Indie Film Release Guide: April 5th [An ONTD Original]
Dev Patel stans will finally get their fix this weekend as Universal releases Monkey Man, his directorial debut. And if you like religious horror, this weekend’s The First Omen looks to join March’s Immaculate on the box office charts. Otherwise, Wicked Little Letters expands, and there are plenty of fresh indies to explore.
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: March 29th, March 22nd, and March 15th.
The First Omen
Click to viewStars: Nell Tiger Free, Ralph Ineson, Sonia Braga, Tawfeek Barhom
Writer: Tim Smith, Arkasha Stevenson, Keith Thomas
Director: Arkasha Stevenson
Genre: Horror
Plot: A young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, but encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.
What you should know: This is a prequel to the 1976 film The Omen.
Where to watch: In theaters
Girls State
Director: Amanda McBaine, Jesse Moss
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Follows 500 adolescent girls from all across Missouri as they come together for a week-long immersion in a sophisticated democratic laboratory, where they organize a Supreme Court to consider the most contentious issues of the day.
What you should know: The directors of this film also directed 2020’s Boys State.
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Housekeeping for Beginners
Stars: Samson Selim, Mia Mustafi, Dzada Selim, Anamaria Marinca
Writer/Director: Goran Stolevski
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Despite never aspiring to be a mother, Dita finds herself compelled to raise her girlfriend's two daughters. As their individual wills clash, a heartwarming story unfolds about an unlikely family's struggle to stay together.
What you should know: Official submission of North Macedonia for the Best International Feature Film category of the 96th Academy Awards in 2024.
Where to watch: In theaters
Kim’s Video
Writer/Director: David Redmon, Ashley Sabin
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Playing with the forms and tropes of various cinema genres, the filmmaker sets off on a quest to find a legendary lost video collection of 55,000 movies in Sicily.
What you should know: Nominee for the NEXT Innovator Award at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
The People’s Joker
Stars: Vera Drew, Griffin Kramer, Lynn Downey, Kane Distler
Writer: Vera Drew, Bri LeRose
Director: Vera Drew
Genre: Comedy
Plot: An aspiring clown grappling with her gender identity combats a fascistic caped crusader.
What you should know: The film was pulled from the Toronto Film Festival after a single showing when Warner Bros issued a warning letter.
Where to watch: In theaters
Scoop
Stars: Gillian Anderson, Rufus Sewell, Billie Piper, Keeley Hawes
Writer: Geoff Bussetil, Peter Moffat
Director: Philip Martin
Genre: Biography, Drama
Plot: How the BBC obtained the bombshell interview with Prince Andrew about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
What you should know: Director Philip Martin also directed several episodes of The Crown.
Where to watch: Netflix
Parachute
Stars: Courtney Eaton, Thomas Mann, Dave Bautista, Kid Cudi
Writer: Becca Gleason, Brittany Snow
Director: Brittany Snow
Genre: Drama, Romance
Plot: Follows Riley, who has recently been released from rehab after struggling with her addictions to food and body image. She will meet Ethan and finds herself navigating the line between love and a new addiction.
What you should know: This is actor Brittany Snow’s feature film directorial debut, and it picked up a couple of awards at SXSW 2023.
Where to watch: In theaters
Chicken for Linda!
Stars: Mélinée Leclerc, Clotilde Hesme, Laetitia Dosch, Estéban
Writer: Chiara Malta, Sébastien Laudenbach
Director: Sébastien Laudenbach, Chiara Malta
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Musical
Plot: A loving mom, Paulette, who feels guilty after unfairly punishing her daughter Linda and would do anything to make it up to her. She sets off to make a chicken with peppers, even though she doesn't know how to cook.
What you should know: It's in French and Italian.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Old Oak
Stars: Dave Turner, Ebla Mari, Claire Rodgerson, Trevor Fox
Writer: Paul Laverty
Director: Ken Loach
Genre: Drama
Plot: The future for the last remaining pub, The Old Oak, in a village of Northeast England, where people are leaving the land as the mines are closed. Houses are cheap and available, thus making it an ideal location for Syrian refugees.
What you should know: Director Ken Loach, who is now 87, has been directing since the 1960’s.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Beast
Stars: Léa Seydoux, George Mackay, Guslagie Malanda, Martin Scali
Writer: Bertrand Bonello, Guillaume Bréaud, Benjamin Charbit
Director: Bertrand Bonello
Genre:
Plot: In the near future where emotions have become a threat, Gabrielle finally decides to purify her DNA in a machine that will plunge her into her past lives and rid her of all strong feelings. She then meets Louis and feels a powerful connection, as if she had always known him.
What you should know: Based on the short story The Beast in the Jungle by Henry James.
Where to watch: In theaters
Expands
Wicked Little Letters (Trailer)
More New Releases
Monkey Man (Trailer) from Universal
Yannick (Trailer)
The Actor (Trailer)
Strictly Confidential (Trailer)
Coup de Chance (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Música (Trailer) on Amazon Prime
The Zone of Interest (Trailer) on Max
She Came to Me (Trailer) on Hulu
Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain (Trailer) on Amazon
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?