Indie Film Release Guide: August 23rd [An ONTD Original]
There are no major studio releases this weekend. But the long-awaited directorial debut of Zoë Kravitz, Pussy Island Blink Twice, is finally making its debut, alongside the release of the remake of The Crow. There are actually a lot of indie films releasing in theaters this week, too, along with some premieres on streaming. Fun fact: two of the brothers Skarsgård appear in this week's post, neither of them Alexander. What's he up to?
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 16th, August 9th, and August 2nd.
Blink Twice
Click to viewStars: Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Alia Shawkat, Christian Slater
Writer: Zoë Kravitz, E.T. Feigenbaum
Director: Zoë Kravitz
Genre: Comedy, Thriller, Mystery
Plot: When tech billionaire Slater King meets cocktail waitress Frida at his fundraising gala, he invites her to join him and his friends on a dream vacation on his private island. As strange things start to happen, Frida questions her reality.
What you should know: This is actress, writer and director Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Crow
Stars: Bill Skarsgård, FKA Twigs, Danny Huston, Josette Simon
Writer: Zach Baylin, William Josef Schneider
Director: Rupert Sanders
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Horror
Plot: Soulmates Eric and Shelly are brutally murdered. Given a chance to save the love of his life, Eric must sacrifice himself and traverse the worlds of the living and the dead, seeking revenge.
What you should know: Like the 1994 film of the same name, it is directly based on the comics by James O’Barr.
Where to watch: In theaters
Between the Temples
Stars: Jason Schwartzman, Carol Kane, Dolly De Leon, Caroline Aaron
Writer: Nathan Silver, C. Mason Wells
Director: Nathan Silver
Genre: Comedy
Plot: A cantor in a crisis of faith finds his world turned upside down when his grade school music teacher re-enters his life as his new adult Bat Mitzvah student.
What you should know: Nominated for awards at Sundance and Berlinale 2024.
Where to watch: In theaters
Strange Darling
Stars: Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Barbara Hershey, Ed Begley, Jr.
Writer/Director: JT Mollner
Genre: Thriller, Romance
Plot: Nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer's vicious murder spree.
What you should know: This film marks actor Giovanni Ribisi's debut as a feature film cinematographer.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat
Stars: Sanaa Lathan, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Uzo Aduba, Julian McMahon
Writer: Gina Prince-Bythewood, Tina Mabry, Edward Kelsey Moore
Director: Tina Mabry
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Follows a trio of best friends known as "The Supremes" who, for decades, has weathered life's storms together through marriage and children, happiness and blues.
What you should know: Sanaa Lathan and Julian McMahon played a couple in Nip/Tuck.
Where to watch: Hulu
I’ll Be Your Mirror
Stars: Carla Juri, Issey Ogata, Sachiko Ohshima, Gustaf Skarsgård
Writer/Director: Bradley Rust Gray
Genre: Romance
Plot: After her husband's demise, a widow finds comfort with an old friend in Japan. As his care turns romantic, she realizes she must allow herself to love again.
What you should know: It’s in English, Japanese, German and Icelandic.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Killer
Stars: Nathalie Emmanuel, Omar Sy, Sam Worthington, Diana Silvers
Writer: John Woo, Brian Helgeland, Josh Campbell
Director: John Woo
Genre: Action
Plot: An assassin tries to make amends in an effort to restore the sight of a beautiful young singer.
What you should know: Remake of The Killer (1989), but completely unrelated to The Killer (2023).
Where to watch: Peacock
Close Your Eyes
Stars: Manolo Solo, Jose Coronado, Ana Torrent, Petra Martínez
Writer: Victor Erice, Michel Gaztambide
Director: Victor Erice
Genre: Drama
Plot: A Spanish actor disappears during the filming of a movie. Although his body is never found, the police conclude that he has suffered an accident at the edge of a cliff. Many years later, the mystery returns to the present day.
What you should know: Writer and director Victor Erice is 84 years old.
Where to watch: In theaters
Incoming
Stars: Mason Thames, Ramon Reed, Raphael Alejando, Isabella Ferreira
Writer/Director: Dave Chernin, Josh Chernin
Genre: Comedy
Plot: Four freshmen navigate the terrors of adolescence at their first-ever high school party.
What you should know: Writer and directors Dave and Josh Chernin previously wrote on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Where to watch: Netflix
Greedy People
Stars: Himesh Patel, Lily James, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tim Blake Nelson
Writer: Mike Vukadinovich
Director: Potsy Ponciroli
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Plot: Follows the residents of a small island town who must navigate a sensational murder and the discovery of a million dollars; a series of increasingly bad decisions upend the once peaceful community.
What you should know: Filmed in North Carolina in the summer of 2022.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
The Forge (Trailer)
Hostile Dimensions (Trailer)
200% Wolf (Trailer)
Catching Dust (Trailer)
Place of Bones (Trailer)
The Other Laurens (Trailer)
Summer of Violence (Trailer)
Revolver (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (Trailer) on Max
Stress Positions (Trailer) on Hulu
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter One (Trailer) on Max
Drive-Away Dolls (Trailer) on Amazon
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?