The sheer number of films playing at the Festival is staggering, and a quick glance at the schedule can send the casual moviegoer running. But fear not! Here’s our list of the films you should make it your business to check out.

Butter
It may look weird on paper ‘ a satire about an uptight housewife (Jennifer Garner) who takes on a freakishly talented black orphan in an annual butter-sculpting competition ‘ but Butter is brilliant and biting, and unlike anything else out there.

Drive
Nicolas Winding Refn’s stylized, stomach-tightening flick about a nearly mute stunt driver (Ryan Gosling) who moonlights as a getaway driver more than lives up to the hype, bringing several critics back for repeat viewings since its debut at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June.

50/50
While we wish they’d kept the original title, I’m With Cancer, this moving and funny look at a young man (Gordon-Levitt) dealing with a cancer diagnosis from writer and real-life cancer surviver Will Reiser is not to be missed. Gordon-Levitt cements his status as one of the best young actors today.

We Need to Talk About Kevin
Things get heavy in this adaptation of a best-selling novel about a divorced couple (Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly) dealing with the aftermath of their son’s violent outburst. There’s been nomination buzz for both the leads practically since the project was announced.

The Artist
A French silent film? In 2011? Sure! This unconventional, black-and-white Cannes favourite from director Michel Hazanavicius has had festival audiences buzzing. The supporting cast includes Malcolm MacDowell, John Goodman and James Cromwell.

Martha Marcy Mae Marlene
The harrowing story of a girl (the transfixing Elizabeth Olson) who escapes a cult but can’t get the experiences out of her head will get in your head, too. The film features a standout performance by Oscar-nominee John Hawkes as creepy cult leader.