Indie Film Release Guide: February 9th [An ONTD Original]
There are no big studio releases this weekend, but there are a plethora of smaller studio and indie films available. Lisa Frankenstein from Focus Features is by far the widest release, but there are also several Oscar-submitted foreign films, a couple of romantic comedies, and a documentary on the composer Ennio Morricone.
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: February 2nd, January 26th, and January 19th.
Lisa Frankenstein
Click to viewStars: Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, Jenna Davis
Writer: Diablo Cody
Director: Zelda Williams
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Romance
Plot: A coming of rage love story about a teenager and her crush, who happens to be a corpse. After a set of horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a journey to find love, happiness - and a few missing body parts.
What you should know: This is the Feature directorial debut of Zelda Williams, the daughter of Robin Williams.
Where to watch: In theaters
Out of Darkness
Stars: Chuku Modu, Kit Young, Safia Oakley-Green, Iola Evans
Writer: Ruth Greenberg, Andrew Cumming, Oliver Kassman
Director: Andrew Cumming
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: In the Old Stone Age, a disparate gang of early humans band together in search of a new land. But when they suspect a malevolent, mystical being is hunting them down, the clan are forced to confront a danger they never envisaged.
What you should know: The 'Tola' language was created for the film. It is loosely based on Basque.
Where to watch: In theaters
Suncoast
Stars: Nico Parker, Woody Harrelson, Laura Linney, Daniella Taylor
Writer/Director: Laura Chinn
Genre: Drama
Plot: While caring for her brother along with her audacious mother , a teenager strikes up a friendship with an eccentric activist who is protesting one of the most landmark medical cases of all time.
What you should know: Star Nico Parker was the winner of the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Performance at Sundance 2024.
Where to watch: Hulu
The Taste of Things
Stars: Juliette Binoche, Benoît Magimel, Emmanuel Salinger, Patrick d'Assumçao
Writer: Marcel Rouff, Anh Hung Tran
Director: Anh Hung Tran
Genre: Drama, Romance
Plot: The story of Eugenie, an esteemed cook, and Dodin, the fine gourmet with whom she has been working for over the last 20 years.
What you should know: Co-stars Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel, who play lovers in this film, were married from 1998 - 2023 and share a child.
Where to watch: In theaters
Cobweb
Stars: Song Kang-ho, Lim Soo-jung, Oh Jung-se, Jeon Yeo-been
Writer: Jee-woon Kim, Yeon-Shick Shin
Director: Jee-woon Kim
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: In the 1970s, Director Kim is obsessed by the desire to reshoot the ending of his completed film 'Cobweb'. Will Kim be able to find a way through this chaos to fulfill his artistic ambitions and complete his masterpiece?
What you should know: It’s in Korean.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Drift
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Alia Shawkat, Ibrahima Ba, Honor Swinton Byrne
Writer: Susanne Farrell, Alexander Maksik
Director: Anthony Chen
Genre: Drama
Plot: Jacqueline escapes her war-torn country to a Greek island. She meets an unmoored tour guide and the two become close as they each find hope in the other.
What you should know: Based on the novel A Marker to Measure Drift by Alexander Maksik.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Monk and the Gun
Stars: Kelsang Choejey, Tandin Wangchuk, Harry Einhorn, Tandin Phubz
Writer/Director: Pawo Choyning Dorji
Genre: Drama
Plot: An American travels into Bhutan in search of a treasure and crosses path with a young monk who wanders through the serene mountains, instructed by his teacher to make things right again.
What you should know: Official submission of Bhutan for the Best International Feature Film category of the 96th Academy Awards in 2024.
Where to watch: In theaters
Upgraded
Stars: Camila Mendes, Archie Renaux, Marisa Tomei, Lena Olin
Writer: Christine Lenig, Luke Spencer Roberts, Justin Matthews
Director: Carlson Young
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Plot: When Ana is upgraded to first class on a work trip, she meets handsome Will, who mistakes her for her boss. The white lie that sets off a glamorous chain of events, romance, and opportunity, until her fib threatens to surface.
What you should know: Director Carlson Young previously directed 2021’s The Blazing World.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Float
Stars: Andrea Bang, Robbie Amell, Sarah Desjardins, Michelle Krusiec
Writer: Jesse LaVercombe, Sherren Lee, Kate Marchant
Director: Sherren Lee
Genre: Drama, Romance
Plot: After she nearly drowns, a young woman unexpectedly falls for the small-town lifeguard who rescued her.
What you should know: Based on the Wattpad story by Kate Marchant.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Ennio
Writer/Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A documentary on the legendary film composer Ennio Morricone.
What you should know: This film won awards for Best Documentary, Editing, and Sound at the 2022 David di Donatello Awards.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
Here for Blood (Trailer)
Marmalade (Trailer)
Molli and Max in the Future (Trailer)
Turning Red (Trailer) Re-release
Wille and Me (Trailer)
Lola (Trailer)
Dune (Trailer) Re-release
New to Streaming
They Called Him Mostly Harmless (Trailer) on Max
Cat Person (Trailer) on Hulu
Past Lives (Trailer) on Showtime
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?