Indie Film Release Guide: September 30th [An ONTD Original]

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The big studios are beginning to ramp up new releases once again, so this weekend, we have two films opening in wide release. Paramount is opening its horror flick Smile against Universal’s gay rom-com Bros, and it looks like Paramount will be winning the weekend, just as they have won most of 2022. Curiously, Disney didn't bring Hocus Pocus 2 to theaters, but it is premiering on Disney+.

The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Five” - Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Walt Disney Pictures, and Columbia Pictures.. 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: September 23rd, September 16th, and September 9th.

God’s Creatures

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Stars: Emily Watson, Paul Mescal, Aisling Franciosi, Declan Conlon
Writer: Fodhla Cronin O'Reilly, Shane Crowley
Director: Saela Davis, Anna Rose Holmer
Genre: Drama
Plot: In a windswept fishing village, a mother is torn between protecting her beloved son and her own sense of right and wrong. A lie she tells for him rips apart their family and close-knit community in this tense, sweepingly emotional epic.
What you should know: Shot in Ireland.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD



Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon

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Stars: Jeon Jong-seo, Kate Hudson, Ed Skrein, Craig Robinson
Writer/Director: Ana Lily Amirpour
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: A girl with unusual powers escapes from a mental asylum and tries to make it on her own in New Orleans.
What you should know: Zac Efron was originally cast in Ed Skrein’s role.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Dead for a Dollar

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Stars: Rachel Brosnahan, Willem Dafoe, Christoph Waltz, Hamish Linklater
Writer: Matt Harris, Walter Hill
Director: Walter Hill
Genre: Thriller, Western
Plot: The film follows a famed bounty hunter who runs into his sworn enemy, a professional gambler and outlaw that he had sent to prison years before.
What you should know: Shot in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Where to watch: In theaters

My Best Friend’s Exorcism

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Stars: Elsie Fisher, Amiah Miller, Rachel Ogechi Kanu, Cathay Ang
Writer: Jenna Lamia
Director: Damon Thomas
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Thriller
Plot: Teen best friends Abby and Gretchen grapple with an otherworldly demon that takes up residence in Gretchen's body.
What you should know: Based on the books by Grady Hendrix
Where to watch: Amazon

Vesper

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Stars: Raffiella Chapman, Rosy McEwen, Eddie Marsan, Richard Brake
Writer: Kristina Buozyte, Brian Clark, Bruno Samper
Director: Kristina Buozyte, Bruno Samper
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Plot: After the collapse of Earth's ecosystem, Vesper, a 13-year-old girl struggling to survive with her Father, must use her wits, strength, and bio-hacking abilities to fight for the future.
What you should know: Nominated for awards at several film festivals.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

The Greatest Beer Run Ever

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Stars: Zac Efron, Russell Crowe, Bill Murray, Kyle Allen
Writer: Brian Hayes Currie, Peter Farrelly, Pete Jones
Director: Peter Farrelly
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Plot: A man's story of leaving New York in 1967 to bring beer to his childhood buddies in the Army while they are fighting in Vietnam.
What you should know: Based on the book of the same name.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available on Apple TV+

The Good House

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Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Kevin Kline, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney
Writer: Thomas Bezucha, Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolordarsky
Director: Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolordarsky
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Life for New England realtor Hildy Good begins to unravel when she hooks up with an old flame of hers from New York.
What you should know: Based on the book by Ann Leary.
Where to watch: In theaters

The Justice of Bunny King

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Stars: Essie Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Lively Nili, Bridie Sisson
Writer: Sophie Henderson, Gregory King, Gaysorn Thavat
Director: Gaysorn Thavat
Genre: Drama
Plot: Bunny King is a mother of two, a rough cut diamond with a sketchy past. While battling the system to reunite with her children, a confrontation leads her to take her niece Tonyah under her wing. With the world against her and Tonyah, Bunny’s battle has just begun.
What you should know: Filmed in New Zealand.
Where to watch: In theaters

Sirens

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Writer/Director: Rita Bagdhadi
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Lilas and Shery, co-founders and guitarists of the Middle East's first all-female metal band, wrestle with friendship, sexuality and destruction in their pursuit of becoming thrash metal rock stars.
What you should know: Official selection of the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters

Spirit Halloween: The Movie

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Stars: Rachael Leigh Cook, Christopher Lloyd, Marla Gibbs, Brad Carter
Writer: Billie Bates
Director: David Poag
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Plot: When a Halloween store opens in a deserted strip-mall, three friends, thinking they've outgrown trick or treating, decide to spend the night locked inside. But their night of spook-filled fun soon turns to outlandish survival.
What you should know: Based on the retail store.
Where to watch: In theaters

More New Releases

Bros (Trailer) from Universal
Smile (Trailer) from Paramount
Argentina 1985 (Trailer)

New to Streaming

Hocus Pocus 2 (Trailer) on Disney
Blonde (Trailer) on Netflix
A Chiara (Trailer) on Hulu
Ambulance (Trailer) on Amazon

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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?