Indie Film Release Guide: February 4th [An ONTD Original]
After a slow January, even by January standards, this month should be a little more lively at theaters. With this weekend’s releases of Jackass Forever and Moonfall, Spider-Man will finally tumble from the top of the box office for good.
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: January 28th, January 21st, and January 14th.
The Worst Person in the World
Click to viewStars: Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie, Maria Grazia Di Meo, Herbert Nordrum
Writer: Joachim Trier, Eskil Vogt
Director: Joachim Trier
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: The chronicles of four years in the life of Julie, a young woman who navigates the troubled waters of her love life and struggles to find her career path, leading her to take a realistic look at who she really is.
What you should know: This is Norway’s submission to the Best International Film category at the 2022 Academy Awards.
Where to watch: In theaters
Moonfall
Stars: Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, John Bradley, Charlie Plummer
Writer: Roland Emmerich, Harald Kloser, Spenser Cohen
Director: Roland Emmerich
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Plot: A mysterious force knocks the Moon from its orbit around Earth and sends it hurdling on a collision course with life as we know it. With mere weeks before impact and the world on the brink of annihilation, NASA executive and former astronaut Jo Fowler is convinced she has the key to saving us all - but only one astronaut from her past, Brian Harper and a conspiracy theorist K.C. Houseman believe her
What you should know: The budget for this film is $146 million, making it one of the most expensive independent films ever produced.
Where to watch: In theaters
Lingui, The Sacred Bonds
Stars: Achouackh Abakar Souleymane, Rihane Khalil Alio, Youssouf Djaoro, Briya Gomdigue
Writer/DirectorDirector:Mahamat-Saleh Haroun
Genre: Drama
Plot: Amina, a practicing Muslim, lives with her daughter, 15-year-old Maria. When Amina learns Maria is pregnant and wants to abort the child, they face an impossible situation in a country where abortion is legally and morally condemned.
What you should know: It’s in French.
Where to watch: NYC
Alone With You
Stars: Emily Bennett, Barbara Crampton, Meghan Lane, Dora Madison
Writer/Director: Emily Bennett, Justin Brooks
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: As a young woman painstakingly prepares a romantic homecoming for her girlfriend, their apartment begins to feel more like a tomb when voices, shadows, and hallucinations reveal a truth she has been unwilling to face.
What you should know: This is co-writer, co-director and actor Emily Bennett’s feature directorial debut.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Last Survivors
Stars: Drew Van Acker, Alicia Silverstone, Stephen Moyer, Mark Famiglietti
Writer: Josh Janowicz
Director: Drew Mylrea
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
Plot: A father and son, who have been living off grid for 20 years, encounter an outsider who threatens to destroy the utopia they've built.
What you should know: Writer Josh Janowicz also actors and directs.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Last Looks
Stars: Charlie Hunnam, Mel Gibson, Lucy Fry, Rupert Friend
Writer: Howard Michael Gould
Director:Tim Kirkby
Genre: Action, Crime, Mystery
Plot: A disgraced ex-cop seeks solace by moving to the woods, but his quiet life comes to an end when a private eye recruits him to investigate a murder.
What you should know: Based on the novel of the same name.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Wolf and the Lion
Stars: Molly Kunz, Graham Greene, Charlie Carrick, Daniel Jones
Writer: Gilles de Maistre, Prune de Maistre
Director: Gilles de Maistre
Genre: Family
Plot: A wolf pup and a lost lion cub are rescued by a girl in the heart of the Canadian wilderness. Their friendship will change their lives forever.
What you should know: It’s in French and English.
Where to watch: In theaters
Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché
Writer: Celeste Bell, Zoe Howe, Paul Sng
Director: Celeste Bell, Paul Sng
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: The death of punk icon and X-Ray Spex front-woman Poly Styrene sends her daughter on a journey through her mother's archives in this intimate documentary.
What you should know: Won Best Documentary at the 2021 British Independent Film Awards.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
The Long Night
Stars: Scout Taylor-Compton, Nolan Gerard Funk, Kevin Ragsdale, Deborah Kara Unger
Writer: Robert Sheppe, Mark Young
Director: Rich Ragsdale
Genre: Horror
Plot: A devoted couple's quiet weekend takes a bizarre turn when a nightmarish cult and their maniacal leader come to fulfill an apocalyptic prophesy.
What you should know: Director Rich Ragsdale is also a composer for film and television.
Where to watch: Shudder
The Fallout
Stars: Jenna Ortega, Maddie Ziegler, Niles Fitch, Will Ropp
Writer/Director:Megan Park
Genre: Drama
Plot: High schooler Vada navigates the emotional fallout she experiences in the wake of a school tragedy. Relationships with her family, friends and view of the world are forever altered.
What you should know: This is director Megan Park’s directorial debut. It actually premiered last week, but OP figured better late than never.
Where to watch: HBO Max
More New Releases
Jackass Forever (Trailer) from Paramount
Through My Window (Trailer) on Netflix
Loop Lapeta (Trailer) on Netflix
New to Streaming
The Beta Test (Trailer) on Hulu
Cry Macho (Trailer) on HBO
What Breaks the Ice (Trailer) on Showtime
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?