In Theaters This Weekend: Reviews of 'Argo,' 'Seven Psychopaths,' 'Sinister' and More

An Oscar hopeful, a horror flick and a crime comedy are among the movies hitting theaters this weekend.

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Ben Affleck's political film Argo, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, has been receiving raves throughout the festival circuit, and critics are betting the movie will be an Oscar contender.

Argo -- which is produced by Affleck, Grant Heslov and George Clooney -- follows the Iran hostage crisis of 1979-81, in which a CIA "exfiltration" specialist plans to free six Americans who have found shelter at the home of the Canadian ambassador -- all under the guise of a fake movie production. Affleck also stars alongside Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, John Goodman and Victor Garber.

PHOTOS: THR Cover: Confessions of Ben Affleck 

Meanwhile, Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson and Christopher Walken star in Martin McDonagh's comedy-crime movie Seven Psychopaths.

The film follows a struggling screenwriter who becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his friends kidnap a gangster's beloved dog.

Read what The Hollywood Reporter's film critics have to say about all the films opening this weekend, and find out how they are expected to perform at the box office.

Argo
Director Ben Affleck tells a dense, multi-layered story about the Iran hostage crisis of 1979-81 with confidence and finesse. Read Todd McCarthy's review here.

Seven Psychopaths
Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson and Christopher Walken sign up for Grand Guignol bloodshed in Martin McDonagh's comic inversion of guys-with-gun movies. Read David Rooney's review here.

Sinister
Ethan Hawke stars as a crime novelist obsessed with a missing-girl case in Scott Derrickson's latest scary movie. Read John DeFore's review here.

STORY: 'Argo's' Bryan Cranston on CIA Secrets, Ben Affleck's Directing Style (Q&A)

Gayby
Jenn Harris and Matthew Wilkas star as a yoga instructor and her gay best friend embarking on parenthood together in Jonathan Lisecki's comedy, which debuted earlier this year at SXSW. Read David Rooney's review here.

Least Among Saints
Martin Papazian's drama tells the story of a PTSD-afflicted war veteran who finds redemption by helping a troubled young boy. Read Frank Scheck's review here.

Middle of Nowhere
Strong performances and a restrained script sell drama about a couple separated by prison walls. Read John DeFore's review here.

Nobody Walks
Ry Russo-Young's third feature fails to arouse much interest despite an attractive cast. Read Todd McCarthy's review here.

Simon and the Oaks
Lisa Ohlin's coming-of-age film, nominated for several awards in its native Sweden, tells the emotional tale of a young boy's road to self-discovery during WWII. Read John DeFore's review here.

STORY: Oscar Fav 'Argo' Attracts Massive Turnout of Movie and Media A-Listers in New York

Smashed
Sharp writing and credibility make James Ponsoldt’s second feature fresh and involving enough to warrant further festival exposure and limited theatrical release. Read Todd McCarthy's review here.

War of the Buttons
In a highly unusual bout of filmmaking folie, two simultaneous adaptations of the French classic will be released on local screens within seven days of one another. Read Jordan Mintzer's review here.

Smiley
A knife wielding maniac stalks internet chat rooms in this horror thriller. Read Frank Scheck's review here.