SoCal movies, Sept. 11-18: ‘Speak No Evil,’ ‘The Killer’s Game,’ ‘The Critic,’ ‘My Old Ass’ and more

Major new releases, indie flicks, foreign films and art-house fare

James McAvoy stars in the new thriller “Speak No Evil.” (Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures and Blumhouse)

Welcome to the latest edition of TV or Not TV’s curated guide to new and current releases screening in LA and OC this week. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for arts & entertainment at the Los Angeles Times.

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New this week

• Starts Thursday, Sept. 12

‘Advanced Chemistry’ A scientist concocts a potion that leads to complications for his lesbian best friend, her bisexual wife and himself in Etana Jacobson’s 2023 rom-com. With Samba Schutte and Chaunte Wayans. 95 mins. Not Rated. laemmle.com

‘Booger’ A young woman undergoes a terrifying transformation after getting bitten by her recently deceased best friend’s cat in this 2023 horror comedy. Mary Dauterman directs and Grace Glowicki stars. 78 mins. Not Rated. laemmle.com

‘For When You Get Lost’ A young woman and her estranged sisters take a road trip to visit their hard-to-get-along-with father in Michelle Steffes’ 2024 comedy-drama. With Jennifer Sorenson. 96 mins. Not Rated. laemmle.com

‘God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust’ A humble pastor runs for Congress in Vance Null’s faith-based 2024 drama starring David A.R. White, Ray Wise, Dean Cain, Scott Baio, Isaiah Washington, Charlene Hilton, et al. Various theaters, showtimes and prices, Sept. 12-18. Details at fathomevents.com

• Starts Friday, Sept. 13

‘Am I Racist?’ Conservative commentator Matt Walsh goes undercover to investigate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Justin Folk’s “Borat”-style 2024 documentary. 101 mins. Rated PG-13. amiracist.com

‘Believer’ A struggling writer’s life takes an unexpected turn following an encounter with a notorious cult leader/mass murderer in Sheldon Wilson’s 2024 thriller. With Lee Smith, Peter Mooney. 108 mins. Not Rated. laemmle.com

‘¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!’ “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone try to restore the titular real-life restaurant, famously featured in the duo’s long-running animated series, to its former glory in Arthur Bradford’s 2024 documentary. 88 mins. Not Rated. drafthouse.com

‘The Critic’ Ian McKellen stars as a sinister theater critic involved in some dark dealings in Anand Tucker’s London-set 2023 thriller based on the Anthony Quinn novel. Gemma Arterton, Mark Strong and Lesley Manville also star. 95 mins. Rated R. amctheatres.com, laemmle.com

‘Dan Da Dan: First Encounter’ A teenage girl from a family of psychic mediums meets her match in a boy fascinated by UFOs in this 2024 anime tale. 83 mins. Not Rated. Presented in Japanese with English subtitles and English-dub versions. gkids.com

‘Dead Money’ A professional poker player’s girlfriend gets kidnapped after he rips off the shady characters who ripped him off first in Luc Walpoth’s 2024 thriller. With Emile Hirsch, David Keith, India Eisley, Peter Facinelli, Rory Culkin and Jackie Earle Haley. 100 mins. Rated R. laemmle.com

‘The 4:30 Movie’ A 1980s teen and his buddies spend the summer sneaking into the movies in “Clerks” filmmaker Kevin Smith’s semi-autobiographical 2024 coming-of-age comedy. With Austin Zajur, Siena Agudong and Ken Jeong. 88 mins. Rated R. fandango.com

‘The Goldman Case’ This fact-based 2023 drama revisits the high-profile 1970s-era trial of a left-wing French intellectual turned militant suspected in a series of robberies and murders. Cédric Kahn directs and Arieh Worthalter stars. In French with English subtitles. 115 mins. Not Rated. laemmle.com

‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’ A slacker hoping for an inheritance signs up to take care of his terminally ill grandmother in director Pat Boonnitipat’s 2024 fable. In Thai with English subtitles. 125 mins. Not Rated. fandango.com

‘Look into My Eyes’ This intimate 2024 documentary gets up close and personal with psychic mediums and their clients during their sessions together. Lana Wilson directs. 104 mins. Rated R. amctheatres.com, laemmle.com