Cloud Atlas (in theaters Friday)

Author David Mitchell’s 2004 generations-spanning sci-fi epic Cloud Atlas comes to life on the big screen this Friday thanks to the Wachowskis, the team behind the groundbreaking Matrix trilogy, and co-director Tom Twyker of Run Lola Run fame. With a cavalry of award-winning actors playing multiple roles in various time periods—Tom Hanks and Halle Berry each play six characters, while Jim Sturgess plays a whopping seven—Cloud Atlas examines the interconnectedness and inspiration of life’s travails and it’s triumphs, and follows the ripple effect as one single act of kindness eventually sparks a revolution many years later.

In daring fashion, the filmmakers depict Mitchell’s sweeping, mystical and unique vision of humanity. Hugh Grant, Susan Sarandon, Hugo Weaving and Ben Whishaw co-star. Rated R.