Indie Film Release Guide: December 10th [An ONTD Original]

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This weekend’s only major studio release is the Steven Spielberg-directed remake of West Side Story from 20th Century Studios, which has received glowing reviews. But if you’re not into musicals, there is no shortage of indie new releases this week, so read on for more info.

The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Studios, Universal, Columbia/Sony and Disney. Note that some of the movies listed are in their first week or two of limited release in the USA, so it may take them a few more weeks (or months) to show up in your local arthouse theater or on VOD. Check out the posts from the past few weeks for more movies that may have just opened near you: December 3rd, November 24th, and November 19th.

Don’t Look Up

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Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett
Writer: Adam McKay, David Sirota
Director: Adam McKay
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi
Plot: Two low-level astronomers must go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth.
What you should know: Original planned for Paramount before Netflix acquired it a month into the pandemic.
Where to watch: In theaters; on Netflix December 24th



Red Rocket

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Stars: Simon Rex, Bree Elrond, Suzanna Son, Brenda Deiss
Writer: Sean Baker, Chris Bergoch
Director: Sean Baker
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Mikey Saber is a washed-up porn star who returns to his small Texas hometown, not that anyone really wants him back.
What you should know: Premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters

Being the Ricardos

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Stars: Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, Nina Arianda, J.K. Simmons
Writer/Director: Aaron Sorkin
Genre: Biography, Drama
Plot: Follows Lucy and Desi as they face a crisis that could end their careers and another that could end their marriage.
What you should know: Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr, the children of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, both have producer credits on the film.
Where to watch: In theaters; on Amazon Prime December 21st

National Champions

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Stars: Stephan James, J.K Simmons, Uzo Aduba, Alexander Ludwig
Writer: Adam Mervis
Director: Ric Roman Waugh
Genre: Drama
Plot: Follows a star quarterback who ignites a players strike hours before the biggest game of the year in order to fight for fair compensation, equality and respect for the student-athletes.
What you should know: The film was shot in New Orleans.
Where to watch: In theaters

France

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Stars: Léa Seydoux, Blanche Gardin, Benjamin Biolay, Juliane Köhler
Writer/Director: Bruno Dumont
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: A celebrity journalist, juggling her busy career and personal life, has her life over-turned by a freak car accident.
What you should know: The filmmakers had permission to shoot in the Élysée palace, in the entrance court and one of the salons.
Where to watch: In theaters

The Hating Game

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Stars: Lucy Hale, Austin Stowell, Corbin Bernsen, Sakina Jaffrey
Writer: Christina Mengert
Director: Peter Hutchings
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Plot: Resolving to achieve professional success without compromising her ethics, Lucy embarks on a ruthless game of one-upmanship against cold and efficient nemesis Joshua, a rivalry that is complicated by her growing attraction to him.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Sally Thorne.
Where to watch: In theaters

Agnes

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Stars: Molly C. Quinn, Jake Horowitz, Sean Gunn, Chris Sullivan
Writer: Mickey Reece, John Selvidge
Director: Mickey Reece
Genre: Drama, Horror
Plot: Rumors of demonic possession at a religious convent prompts a church investigation into the strange goings-on among its nuns. A disaffected priest and his neophyte are confronted with temptation, bloodshed and a crisis of faith.
What you should know: The last feature film from director Mickey Reece was 2019’s Climate of the Hunter.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Encounter

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Stars: Riz Ahmed, Octavia Spencer, Lucian-River Chauhan, Aditya Geddada
Writer: Joe Barton, Michael Pearce
Director: Michael Pearce
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
Plot: Two brothers embark on a journey with their father, who is trying to protect them from an alien threat.
What you should know: Director Michael Pearce’s last feature film was 2017’s Beast.
Where to watch: In theaters + on Amazon Prime

Beijing Spring

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Director: Andy Cohen, Gaylen Ross
Genre: Documentary
Plot: Documents the brief window of artistic freedom and democracy movement from 1978 - 1982, following China's brutal cultural revolution.
What you should know: The directing duo last worked on 2019’s Ximei.
Where to watch: In theaters

The Last Son

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Stars: Heather Graham, Sam Worthington, Machine Gun Kelly, Thomas Jane
Writer: Greg Johnson
Director: Tim Sutton
Genre: Action, Drama, Western
Plot: An outlaw attempts to end his evil family line.
What you should know: Machine Gun Kelly is credited as Colson Baker in film projects.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

More New Releases

West Side Story (Trailer) from 20th Century Studios
Mosley (Trailer) from Paramount
American Sicario (Trailer)
White on White (Trailer)
Joy Womack: The White Swan (Trailer)
A Son (Trailer)
Off the Rails (Trailer)
The Lady of Heaven (Trailer)

New to Streaming

The Unforgivable (Trailer) on Netflix
Swan Song (Trailer) on Hulu
Back to the Outback (Trailer) on Netflix

Award Qualifying Theatrical Run

The Duke (Trailer)

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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?