Indie Film Release Guide: October 7th [An ONTD Original]
This weekend looks to be a fairly sleepy one at the box office. Sure, there are two major studio releases arriving - Sony’s Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and 20th Century’s Amsterdam, but neither one looks to be a huge draw. Amsterdam in particular has received some scathing reviews, which certainly will not help its box office. But as always, there are more options in theaters, and you can read more about them below.
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 30th, September 23rd, and September 16th.
TÁR
Click to viewStars: Cate Blanchett, Nina Hoss, Noémie Merlant, Mark Strong
Writer/Director: Todd Field
Genre: Drama
Plot: Set in the international world of classical music, the film centers on Lydia Tár, widely considered one of the greatest living composer/conductors and first-ever female chief conductor of a major German orchestra.
What you should know: Cate Blanchett won the Volpi Cup at the 2022 Venice Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters in select cities; film will expand throughout the month of October
Triangle of Sadness
Stars: Thobias Thorwid, Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean, Dolly De Leon
Writer/Director: Ruben Östlund
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: A cruise for the super-rich sinks thus leaving survivors, including a fashion model celebrity couple, trapped on an island.
What you should know: Won the Palme d'Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone
Stars: Jaeden Martell, Donald Sutherland, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Joe Tippett
Writer/Director: John Lee Hancock
Genre: Horror
Plot: When Mr. Harrigan dies, the teen who befriended and did odd jobs for him, puts his smart phone in his pocket before burial and when the lonely youth leaves his dead friend a message, he is shocked to get a return text.
What you should know: Based on the short story by Stephen King.
Where to watch: Netflix
To Leslie
Stars: Allison Janney, Andrea Riseborough, Marc Maron, Stephen Root
Writer: Ryan Binaco
Director: Michael Morris
Genre: Drama
Plot: A West Texas single mother wins the lottery and squanders it just as fast, leaving behind a world of heartbreak. Years later, with her charm running out and nowhere to go, she fights to rebuild her life and find redemption.
What you should know: Premiered at SXSW 2022.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
The Swimmer
Stars: Omer Perelmen Striks, Asaf Jonas, Ofek Nicki-Cohen, Gal Ben Amra
Writer/Director: Adam Kalderon
Genre: Drama, Sport
Plot: Erez, a rising star on the elite swimming scene, arrives at a tough training camp with a singular aim - to win a fiercely contested place in the national Olympic team. Intense rivalry precludes any chance of friendship with his fellow athletes until he meets Nevo.
What you should know: Appeared on the 2021 film festival circuit.
Where to watch: In theaters
Pretty Problems
Stars: Britt Rentschler, Michael Tennant, J.J. Nolan, Charlotte Ubben
Writer: Britt Rentschler, Michael Tennant, Charlotte Ubben
Director: Kestrin Pantera
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: Jack and Lindsay are invited on a getaway trip with affluent strangers: down the rabbit hole, and into the most unhinged weekend of their lives. Can their relationship survive?
What you should know: Won the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW 2022.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Last Flight Home
Writer/Director: Ondi Timoner
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: On an unremarkable suburban street, we find Eli Timoner in his final days and discover an extraordinary life, one filled with wild achievements, tragic loss and above all, enduring love from his incredibly close-knit family. An unforgettable and stunning verité account of a family courageously facing both life and death.
What you should know: Ondi Timoner directed 2018’s Mapplethorpe.
Where to watch: In theaters
Luckiest Girl Alive
Stars: Mila Kunis, Connie Britton, Justine Lupe, Jennifer Beals
Writer: Jessica Knoll
Director: Mike Barker
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: A woman in New York, who seems to have things under control, is faced with a trauma that makes her life unravel.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Jessica Knoll.
Where to watch: Netflix
Hellraiser
Stars: Odessa A’zion, Jamie Clayton, Adam Faison, Drew Starkey
Writer: Ben Collins, Luke Piotrowski, David S. Goyer
Director: David Bruckner
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: A young woman struggling with addiction comes into possession of an ancient puzzle box, unaware that its purpose is to summon the Cenobites.
What you should know: An update on the 1987 Clive Barker film of the same name.
Where to watch: Hulu
The Visitor
Stars: Finn Jones, Jessica McNamee, Thomas Francis Murphy, Shanna Forrestall
Writer: Simon Boyes, Adam Mason
Director: Justin P. Lange
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Plot: After a series of tragedies, Robert moves with his wife back to her childhood home. After he discovers an old portrait of a man who looks like him, he goes down a rabbit hole to discover the identity of this mysterious doppelganger.
What you should know: Director Justin P. Lange’s last film was 2021’s The Seventh Day.
Where to watch: Available VOD; on Epix in December
More New Releases
Amsterdam (Trailer) from 20th Century Studios
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (Trailer) from Sony
Possession (Trailer)
Project Wolf Hunting (Trailer)
Terrifier 2 (Trailer)
Some Like It Rare (Trailer)
Operation Seawolf (Trailer)
MK Ultra (Trailer)
Stay the Night (Trailer)
Signs of Love (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Habla Loud (Trailer) on HBO
Catherine Called Birdy (Trailer) on Amazon
Significant Other (Trailer) on Paramount+
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?