Indie Film Release Guide: August 16th [An ONTD Original]
The Alien franchise gets its latest entry in the form of Alien: Romulus, the biggest new release of the weekend. It will face competition at the box office from previous week’s releases, including It Ends With Us and Deadpool & Wolverine. Otherwise, this weekend is indie-heavy, and you can read more about that below.
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: August 9th, August 2nd, and July 26th.
Skincare
Click to viewStars: Elizabeth Banks, Lewis Pullman, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Michaela Jaé (MJ) Rodriguez
Writer: Sam Freilich, Austin Peters, Deering Regan
Director: Austin Peters
Genre: Thriller
Plot: Famed aesthetician Hope Goldman's skincare business faces sabotage when rival Angel Vergara opens a boutique across the street. Aided by friend Jordan, Hope seeks to uncover who's trying to ruin her reputation.
What you should know: Director Austin Peters has also directed several of Orville Peck’s music videos.
Where to watch: In theaters
Jackpot!
Stars: Awkwafina, John Cena, Simu Liu, Seann William Scott
Writer: Rob Yescombe
Director: Paul Feig
Genre: Action, Comedy
Plot: In the near future, a 'Grand Lottery' has been newly established in California - the catch: kill the winner before sundown to legally claim their multi-billion dollar jackpot.
What you should know: Writer Rob Yescombe has previously written for a lot of video games.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Mountains
Stars: Atibon Nazaire, Sheila Anozier, Chris Renois
Writer: Robert Colom, Monica Sorelle
Director: Monica Sorelle
Genre: Drama
Plot: A Haitian demolition worker is faced with the realities of redevelopment as he is tasked with dismantling his rapidly gentrifying neighborhood.
What you should know: Director Monica Sorelle won the Someone to Watch Award at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Where to watch: In theaters
Close to You
Stars: Elliot Page, Hilary Baack, Wendy Crewson, Peter Outerbridge
Writer: Elliot Page, Dominic Savage
Director: Dominic Savage
Genre: Drama
Plot: A trans man returns to his hometown for the first time in years.
What you should know: The movie's dialogue is mostly improvised, following a written script outline.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Deliverance
Stars: Andra Day, Glenn Close, Anthony B. Jenkins, Caleb McLaughlin
Writer: David Coggeshall, Elijah Bynum, Lee Daniels
Director: Lee Daniels
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: A family living in a home in Indiana discover strange, demonic occurrences that convince them and the community that the house is a portal to hell.
What you should know: Filmed in Pittsburgh in the summer of 2022.
Where to watch: In theaters; on Netflix August 30th
My Penguin Friend
Stars: Jean Reno, Adriana Barraza, Rochi Hernández, Nicolás Francella
Writer: Kristen Lazarian, Paulina Lagudi Ulrich
Director: David Schurmann
Genre: Drama, Family
Plot: A lost penguin rescued from an oil spill transforms the life of a heartbroken fisherman.
What you should know: All penguins are credited on the film.
Where to watch: In theaters
The King Tide
Stars: Frances Fisher, Clayne Crawford, Michael Greyeyes, Lara Jean Chorostecki
Writer: KC Coughlin, Ryan Grassby, Albert Shin
Director: Christian Sparkes
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: After the mayor of an idyllic island village discovers a child with mysterious powers awash on their shores, the once peaceful community devolves into civil war, torn over the belief that the child is the next saviour.
What you should know: Filmed in Keels, Newfoundland.
Where to watch: In theaters
Rob Peace
Stars: Jay Will, Mary J. Blige, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Gbenga Akinnagbe
Writer: Jay Will, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Director: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Genre: Biography, Drama
Plot: Follows the story of a brilliant young man torn between his father's shadowed past and his own promising future. Raised by his devoted mother, Rob risks everything he has worked for to free his imprisoned father.
What you should know: Based on a true story, documented in the book by Jeff Hobbs.
Where to watch: In theaters
Red Island
Stars: Nadia Tereszkiewicz, Quim Gutiérrez, Charlie Vauselle, Amely Rakotoarimalala
Writer: Robin Campillo, Gilles Marchand, Jean-Luc Raharimanana
Director: Robin Campillo
Genre: Drama
Plot: Thomas lives in a military base on colony of Madagascar, with his parents and friends. He gradually becomes aware of territorial and sexual politics while finding an outlet for his imagination in the exploits of crime-buster Fantômette.
What you should know: Writer and director Robin Campillo previously directed 120 BPM.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Union
Stars: Halle Berry, Mark Wahlberg, J.K. Simmons, Mike Colter
Writer: Joe Barton, David Guggenheim
Director: Julian Farino
Genre: Action, Comedy, Thriller
Plot: Mike, a down-to earth construction worker, is thrust into the world of super spies and secret agents when his high school sweetheart, Roxanne, recruits him on a high-stakes US intelligence mission.
What you should know: From September 19th to October 4th, 2022, filming took over the tiny, picturesque seaside village of Piran, Slovenia
Where to watch: Netflix
More New Releases
Alien: Romulus (Trailer) from 20th Century Studios
Coraline (Trailer) Re-release
Caligula: The Ultimate Cut (Trailer)vRe-release
The Greatest Surf Movie in the Universe (Trailer)
Smoking Tigers (Trailer)
Rule of Two Walls (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Daughters (Trailer) on Netflix
Night Swim (Trailer) on Amazon
La Chimera (Trailer) on Hulu
Immaculate (Trailer) on Hulu
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?