Indie Film Release Guide: May 19th [An ONTD Original]
The fast and furious fellas are at it again, as Fast X zooms into theaters this weekend, where it will easily take the lead at the box office. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will handily take second place, but there are less obvious placements after that.
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: May 12th, May 5th, and April 28th.
Sanctuary
Click to viewStars: Christopher Abbott, Margaret Qualley
Writer: Micah Bloomberg
Director: Zachary Wigon
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: Follows a dominatrix and Hal, her wealthy client, and the disaster that ensues when Hal tries to end their relationship.
What you should know: Nominated at the Miami Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
Master Gardener
Stars: Joel Edgerton, Sigourney Weaver, Quintessa Swindell, Esai Morales
Writer/Director: Paul Schrader
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: A meticulous horticulturist who is devoted to tending the grounds of a beautiful estate and pandering to his employer, the wealthy dowager.
What you should know: Zendaya was Paul Schrader's first choice to play Maya, but they couldn't come to an agreement on her fee.
Where to watch: In theaters
Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me
Director: Ursula Macfarlane
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Anna Nicole Smith, featuring never before seen footage of the iconic Playboy and Guess jeans model, who blazed a trail through the 90s before her tragic death at the age of 39.
What you should know: Director Ursula Macfarlane has directed several documentaries.
Where to watch: Netflix
White Men Can’t Jump
Stars: Sinqua Walls, Jack Harlow, Lance Reddick, Teyana Taylor
Writer/Director: Ron Shelton
Genre: Comedy, Sport
Plot: A remake of the 1992 film about a pair of basketball hustlers who team up to earn extra cash.
What you should know: This movie was dedicated to Lance Reddick.
Where to watch: Hulu
Moon Garden
Stars: Augie Duke, Brionne Davis, Haven Lee Harris, Morgana Ignis
Writer/Director: Ryan Stevens Harris
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Plot: A comatose five-year-old girl journeys through an industrial wonderland to find her way back to consciousness.
What you should know: Director Ryan Stevens Harris is also a film editor.
Where to watch: In theaters
Stay Awake
Stars: Wyatt Oleff, Fin Argus, Chrissy Metz, Cree
Writer/Director: Jamie Sisley
Genre: Drama
Plot: Brothers Ethan and Derek try their best to navigate the pressures of teenage life while tending to their mother’s debilitating prescription drug addiction.
What you should know: Won several awards on the 2022 film festival circuit.
Where to watch: In theaters
Love to Love You, Donna Summer
Director: Roger Ross Williams, Brooklyn Sudano
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Explores the highs and lows of fame, offering an intimate glimpse at Donna Summer’s life on and off stage.
What you should know: Co-director Brooklyn Sudano is Donna’s daughter.
Where to watch: HBO Max
The Cow Who Sang a Song Into the Future
Stars: Leonor Varela, Mia Maestro, Enzo Ferrada Rosati, Benjamin Soto
Writer: Francisca Alegria, Manuela Infante, Fernanda Urrejola
Director: Francisca Alegria
Genre: Drama
Plot: Cecilia travels to her father's farm after he has a heart attack. Back in her childhood home, Cecilia is met by her long-deceased mother whose presence brings to life a painful past chorused by the natural world around them.
What you should know: It’s in Spanish.
Where to watch: In NYC; expands in coming weeks
The Night of the 12th
Stars: Bastien Bouillon, Bouli Lanners, Théo Cholbi, Johann Dionnet
Writer: Pauline Guéna, Gilles Marchand, Dominik Moll
Director: Dominik Moll
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Plot: A gritty mystery that poses uneasy questions about the male-dominated world of law enforcement, and their ability to handle the violent crimes routinely perpetrated against women.
What you should know: Winner of 7 Cesar Awards, including Best Film and Best Director.
Where to watch: In theaters
Come Out Fighting
Stars: Kellan Lutz, Dolph Lundgren, Michael Jai White, Tyrese Gibson
Writer/Director: Steven Luke
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Plot: In late 1944, the American army have raced their way through the countryside on the border of France entering Nazi Germany. Hitler, desperate to turn the tide, has deployed his secret weapon: an M-262 fighter jet.
What you should know: Filmed in Illinois.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
More New Releases
Fast X (Trailer) from Universal
Dark Nature (Trailer)
Outpost (Trailer)
Black Lotus (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (Trailer) on Paramount+
She Said (Trailer) on Amazon Prime
The Price We Pay (Trailer) on Peacock (May 22)
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?