Indie Film Release Guide: March 20th [An ONTD Original]
Due to this whole global pandemic thing, there won’t be any new theatrical releases for a little while, indie or otherwise. But thanks to technology, we all have plenty of options when it comes to movies to watch at home. So for the time being, this post will be a mix of new releases heading directly to VOD, and select indies available on various streaming services. All streaming services listed are the US editions, since that's where OP is located; hopefully, some of these are available to stream in other countries as well.
The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Columbia/Sony and Disney. Check out the posts from the past few weeks for more movies that may have already come to VOD: March 13th, March 6th, and February 28th.
Hooking Up
Click to viewStars: Brittany Snow, Sam Richardson, Jordana Brewster, Vivica A. Fox
Writer: Nico Raineau, Lauren Schacher
Director: Nico Raineau
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Bailey and Darla embark upon a misguided and mutually deceitful form of therapy, one in which they must drive across the country re-enacting Darla's colorful history as a sex addict. As their true motivations for the road trip come to light, the unlikely pair force one another to confront their issues, discovering that there might actually be more to love than just sex.
What you should know: Filmed in Dallas, TX.
Streams on: New release; available on demand
Human Capital
Stars: Liev Schreider, Maya Hawke, Alex Wolff, Marisa Tomei
Writer: Oren Moverman
Director: Marc Meyers
Genre: Crime, Drama
Plot: The lives of two different families collide when their children begin a relationship that leads to a tragic accident.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Stephen Amidon.
Streams on: New release; available on demand
Other indies available to stream:
Shoplifters (2018)
Stars: Lily Franky, Sakura Andô, Kirin Kiki, Mayu Matsuoka
Writer/Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Genre: Crime, Drama
Plot: A family of small-time crooks take in a child they find outside in the cold.
What you should know: It’s in Japanese. Kore-eda had another film set for theatrical release this weekend called The Truth, but it does not appear to be going direct to VOD. Hopefully that will change in the coming weeks.
Streams on: Hulu
The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015)
Stars: Emma Roberts, Kiernan Shipka, Lucy Boynton, James Remar
Writer/Director: Oz Perkins
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: Two girls must battle a mysterious evil force when they get left behind at their boarding school over winter break.
What you should know: A24 released the film after it spent almost two years on the film festival circuit.
Streams on: Netflix
Beach Rats (2017)
Stars: Harris Dickinson, Madeline Weinstein, Frank Hakaj, David Ivanov
Writer/Director: Eliza Hittman
Genre: Drama
Plot: A Brooklyn teenager spends his days experimenting with drugs and looking online for older men to meet with.
What you should know: Hittman’s most recent film, Never Rarely Sometimes Always, had the misfortune of being released a week ago in theaters. OP will report back when it becomes available for VOD.
Streams on: Hulu
Moonlight (2016)
Stars: Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Ashton Sanders, Jharrel Jerome
Writer: Barry Jenkins, based on the play by Tarell Alvin McCraney
Director: Barry Jenkins
Genre: Drama
Plot: A young African-American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood.
What you should know: Jenkins has recently been working on a series adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad for Amazon, directing all episodes.
Streams on: Netflix
20th Century Women (2016)
Stars: Annette Bening, Lucas Jade Zumann, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup
Writer/Director: Mike Mills
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: The story of a teenage boy, his mother, and two other women who help raise him among the love and freedom of Southern California of 1979.
What you should know: The film is a semi-autobiographical account from writer/director Mike Mills.
Streams on: Netflix
Obvious Child (2014)
Stars: Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy, Gaby Hoffman, Gabe Liedman
Writer: Gillian Robespierre, Karen Maine, Elisabeth Holm, Anna Bean
Director: Gillian Robespierre
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: A twenty-something comedienne's unplanned pregnancy forces her to confront the realities of independent womanhood for the first time.
What you should know: Shot on location in NYC
Streams on: Netflix
Monos (2019)
Stars: Sofia Buenaventura, Julián Giraldo, Karen Quintero, Moises Arias
Writer: Alejandro Landes, Alexis Dos Santos
Director: Alejandro Landes
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Thriller
Plot: On a remote mountaintop, eight kids with guns watch over a hostage and a conscripted milk cow.
What you should know: It’s in Spanish and English.
Streams on: Hulu
Troop Zero (2019)
Stars: Viola Davis, Mckenna Grace, Jim Gaffigan, Allison Janney
Writer: Lucy Alibar
Director: Bert & Bertie
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
Plot: In rural 1977 Georgia, a misfit girl dreams of life in outer space. When a competition offers her a chance to be recorded on NASA's Golden Record, she recruits a makeshift troop of Birdie Scouts, forging friendships that last a lifetime.
What you should know: The Golden Records referenced in the film have entered interstellar space.
Streams on: Amazon Prime
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Anything on your "to watch" list for this weekend?