This weekend in Montreal offers a rich tapestry of cultural highlights, headlined by the Quebec theatrical release of a film featuring a star-making performance from one of the province's most talented actors. Théodore Pellerin reaches new artistic heights in the critically praised French drama Nino, which opens in cinemas across Quebec starting Friday, January 16, 2026.
Théodore Pellerin's Breakout Role in 'Nino'
The first and most compelling reason to head to the movies this weekend is Nino. Directed by Pauline Loquès, the film is far from a standard medical drama. It follows the title character, played by Pellerin, in the immediate aftermath of a throat cancer diagnosis as he navigates a dazed journey through Paris.
Pellerin's performance is in every scene, a quiet, magnetic tour de force that has already earned him the Rising Star Award at the Cannes Film Festival. The film itself won the Grand Prix at Montreal's Cinemania festival this past fall. While the subject matter is heavy, Loquès's approach is subtle, nuanced, and hyperrealistic, avoiding melodrama to focus on a series of raw human encounters.
In an interview from Paris, director Pauline Loquès expressed her immediate certainty about Pellerin. "I really think he is one of the great actors of his generation," Loquès stated. She described his screen presence as magnetic and captivating, essential for a film that is essentially a prolonged character portrait. Loquès was so convinced of his talent that she told him in 2023 she believed he would one day win an Oscar.
For local film fans, Pellerin's ascent is no surprise. The actor first gained attention on Radio-Canada's 30 vies in 2014 and has since starred in notable Quebec films like Les Démons, Chien de garde—for which he won a Canadian Screen Award for best actor in 2019—and Solo. He has also made impressions internationally in Showtime's On Becoming a God in Central Florida and the recent American film Lurker. However, Nino is poised to be his definitive leap to the A-list.
Nino opens in its original French version on January 16. An English-subtitled copy will begin screenings at Cinéma Moderne on January 23.
Montreal's Eclectic Weekend Entertainment Lineup
Beyond the cinema, Montreal's weekend is packed with diverse events for every taste.
Museums Launches New Music at Quai des brumes
On Friday night, Montreal's own psychedelic shoegaze band Museums takes the stage at Quai des brumes. The group is launching a double single titled Lost/Can’t Stop as part of a triple bill with local acts Raindogs and Mirella. Formed just last year, Museums crafts hypnotic, melodic alt-rock that draws favorable comparisons to 1990s icons like Radiohead and Garbage. The band has already recorded a six-song mini-album set for release later in 2026 on Petit Village Records.
Igloofest Chills Out the Old Port
Winter in Montreal means the triumphant return of Igloofest, the iconic outdoor electronic music festival. The 2026 edition kicks off this weekend at the Jacques-Cartier Pier in the Old Port. Friday night features the energetic dance-pop of New York City duo Sofi Tukker, while Saturday brings the atmospheric sounds of French electronic twosome The Blaze. It's a quintessential Montreal winter experience for thousands of festival-goers.
Punk Legends and Tribute Acts
For those seeking louder sounds, legendary Los Angeles hardcore punk band Fear brings its ferocious energy to Les Foufounes Électriques on Saturday night. Nearly five decades into their career, they remain a potent force.
Meanwhile, at Brasserie des rapides on Saturday, The Last of the Duke Street Kings offers a unique double tribute, covering the music of both Bruce Springsteen and Melissa Etheridge, reportedly to rave reviews.
A Showcase for Quebec Talent and Montreal Culture
This weekend perfectly encapsulates Montreal's vibrant cultural scene. It highlights the international-caliber talent emerging from Quebec's film industry, exemplified by Théodore Pellerin's transformative role in Nino. Simultaneously, it celebrates the city's dynamic live music ecosystem, from emerging local indie bands and massive outdoor electronic festivals to enduring punk icons and inventive tribute acts. Whether indoors at a cinema or bundled up at the Old Port, Montreal offers compelling reasons to engage with the arts as January unfolds.
