Basel Adra, a young Palestinian activist from Masafer Yatta, has been fighting his community's mass expulsion by the Israeli occupation since childhood. Basel documents the gradual erasure of Masafer Yatta, as soldiers destroy the homes of families -the largest single act of forced transfer ever carried out in the occupied West Bank. He crosses paths with Yuval, an Israeli journalist who joins his struggle, and for over half adecade they fight against the expulsion while growing closer. Their complex bond is haunted by the extreme inequality between them: Basel, living under a brutal military occupation, and Yuval, unrestricted and free. This film, by a Palestinian-Israeli collective of four young activists, was c0- created during the darkest, most terrifying times in the region, as an act of creative resistance and a search for a path towards equality and justice.

NO OTHER LAND is currently nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Documentary category.

"A vital and wrenching documentary." (indieWire)

"What goes unsaid in this movie is sometimes even more powerful than what is spoken.” (Vulture)

"Along with the documentation of material destruction and displacement, the movie is a record of psychological warfare, of the effort to demolish morale, suppress energy, break will. This, as much as the physical violence that it documents, gives the movie immense moral authority.” (The New Yorker)

"If anything can be described as essential viewing, it’s this stark and unflinching account of life on the ground in a contested region of the West Bank." (Observer)

Friday, February 28
Doors 3:00 pm | Movie 3:20 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

NO OTHER LAND (Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, 2025 / 95 mins / NR) For half a decade, Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist, films his community of Masafer Yatta being destroyed by Israel’s occupation, as he builds an unlikely alliance with a journalist from the other side who joins his fight.

"We dare you to say his name five times."

Researching urban folklore, a University of Chicago student snoops around the housing projects of Cabrini Green to find more about the legend of the "Candyman," who supposedly appears (whenever one looks into the mirror and repeats his name five times) to slash his victims with a metal hook. Only after she witnesses the atrocities herself, does she believe he exists. To her horror, he wants her to join him in his afterlife dimension. This unsettling feature is based on a short story by Clive Barker. Starring Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Kasi Lemmons, Xander Berkeley, Michael Culkin.

"The film's spooky atmosphere is accentuated by Anthony B. Richmond's cinematography and Philip Glass's score." (New York Times)

"CANDYMAN is an uppper-register horror item that delivers the requisite shocks and gore but doesn't cheat or cop out." (Variety)

"What I liked was a horror movie that was scaring me with ideas and gore, instead of simply with gore." (Roger Ebert)

Friday, February 28
Doors 10:30 pm | Movie 11:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

CANDYMAN (Bernard Rose, 1992 / 99 mins / 18A) The Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster's myth.

CONCLAVE follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events -- selecting the new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes, in a Golden Globe and Oscar-nominated performance) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence uncovers a trail of deep secrets left in the dead Pope’s wake, secrets which could shake the foundations of the Church. With Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, John Lithgow.

CONCLAVE is one of the most acclaimed films of the year and is currently nominated for 12 BAFTA awards and 8 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Isabella Rossellini), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Production Design.

"It all unfolds with such precision: an unlikely potboiler that Berger presents not only thoughtfully, but viciously and deliciously." (Empire Magazine)

"'Conclave' is a papal thriller based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris and it stars a magnificent Ralph Fiennes. If he doesn’t win an Oscar I’ll eat my hat and also yours. Luckily, the film is also well written, smart, taut and visually stunning. " (The Spectator)

"It’s all competently performed and executed, with loud booms of sound cued to each scene change as an attempt to ramp up the tension, and lots of behind-the-head tracking shots of cardinals anxiously pacing through corridors and stairways." (Little White Lies)

"A major awards contender, this is a deftly executed and gripping tale of secrets, lies and human ambition. Fiennes is magnetic, while the supporting cast conspire to wrap this tale of faith, power and morality in sumptuous dramatic cloth." (HeyUGuys)

Saturday, March 1
Doors 12:00 pm | Movie 12:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

CONCLAVE (Edward Berger, 2024 / 120 mins / PG ) When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.

Legendary British filmmaker Mike Leigh returns to the contemporary world with a fierce, compassionate, and often darkly humorous study of family and the thorny ties that bind us. Reunited with Leigh for the first time since her Oscar-nominated turn in Leigh's 1996 film SECRET AND LIES, the astonishing Marianne Jean-Baptiste plays Pansy, a woman wracked by fear, tormented by afflictions, and prone to raging tirades against her husband, son, and anyone who looks her way. Meanwhile, her easygoing younger sister, played by Michele Austin (ANOTHER YEAR), is a single mother with a life as different from Pansy’s as their clashing temperaments - brimming with communal warmth from her salon clients and daughters alike.

This expansive film from a master dramatist takes us into the intensities of kinship, duty, and the most enduring of human mysteries: that even through lifetimes of hurt and hardship, we still find ways to love those we call family.

"A gruelling but ultimately rewarding experience, this is Leigh at his most confrontational, devastating and humane, aided by the unadulterated power of Jean-Baptiste’s career-redefining performance." (Empire Magazine)

"Jean-Baptiste will rightly take all the plaudits, but it’s a reminder of the careful work Mike Leigh does. For all the naturalism, Leigh is a stylist as much as Pedro Almodovar is, just one more interested in capturing scared humans than plot." (London Evening Standard)

"'Hard Truths' is a film for a world that has only gotten angrier, yet its prolific central collaboration cleverly suggests that enduring mutual respect is a force powerful enough to combat such profound rage." (Salon.com)

Saturday, March 1
Doors 2:50 pm | Movie 3:20 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

HARD TRUTHS (Mike Leigh, 2024 / 97 mins / PG) Ongoing exploration of the contemporary world with a tragicomic study of human strengths and weaknesses.

Like so many movie-lovers around the world, we were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of filmmaker David Lynch, whose contribution to arts and culture is immeasurable. His monumentally beloved catalogue is its own impressive, cinematic legacy rich with old friends and oddball characters who make regular visits upon our silver screen. In the wake of his passing, there is no better way for us to pay tribute to his enigmatic career than by raising a glass, dimming the lights, and firing up the projector in his honour with a selection of some of his best loved works on the big screen, as he undoubtedly intended.

“I guess I started smoking when I was about… four. My momma was already dead then from lung cancer.”

David Lynch‘s iconic WILD AT HEART features one of our favourite onscreen cinematic couples, notably our man Nicolas Cage (in fine form; sporting an iconic, snakeskin jacket that represents a symbol of individuality, and a belief in personal freedom) and Laura Dern as young lovers Sailor and Lula, forced to go on the run from the variety of weirdos that Lula’s mom has hired to kill Sailor. Also starring Diane Ladd (Dern’s mother!), Willem Dafoe, Crispin Glover, Harry Dean Stanton, Sherilyn Fenn and Isabella Rossellini.

“Joltingly violent, wickedly funny and rivetingly erotic.” (Variety)

“Lynch’s kinky fairy tale is a triumph of startling images and comic invention.” (Rolling Stone)

Saturday, March 1
Doors 10:20 pm | Movie 10:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

WILD AT HEART (David Lynch, 1990 / 124 mins / 18A) Lovers on the run from an angry mother, a private detective and a hit man, encounter a plethora of grotesques and stop for plenty of explicit sex.

Shot entirely in secret, Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof’s award-winning thriller, THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG, centers on a family thrust into the public eye when Iman is appointed as an investigating judge in Tehran. As political unrest erupts in the streets, Iman realizes that his job is even more dangerous than expected, making him increasingly paranoid and distrustful, even of his own wife Najmeh and daughters Sana and Rezvan.

In the wake of the announcement that THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG was selected for competition at Cannes, Rasoulef received an eight-year prison sentence (which included whipping, as his revolutionary art is perceived to "represent crimes against the country’s security"). He fled Iran, where the film was made, and has since re-settled in Germany.

Nominated for numerous awards (and nabbing a Golden Globe nomination for Best International Film) and taking home trophies from fests around the world (including a coveted Special Jury Prize at Cannes), Rasoulef's extraordinarily subversive psychological thriller is Germany's official entry to the 2025 Academy Awards, and is currently shortlisted for Best International Feature Film.

"A blistering, propulsive thriller." (New Yorker)

"Mohammad Rasoulof’s sorrowful new film, 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig', a powerful tale of conscience and conflict made while he was evading Iran’s oppressive theocracy, is shot through with potent metaphors." (Toronto Star)

"Through a single family, Mr. Rasoulof has created a vivid portrait of the dilemmas of today’s Iran, where the power of iman, or faith, suggests one kind of observation but the power of the iPhone suggests another." (Wall Street Journal)

"'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' is a political thriller, a horror movie, and an ode to that unrepentance. The boldness of Iranian girls and women is its inspiration and its essence." (Vulture)

"Rasoulof’s film damns Iran for its fanatical, corrupting, chauvinistic tyranny, all while generating breakneck suspense and, ultimately, resolving its tale with a disaster that contains within it a measure of hopefulness." (The Daily Beast)

Sunday, March 2
Doors 11:30 am | Movie 12:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG "Dâne-ye anjîr-e ma'âbed" (Mohammad Rasoulef, 2025 / 167 mins / 14A / Farsi with English subtitles) A paranoid father imposes strict measures on his wife and daughters, which leads to intense verbal altercations and the man holding the women captive at gunpoint.

The Rio Theatre's annual Oscar party returns, featuring the live televised broadcast of the 97th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2. Hosted by Conan O'Brien!

Get ready for the best buttery popcorn Vancouver has to offer, in-house trivia, our own Oscar contest, as well as prizes for Best Dressed, Best Acceptance Speech, and more! Come in your very finest attire (or maybe just recycle that bridesmaid's dress in the back of your closet...) for a chance to prance our red carpet and win a prize for your efforts. You bettah work!

As always, this is one seriously hot ticket... It sells out in advance every year! We strongly recommend making plans and buying tickets early in order to ensure entry, and avoid disappointment. All guests are encouraged to come early to ensure time to locate seats, get drinks and snacks at concession, and not miss any of the show's shenanigans!

The 97th Annual Academy Awards
Sunday, March 2 - 50% Sold Out!
Doors & Red Carpet Coverage Begins at 3:00 pm
Ceremony 4:00 pm

Balcony Tickets (General Admission) $20 | $25 at the door
Main Floor (Assigned Seating) $20 | $25 at the door

Filmmaker Sean Baker's Palme d'Or winner ANORA is an audacious, thrilling, and comedic variation on a modern day Cinderella story. Mikey Madison (ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, FX's "Better Things") captivates in a star-making turn as Ani, a young sex worker from Brooklyn whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets and impulsively marries Vanya, the impetuous son of a Russian billionaire. However, when Vanya's parents catch wind of the union, they send their henchmen to annul the marriage, setting off a wild chase through the streets of New York.

ANORA is one of the most acclaimed films of 2024, and is currently up for six Oscars including Best Picture, Best Editing, Original Screenplay, Director (Sean Baker - who did triple duty writing, directing, and editing!), Actress (Mike Madison), and Best Supporting Actor (Yuri Borisov).

"At once a frenzied fairy tale and a tender-hearted character study, 'Anora' is an intoxicating pairing of director and star. [Director] Sean Baker’s unique, humanistic approach to filmmaking is as riveting and rewarding as ever." (Empire Magazine)

"I know you won’t believe it’s as good as everyone is saying it is until you hear it from me so here you are: yes, it’s as good as everyone is saying it is." (The Spectator)

"At its core it’s a romantic dramedy that’s gotten a lot of comparisons to Pretty Woman, though it seems even more spiritually akin to Federico Fellini’s Nights of Cabiria." (NPR)

"Sometimes a movie actually earns the old cliché of a “star-making turn,” and I’m here to say that Sean Baker’s 'Anora' is this year’s star maker." (New York Times)

Sunday, March 2
Doors 8:30 pm | Movie 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

ANORA (Sean Baker, 2023 / 139 mins / 18A) A young escort from Brooklyn meets and impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairy tale is threatened as his parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled.

Based on Bill Bennett´s best selling Camino memoir of the same title, THE WAY, MY WAY is a movie about a man walking the 800km Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain, searching for meaning – not realizing it was right in front of him, one step at a time.

Mr. Bennett and his production team are coming to Vancouver all the way from Sydney, Australia to share this movie with us. There will be a Q&A session after the movie.

Filmmakers Bill Bennett and Jennifer Cluff are one of Australia’s most experienced and respected producing teams, having made 17 feature films and numerous documentaries over a forty year period. Bill has received Australian Film Institute Awards for Best Film and Best Director, he’s had two films in Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival, four films in Toronto, and had three major international retrospectives.

Bill first walked the Camino de Santiago in 2013, then wrote a book about his experiences - The Way, My Way - which became a best seller. He’s since walked four more Caminos.

Jennifer Cluff is not only a producer but an actress, having starred in the classic ABC series Seven Little Australians. She’s since worked in theatre, television and film. She’s also a dramaturge and script editor, working on screenplays and novels for major publishing houses. She´s walked four Caminos.

Monday, March 3
Doors 2:00 pm | Movie 2:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

You can learn more about the movie and view the trailer at https://thewaymywaymovie.com/

THE WAY, MY WAY (Bill Bennett, 2024 / 98 mins / NR) Based on Bill Bennett´s best selling Camino memoir of the same title, "The Way, My Way" is a movie about a man walking the 800km Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain, searching for meaning – not realizing it was right in front of him, one step at a time.

CONCLAVE follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events -- selecting the new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes, in a Golden Globe and Oscar-nominated performance) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence uncovers a trail of deep secrets left in the dead Pope’s wake, secrets which could shake the foundations of the Church. With Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, John Lithgow.

CONCLAVE is one of the most acclaimed films of the year and is currently nominated for 12 BAFTA awards and 8 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Isabella Rossellini), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Production Design.

"It all unfolds with such precision: an unlikely potboiler that Berger presents not only thoughtfully, but viciously and deliciously." (Empire Magazine)

"'Conclave' is a papal thriller based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris and it stars a magnificent Ralph Fiennes. If he doesn’t win an Oscar I’ll eat my hat and also yours. Luckily, the film is also well written, smart, taut and visually stunning. " (The Spectator)

"It’s all competently performed and executed, with loud booms of sound cued to each scene change as an attempt to ramp up the tension, and lots of behind-the-head tracking shots of cardinals anxiously pacing through corridors and stairways." (Little White Lies)

"A major awards contender, this is a deftly executed and gripping tale of secrets, lies and human ambition. Fiennes is magnetic, while the supporting cast conspire to wrap this tale of faith, power and morality in sumptuous dramatic cloth." (HeyUGuys)

Tuesday, March 4
Doors 5:30 pm | Movie 6:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

CONCLAVE (Edward Berger, 2024 / 120 mins / PG ) When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.

Filmmaker Sean Baker's Palme d'Or winner ANORA is an audacious, thrilling, and comedic variation on a modern day Cinderella story. Mikey Madison (ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, FX's "Better Things") captivates in a star-making turn as Ani, a young sex worker from Brooklyn whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets and impulsively marries Vanya, the impetuous son of a Russian billionaire. However, when Vanya's parents catch wind of the union, they send their henchmen to annul the marriage, setting off a wild chase through the streets of New York.

ANORA is one of the most acclaimed films of 2024, and is currently up for six Oscars including Best Picture, Best Editing, Original Screenplay, Director (Sean Baker - who did triple duty writing, directing, and editing!), Actress (Mike Madison), and Best Supporting Actor (Yuri Borisov).

"At once a frenzied fairy tale and a tender-hearted character study, 'Anora' is an intoxicating pairing of director and star. [Director] Sean Baker’s unique, humanistic approach to filmmaking is as riveting and rewarding as ever." (Empire Magazine)

"I know you won’t believe it’s as good as everyone is saying it is until you hear it from me so here you are: yes, it’s as good as everyone is saying it is." (The Spectator)

"At its core it’s a romantic dramedy that’s gotten a lot of comparisons to Pretty Woman, though it seems even more spiritually akin to Federico Fellini’s Nights of Cabiria." (NPR)

"Sometimes a movie actually earns the old cliché of a “star-making turn,” and I’m here to say that Sean Baker’s 'Anora' is this year’s star maker." (New York Times)

Tuesday, March 4
Doors 8:15 pm | Movie 8:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

ANORA (Sean Baker, 2023 / 139 mins / 18A) A young escort from Brooklyn meets and impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairy tale is threatened as his parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled.

The live, smash hit epic comedy THE CRITICAL HIT SHOW returns to the Rio Theatre's stage on Thursday, March 6 to celebrate 13 years of dork filled humour!

Prepare yourself for a generous dose of laughter and snorting out loud, 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 saga 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.

Thursday, March 6
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

Visionary filmmaker Robert Eggers (THE VVITCH, THE LIGHTHOUSE, THE NORTHMAN) latest cinematic vision is a lifelong passion project borne from a stage play production he co-directed in high school based off of F.W. Murnau's iconic 1922 silent film "Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror." The experience left a deep impression, and sparked his love of the horror genre. In 2024, he came full circle with the hyper-stylized visual stunner NOSFERATU, which elevates the classic story through its refined, narrative depth, incredible production value, and its fantastic ensemble.

Set in the 1830s, estate agent Thomas Hutter travels to Transylvania for a fateful meeting with Count Orlok, a prospective client. In his absence, Hutter's new bride, Ellen, is left under the care of their friends, Friedrich and Anna Harding. Plagued by horrific visions and an increasing sense of dread, Ellen soon encounters an evil force that's far beyond her control. With Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgård, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe, Emma Corin.

NOSFERATU is nominated for four Academy Awards in 2025, including Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Achievement in Production Design, and Best Achievement in Costume Design.

"Robet Eggers has now made a Dracula movie that’s more than an exercise, more than an assertion of talent. There’s a vision at work." (New York Times)

"Bill Skarsgård does his thing phenomenally, backed by top-notch prosthetic makeup and the use of a sinister voice." (Los Angeles Times)

"What [Robert] Eggers truly comprehends is that Nosferatu is not about sex. It’s about power. Pure, malevolent, selfish, devastating power." (Austin Chronicle)

"Robert Eggers is a filmmaker with astonishing visual flair." (Seattle Times)

Thursday, March 6
Doors 9:05 pm | Movie 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

NOSFERATU (Robert Eggers, 2024 / 132 mins / 14A) A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

Banned upon its original release in 1981, Andrzej Żuławski’s stunningly choreographed nightmare of a marriage unraveling is an experience unlike any other. Professional spy Mark (Sam Neill) returns to his West Berlin home to find his wife Anna (Isabelle Adjani, in a role that earned her Best Actress at Cannes) insistent on a divorce. As Anna’s frenzied behavior becomes ever more alarming, Mark discovers a truth far more sinister than his wildest suspicions. With its pulsating score, visceral imagery, and some of the most haunting performances ever captured on screen, POSSESSION is cinematic delirium at its most intoxicating - and a perfect addition to the Rio Theatre's Friday Late Night Movie series.

New 2021 4K Restoration. A Metrograph Pictures release.

"That the film is much more than a gawk-at-it freak show is testament to Zulawski's talent for making even the most exaggerated behavior resonate with pointed and potent emotion." (Time Out Magazine)

"This is not the type of horror movie you take your friends to for a laugh; this is what you watch with your ex and realize how much worse things could have been." (The Stranger)

"[Possession] remains one of the most grueling, powerful, and overwhelmingly intense cinematic experiences that you are likely to have in your lifetime." (Roger Ebert.com)

Friday, March 7
Doors 11:00 pm | Movie 11:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Late Night Date Night! Bring a friend, date, or demonic lover and get two-for-one entry!

POSSESSION (Andrzej Żuławski, 1981 / 123 mins / 18A) After Anna reveals to her husband, Mark, that she is having an affair, she leaves him and their son. Mark is devastated, and seeks out the man who cuckolded him, only to receive a beating. After a series of violent confrontations between Mark and Anna, Mark hires a private investigator to follow her. Anna descends into madness, and it's soon clear that she is hiding a much bigger secret -- one that is both inexplicable and shocking.

THE LAST SHOWGIRL, a poignant film of resilience, rhinestones and feathers, stars BC's own Pamela Anderson in a Golden-Globe nominated performance as a glamorous Las Vegas showgirl named Shelly, who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run.

Directed by Gia Coppola (PALO ALTO), THE LAST SHOWGIRL co-stars Oscar-winner winner Jamie Lee Curtis as Shelly’s best friend, who brings her own unique interpretation and brilliance to the story, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka and Billie Lourd.

"[Gia]Coppola clearly loves the flash and flesh of Vegas, its sparkle and its haze, but she loves her characters more, and she takes all of them on their own terms." (New York Times)

"It’s impossible not to be enchanted by Anderson’s compassionate turn, and her tender work makes it all the more heartbreaking to watch Shelly refuse to go quietly into the night." (Salon.com)

"Outside of her time in dressing rooms and on stage, Anderson doesn’t wear much makeup in the film, but that’s not what makes her performance brave. Instead, it’s the unflinching look she takes at the realities of life for all of us as we get older." (Consequence)

"This is not a blood-and-guts show business exposé — it’s a diaphanous portrait of a woman who, like Anderson herself, wafts through life like a marabou feather. It’s less a story than a vibe." (Los Angeles Times)

Monday, March 10
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

THE LAST SHOWGIRL (Gia Coppola, 2024 / 85 mins / 14A) A seasoned showgirl must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run.

Writer-director Helina Reijn's erotic thriller BABYGIRL sees Nicole Kidman at the peak of her cinematic prowess as a high-powered CEO who puts her career and family on the line when she begins an affair with a much younger intern (Harris Dickinson, TRIANGLE OF SADNESS). What follows is an explorative, sexually charged yet subversive nail-biter set against the backdrop of modern-day office, social, and marital politics. With Antonio Banderas, Sophie Wilde.

"An exploration of carnal desire that is at once fiercely erotic, nuanced and raucously funny, with Kidman charging into the breach, flaws bared, taking everything that Reijn hurls her way." (Empire Magazine)

"Kidman is the big deal here, and it is the frisky, introspective elasticity of her performance that sent me out of the theater on a feverish high." (Seattle Times)

"What I like about this movie is that the woman decides that the kink ain't all that bad, and everyone else just needs to get their mind around it." (Filmweek NPR)

"Emotionally naked, unapologetically provocative, and defiantly playful, Reijn's film joyfully explores the complicated ties that bind. Amid stiff competition, she delivers one of the sexiest, most thrilling films of the year." (Mashable)

Monday, March 10
Doors 8:15 pm | Movie 8:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

BABYGIRL (Halina Reign, 2024 / 114 mins / 14A ) A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern.

The Smashed Potato Kids are back with another year of SketchFest! It’ll be bigger, better, and most importantly funnier, than ever before.

One night, 20 fresh sketches, and infinite laughs. We even heard that Steve Carrel might be there this time! (We didn’t invite him, he’s never heard of us, but ya never know…).

Tuesday, March 11
Doors 6:00 pm | Event 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets $25+ s/c | $30+ s/c at the door

An evening of live music and experimental film with Karl Hirzer (piano/ synthesizer) and Josué Valdepeñas (cello), featuring the premiere of Braden Dereniwski’s music film, Crystal Clear, and Vicki Van Chau’s award-winning short film, In Tandem.

Prominent figures in the Canadian classical music scene, Karl Hirzer and Josué Valdepeñas perform standard works from the modern and classical repertoire in addition to original songs, mixing electronic and acoustic instruments. Drawing from a wide variety of influences, their music has been described as “heady and psychedelic” and “Satie meets Radiohead”.

Based on Hirzer and Valdepeñas’ track of the same name, Crystal Clear is an innovative and gripping music and dance film. It follows a young woman who undertakes a visceral journey through her own psyche as she reflects on both her actions and the events that will decide her fate. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Braden Dereniwski, it features captivating performances by Kelsie Vanstone and Ashley Mae Johnston, with choreography by Yukichi Hattori. We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and Calgary Arts Development for this film.

Featuring and inspired by Hirzer's track Daphne and Desmond, off his recent album Relaxer Distractor, In Tandem is a short film shot on Super 8 by award winning filmmaker Vicki Van Chau. It is a love letter to the meaningful spaces between two cities, where Hirzer found sources of inspiration, nostalgia and the feeling of home. Recently it received the ‘Best Experimental’ award at the 2024 Edmonton Short Film Festival. This film is supported by the Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society and the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers.

Wednesday, March 12
Doors 7:15 PM | Event 8:00 PM *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

The event runs approx. 130 mins and includes a brief intermission.

General Admission $30 + s/c
Students w/ ID (GA) just $20 + s/c

Proudly Sponsored by www.SHOWCASEPIANOS.COM

Join the Vancouver Burlesque Co. as we celebrate the culmination of their Winter 2025 season! The VBC is proud to present their March Student Showcase at the Rio Theatre on Thursday, March 13.

Our sparkling students and alumni are ready to knock your socks off with amazing group acts and some stunning soloists. VBC shows are magic and we can't wait to share the evening with friends, family and fans.

Thursday, March 13
Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Please arrive on time. Start time subject to change.
Tickets $25+ s/c | $30+ s/c at the door.

"The only good bug, is a dead bug."

Inexplicably, Paul Verhoeven's 1997 work of futuretastic sci-fi fantasy, STARSHIP TROOPERS - a movie about humans in a fascistic, militaristic future doing battle with giant alien bugs in a fight for survival - has become a cult-favourite, and a perfect addition to the Rio Theatre's ongoing Friday Late Night Movie series.

Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Neil Patrick Harris, Dina Meyer, Jake Busey, Michael Ironside and Rue McLanahan (!) star in and the distant future, the Earth is at war with a race of giant alien insects. Little is known about the Bugs except that they are intent on the eradication of all human life. But there was a time before the war... A Mobile Infantry travels to distant alien planets to take the war to the Bugs. They are a ruthless enemy with only one mission: Survival of their species no matter what the cost...

"In its early scenes, 'Troopers 'is basically a goofy high school movie, complete with love triangles, a big game, and a school dance (and sex) after. Once they've begun infantry training, the flexing of machismo so over the top, it can only be satire." (VICE)

"A jaw-dropping experience, so rigorously one-dimensional and free from even the pretense of intelligence it's hard not to be astonished and even mesmerized by what is on the screen." (LA Times)

"Often grotesque and sometimes pretty cheesy too, it's now embraced by many film fans as sly satire skewering America's weakness for right-wing militarism." (NME)

Friday, March 14
Doors 11:00 pm | Movie 11:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

STARSHIP TROOPERS (Paul Verhoeven, 1997 / 129 mins / 18A) Set in the future, the story follows a young soldier named Johnny Rico and his exploits in the Mobile Infantry. Rico's military career progresses from recruit to non-commissioned officer and finally to officer against the backdrop of an interstellar war between mankind and an arachnoid species known as "the Bugs".

Get prepared to laugh your arse off! On Saturday, March 15, Clare Voyeur presents another installment of WHAT’S THE CRAIC? A Night of Irish Devilry.

This variety show is the precursor celebration to Paddy’s Day, packed with acts full of hilarity, sexiness and the spirit and lore of the Emerald Isle! We’ve got burlesque, comedy, live music, games and more!

Ask your mammies to say a prayer for you, this show is about to get wild! Say another rosary, count your lucky shamrocks and wear your best greens in honor of the big man himself, St. Patrick!

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

General Admission $38+ s/c | $42+ s/c at the door
VIP $55+ s/c (Assigned seats in Rows A-E, centre section, and a themed goodie bag)

MY FRIEND THE TERRORIST is a moving portrait of two exiled Filipino revolutionaries, the late Jose Maria (“Joma”) Sison and his wife Julie De Lima; both key leaders in the ongoing Philippine revolution. The film explores the life and love of the unassuming pair as they serve the National Democratic movement from exile — in the tranquil Dutch city of Utrecht, 10,000 km away from their homeland. Surviving “terrorist” designations, dictatorships, solitary confinement, torture, and repeated assassination attempts by the Filipino government, Joma and Julie have persevered — just like the vibrant revolution they helped build.

MY FRIEND THE TERRORIST places these revolutionaries’ personal journeys alongside a deep exploration of the struggle on the ground. It provides a first-hand account of a resistance movement supported by millions of Filipinos, striving to free the country from the rule of wealthy landlords, US imperialism, and a fascist government. Directors Malcolm Guy and Demetri Estdelaropolis show all sides of the democratic resistance; the protesters in demonstrations of thousands taking to the streets to demand social and economic justice; the peasant masses and resistance fighters striving for a dignified standard of living for all and defending themselves against a repressive state; and the dedicated couple in a beach-side town in the Netherlands, giving everything for the liberation of their home country.

A Multi Monde production.

Sunday, March 16
Doors 12:15 pm | Movie 12:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

MY FRIEND THE TERRORIST (Malcolm Guy, Demetri Estdelacropolis, 2024 / 100 mins / NR)

BECOMING LED ZEPPELIN explores the origins of this iconic group and their meteoric rise in just one year against all the odds. Powered by awe-inspiring, psychedelic, never-before-seen footage, performances, and music, Bernard MacMahon’s experiential cinematic odyssey explores Led Zeppelin’s creative, musical, and personal origin story. The film is told in Led Zeppelin’s own words, diving deep into the rise of the epochal rock group, is the first (and only) documentary of its kind that the band themselves have participated in.
The documentary includes new interviews with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones, as well as rare archival interviews with the band's late drummer John Bonham.

"A rich vein of anecdotes is found in Page and Jones's busy history as session players, with Jones particularly emerging as an affable raconteur with a juicy portfolio of anecdotes." (Uncut Magazine)

"A hagiographic look at the group’s beginnings, the movie is as straightforward as it is headbangingly diverting." (New York Times)

"The main attraction is finally the music, of which there is plenty." (RogerEBert.com)

Sunday, March 16
Doors 3:00 pm | Movie 3:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

BECOMING LED ZEPPELIN (Bernard MacMahon, 2025 / 122 mins / PG) The film traces the journeys of the four members of the Stairway To Heaven rockers through the music scene of the 1960s and their meeting in the summer of 1968, culminating in 1970.

Silents Synced pairs classic silent movies with epic rock music.

Following wildly popular screenings of Silents Synced's NOSFERATU (featuring the music of Radiohead's albums "KID A" and "Amnesiac"), the Rio Theatre is excited to bring the second film in the series, Buster Keaton’s SHERLOCK JR. with R.E.M.’s Monster and New Adventures in Hi Fi : A Silents Synced Film, to Vancouver audiences.

Silents Synced is an innovative cinematic experience that breathes new life into the timeless 1924 silent film SHERLOCK JR. By syncing Keaton's brilliant slapstick comedy and masterful physical performances with R.E.M.’s Monster and New Adventures in Hi Fi, the result is a vibrant, surreal experience where Keaton’s absurdly funny adventures as a bumbling, yet lovable detective are accompanied by songs that match the emotional beats, themes, and whimsy of his world. This Silents Synced version of Sherlock Jr. will create a unique sensory experience that will resonate with both old fans and new audiences alike.

Sunday, March 16
Doors 5:45 pm | Movie 6:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

What better way to mark St. Patrick's Day at the Rio Theatre than with an Irish movie night? We're teaming up with our friends at CelticFest Vancouver to present an evening of live, traditional Celtic music and a double bill featuring both the breakout 2024 hit musical comedy KNEECAP (Ireland's submission to the Oscars, and 6x BAFTA nominee), followed by the psychological drama BRING THEM DOWN (starring Barry Keoghan, Christopher Abbott, and Colm Meaney).

When fate brings Belfast schoolteacher JJ into the orbit of self-confessed ‘low life scum’ Naoise & Liam Og, the needle drops on a hip hop act like no other. Rapping in their native Irish language, KNEECAP fast become the unlikely figureheads of a Civil Rights movement to save their mother tongue. In this fiercely original sex, drugs and hip-hop biopic KNEECAP play themselves, laying down a global rallying cry for the defense of native cultures. With Naoise Ó Cairealláin “Móglaí Bap”, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh “Mo Chara”, JJ Ó Dochartaigh “Dj Provaí”, and Michael Fassbender.

"Bold, entertaining and boisterous – both as a cinematic piece and as a statement. It is also genuinely hilarious. ... What is pretty rare, though, is that a crowd-pleaser would also happen to be political and unapologetic about it." (ScreenAnarchy)

"Can a movie leave you with a comedown? If it’s as raucous and unruly as Kneecap, a nonstop blizzard of beats, bumps of white powder and punky defiance of the British and Belfast’s sectarian past, the answer’s a firm "yes."" (Time Out)

"Music-filled and spikily edited, “Kneecap” finds rude wit and edge to underscore its needle-drop righteousness; that it sustains its level so exuberantly is remarkable, especially considering how hit-and-miss these self-mythologizing projects often are." (Los Angeles Times)

"A meta-contextual music-world biopic whose success relies upon one giant bet paying off big, the new comedy Kneecap is a riotous delight that will have even the most staid audiences ready to flip the bird." (Globe and Mail)

Monday, March 17
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

KNEECAP (Rich Peppiatt, 2024 / 105 mins / 14A / Gaelic and English w/ EST) When fate brings Belfast teacher JJ into the orbit of self-confessed 'low life scum' Naoise and Liam Og, the needle drops on a hip hop act like no other. Rapping in their native Irish, they lead a movement to save their mother tongue.

What better way to mark St. Patrick's Day at the Rio Theatre than with an Irish movie night? We're teaming up with our friends at CelticFest Vancouver to present an evening of live, traditional Celtic music and a double bill featuring both the breakout 2024 hit musical comedy KNEECAP (Ireland's submission to the Oscars, and 6x BAFTA nominee), followed by the psychological drama BRING THEM DOWN (starring Barry Keoghan, Christopher Abbott, and Colm Meaney).

Monday, March 17
Doors 5:45 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

KNEECAP (Rich Peppiatt, 2024 / 105 mins / 14A / Gaelic and English w/ EST) When fate brings Belfast teacher JJ into the orbit of self-confessed 'low life scum' Naoise and Liam Og, the needle drops on a hip hop act like no other. Rapping in their native Irish, they lead a movement to save their mother tongue.

Brief Intermission

Approx. Movie 8:45 pm *Start time subject to change.

BRING THEM DOWN (Christopher Andrews, 2025  /105 min / 14A) When the ongoing rivalry between farmers Michael and Jack suddenly escalates, it triggers a chain of events that take increasingly violent and devastating turns, leaving both families permanently altered.

Single film tickets available at www.riotheatretickets.ca

What better way to mark St. Patrick's Day at the Rio Theatre than with an Irish movie night? We're teaming up with our friends at CelticFest Vancouver to present an evening of live, traditional Celtic music and a double bill featuring both the breakout 2024 hit musical comedy KNEECAP (Ireland's submission to the Oscars, and 6x BAFTA nominee), followed by the psychological drama BRING THEM DOWN (starring Barry Keoghan, Christopher Abbott, and Colm Meaney).

Starring Oscar-nominee Barry Keoghan (SALTBURN, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN) and Christopher Abbott (HBO's 'Girls,' POOR THINGS, SANCTUARY), BRING THEM DOWN is a tense and gripping thriller about two warring families set against the harsh landscape of rural west Ireland. When the ongoing rivalry between farmers Michael (Abbott) and Jack (Keoghan) suddenly escalates, it triggers a chain of events that take increasingly violent and devastating turns, leaving both families permanently altered.

From first-time filmmaker Christopher Andrews and co-starring Colm Meaney, Paul Ready and Nora-Jane Noone, this is a fierce, muscular debut that signals a bold new cinematic voice.

"'Bring Them Down' bristles with twists and tension, its gorgeous pastoral landscapes turning into sites of escalating violence. Yet the film never settles for simplistic hero/villain binaries. Instead, it brilliantly shifts perspective, revealing the fears and aspirations driving all its characters — a strategy that succeeds in no small part due to Christopher Abbott and Barry Keoghan, who share an incredible ability to reveal for the camera what their characters are hell-bent on hiding." (TIFF.net)

"A promising debut feature, especially for its playfully constructed script that turns the thriller genre inside-out to place real human feeling at its centre." (Cineuropa)

"A brutally violent directorial debut... veers between pitch-black humor and pervading melancholy." (Variety)

"I like having my soul slightly destroyed, and movies like Bring Them Down are just the tonic for what ails me." (Exclaim!)

Monday, March 17
Movie 8:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

BRING THEM DOWN (Christopher Andrews, 2025 /105 min / 14A) When the ongoing rivalry between farmers Michael and Jack suddenly escalates, it triggers a chain of events that take increasingly violent and devastating turns, leaving both families permanently altered.

Show And Tell present
SARAH KEYWORTH: MY EYES ARE UP HERE

UK stand-up star Sarah Keyworth makes their North American tour debut, bringing their smash-hit show to the Rio Theatre on March 18.

"My Eyes Are Up Here" is one of the most talked about stand-up shows of the last year, racking up a string of awards and selling out theaters all across their native UK, and Australia.

Tuesday, March 18
Doors 6:15 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Balcony (GA) $40+ s/c
Main Floor (Assigned) $50+ s/c
VIP (Rows A-E, centre section) $60+ s/c

‘Achingly funny’- The Herald ★★★★★

‘Gales of laughter’ – The Guardian ★★★★

‘Utterly engaging’ The Telegraph ★★★★

Sarah has appeared on Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats, ITV's The Stand Up Sketch Show and Comedy Central's Roast Battle. Their BBC Radio 4 show Are You A Boy or A Girl is available to stream on BBC Sounds and their Prime Special Dark Horse is streaming on Prime TV.

Winner of the Most Outstanding Show at Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2024, the International New Faces of Comedy at Just For Laughs Festival 2023.

Guest star on Off Menu and The Guilty Feminist podcasts.

WE FORGOT TO BREAK UP follows the story of a diverse group of musicians, in the vibrant bar scene of Toronto, who come together to form a band with a mission: to ignite a musical revolution. As they channel their individual struggles and experiences into their music, 'The New Normals' create a dynamic, rock sound that transcends gender and orientation, captivating a changing world. But as they rise to fame, personal and romantic entanglements complicate their journey.

Based on Kayt Burgess’ award-winning book “Heidegger Stairwell,” WE FORGOT TO BREAK UP is a heartwarming and fiercely authentic story of music, love, and friendship in the indie music scene circa the early 2000s, as they strive to make their voices heard and forge an unshakable bond that transcends labels. With Lane Webber, Daniel Gravelle, June Laporte.

Filmmakers including musician Torquil Campbell (Stars) and actor June LaPorte will be joining us live for a post-show Q&A.

"A love letter — or rather, love song — to early adulthood, art and Toronto's bustling music scene, 'We Forgot to Break Up' is a poignant yet joyous movie-going experience." (Exclaim!)

"'We Forgot to Break Up' is a film that lingers in your mind [...] It’s a beautiful, emotional rollercoaster that will resonate with anyone who's ever chased a dream, faced the messiness of relationships, and struggled to find their place in the world." (Q+ Magazine)

"... aims to offer an authentic portrayal of music, love, and friendship in the early 2000s indie music scene as the protagonists strive to make their voices heard and forge an unshakable bond that transcends labels." (Variety)

Thursday, March 19
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

WE FORGOT TO BREAK UP (Karen Knox, 2024 / 94 mins / NR) A band of misfits ditches their small town to chase their dreams as indie rock gods in the big city.

In collaboration with the Rio Theatre, Antisocial AV CLUB presents an evening of curated short films, from your little screens to our big one. With skate videos to animation and music videos, we’ve got a little something for everyone. Join us in our first event of the year to celebrate local talent with SHORTS OF SORTS! 

Bring your friends, grab some popcorn and have some fun at the cinema!

Full program to be announced SOON.

Wednesday, March 19
Doors 9:00 pm | Event 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

All tickets $15

Live On-Stage Comedy with VHS!

Joe Pickett ('The Onion') and Nick Prueher ('The Colbert Report') have over 13,000 VHS tapes in their collection, and have been taking viewers on a guided tour through their latest and greatest finds since 2004.

To celebrate two decades of this VHS nonsense, Joe and Nick will serve up their all-time greatest finds including the dumbest exercise videos, the craziest public access shows and updates with the most wonderful weirdos they’ve met along the way.

"A comedy sensation."

"Hysterical and brilliant."

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

Early Bird Tickets (On sale now Until January 31) $25+ s/c
Tickets $30+ s/c

For more information on Found Footage, head to www.foundfootagefest.com.

Join us at the Rio Theatre on March 21 for 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.

Friday, March 21
Doors 7:00 pm | Show 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Early Bird Tickets $25+ s/c (Until February 14!)
Adult Entry $30+ s/c | $35+ s/c at the door
VIP (Rows A-C) $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!)

The event's lineup includes many past favourites from the group's annual perfomance at Anime Revolution, including: Veilsinclair, JMRohCreations, Brystak, Vancity_Ranger, Vexxerity, Gothish.Rain, Bad Sheep Cosplay, Cookie._.Rush, Jessisagoshdarnmess, Kamistry, Sharkiekitty and Milkiway.Cosplay.

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

"Nothing wrong with a man taking pleasure in his work. I won't deny my own personal desire to turn each sin against the sinner."

Gluttony, greed, sloth, envy, wrath, pride, lust — everyone has a sin. In director David Fincher's intensely claustrophobic, gut-wrenching psychological thriller SE7EN, "sin" takes centre stage - in one of cinema's most memorably grisly displays of pathological horror.

For detectives William Somerset and David Mills they live among these sins, every day, a crumbling city of crime all around them. But nothing can prepare the partners for the killings they are about to experience, all of which begins when they find a morbidly obese man who has died from the forced ingestion of spaghetti. What starts as one bizarre crime turns into a case of serial murders as a predator named John Doe begins to execute victims by paying homage to the "deadly sin" they represent.

Starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey, SE7EN is an intensely claustrophobic, grisly thrill ride - and one of the defining movies of the mid-90s - a perfect choice for inclusion in the Rio Theatre's Friday Late Night Movie series.

"From its stylish opening credits to its utterly shocking denouement, it’s a master class in nerve-fraying nihilism." (Film Frenzy)

"A stone cold classic, especially from a technical point of view. It's incredibly moody, cements a number of tropes for serial killer/crime texts, and (despite the presence of Spacey), John Doe and that finale are iconic." (Horror Queers Podcast)

"'Seven', a dark, grisly, horrifying and intelligent thriller, may be too disturbing for many people, I imagine, although if you can bear to watch it, you will see filmmaking of a high order. " (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times)

Friday, March 21
Doors 11:00 pm | Movie 11:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Late Night Date Night! Bring a friend, date, or fellow horror-lover and get two-for-one entry!

SE7EN (David Fincher, 1995 / 127 mins / 18A) When retiring police Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) tackles a final case with the aid of newly transferred David Mills (Brad Pitt), they discover a number of elaborate and grisly murders. They soon realize they are dealing with a serial killer (Kevin Spacey) who is targeting people he thinks represent one of the seven deadly sins. Somerset also befriends Mills' wife, Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow), who is pregnant and afraid to raise her child in the crime-riddled city.

The Saturday Morning Spring Break Party of 2025!

The Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party is returning to the Rio Theatre with a Spring Break event featuring an all-new lineup of retro TV goodness covered in sugary cereal. It's Volume VII!

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 expect to see monsters, sci-fi, sleuths, superheroes and all kinds of 2D silliness, both 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! So get ready for a sugar rush and an explosion of nostalgia all wrapped up in one candy-coated package.

Curated by David Bertrand

Dairy-free options available! Compostable bowls and spoons will be provided. We encourage guests to bring their own NON-BREAKABLE (ie, not ceramic) bowls and spoons.

Saturday, March 22
Doors 10:00 am | Event 10:30 am *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Tickets HERE

Kids Pricing (13 and under) HERE | $14 at the door

One afternoon in 1971, Rubens Paiva, a former congressman and outspoken critic of Brazil's newly instituted military dictatorship, was taken from his home in Rio de Janeiro by government officials, told nothing more than that he must give a "deposition" to authorities, and disappeared.

Adapted from his son Marcelo Rubens Paiva's memoir, this overwhelming, richly realized political drama from Walter Salles (THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES) stays tightly wedded to the perspective of Rubens's wife, Eunice (a shattering Fernanda Torres, in a Golden Globe-winning performance), whose indefatigable search for the truth about her husband would stretch out for decades.

A devastating true story, I'M STILL HERE is exhilarating in its portrayal of human tenacity in the face of injustice. Featuring a deeply affecting appearance from Fernanda Montenegro (Fernanda Torres' real-life mother), Oscar nominee for Salles's CENTRAL STATION.

I'M STILL HERE is currently nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best International Picture, Best Actress (Fernanda Torres), and Best Picture.

"It's one measure of Latin America's arduous history that it has spawned so many books and movies about dictatorship... What they share is the awareness that history hurts. Few films have shown this with more delicate intelligence than I'm Still Here." (NPR)

"Torres's deeply internalized performance exerts a magnetic appeal, pulling us into her character's unimaginable grief and loss as she fights to remain strong for her family." (Toronto Star)

"How often do we get to watch a movie and recognize the unmistakable geniality that adorns a mother’s love? Rarely do we witness a performance that’s so unembellished and yet so memorable and moving." (Salon.com)

"Torres’s performance here is a marvel of expressive restraint, every glance merging horrified disbelief and meticulous self-control." (The New Yorker)

Saturday, March 22
Doors 2:10 | Movie 2:40 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

I'M STILL HERE "Ainda Estou Aqui" (Walter Salles, 2024 / 137 mins / PG / Portuguese with English subtitles) BRAZIL, 1971 - Brazil faces the tightening grip of a military dictatorship. Eunice Paiva, a mother of five children, is forced to reinvent herself after her family suffers a violent and arbitrary act by the government. Based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva's biographical book, the film tells the true story that helped reconstruct an important part of Brazil’s hidden history.

A copious cavalcade of top notch talent and captivating cabaret await at The Rio Theatre Burlesque and Variety Show on Saturday March 22!

Local luminary April O’Peel has curated a show full of wonder sure to dazzle and delight our fun loving audience! The theme is NO THEME! That’s right! These talented performers will each be performing one act of their choosing! What act will they decide to bring to The Rio Theatre Burlesque and Variety Show!? Find out on Saturday March 22nd as these stars align for one night only!

Saturday, March 22
Doors 8:00 pm | Show 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Early bird tickets just $20, available online only until midnight, March 1!

General Admission $30 + s/c | $35 + s/c at the door
VIP tickets (Rows 1-3, centre section) $40+ s/c
Squad Pass (Group of Four Tickets – online only) $100+ s/c

With Featured Performances By:

Gia Sangria | Ivy Nyx | Kaleidoscope Crush | La Dame Derriere | Lana Luscious
Layna Emerald | Mona Moore | Yuki the Juggler | April O'Peel

Hosted by Randi Andii

One afternoon in 1971, Rubens Paiva, a former congressman and outspoken critic of Brazil's newly instituted military dictatorship, was taken from his home in Rio de Janeiro by government officials, told nothing more than that he must give a "deposition" to authorities, and disappeared.

Adapted from his son Marcelo Rubens Paiva's memoir, this overwhelming, richly realized political drama from Walter Salles (THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES) stays tightly wedded to the perspective of Rubens's wife, Eunice (a shattering Fernanda Torres, in a Golden Globe-winning performance), whose indefatigable search for the truth about her husband would stretch out for decades.

A devastating true story, I'M STILL HERE is exhilarating in its portrayal of human tenacity in the face of injustice. Featuring a deeply affecting appearance from Fernanda Montenegro (Fernanda Torres' real-life mother), Oscar nominee for Salles's CENTRAL STATION.

I'M STILL HERE is currently nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best International Picture, Best Actress (Fernanda Torres), and Best Picture.

"It's one measure of Latin America's arduous history that it has spawned so many books and movies about dictatorship... What they share is the awareness that history hurts. Few films have shown this with more delicate intelligence than I'm Still Here." (NPR)

"Torres's deeply internalized performance exerts a magnetic appeal, pulling us into her character's unimaginable grief and loss as she fights to remain strong for her family." (Toronto Star)

"How often do we get to watch a movie and recognize the unmistakable geniality that adorns a mother’s love? Rarely do we witness a performance that’s so unembellished and yet so memorable and moving." (Salon.com)

"Torres’s performance here is a marvel of expressive restraint, every glance merging horrified disbelief and meticulous self-control." (The New Yorker)

Tuesday, March 25
Doors 5:45 pm | Movie 6:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

I'M STILL HERE "Ainda Estou Aqui" (Walter Salles, 2024 / 137 mins / PG / Portuguese with English subtitles) BRAZIL, 1971 - Brazil faces the tightening grip of a military dictatorship. Eunice Paiva, a mother of five children, is forced to reinvent herself after her family suffers a violent and arbitrary act by the government. Based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva's biographical book, the film tells the true story that helped reconstruct an important part of Brazil’s hidden history.

Join East Vancouver’s queen comedy chanteuse Shirley Gnome as she celebrates her sixth full length album "Live, Bare and Natural", courtesy of Comedy Here Often? Records. Known for her unique blend of country, rock, pop and folk with witty, subversive lyrics, her comedy songwriting prowess has had audiences in stitches since 2009. She shamelessly lays the truth bare with her disarmingly gorgeous vocal stylings. Sexuality, religion, rage and the human body - just a few topics she’ll tackle this time around in her playful and biting style.

With special guest bands Parlour Panther and Kitty & The Rooster backing her up, it will be a night of exquisite musicality mixed with irreverent comedy from her latest release. Ms. Gnome will also circle back to some of her classic cult hits, perfect for die hard fans and new Gnomies alike. Say you were there - and regret nothing.

Thursday, March 27
Doors 7:00 pm | Event 7:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Featuring:
Parlour Panther and Kitty & The Rooster

Hosted by
Michaela Chung

About Shirley:

Since 2009, Shirley Gnome has been an enduring force in East Vancouver’s artistic community. Her career launched after winning Patrick Maliha’s The People’s Champ of Comedy competition at the iconic Rio Theatre, a victory that marked the beginning of a surprisingly successful career considering what she says and does.

She has garnered an international following, earning rave reviews and accolades in five countries. She’s performed at major festivals like The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, The Philadelphia Folk Festival, JFL Vancouver, and more. She has also been featured on CBC Radio’s The Debaters and Sirius XM. In 2021, her album Decoxification earned a Juno Award nomination for Comedy Album of the Year. In 2024, she made her television debut at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival’s TV galas on CBC Gem.

★★★★★

"Think Sarah McLachlan meets Ryan Reynolds, a true Canadian double threat." -Edmonton Journal

“a joyful rebellion against rigid femininity, constrictive sexuality and what it means to be a “lady.”” - She Does The City, Toronto

“hilarious… Gnome is a disarmingly likeable performer” -Chortle (UK)

“magnificent” -Dan Savage (US)

★★★★

“Her songs are like nothing else you will hear…It is a glorious experience and, absolutely not to be missed’” -The Scotsman, Edinburgh

★★★★★

"simply brilliant... equipped with the voice of a goddess." -Three Weeks, Edinburgh

★★★★★

“… one of the best musical comedians I’ve seen.’” - The Australia Times (Melbourne)

Community Trail Running presents:
The Trail Running Film Festival 2025

After a great debut in 2023, and an even better follow-up in 2024, the Trail Running Film Festival is back on tour in 2025 and coming to Vancouver once again! Expect another amazing evening of films, inspiration, and community.

Come and help us celebrate our incredible sport as we explore individual and collective potential. The festival will also have a 50/50 in support of BC AdventureSmart and include prizes and giveaways to add to our celebration!

We’re excited to bring you stories from around the world by filmmakers sharing their work of adventure, inclusivity, wilderness, art, and diversity across the trail and ultra community. Trail running is awesome and so is this film festival!

Thursday, April 3
Doors 6:00 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Early Bird Tickets (December 1-31) $25+ s/c
Tickets $30+ s/c | $35+ s/c at the door
Squad Pass Group Pricing (Group of Four) $100+ s/c (Available online only)

Tickets on sale December 1

You’ve watched his clips on Instagram, you’ve shared his standup with your friends and family on TikTok, now it’s time to see Jarlath Regan’s funny bits live - and in person. The brand new standup show from the man behind some of the most hilarious viral standup comedy clips is finally here! After selling out every single seat on his “Yer Man” tour in 2024, Jarlath is on the road again and travelling around the world with a completely fresh, never before seen standup comedy show guaranteed to have you “In Bits”.

Friday, April 11
Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets $42+ s/c

Artist Pre-Sale - Thursday, September 12 10:00 am
General On Sale - Friday, September 13 10:00 am

“The jewel in the Irish comedy crown.” (The Examiner)

“Universally enjoyable – 90 minutes of jaw-achingly funny anecdotes which spanned every topic
imaginable.” (The Post)

“A subtle yet sublime helping of observational wit” (The Herald ★★★★★)

“Downright hilarious…comedy genius” (The Irish Times ★★★★)

“Had the audience shaking so violently with laughter they probably could have charged their phones” (Edinburgh Festivals Magazine)

“Regan is an expert storyteller and this is a beautifully constructed show that I could have happily
listened to for twice its length.” (★★★★ The Arts Desk)

You’ve watched his clips on Instagram, you’ve shared his standup with your friends and family on TikTok, now it’s time to see Jarlath Regan’s funny bits live - and in person. The brand new standup show from the man behind some of the most hilarious viral standup comedy clips is finally here! After selling out every single seat on his “Yer Man” tour in 2024, Jarlath is on the road again and travelling around the world with a completely fresh, never before seen standup comedy show guaranteed to have you “In Bits”.

Friday, April 11
Second Show Added!>/i>
Doors 9:00 pm | Show 9:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets $42+ s/c

“Regan is an expert storyteller and this is a beautifully constructed show that I could have happily
listened to for twice its length.” (★★★★ The Arts Desk)

Join award-winning host Dandy in the rebirth-day party of the century, THE THIRD ANNUAL FABERGÉ BALL. Join in at the bacchanal that folx are calling "a perfect celebration of spring solstice." Every year we offer the gods and goddesses a tribute serving of the hottest drag, burlesque & musical comedy that the iconic Rio Theatre can muster.  Unexpectedly, Mr. Fabergé, the show's billionaire sponsor, has requested to perform a ritual of his own, so 19+ recommended (and required).

Don't want to be crucified on the runway? Then come coutured out in your most pagan solstice symbols or renaissance Saint inspired bedsheets.

Friday, April 18
Doors 7:00 pm | Event 8:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Main Floor Assigned $30 + s/c | $35+ s/c at the door
VIP – First 4 rows $40 + s/c | $45+ s/c at the door **VIP ticket holders also get an interactive prop bag to be used during the show!**

The Dandy's Disciples 4 Pack $100 + s/c (Available online only)

Early Bird Tickets Available Until Midnight, March 15

Featuring:

Jordy Matheson in the reprisal role of 'Mr. Fabergé'

and Introducing:

Angora Phobia as 'The Easter Bunny'
Gvil as 'Altar Boy'
and Phyllis Hull as 'Mother Superior'

Full Cast List Coming Soon!

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 regularly this year 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 is currently nominated by the Costume Designers Guild Awards for Excellence in Short Form Design thanks to already award winning, multi-talented Costume Designer, Rafaella Rabinovich

@dandyandfriends

30 Years of Gut-Busting Laughs with Don Burnstick!

Burnstick Promotions and the Rio Theatre proudly present Don Burnstick live on stage on Monday, April 21. It’s time to celebrate 30 years of belly laughs, side-splitting humor, and the kind of comedy that makes your face hurt from grinning—and not your auntie bum flat from sitting to long.

After performing across North America, selling out thousands of shows, and spreading joy to countless people, Don Burnstick is bringing the funny to you. Expect an unforgettable night of raw, edgy comedy that’ll have you rolling in the aisles and begging for more. A proud Cree from Alexander First Nation, Don’s comedy transcends borders, blending cultural truths with universal laughs. It’s no wonder he’s a global sensation with a schedule so packed he probably tours more than Santa.

From relatable res stories to his razor-sharp satire, Burnstick’s unique brand of humor connects deeply with audiences all over the world. Whether you’ve followed him from his first joke to now, or you’re experiencing his comedy genius for the first time, one thing’s for sure—you’re in for a treat (or maybe a roast).

“Prepare for a night of storytelling so good, even your chattiest cousin will shut up and listen.”

Monday, April 21
Doors 4:00 pm | Show 5:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Balcony Tickets $30+ s/c (Perfect for those who laugh louder with a bird’s-eye view.)
Main Floor $50+ s/c (Front-row splash zone: Comedy tears and laughs guaranteed!)
VIP $80+ s/c (Includes a post show meet and greet, and exclusive merch. Selfies with Don are priceless!).

Warning: This show contains real comedy. May cause tears of joy, sore ribs, and dangerously funny memories you’ll repeat to your friends forever.

Buy your tickets now before they’re gone faster than a bag of bannock at a family gathering!

Mountains on Stage is back at the Rio Theatre for its Summer 2025 edition on Wednesday, April 23. This renowned international festival 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. Details coming soon!

Wednesday, April 23
Doors 6:00 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Bappa Mazumder & Elita Karem
Presented by Dhaka Club Vancouver

Bangladeshi stars Bappa Mazumder and Dilshad Karim Elita will be coming to perform with Bappa Mazumder’s band, Dalchhut, live onstage at the Rio Theatre on Sunday, April 27. Get ready, and let’s all make the lasting memories together.

Bappa Mazumder is a versatile Bangladeshi singer, lyricist and music composer who won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Composer for the song "Na Jani Kon Oporadhey" in the 2017 film, SWATTA.

Dilshad Karim Elita, better known as Elita Karim, is a Bangladeshi singer, versatile performer, anchor and voice artist.

Sunday, April 27
Doors 6:30 pm | Show 7:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Balcony (General Admission) $30+ s/c
Main Floor (Assigned) $45+ s/c

You’ve watched his clips on Instagram, you’ve shared his standup with your friends and loved ones, now it’s time to see Manhar Seth’s poetic bits live and in-person.

Manhar Seth is one of the most viral and sensational figures on Instagram known for his unique fusion of poetry (shayari) and comedy. He has captivated audiences with his remarkable ability to blend heartfelt shayari with humor creating a refreshing and relatable experience for fans across the globe. Manhar doesn’t just perform on stage—he connects with his audience through interactive crowdwork making each show a dynamic and personal experience.

With a strong fanbase of 2 Million Followers that spans across India and internationally he has toured over 45 cities in his home country and garnered overwhelming responses during his recent tours in Dubai and the UK. His Canada tour is already generating huge excitement with pre-sale registrations amassing around 500 responses and early ticket sales estimated at 1500 tickets across multiple cities.

Presented by Reality Entertainment

Friday, May 2
Doors: 6:30 pm | Show: 7:30 pm
Language: English, Hindi | Age: 16+

Early Bird Ticket Pricing! (Limited Number Available)

First two rows: $60+Fees
Other Rows(Middle Section): $45+Fees
Other Rows(Left & Right Section): $35+Fees
Balcony(General Seating):$30+Fees

For Group Bookings & Sponsorships:
Reality Ent - (639) 999 0390
ContactRealityEntertainment@gmail.com

Hard Rubber Orchestra, Canada’s 18-piece jazz powerhouse, will reprise the music of the famed Mahavishnu Orchestra. In the early 70's, this five-piece unit, lead by guitarist John McLaughlin, blew minds and drew a cult following with their ground-breaking fusion of jazz, Indian ragas and high volume rock.

Hard Rubber will perform original arrangements by John Korsrud, Fred Stride, Bill Runge and others, with guests; drummer Randall Stoll, and Chris Gestrin on keyboards, along with the 18-piece orchestra. HRO last presented this popular tribute more than a decade ago, and is excited to once again give audiences a chance to see the Mahavishnu Orchestra re-visited and re-imagined by Vancouver's one and only Hard Rubber Orchestra. Special guests: The Fits (Veda Hille and Patsy Klein).

7:30 pm: Short music films
8:15 pm: The Fits
9 pm: Hard Rubber Orchestra
Schedule subject to change

“John Korsrud likes a good challenge. Last year, he and his Vancouver-based 18-piece Hard Rubber Orchestra performed two big-band concerts of songs by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, the 1970 jazz-rock quintet that favoured odd time signatures and high-octane delivery. To these ears, that second concert was the best show at last year’s jazz festival.” (Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun)

Saturday, May 31
Doors 6:30 pm | Event 7:30pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Main Floor (Assigned Seating) - Sliding Scale $20+ s/c | $25+ s/c | $30+ s/c ('Sliding Scale' pricing = Pay what you can while supporting local, Canadian artists)
Balcony (General Admission) -  $15+ s/c

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Formed by artistic director John Korsrud in 1990, the Hard Rubber Orchestra has consistently been one of Canada's most active and unpredictable ensembles of creative music, presenting concerts of original music by some of Canada's most exciting composers, performed by Vancouver's finest musicians. The orchestra has recorded five albums, toured across Canada and to Europe. In 2005, they were the recipients of the Alcan Arts Award, the largest arts award in Canada for the creation of new work. They have produced several large theatrical works such as operas, avant ice shows, and arts raves and commissioned nearly 100 new works by composers such as Kenny Wheeler, John Hollenbeck, Darcy James Argue, Christine Jensen, Peggy Lee, Marianne Trudel, and Brad Turner. @hardrubberorchestra

Iron Dog Books and Black Bond Books/Book Warehouse proudly present An Evening With V.E. Schwab at the Rio Theatre, in celebration of "Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil." The evening promises a lively discussion, hosted by local author and podcaster Hannah McGregor, and an in-depth question period.

Ticket price includes a signed and specially embossed copy of "Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil." Additionally, autographed copies of V.E. Schwab's previous books will be available for purchase, while quantities last.

VICTORIA “V. E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed Shades universe, the Villains series, the City of Ghosts series, Gallant, and the international bestseller The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Translated into over two dozen languages and optioned for television and film, V.E. Schwab’s work is widely loved and critically acclaimed.

Monday, June 16 - Over 75% sold!
Doors 6:00 pm | Event 7:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.

Ticket price includes one signed copy of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, admission to event, and all taxes and fees.

Ticket purchasers will be contacted ahead of the event for the opportunity to submit questions.

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.

This Rio Theatre gift certificate is good for entry to any single regular screening and includes two medium drinks, and one large popcorn.