Indie Film Release Guide: January 19th [An ONTD Original]
With no major studio releases, Bleecker Street’s I.S.S. is probably the biggest new release of the weekend. Last weekend’s Mean Girls and The Beekeeper are likely to hold the top spots at the box office, however.
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: January 12th, January 5th, and December 22nd.
I.S.S.
Click to viewStars: Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, John Gallagher, Jr., Costa Ronin
Writer: Nick Shafir
Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
Plot: Tensions flare in the near future aboard the International Space Station as a conflict breaks out on Earth. Reeling, the U.S. and Russian astronauts receive orders from the ground: take control of the station by any means necessary.
What you should know: Won an award from the Australian Cinematographers Society.
Where to watch: In theaters
Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell
Stars: Nguyen Thi Truc Quynh, Nguyen Thinh, Le Phong Vu, Vu Ngoc Manh
Writer/Director: Thien An Pham
Genre: Drama
Plot: A man returns to his hometown, where he's haunted by past memories and desires.
What you should know: This is Thien An Pham’s directorial debut.
Where to watch: In theaters
Sunrise
Stars: Alex Pettyfer, Guy Pearce, Olwen Fouéré, Kurt Yaeger
Writer: Ronan Blaney
Director: Andrew Baird
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: A man, Fallon, roams the land as a creature of the night as he comes to terms with the tragic loss of his family at the hands of a brutal demagogue, Reynolds.
What you should know: Richard Pettyfer and Alex Pettyfer, who are father and son, both appear in the film.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD.
The Breaking Ice
Stars: Dongyu Zhou, Haoran Liu, Chuxiao Qu, Ruguang Wei
Writer/Director: Anthony Chen
Genre: Drama, Romance
Plot: In cold wintry Yanji, a city on China’s northern border, young urbanite Haofeng, visiting from Shanghai, feels lost and adrift. By chance, he goes on a tour led by Nana, a charming tour guide who instantly fascinates him. She introduces him to Xiao, a personable but frustrated restaurant worker. The three bond quickly over a drunken weekend. Confronting their individual traumas, their frozen desires slowly thaw as they seek to liberate themselves from an icy world.
What you should know: Official submission of Singapore for the Best International Feature Film category of the 96th Academy Awards in 2024.
Where to watch: In NYC theaters; expands next week
Founders Day
Stars: Naomi Grace, Devin Druid, William Russ, Amy Hargreaves
Writer: Erik Bloomquist, Carson Bloomquist
Director: Erik Bloomquist
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Mystery
Plot: A small town is shaken by a series of ominous killings in the days leading up to a heated mayoral election.
What you should know: Writer/director Erik Bloomquist is also an actor, appearing in this film.
Where to watch: In theaters
Bring Him to Me
Stars: Barry Pepper, Jamie Costa, Sam Neill, Rachel Griffiths
Writer: Tom Evans
Director: Luke Sparke
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Plot: Under orders from a ruthless crime boss, a getaway driver must battle his conscience and drive an unsuspecting crew member to an ambush execution. There is a long drive ahead.
What you should know: This is the first feature film from writer Tom Evans.
Where to watch: In theaters
Cult Killer
Stars: Antonio Banderas, Alice Eve, Shelly Hennig, Olwen Fouéré
Writer: Charles Burnley
Director: Jon Keeyes
Genre: Adventure, Crime, Drama
Plot: When a renowned private investigator is murdered, his protege takes on the case. As her investigation unfolds, she is forced into a dangerous alliance with his killer to uncover the town's grisly secrets and bring justice to its victims.
What you should know: Alice Eve has been doing a lot of TV work, appearing in The Lovers and Belgravia.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Kitchen
Stars: Kane Robinson, Jedaiah Bannerman, Hope Ikpoku Jnr, Henry Lawfull
Writer: Daniel Kaluuya, Joe Murtagh
Director: Kibwe Tavares, Daniel Kaluuya
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Plot: In a dystopian future London where all social housing has been eliminated, Izi and Benji fight to navigate the world as residents of The Kitchen, a community that refuses to abandon their home.
What you should know: This is Daniel Kaluuya’s directorial debut.
Where to watch: Netflix
Wanted Man
Stars: Dolph Lundgren, Kelsey Grammer, Michael Paré, Christina Villa
Writer: Hank Hugues, Dolph Lundgren, Michael Worth
Director: Dolph Lundgren
Genre: Action, Thriller
Plot: Follows a police officer who must retrieve an eyewitness and escort her after a cartel shooting leaves several DEA agents dead, but then he must decide who to trust when they discover that the attack was executed by American forces.
What you should know: This is Dolph Lundgren’s 8th directorial credit.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Which Brings Me To You
Stars: Lucy Hale, Nat Wolff, John Gallagher, Jr., Genevieve Angelson
Writer: Steve Almond, Julianna Baggott, Keith Bunin
Director: Peter Hutchings
Genre: Romance
Plot: Two romantic burnouts meet at a wedding and almost hook up in the coatroom before putting the brakes on. They agree to exchange candid confessions about their pasts on the off chance that this might be the real thing.
What you should know: This is John Gallagher, Jr.’s second film releasing this weekend.
Where to watch: In theaters
Expands
Origin (Trailer)
The End We Start From (Trailer)
More New Releases
Double Down South (Trailer)
Pasang: In the Shadow of Everest (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Cats (Trailer) on Netflix
Fast X (Trailer) on Amazon Prime
The Baker (Trailer) on Hulu
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?