Indie Film Release Guide: June 21st [An ONTD Original]
There’s no doubt as to what film will lead the box office this weekend. Pixar’s Inside Out 2 is absolutely dominating theaters, and perhaps wisely, there are no big studio releases this weekend. However, that is not to say there are no notable films being released. Yorgos Lanthimos and Jeff Nichols debut their latest efforts, while Lily Gladstone appears in her first film since Killers of the Flower Moon. There are documentaries about soccer (football) and tennis, as well as a film featuring June Squibb’s first turn as a leading lady. Read on for more info on those and more new releases.
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: June 14th, June 7th, and May 31st.
The Bikeriders
Click to viewStars: Tom Hardy, Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Mike Faist
Writer/Director: Jeff Nichols
Genre: Crime, Drama
Plot: After a chance encounter, headstrong Kathy is drawn to Benny, member of Midwestern motorcycle club the Vandals. As the club transforms into a dangerous underworld of violence, Benny must choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club.
What you should know: Inspired by the 1967 photography book of the same name by Danny Lyon.
Where to watch: In theaters
Fancy Dance
Stars: Lily Gladstone, Isabel Deroy-Olson, Patrice Fisher, Blayne Allen
Writer: Erica Tremblay, Miciana Alise
Director: Erica Tremblay
Genre: Drama
Plot: Following her sister's disappearance, a Native American hustler kidnaps her niece from the child's white grandparents and sets out for the state powwow in hopes of keeping what is left of their family intact.
What you should know:
Where to watch: In theaters; on Apple TV+ June 28th
Kinds of Kindness
Stars: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley
Writer: Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthimis Filippou
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: A man seeks to break free from his predetermined path, a cop questions his wife's demeanor after her return from a supposed drowning, and a woman searches for an extraordinary individual prophesied to become a renowned spiritual guide.
What you should know: Jesse Plemons won the Best Actor award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
Thelma
Stars: June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey
Writer/Director: Josh Margolin
Genre: Action, Comedy
Plot: When 93-year-old Thelma Post gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her.
What you should know: Based on a true story.
Where to watch: In theaters
Janet Planet
Stars: Julianne Nicholson, Zoe Ziegler, Elias Koteas, Will Patton
Writer/Director: Annie Baker
Genre: Drama
Plot: In rural Western Massachusetts, 11-year-old Lacy spends the summer of 1991 at home, enthralled by her own imagination and the attention of her mother, Janet. As the months pass, three visitors enter their orbit, all captivated by Janet.
What you should know: Writer/director Annie Baker is writing the script for the upcoming adaptation of The Night Circus.
Where to watch: In NYC; expands in coming weekends
The Exorcism
Stars: Russell Crowe, Ryan Simpkins, Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey
Writer: M.A. Fortin, Joshua John Miller
Director: Joshua John Miller
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: A troubled actor begins to exhibit a disruptive behavior while shooting a horror film. His estranged daughter wonders if he's slipping back into his past addictions or if there's something more sinister at play.
What you should know: Director Joshua John Miller is son of Jason Miller, the actor who played Father Damien Karras in The Exorcist (1973).
Where to watch: In theaters
Black Barbie
Writer/Director: Lagueria Davis
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Tracing the origin of the first Black Barbie doll to the filmmaker's aunt, who asked why Barbie couldn't look like her, this documentary explores her quest for representation and diversity.
What you should know: Won a couple of awards at the 2023 Sidewalk Film Festival.
Where to watch: Netflix
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person
Stars: Sara Montpetit, Félix-Antoine Bénard, Steve Laplante, Sophie Cadieux
Writer: Christine Doyon, Ariane Louis-Seize
Director: Ariane Louis-Seize
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Plot: A young woman vampire is unable to kill to meet her need for blood, but may have found a solution in a young man with suicidal tendencies.
What you should know: It’s in French.
Where to watch: In NYC and LA
Copa ‘71
Writer: James Erskine, Victoria Gregory, Rachel Ramsay
Director: James Erskine, Rachel Ramsay
Genre: Documentary, Sport
Storyline: Told by the pioneering women who participated, this is the extraordinary story of the 1971 Women's Soccer World Cup, a tournament witnessed by record crowds that has been written out of sporting history - until now.
What you should know: Co-director James Erskine is an experienced documentary director, while this is co-director Rachel Ramsay’s directorial debut.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Federer: Twelve Final Days
Director: Asif Kapadia, Joe Sabia
Genre: Documentary, Sport
Plot: Follows the last 12 days of the career of a tennis player considered the best ever as he plays his final tournament.
What you should know: Roger Federer retired in 2022.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
More New Releases
Hummingbirds (Trailer)
Green Border (Trailer)
Trigger Warning (Trailer)
The Devil’s Bath (Trailer)
Agent Recon (Trailer)
The Speedway Murders (Trailer)
Midsommar: Director's Cut (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Aftersun (Trailer) on Netflix
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution (Trailer) on Netflix
Slave Play. Not a Movie. A Play. (Trailer) on Max
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?