Coming to TIFF: Margaret Qualley romance 'Love of Your Life,' produced by Ryan Gosling

Actress Margaret Qualley is shown in this undated handout image oprovided by the Toronto International Film Festival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout-TIFF(Mandatory Credit)

TORONTO — A romantic drama co-produced by Canada’s heartthrob Ryan Gosling and a psychological thriller starring Naomi Watts are among the buzzy films coming to the Toronto International Film Festival.

TIFF has announced five titles that are screening as part of its Special Presentations lineup, which it says aims to showcase ambitious new directors as well as vanguard voices.

Gosling is one of the producers behind the romance “Love of Your Life” — the script reportedly sparked a bidding war last year.

The film is led by “The Substance” star Margaret Qualley and “The White Lotus” breakout Patrick Schwarzenegger, who plays her ex. It’s set to stream on Prime Video in October.

“Love of Your Life” is directed by Rachel Morrison, the cinematographer behind Marvel’s “Black Panther” and the Second World War drama “Mudbound,” for which she earned an Oscar nomination.

Also coming to Toronto in September is “The Housewife,” the first feature film from Toronto director Ben Shirinian.

Set in the 1960s, “The Housewife” stars Watts alongside Tye Sheridan, Michael Imperioli and Norman Reedus.

It’s about a New York Times journalist who finds a possible Nazi officer living in Queens and befriends his wife.

Other films announced Thursday include the world premieres of “Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,” which stars Mahershala Ali as a hit man who is also religious and is trying to protect his children, from U.S. director Bassam Tariq. There is also the revenge drama “Glaxo,” from Argentine director Benjamín Naishtat, starring singer-actress Lali Espósito.

Meanwhile, the science fiction comedy “Alpha Gang” starring Cate Blanchett, Chris Pine, Lily-Rose Depp and Dave Bautista will have its international premiere. It’s directed by siblings Nathan and David Zellner.

This year’s TIFF runs from Sept. 10 to 20th. The festival previously announced its opening film is “Being Heumann” from Siân Heder, who also directed the Oscar-winning film “CODA.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2026.

Craig Macrae, The Canadian Press