Værelse 304 (Room 304) (2011) 

Weaving various interconnected characters and storylines in fragmented moments, an artfully told drama of desire, guilt, revenge and despair that finally ties strands together with some effect. The stifling environment of a Copenhagen hotel provides a dense atmosphere.

Valdez Is Coming (1971) 

Weary, principled Mexican lawman Burt Lancaster is abused & left for dead. Tough visuals and strong score propel revenge as brisk running time encompasses confrontation with prejudice and corruption as well as vigorous action amid rugged, dusty landscapes.

Valkyrie (2008) 

Solid wartime thriller builds tension through situation and character with resolute Tom Cruise and stalwart British actors making plans to assassinate Hitler. Engrossing detail and robust visuals tied to tight narrative rhythms ensures a polished production.

Vanilla (2020) 

Equal parts comfortingly predictable and enjoyably unexpected, prospective app entrepreneur Will Dennis and hopeful stand-up Kelsea Bauman travel by van from New York to New Orleans. Told with a breezy, natural style, genuine laughs and emotion, and a knock out Bauman.

The Vanished (2020) 

Featuring an evocative soundscape and score allied to a sure sense of visuals, the story of progressively unhinged parents Thomas Jane and Anne Heche searching for their disappeared daughter rapidly goes off the rails. Plot holes and murders pile up.

The Vanishing (2018) 

Riff on unexplained legend of three disappearing lighthouse keepers features strong visuals and evocative atmosphere, initially hinting at supernatural. Resulting violence over gold and descent into madness is more prosaic and third act dissipates tension despite glowering, muscular performances.

Variant (2020) 

Production values falter at times and individual scenes lack energy, yet the narrative and performers are engaging. An aspiring artist finds her life upturned by a stranger and while the sci-fi reveal and resolution are not surprising there's a satisfying sense of fun.

The Vast Of Night (2019) 

Told with austere assurance and inventive visuals, 50s small town atmosphere smartly established as eager Sierra McCormick and confident DJ Jake Horowtiz track down alien audio signal. Effortless style builds quietly enveloping tension that leads to gripping resolution.

Vengeance Valley (1951) 

Solid production and cast keep unadventurous Western drama humming, as principled, adopted son Burt Lancaster struggles with corrupt brother Robert Walker's ambitions to take over family ranch. Joanne Dru and Sally Forrest provide able support. Shoot out simmers.

Verdens verste menneske (The Worst Person In The World) (2021) 

Swept up by the humanity and truth of Renate Reinsve's emotionally floundering lead, a smart, involving subversion and celebration of romantic comedy and dramatic conventions. Pierced with intriguing, surprising observation and warmth.

Vertigo (1958) 

Tortured obsession played out with sublime visual design, dreamy rhythms, and transcendent Bernard Herrmann score as flawed detective James Stewart seeks to recreate love for conflicted Kim Novak. Compelling technique coupled with enveloping themes provide elevating drama.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) 

Leisurely drama of art's inspiration and emotional entanglement as friends Rebecca Hall and Scarlet Johansson are intoxicated by painter Javier Bardem during heady Spanish summer. Marked with a melancholy wit and sparked by the intensity of an embracing Penélope Cruz.

Victim (1961) 

Intense London crime drama sees vicious blackmailers target closeted gays including married barrister Dirk Bogarde. Beyond historical interest, acute sense of claustrophobia and societal pressure informs persuasively detailed characters, with strong production and performances.

Victoria (In Bed With Victoria) (2016) 

Captivating Virginie Efira brings fresh contradictions to lawyer / single mother who's both confounding and endearing. Pacy balance of broad comedy, keen observation & poignant drama as court case and ex-husband's blog provoke self-destructive realization.

La Vie d'Adèle (Blue Is The Warmest Color) (2013) 

Intimate, exhausting epic of youthful passion and vast amounts of food. Vulnerable Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux share an explicit, searing relationship that captures the rush of desire and crush of broken emotions. Soulful and enveloping performances

Violent Playground (1958) 

Respectful pacing and open visuals allow a solid cast to take centre stage, as Stanley Baker's policeman and Peter Cushing's priest seek to help David McCallum and troubled youth in Liverpool. Overly earnest, the reflection on society maintains interest.

Viskningar och rop (Cries And Whispers) (1972)

Formidable, bracing design and lighting are as intrinsic to the drama as the raw performances of distanced sisters Liv Ullmann and Ingrid Thulin, caring maid Kari Sylwan, and the dying Harriet Andersson. Painfully intimate and intense, yet a moving sense of release by the end.

Das Vorspiel (The Audition) (2019) 

Austere portrait of broken ambition and musical ability grounded by brutal practise, with edgy teacher Nina Hoss dealing with tensions between husband and lover, and prodigy and son. Coldly effective in detail, building uneasy tension to bluntly conceived and bleak end.

Le Voyage de Fanny (Fanny's Journey) (2016) 

Photographed with sure sense of shade and colour, and featuring persuasively natural and expressive children as Jewish group escaping across occupied France. Yet narrative never quite builds character and emotional rush, dissipating sense of danger.