Indie Film Release Guide: November 1st [An ONTD Original]
This weekend will not be breaking any box office records, but it does bring a lot of would-be award contenders to theaters. Anora finally goes wide, while Blitz and Emilia Pérez make theatrical debuts before going to streaming. Robert Zemeckis brings Here to theaters, while Clint Eastwood’s presumed final film Juror #2 also premieres in a few dozen theaters before heading to Max.
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: October 25th, October 18th, and October 11th.
Blitz
Click to viewStars: Saoirse Ronan, Benjamin Clémentine, Harris Dickinson, Kathy Burke
Writer/Director: Steve McQueen
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot: Follow the stories of a group of Londoners during the events of the British capital bombing in World War II.
What you should know: Saoirse Ronan and Harris Dickinson previously starred in See How They Run together
Where to watch: In theaters; streaming on Apple TV+ November 22nd
Emilia Pérez
Stars: Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz
Writer: Jacques Audiard, Thomas Bidegain, Nicolas Livecchi, Léa Mysius
Director: Jacques Audiard
Genre: Comedy, Musical, Thriller
Plot: In Mexico, a lawyer receives an unexpected offer to help a feared cartel boss retire from his business and disappear forever by becoming the woman he's always dreamed of being.
What you should know: Based on a novel by Boris Razon.
Where to watch: In theaters; streaming on Netflix November 13th
A Real Pain
Stars: Kieran Culkin, Jesse Eisenberg, Will Sharpe, Daniel Oreskes
Writer/Director: Jesse Eisenberg
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.
What you should know: Jesse Eisenberg's sophomore directorial effort after When You Finish Saving the World, both of which had their world premieres at Sundance.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Gutter
Stars: Shameik Moore, D'Arcy Carden, Paul Reiser, Susan Sarandon
Writer: Yassir Lester
Director: Isaiah Lester, Yassir Lester
Genre: Comedy
Plot: Walt lands work at bowling alley AlleyCatz. He's pressured to embrace his bowling talent, which sparks backlash from detractors seeking to undermine his sudden pro success.
What you should know: This is comedian, actor and writer Yassir Lester’s first directorial credit.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Chasing Chasing Amy
Writer/Director: Sav Rodgers
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: A documentary that examines the complex legacy of Kevin Smith's Chasing Amy on LGBTQ+ people and its life-saving impact on director Sav Rodgers.
What you should know: Won several awards on the film festival circuit.
Where to watch: In theaters
Cellar Door
Stars: Scott Speedman, Jordana Brewster, Laurence Fishburne, Chris Conner
Writer: Sam Scott, Lori Evans Taylor
Director: Vaughn Stein
Genre: Thriller
Plot: Looking for a fresh start after a miscarriage, a couple find themselves being gifted the house of their dreams with one caveat - they can never open the cellar door. Whether they can live without knowing triggers shocking consequences.
What you should know: Actor Jordana Brewster last appeared in the 2023 TV Series Neon.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Martha
Director: R.J. Cutler
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Pulls back the curtain on Martha Stewart, one of America’s greatest self-made icons, from her start as a teenage model to her stint as a Wall Street stockbroker to her reign as the grand dame of entertaining and good taste.
What you should know: Won the Documentary Feature Audience Award at the 2024 Middleburg Film Festival.
Where to watch: Netflix
Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat
Writer/Director: Johan Grimonprez
Genre: Documentary
Plot: Jazz and decolonization are entwined in this historical rollercoaster that rewrites the Cold War episode that led musicians Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach to crash the UN Security Council in protest against the murder of Patrice Lumumba.
What you should know: Won a Special Jury Award for Cinematic Innovation at Sundance 2024.
Where to watch: In theaters
Time Cut
Stars: Madison Bailey, Antonia Gentry, Michael Shanks, Griffin Gluck
Writer: Hannah Macpherson, Michael Kennedy
Director: Hannah Macpherson
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: High school student accidentally travels back to 2003 and decides to stop the serial killer who murdered her sister.
What you should know: Has a very similar plot to 2023’s Totally Killer, but started shooting in 2021, before that film was announced.
Where to watch: Netflix
I Like Movies
Stars: Isaiah Lehtinen, Percy Hynes White, Anand Rajaram, Eden Cupid
Writer/Director: Chandler Levack
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: Lawrence Kweller, a socially inept 17-year old cinephile, gets a job at a video store, where he forms a complicated friendship with his older female manager.
What you should know: A majority of the video rental store set was obtained from an abandoned Blockbuster that had been sitting vacant for around a decade in Owen Sound, Ontario. Asbestos in the store forced the movie crew to find a different building to be the set location.
Where to watch: Available VOD
Expanding
Anora (Trailer)
More New Releases
Juror #2 (Trailer) from Warner Bros
Here (Trailer) from Sony
Absolution (Trailer) from Sony
Godzilla Minus One (Trailer) Re-release
Aftermath (Trailer)
He Never Left (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Endurance (Trailer) on Disney+
Music by John Williams (Trailer) on Disney+
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?