Indie Film Release Guide: October 4th [An ONTD Original]
Joker may be the biggest name in theaters this weekend, but the more critically acclaimed return to the big screen comes via Saoirse Ronan in The Outrun. On the streaming front, there is a ton of new horror, mystery, thriller and sci-fi, from Salem’s Lot on Max to It’s What’s Inside on Netflix to V/H/S Beyond on Shudder. Read on for more films premiering this weekend.
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: September 27th, September 20th, and September 13th.
The Outrun
Click to viewStars: Saoirse Ronan, Paapa Essiedu, Saskia Reeves, Stephen Dillane
Writer: Nora Fingscheidt, Amy Liptrot
Director: Nora Fingscheidt
Genre: Drama
Plot: After living life on the edge in London, Rona attempts to come to terms with her troubled past. Hoping to heal, she returns to the wild beauty of Scotland's Orkney Islands where she grew up.
What you should know: Based on Amy Liptrot’s memoir of the same name.
Where to watch: In theaters
Salem’s Lot
Stars: Lewis Pullman, Makenzie Leigh, Bill Camp, Alfre Woodard
Writer: Gary Dauberman, Stephen King
Director: Gary Dauberman
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: Author Ben Mears returns to his childhood home of Jerusalem's Lot in search of inspiration for his next book only to discover his hometown is being preyed upon by a bloodthirsty vampire.
What you should know: This version of the film has been in development since at least 2019.
Where to watch: Max
It’s What’s Inside
Stars: Brittany O'Grady, James Morosini, Gavin Leatherwood, Nina Bloomgarden
Writer/Director: Greg Jardin
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Plot: A group of friends gather for a pre-wedding party that descends into an existential nightmare when an estranged friend arrives with a mysterious game that awakens long-hidden secrets, desires, and grudges.
What you should know: Filmed in Portland, Oregon.
Where to watch: Netflix
Hold Your Breath
Stars: Sarah Paulson, Amiah Miller, Alona Jane Robbins, Annaleigh Ashford
Writer: Karrie Crouse, William Joines
Director: Karrie Crouse
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Plot: In 1930s Oklahoma amid the region's horrific dust storms, a woman is convinced that a sinister presence is threatening her family.
What you should know: This is writer and director Karrie Crouse’s first feature film.
Where to watch: Hulu
Blink
Director: Daniel Roher, Edmund Stenson
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Chronicles a family's global trip before their children lose vision to a rare genetic disorder, capturing their journey to experience the world's beauty while they can still see it, and preparing for an inevitable future.
What you should know: Co-director Daniel Roher previously won an Academy Award for Navalny.
Where to watch: In theaters
Things Will Be Different
Stars: Adam David Thompson, Riley Dandy, Chloe Skoczen, Justin Benson
Writer/Director: Michael Felker
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Plot: In order to escape police after a robbery, two estranged siblings lay low in a farmhouse that hides them away in a different time. There they reckon with a mysterious force that pushes their familial bonds to unnatural breaking points.
What you should know: Nominated for Best First Genre Feature Film at SXSW 2024.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
V/H/S Beyond
Stars: Dane DiLiegro, Alanah Pearce, Dominique Star, Libby Letlow
Writer: Evan Dickson, Jordan Downey, Mike Flanagan, Justin Long, Christian Long, Justin Martinez, Virat Pal, Kevin Stewart, Benjamin A. Turner
Director: Kate Siegel, Justin Martinez, Jay Cheel, Justin Long, Christian Long, Jordan Downey, Virat Pal.
Genre: Horror
Plot: Six bloodcurdling tapes unleash horror in a sci-fi inspired hellscape, pushing the boundaries of fear and suspense.
What you should know: This is the latest installment in a series of V/H/S films.
Where to watch: Shudder
Frankie Freako
Stars: Adam Brooks, Matthew Kennedy, Conor Sweeney, Meredith Sweeney
Writer/Director: Steven Kostanski
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Plot: After calling a late-night party hotline that promises out-of-this-world fun, uptight yuppie Conor Sweeney must battle the pint-sized forces of evil unleashed through his phone line, led by the maniacal rock n’ roll goblin Frankie Freako.
What you should know: The tagline is “It's time to get Freako!”
Where to watch: In theaters
House of Spoils
Stars: Ariana DeBose, Barbie Ferreira, Arian Moayed, Marton Csokas
Writer: Bridget Savage Cole, Danielle Krudy
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: A chef opening her first restaurant battles kitchen chaos, a dubious investor and self doubt, but the pressure heats up thanks to the spirit of the estate's previous owner who threatens to sabotage her.
What you should know: Writers and directors Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy previously directed 2019’s Blow the Man Down.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
The Platform 2
Stars: Tadashi Ito, Zorion Eguileor, Hovik Keuchkerian, Ivan Massagué
Writer: David Desola, Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, Egoitz Moreno, Pedro Rivero
Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Plot: Upon entering the platform, each new resident selects a dish of food. Everyone appears to follow an unwritten rule: each person only eats from their chosen dish, ensuring the food reaches all levels. But is this system truly fair?
What you should know: It’s in Spanish.
Where to watch: Netflix
More New Releases
Joker: Folie a Deux (Trailer) from Warner Bros
Monster Summer (Trailer)
Daaaaaali! (Trailer)
White Bird (Trailer)
Look Back (Trailer)
Little Bites (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Didi (Trailer) on Peacock
We Grown Now (Trailer) on Netflix
Source 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?