ МОВОЮ З АНГЛІЙСЬКИМИ СУБТИТРАМИ.

Субота, 27 грудня
Двері відчиняються о 12:00  | Початок фільму о 13:00 *Час початку може змінюватися. Будь ласка, приходьте вчасно.

Загальний вхід $25 + додаткові квитки

У вартість квитка також входить БЕЗКОШТОВНИЙ маленький попкорн!

Традиційно всі кошти, зібрані з показів наших різдвяних фільмів, Ukraine Harmony Foundation та Film Hive Entertainment спрямовуються на різдвяні подарунки для дітей, які втратили батьків через війну в Україні — традиція, яку ми з гордістю підтримуємо вже три роки.

---

Every dream must come true!

Trying to figure out who is now in charge of winter holidays in Ukraine, three legendary magical figures-Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus, and the ancient Winter Spirit - argue and compete to fulfill little Vira's wish. But Vira wants Christmas to stop existing ever. The holiday, with all its traditions, disappears from the city and people's memories. Instead of carols and Christmas cheer, sadness takes over the city. The magic-makers transform into ordinary people and unite to save the world from the impending Armageddon caused by the disappearance of Christmas and to restore the girl's faith in miracles and hope for a bright future.

THE FILM IS IN UKRAINIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES.

Saturday, December 27
Doors 12:00 noon | Film 1:00 PM *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

General Admission $25 + s/c

Ticket price also includes a FREE small popcorn!

Traditionally, all funds collected from our Christmas film screenings by Ukraine Harmony Foundation and Film Hive Entertainment go toward Christmas gifts for children who have lost their parents due to the war in Ukraine — a tradition we have proudly upheld for three years.

Join us at the Rio Theatre on Saturday, December 27 for a live music event with #EastVan icons Petunia & The Vipers featuring special guest Spank Williams.

Louis Armstrong was once asked what his favorite kind of music was, and his response was simple; “Good music." Petunia & The Vipers’ sound may not sit comfortably in one certain genre, but “Good Music” describes it well.

Hank Williams on acid…
Tom Waits meets Elvis at Woody Guthrie’s Hobo junction…
Avant-Country night club scene music… One of the best bands in the world today, of any kind…
Hillbilly-flavoured-swing inflected-ragtime-goodtime-thunderously rolling-one-of-a-kind-you-don’t-want-to-miss-this-sort-of-a-show…
A new music that springboards off of music of the past and jumps into the present day, left with only echoes of the past…
Something in between 1920’s and steam punk.

These are just a few of the words uttered by folks around the globe trying to pin down a description of all that is Petunia & The Vipers.

Saturday, December 27
Doors 8:15 pm | Show 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Early Bird Tickets $20+ s/c Until December 7!
Tickets $25+ s/c | $30+ s/c at the door

New Years Eve at The Rio! All Star Variety Show and Dance Party including live music, comedy, burlesque, circus and don’t forget the poetry all hosted by queer cabaret comedian and award winning host, Dandy! Featuring an All Star cast of East Van Talent! The dance floor is open to shake a tail feather with live music from: Shirley Gnome, Hank Pine, Jack Garton, Kitty & The Rooster and The ReViberators.  Laugh your @ss off to the comedic stylings of Graham Clark and Charlie Demers. Let legendary burlesque mavens April O'Peel, Melody Mangler and Clare Voyeur tease and tantalize you. Plus a special performance by circus sensation Yuki The Juggler and poets Duncan Shields and Fernando Raguero!

The party doesn't stop at midnight, the dance floor and bar are open till 1:00 am with LIVE music from our featured vocalists and musicians!

Dress to express! East Van Formal!

Wednesday, December 31
Doors: 8:00 pm | Party Starts 9:00 pm *Please arrive on time. Start time subject to change.

Save $10 with Early Bird tickets available till midnight December 5!

Seating is Assigned on the main floor and General Admission in the balcony.
Early Bird - $40 + s/c
Regular Admission - $50 + s/c

Quentin Tarantino's KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR unites Volume 1 and Volume 2 into a single, unrated epic--presented exactly as he intended, complete with a new, never-before-seen anime sequence. Uma Thurman stars as The Bride, left for dead after her former boss and lover Bill ambushes her wedding rehearsal, shooting her in the head and stealing her unborn child. To exact her vengeance, she must first hunt down the four remaining members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad before confronting Bill himself. With its operatic scope, relentless action, and iconic style, KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR stands as one of cinema's definitive revenge sagas--rarely shown in its complete form and now presented with a classic intermission. With Vivica A. Fox, Daryl Hannah, Lucy Liu, Michael Madsen, David Carradine, Shin'ichi Chiba, Chia-Hui Liu, and Julie Dreyfus.

"If it’s an extravagant demand of time it’s an even more extravagant pleasure, the rare film worth a trip out to the cinema for full immersion." (Wall Street Journal)

"This is a tremendous visceral experience, with radiant colors, slate-somber black-and-white, and geysers of crimson blood." (RogerEbert.com)

"With 'Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair', [Tarantino] finally gets to complete his own work of cinematic archeology, and what he exhumes springs to life like the first time it was projected. Viva Kill Bill!" (Austin Chronicle)

"In so many ways, The Whole Bloody Affair is the movie-est movie to ever be movie’d, with Tarantino generously trepanning his skull wide open in order to provide everyone a direct portal inside his cinema-addled brain." (Globe and Mail)

Thursday, January 1
Doors 3:45 pm | Movie 4:20 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Tickets on sale soon

KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR (Quentin Tarantino, 2006 / 275 mins / 18A) The Bride must kill her ex-boss and lover Bill who betrayed her at her wedding rehearsal, shot her in the head and took away her unborn daughter. But first, she must make the other four members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad suffer.

“That’s just, like, your opinion, man.”

In 1998, the Coen brothers delivered THE BIG LEBOWSKI into the movie universe, and we've all been collectively quoting it ever since.

THE BIG LEBOWSKI has really grown into its status as a true "cult classic." A quirky, quasi-neo-noir story, truly glorious visual sequences, some hilarious dialogue and standout performances from an A-list cast really tie the whole thing together, man. Jeff Bridges abides as unemployed stoner Jeff Lebowski (aka, "The Dude"), a laid-back, easygoing burnout who just happens to have the same name as a millionaire whose wife Bunny owes a lot of dangerous people (nihilists?) a whole bunch of money. When some bad guys break into The Dude's house and pee on his rug, he seeks out the other Lebowski, which sends him spiraling into a weird trip through Los Angeles' even weirder underworld. Also starring John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, Philip Seymour Hoffman, David Huddleston, John Turturro, Tara Reid, and Flea.

This fan favourite is best enjoyed chillin' with friends (maybe in your pajamas, an old bathrobe, or a comfy Cowichan sweater - your call, we can abide with however you roll) and maybe an adult beverage (perhaps a delicious White Russian or two - you deserve it! And yes, they will be on special at the bar!)

"A typical Coen brothers film is like no film you've ever seen." (The Globe & Mail)

Thursday, January 1
Doors 9:00 pm | Movie 9:30 pm *Please arrive on time. Start time subject to change.

THE BIG LEBOWSKI (Joel and Ethan Coen, 1998 / 117 minutes / 14A) | Jeff `The Dude' Leboswki is mistaken for Jeffrey Lebowski, who is The Big Lebowski. Which explains why he's roughed up and has his precious rug peed on. In search of recompense, The Dude tracks down his namesake, who offers him a job. His wife has been kidnapped and he needs a reliable bagman. Aided and hindered by his pals Walter Sobchak, a Vietnam vet, and Donny, master of stupidity.

Quentin Tarantino's KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR unites Volume 1 and Volume 2 into a single, unrated epic--presented exactly as he intended, complete with a new, never-before-seen anime sequence. Uma Thurman stars as The Bride, left for dead after her former boss and lover Bill ambushes her wedding rehearsal, shooting her in the head and stealing her unborn child. To exact her vengeance, she must first hunt down the four remaining members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad before confronting Bill himself. With its operatic scope, relentless action, and iconic style, KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR stands as one of cinema's definitive revenge sagas--rarely shown in its complete form and now presented with a classic intermission. With Vivica A. Fox, Daryl Hannah, Lucy Liu, Michael Madsen, David Carradine, Shin'ichi Chiba, Chia-Hui Liu, and Julie Dreyfus.

"If it’s an extravagant demand of time it’s an even more extravagant pleasure, the rare film worth a trip out to the cinema for full immersion." (Wall Street Journal)

"This is a tremendous visceral experience, with radiant colors, slate-somber black-and-white, and geysers of crimson blood." (RogerEbert.com)

"With 'Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair', [Tarantino] finally gets to complete his own work of cinematic archeology, and what he exhumes springs to life like the first time it was projected. Viva Kill Bill!" (Austin Chronicle)

"In so many ways, The Whole Bloody Affair is the movie-est movie to ever be movie’d, with Tarantino generously trepanning his skull wide open in order to provide everyone a direct portal inside his cinema-addled brain." (Globe and Mail)

Friday, January 2
Doors 5:30 pm | Movie 6:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
This film includes a brief intermission.

KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR (Quentin Tarantino, 2006 / 275 mins / 18A) The Bride must kill her ex-boss and lover Bill who betrayed her at her wedding rehearsal, shot her in the head and took away her unborn daughter. But first, she must make the other four members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad suffer.

Guess who's back to keep Vancouver laughing in 2026... The East Van Laugh RioT is pleased to welcome the winter season return of comedian Sammy Obeid - with all-new material! We just can't keep him off our stage!

Tuesday, February 10
Doors 5:30 pm | Show 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Adult Balcony (General Admission) $39 + s/c Early Bird $30 Until December 21!
Adult Main Floor (Assigned Seating) $48+ s/c Early Bird $40 Until December 21!
VIP Meet n' Greet (Rows 2-6, centre section) $65+ s/c
VVIP Meet n' Greet (Front Row, centre section) $75+ s/c
Group Ticket Pricing (Minimum 4) $43 (ea)+ s/c (online only)

Lebanese-Palestinian American and born in Oakland California, Sammy Obeid double-majored in Business and Mathematics at UC Berkeley and then turned down a job at Google to be a comedian.

Now the host of 100 Humans on Netflix, he’s also appeared on NBC's Last Comic Standing and America's Got Talent, as well as TBS’s Conan, and is best known for his world record of performing comedy 1,001 nights in a row, a story featured in both Time Magazine and The New York Times.

Connect on Instagram @sammyobeid
Connect on Facebook
Connect on TikTok @sammyobeidthem
Connect on X @sammyobeid

Join us at the Rio Theatre on Friday, March 20 for the second annual H Cupcake Productions Foundation's THE COSPLAY SWIMSUIT CONTEST, a charity variety show mixing comedy and sex appeal - for a good cause!

H Cupcake Productions was founded with the goals of bringing laughter and smiles to adults, while supporting the needs of children. While the world hasn't been the kindest place these past few years, the organization's mission is event-driven, with the goal of bringing as much joy as possible to as many people as possible. The group has been the main event for adult entertainment at Anime Revolution since 2012, with an average current attendance of 3,400 people.

We have a fabulous lineup of performers to excite and entertain you! Many of your favorites from our annual show at Anime Revolution will be joining us: Cookie._.Rush, JMRohCreations, Vancity_Ranger, Gothish.Rain, Milkiway.Cosplay, BadSheepCosplay, Brystak, Kamistry, Gavin, Sharkiekitty, Angora.Phobia and Im.JuneMonsoon.

Friday, March 20
Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Adult Entry $15+ s/c (Until August 11) | $20+ s/c
VIP (Rows A-C) $30+ s/c (Until August 11) | $40+ s/c

This Cosplay Swimsuit Contest will benefit BC Children's Hospital, with proceeds going towards purchasing a soft stuffed animal for a child in need at BC Children's. (When else are you going to get to see Burlesque, Singing, Dancing, Feats of Athletics and get to feel good about funding a charity!)

Come view our past events at our website at: www.hcupcakeproductions.org

Rogue Folk Club presents
Dervish

Music from the West of Ireland with passionate vocals and dazzling instrumentals.

Dervish have been bringing Irish traditional music to the world for more than 30 years, and received the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Lifetime Achievement Award. Described by the BBC as “an icon of Irish music”, the band have played festivals from Rock in Rio to Glastonbury, toured with the Irish President and struck up tunes on the Great Wall of China.

Dervish’s lineup features some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians. Fronted by one of the country’s best-known singers, Cathy Jordan, joined by some of Ireland’s finest trad musicians - Shane Mitchell (accordion), Liam Kelly (flute/whistle), Brian McDonagh (mandola/mandolin), Michael Holmes (bouzouki) and Tom Morro (fiddle).

Exceptional musicianship, breath-taking vocals, vibrant sets of tunes and instantly compelling songs all come together to make Dervish as complete a band as are to be found anywhere in the tradition.

Sunday, April 26
Doors 6:30 pm | Show 7:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Early Bird Tickets $42+ s/c (Until January 1 )
Tickets $47+ s/c | $52+ s/c at the door

Tickets on sale November 28 10:00 am

This Rio Theatre gift certificate is good for entry to any single regular screening and includes two medium drinks, and one large popcorn. If you prefer a physical card, this gift certificate is also available for purchase from our conession stand during open business hours.

This Rio Theatre gift certificate is good for entry to any single regular screening and includes one medium popcorn, one medium fountain beverage, and one small candy. If you prefer a physical card, this gift certificate is also available for purchase from our conession stand during open business hours.