New movies this week: The Girl on the Train, The Birth of a Nation

RALEIGH, N.C. — A look at what's new in theaters this week.

The Girl on the Train (Suspense/Thriller, R, Starring Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans) - Rachel, devastated by her recent divorce, spends her daily commute fantasizing about the seemingly perfect couple who live in a house that her train passes every day, until one morning she sees something shocking happen there and becomes entangled in the mystery that unfolds. Based on Paula Hawkins' bestselling novel.

The Birth of a Nation (Drama, R, Starring Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Mark Boone Jr., Colman Domingo, Aunjanue Ellis) - Set against the antebellum South, this film follows Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher, whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner, accepts an offer to use Nat's preaching to subdue unruly slaves. As he witnesses countless atrocities - against himself and his fellow slaves - Nat orchestrates an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom.

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life (Comedy, PG, Starring Griffin Gluck, Lauren Graham, Rob Riggle, Thomas Barbusca, Andy Daly) - Rafe has an epic imagination...and a slight problem with authority. Both collide when he transfers to an oppressive, rule-crazy middle school. Drowning in do's and don'ts, Rafe and his scheming best friend Leo hatch a plan to break every rule in the school's Code of Conduct.