TORONTO – Oh, Canada, we are ready for a week filled with remarkable films and potential Oscar contenders, including a biopic about Donald Trump, a horror movie featuring Hugh Grant, and a drama showcasing Amy Adams believing she’s transforming into a dog.

The Toronto International Film Festival, taking place until Sept. 15, has long been a vital springboard for Best Picture winners like “Parasite,” “Nomadland,” and “Spotlight.” While not every film in this year’s lineup is likely to contend for Academy Awards – it would be great to see a Stephen King adaptation like “The Life of Chuck” get some recognition one day – this selection is rich with high-profile projects from renowned stars (Demi Moore, Pamela Anderson, and Jennifer Lopez), legendary musicians (Bruce Springsteen and Elton John), and iconic directors (Francis Ford Coppola and Ron Howard).

We are keeping a list of the films we’ve seen at the Toronto festival, so here are our top picks so far, ranked:

5. ‘The Luckiest Man in America’

Paul Walter Hauser, known for his roles in “I, Tonya” and “Richard Jewell,” adeptly plays quirky characters who find themselves in tough situations. In this drama, he portrays a real-life game-show contestant who cleverly manipulates the system. The film revisits a 1980s scandal where Hauser’s character takes another contestant’s place on “Press Your Luck,” leading to an astounding run that frustrates TV producers, but his competitive drive reveals profound emotional layers.

4. ‘The Cut’

Orlando Bloom takes on the role of an Irish boxer, once dubbed the “Wolf of Dublin,” who missed his shot at fame. A decade later, he and his girlfriend/trainer (Caitriona Balfe) get a second chance against the reigning champion, but he must shed 25 pounds in just a week. While it starts as a conventional sports film, it develops into a compelling narrative with elements of psychological horror, discussions on mental health and eating disorders, and a standout supporting performance from John Turturro as the no-nonsense trainer who helps him shed weight, culminating in a powerful climax.

3. ‘Bird’

Directed by English filmmaker Andrea Arnold, this coming-of-age film offers a gritty tale with hints of dark fantasy about a 12-year-old girl forced to mature too quickly. Bailey (Nykiya Adams) feels neglected when her erratic father Bug (Barry Keoghan) plans to marry a stranger, while her mother is controlled by a cruel partner. Searching for an escape in nature, she meets a mysterious character named Bird (Franz Rogowski), who needs help finding his parents, but they end up supporting each other in a poignant story about growing up and familial connections.

2. ‘The Apprentice’

This film does not revolve around Donald Trump’s reality show but rather explores how he – and others – treat those in pursuit of fame, wealth, and power. Set during Trump’s ascent in New York during the 1970s and 80s, this captivating drama stars Sebastian Stan as a young Trump, working in his father’s real estate business and guided by the formidable lawyer Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong), known for his brutal tactics and lack of compassion. The story illustrates the dynamic of the student surpassing the master, featuring compelling character transformations by both Stan and Strong.

1. ‘The Substance’

At film festivals, you sometimes encounter a film that surprises you with its originality. This time, it’s a wonderfully chaotic body horror film featuring Demi Moore, who delivers an outrageous performance. She portrays a television fitness star who undergoes a process designed to restore her beauty to perfection. Margaret Qualley plays her younger version, created as a result of this bizarre situation. The film brilliantly veers off course and continues to push boundaries. While it offers profound commentary on themes like beauty, vanity, and self-worth, it also guarantees plenty of disturbing, hilarious, and utterly shocking moments.