Unmasking the illusory excess of the 1980s, Sean Durkin’s psychologically askew chamber piece is a decadent treat with a poisonous core, boasting standout performances from Jude Law and Carrie Coon. The superbly biting repartee makes this a must-see addition to the pantheon of toxic movie marriages.

Discontent with mid-century domesticity, a couple flee its demands, throwing their son prematurely into the mess of adult affairs. Wildlife may be his first film as director and screenwriter, yet Paul Dano comes close to the heights of Greek tragedy in this tale of the nuclear family in crisis.