Autumn has long ceased to be just a change of season on the calendar: it is an entire aesthetic that cinema captures better than anything else. Foggy cities, empty roads, school corridors, early twilight, and that strange feeling that the year is quietly drawing to a close — all of it turns cool evenings into the perfect excuse to switch on the screen. The Styler editorial team (an RBC-Ukraine project combining entertainment and lifestyle) has put together a selection of ten films in which the autumn mood is created not only by the landscapes but also by fogs, old houses, books, rainy streets, and a light melancholy. Below is a breakdown of the selection by mood, so you can easily pick a film for your evening.
School, Art, and the Start of the School Year
The first film in the selection tells the story of students at an elite American school whose lives change after the arrival of a new English teacher. He teaches the kids to see the world more broadly, to value art, and not to be afraid of their own dreams. The old school, the cool autumn, and the start of the school year create a special atmosphere, which is why this film is especially pleasant to rewatch in September, when life itself seems to begin a new “semester.”
Family Sagas and Growing Up
The next story is about four sisters who grow up in the United States in the 19th century and try to find their own path in life. They quarrel, fall in love, dream about the future, and support one another while the family goes through difficult times. A warm family home, an old town, books, falling leaves, and the autumn nature provide exactly the cozy mood that makes you want to turn on the movies in the cold season. The selection also includes a more intimate story: a girl finds solace in books and gradually changes the lives of the people around her. Old houses, cold streets, family relationships, and a muted autumn atmosphere make the film very warm, even though the story itself is far more dramatic than its tone suggests.
Foggy Cities and Lonely Hearts
A special place in the selection is taken by the story of two lonely people who meet by chance in the night-time Helsinki and gradually try to find their way to each other. Their relationship is constantly tested by awkward circumstances, but neither is ready to give up the chance at closeness. Cold Helsinki, autumn streets, dim light, and vintage music create a mood that is at once a little sad and very warm. In the same spirit is the story of a young Irish woman who moves to New York to start a new life away from home: the costumes, old neighborhoods, family dinners, letters home, and nostalgia for home provide a soft, nostalgic atmosphere without any magic — just autumn homesickness.
Detectives and Victorian Mystique
For mystery lovers, the selection offers two Victorian stories. In one, the younger sister of the famous Sherlock Holmes, after her mother's mysterious disappearance, sets out to find her and gets drawn into a dangerous conspiracy that she tries to unravel before her older brothers. Victorian London, foggy roads, old manor houses, and gloomy autumn landscapes create the atmosphere of an adventure detective that looks great on a cool evening. The second is a classic case: London is shrouded in fog, rain, and cold, and Sherlock Holmes, together with Dr. Watson, takes on yet another mystery. Gloomy streets, old houses, candles, and costumes provide that very atmosphere of autumn evenings, while the dynamic plot will keep even those who don't love classic detectives from getting bored. Separately worth noting is the Victorian fairy tale about Victor, who, due to a chance mistake, finds himself bound to a mysterious bride from the afterlife: a foggy forest, an old town, the otherworldly realm, and a gloomy yet magical animation are perfect for a cool evening.
Coziness, Books, and Autumn Nostalgia
The selection is rounded out by two of the “coziest” stories. In one, a little bear arrives in London and finds a new family, even though at first things don't go too smoothly: a rainy city, a cozy home, tea, family, and good humor make this film a true antidepressant for a gloomy day. The second is the story of a young writer, Juliette, who receives a mysterious letter from a man on the island of Guernsey and learns about an unusual book club created by its inhabitants during World War II. Setting off for the island, she gradually learns the stories of people united by books, friendship, and shared experiences. Old houses, foggy views, letters, books, and warm conversations create a special atmosphere of cozy autumn. Thus, Styler's selection covers almost the full spectrum of autumn moods — from school melancholy and family warmth to foggy detectives and bookish nostalgia — and easily lets you pick a film for a specific cool evening.
