Indie Film Release Guide: April 21st [An ONTD Original]
Let us celebrate the release of Evil Dead Rise this weekend, as it means OP no longer has to see a scary lady say "Mommy's with the maggots now" every time she goes to the movie theater. The Evil Dead will have to contend with the Brothers Mario, who are holding strong at the box office, but there are no other major studio releases on tap. However, there are plenty of indies, so check those out 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: April 14th, April 7th, and March 31st.
Chevalier
Click to viewStars: Kelvin Harrison Jr., Samara Weaving, Lucy Boynton, Marton Csokas
Writer: Stefani Robinson
Director: Stephen Williams
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Plot: Based on the true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, who rises to heights in French society as a composer before an ill-fated love affair.
What you should know: While the film is loosely based on a true story, many ONTDers have noted its historical inaccuracies in past posts.
Where to watch: In theaters
Carmen
Stars: Melissa Barrera, Paul Mescal, Elsa Pataky, Nicole da Silva
Writer: Alexander Dinelaris, Loïc Barrère, Lisa Loomer
Director: Benjamin Millepied
Genre: Drama, Musical
Plot: Carmen is forced to flee her home in the Mexican desert following the brutal murder of her mother. She survives a terrifying and dangerous illegal border crossing into the US, only to be confronted by a lawless volunteer border guard. When the border guard and his patrol partner, Aidan-a Marine with PTSD-become embroiled in a deadly standoff, Carmen and Aidan are forced to escape together.
What you should know: Scored by Nicholas Britell.
Where to watch: In theaters
To Catch a Killer
Stars: Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Jovan Adepo, Ralph Ineson
Writer: Damián Szifron, Jonathan Wakeham
Director: Damián Szifron
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Plot: Baltimore. New Year's Eve. A talented but troubled police officer is recruited by the FBI's chief investigator to help profile and track down a disturbed individual terrorizing the city.
What you should know: This is the first English language film from Argentinian director Damián Szifron.
Where to watch: In theaters
A Tourist’s Guide to Love
Stars: Rachael Leigh Cook, Scott Ly, Ben Feldman, Missi Pyle
Writer: Eirene Donohue
Director: Steven K. Tsuchida
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Romance
Plot: An executive goes through an unexpected breakup, then accepting an assignment to go undercover and learn about the tourist industry in Vietnam.
What you should know: The first Netflix original shot in Vietnam.
Where to watch: Netflix
Judy Blume Forever
Director: Davina Pardo, Leah Wolchok
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Tells the story of the woman whose trail-blazing books changed the way millions of readers understand themselves, their sexuality, and what it means to grow up.
What you should know: Judy Blume runs a bookstore called Books and Books @ The Studios in Key West, FL.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Somewhere in Queens
Stars: Laurie Metcalf, Ray Romano, Jennifer Esposito, Jacob Ward
Writer: Ray Romano, Mark Stegemann
Director: Ray Romano
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Leo and Angela Russo live a simple life in Queens, surrounded by their overbearing Italian-American family. When their son 'Sticks' finds success on his high-school basketball team, Leo tears the family apart trying to make it happen.
What you should know: This is Ray Romano’s directorial debut.
Where to watch: In theaters
Cherry
Stars: Alexandria Trewhitt, Dan Schultz, Joe Sachem, Darius Levanté
Writer: Sophie Galibert, Arthur Cohen, Anne-Claire Jaulin
Director: Sophie Galibert
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Cherry has 24 hours to make the most important decision of her life: whether or not to keep an unplanned pregnancy.
What you should know: Won the Online Premieres Audience Award at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival.
Where to watch: In select theaters
Other People’s Children
Stars: Virginie Efira, Roschdy Zem, Chiara Mastroianni, Callie Ferreira-Goncalves
Writer/Director: Rebecca Zlotowski
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: A childless woman forms a deep bond with her boyfriend's young daughter.
What you should know: It’s in French.
Where to watch: In theaters
Little Richard: I Am Everything
Director: Lisa Cortes
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Tells the story of the Black queer origins of rock n’ roll, exploding the whitewashed canon of American pop music to reveal the innovator - the originator - Richard Penniman. Through a wealth of archive and performance that brings us into Richard’s complicated inner world, the film unspools the icon’s life story with all its switchbacks and contradictions.
What you should know: Nominated at Sundance and SXSW.
Where to watch: In theaters
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Dar Salim, Sean Sagar, Jason Wong
Writer: Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, Marn Davies
Director: Guy Ritchie
Genre: Action, Thriller
Plot: During the war in Afghanistan, a local interpreter risks his own life to carry an injured sergeant across miles of grueling terrain.
What you should know: Formerly titled The Interpreter.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
Evil Dead Rise (Trailer) from Warner Bros
Trenque Lauquen Part I (Trailer)
Trenque Lauquen Part II (Trailer)
Dogleg (Trailer)
Plan 75 (Trailer)
River (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Ghosted (Trailer) on Apple TV
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always (Trailer) on Netflix
Quasi (Trailer) on Hulu
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?