Indie Film Release Guide: September 22nd [An ONTD Original]
The big studios took a pass on this weekend, so the biggest new options for theater viewing are Lionsgate’s Expend4bles (yes, there’s a 4th one!) and Neon’s It Lives Inside. Another wider release this weekend is the rerelease of Stop Making Sense, the Jonathan Demme-directed Talking Heads concert film, which will play in IMAX, and in regular theaters starting next week.
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 15th, September 8th, and September 1st.
It Lives Inside
Click to viewStars: Megan Suri, Neeru Bajwa, Mohana Krishnan, Betty Gabriel
Writer: Bishal Dutta, Ashish Mehta
Director: Bishal Dutta
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Plot: An Indian-American teenager struggling with her cultural identity has a falling out with her former best friend and, in the process, unwittingly releases a demonic entity that grows stronger by feeding on her loneliness.
What you should know: Won the Midnighters Audience Award at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
Expend4bles
Stars: Jason Statham, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Megan Fox, Dolph Lundgren
Writer: Kurt Wimmer, Tad Daggerhart, Max Adams
Director: Scott Waugh
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Plot: Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on, the Expendables are the world's last line of defense and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table.
What you should know: Filmed in Greece.
Where to watch: In theaters
Stop Making Sense
Director: Jonathan Demme
Genre: Documentary, Music
Storyline: Considered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time, the live performance was shot over the course of three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theater in December of 1983 and features Talking Heads' most memorable songs.
What you should know: This is a remastered version of the 1984 film, being rereleased in theaters for the film’s 40th anniversary.
Where to watch: In select theaters; expands next week
Flora and Son
Stars: Eve Hewson, Orén Kinlan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marcella Plunkett
Writer/Director: John Carney
Genre: Drama, Music
Plot: Single mom Flora is at a loss about what to do with her rebellious teenage son, Max. Encouraged by the police to find Max a hobby, Flora tries to occupy him with a beat-up acoustic guitar. With the help of a washed-up LA musician, Flora and Max discover the transformative power of music.
What you should know: Writer/director John Carney is also responsible for Once and Sing Street.
Where to watch: In theaters; on AppleTV+ September 29th
No One Will Save You
Stars: Kaitlyn Dever, Elizabeth Kaluev, Zack Duhame, Lauren L. Murray
Writer/Director: Brian Duffield
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Plot: Brynn finds solace within the walls of the home where she grew up until she's awakened one night by strange noises from intruders.
What you should know: Don’t watch the trailer if you like surprises!
Where to watch: Hulu
Carlos
Director: Rudy Valez
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Follows Santana's journey from 14-year-old street musician to a 10-time Grammy winning global sensation. Features unseen archival footage and tracks.
What you should know: Carlos Santana learned to play the violin at age 5, and only picked up the guitar several years later.
Where to watch: In select theaters; expands on September 29th
Nightsiren
Stars: Natalia Germani, Eva Mores, Juliana Olhová, Iva Bittová
Writer: Barbora Namerova, Tereza Nvotová
Director: Tereza Nvotová
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Plot: A young woman returns to her native mountain village, searching for answers about her troubled childhood, but as she tries to uncover the truth, ancient superstitions lead the villagers to accuse her of witchcraft and murder.
What you should know: It’s in Slovak.
Where to watch: In theaters
Spy Kids: Armageddon
Stars: Connor Esterson, Everly Carganilla, Zachary Levi, Gina Rodriguez
Writer: Robert Rodriguez, Racer Max
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Genre: Action, Comedy, Family
Plot: The children of the world's greatest secret agents unwittingly help a powerful game developer unleash a computer virus that gives him control of all technology, leading them to become spies themselves to save their parents and the world.
What you should know: This film is a reboot to the original Spy Kids franchise and fifth installment in the series.
Where to watch: Netflix
The Origin of Evil
Stars: Laure Calamy, Doria Tillier, Dominique Blanc, Jacques Weber
Writer: Fanny Burdino, Sébastien Marnier
Director: Sébastien Marnier
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: A woman on the verge of financial collapse attempts to reconnect with her wealthy, estranged father and his new family.
What you should know: It’s in French.
Where to watch: In theaters
Relax, I’m From the Future
Stars: Rhys Darby, Gabrielle Graham, Julian Richings, Janine Theriault
Writer/Director: Luke Higginson
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Plot: A man from the future, now trapped in the past, tries to make a life for himself, oblivious to the consequences he has set in motion.
What you should know: Picked up an Audience Award at the 2022 Fantasia Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
My Sailor, My Love (Trailer)
Barber (Trailer)
What Doesn’t Float (Trailer)
Dark Asset (Trailer)
26.2 to Life (Trailer)
The Sixth Reel (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Sanctuary (Trailer) on Hulu
Cassandro (Trailer) on Amazon Prime
What’s Love Got to Do With It (Trailer) on Hulu September 23rd
Neither Confirm Nor Deny (Trailer) on VOD
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?