Indie Film Release Guide: May 31st [An ONTD Original]
It’s the weekend after Memorial Day, but it’s still May, and it seems as though no big studios were itching to release any big films this weekend. So last weekend’s box office leaders Furiosa and Garfield will be competing for first once again, while plenty of indies get releases, including Neon’s Oscar-nominated Robot Dreams.
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 24th, May 17th, and May 10th.
Handling the Undead
Click to viewStars: Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie, Bahar Pars, Bjørn Sundquist
Writer: Thea Hvistendahl, John Ajvide Lindqvist
Director: Thea Hvistendahl
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Plot: On a hot summer day in Oslo, the dead mysteriously awaken, and three families are thrown into chaos when their deceased loved ones come back to them. Who are they, and what do they want?
What you should know: Based on the book by John Ajvide Lindqvist.
Where to watch: In theaters
Ezra
Stars: Bobby Cannavale, William A. Fitzgerald, Robert De Niro, Vera Farmiga
Writer: Tony Spiridakis
Director: Tony Goldwyn
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Comedian Max co-parents autistic son Ezra with ex-wife Jenna. Faced with crucial decisions about Ezra's future, Max and Ezra go on a life-changing cross-country road trip.
What you should know: Actor and director Tony Goldwyn has 23 directing credits.
Where to watch: In theaters
Summer Camp
Stars: Kathy Bates, Diane Keaton, Alfre Woodard, Eugene Levy
Writer/Director: Castille Landon
Genre: Comedy
Plot: Follows Nora, Ginny, and Mary, three childhood best friends who used to spend every summer at a sleep away camp together. After years, when the opportunity to get back together for a summer camp reunion presents itself, they all seize it.
What you should know: Filmed at Camp Pinnacle in Hendersonville NC, one of the summer camps used for the 90s Disney film Heavyweights.
Where to watch: In theaters
In a Violent Nature
Stars: Ry Barrett, Charlotte Creaghan, Liam Leone, Cameron Love
Writer/Director: Chris Nash
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Plot: When a locket is removed from a collapsed fire tower in the woods that entombs the rotting corpse of Johnny, a vengeful spirit spurred on by a horrific 60-year old crime, his body is resurrected and becomes hellbent on retrieving it.
What you should know: Production began in Ontario in 2021.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Dead Don’t Hurt
Stars: Vicky Krieps, Viggo Mortensen, Danny Huston, Garrett Dillahunt
Writer/Director: Viggo Mortensen
Genre: Drama, Western
Plot: Two pioneers fight for their lives and their love on the American frontier during the Civil War.
What you should know: This is Viggo Mortensen’s second directorial effort after 2020’s Falling.
Where to watch: In theaters
Backspot
Stars: Devery Jacobs, Evan Rachel Wood, Kudakwashe Rutendo, Shannyn Sossamon
Writer: Joanne Sarazen, D.W. Waterson
Director: D.W. Waterson
Genre: Drama
Plot: Riley is given the chance to cheer with the all-star squad, Thunderhawks. With a competition looming, Riley must navigate her crippling anxiety, her relationship with her girlfriend, and her desperate need for approval from her new coach.
What you should know: Shot in 17 days.
Where to watch: In theaters
Flipside
Writer: Joe Beshenkovsky, Adam Samuel Goldman, Christopher Wilcha
Director: Christopher Wilcha
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A comical attempt to save a New Jersey record store and confront a mid-life crisis.
What you should know: Director Christopher Wilcha won a Primetime Emmy for directing a 2008 episode of This American Life.
Where to watch: In theaters
What You Wish For
Stars: Nick Stahl, Tamsin Topolski, Randy Vasquez, Penelope Mitchell
Writer/Director: Nicholas Tomnay
Genre: Thriller
Plot: A down-on-his-luck chef with gambling problems flees to a Latin American villa, where he assumes the identity of another man.
What you should know: Picked up several awards at the 2023 Grimmfest.
Where to watch: In theaters
MoviePass, MovieCrash
Director: Muta'Ali Muhammad
Genre: Documentary
Plot: Exploring the company founding and the implosion of the business by outside investors who took over the company, left it bankrupt and under investigation.
What you should know: Nominated at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival.
Where to watch: Max
Robot Dreams
Stars: Ivan Labanda, Albert Trifol Segarra, Rafa Calvo, José García Tos
Writer: Pablo Berger, Sara Varon
Director: Pablo Berger
Genre: Animation, Drama, Family
Plot: The adventures and misfortunes of Dog and Robot in New York City during the 1980s.
What you should know: The voice actors don’t actually speak, as there is no dialogue - they just make sounds.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
Young Woman and the Sea (Trailer) from Disney
The Young Wife (Trailer) from Paramount
Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle (Trailer)
Deer Camp ‘86 (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Jim Henson: Idea Man (Trailer) on Disney+
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?