Indie Film Release Guide: May 13th [An ONTD Original]
This weekend’s releases will not bring a real challenger to Doctor Strange and his box office dominance. Universal is releasing a Firestarter remake in theaters and streaming on Peacock, and Disney+ has a new offering in Sneakerella, but otherwise, we’re getting a bunch of new indies.
The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Six” - Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century Studios, Universal, Columbia/Sony and Disney. 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: May 6th, April 29th, and April 22nd.
Montana Story
Click to viewStars: Haley Lu Richardson, Owen Teague, Gilbert Owuor, Kimberly Guerrero
Writer: Scott McGehee, David Siegel, Mike Spreter
Director: Scott McGehee, David Siegel
Genre: Drama
Plot: Two estranged siblings return home to the sprawling ranch they once knew and loved, confronting a deep and bitter family legacy against a mythic American backdrop.
What you should know: Nominated for the Platform Prize at TIFF 2021.
Where to watch: In theaters
On the Count of Three
Stars: Jerrod Carmichael, Christopher Abbott, Tiffany Haddish, Lavell Crawford
Writer: Ari Katcher, Ryan Welch
Director: Jerrod Carmichael
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: It’s a great day to be alive.
What you should know: TW for suicide
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
The Innocents
Stars: Rakel Lenora Fløttum, Alva Brynsmo Ramstad, Sam Ashraf, Mina Yasmin Bremseth Asheim
Writer/Director: Eskil Vogt
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Plot: During the bright Nordic summer, a group of children reveal their dark and mysterious powers when the adults aren't looking. In this original and gripping supernatural thriller, playtime takes a dangerous turn.
What you should know: It’s in Norwegian.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Our Father
Director: Lucie Jourdan
Genre: Documentary, Crime
Storyline: After a woman's at-home DNA test reveals multiple half-siblings, she discovers a shocking scheme involving donor sperm and a popular fertility doctor.
What you should know: This is Lucie Jourdan’s directorial debut.
Where to watch: Netflix
Pleasure
Stars: Sofia Kappel, Zelda Morrison, Evelyn Claire, Chris Cock
Writer: Ninja Thyberg, Peter Modestij
Director: Ninja Thyberg
Genre: Drama
Plot: Bella Cherry arrives in Los Angeles with dreams of becoming an adult film star, but she soon learns that fame won't come easy as she harnesses her ambition and cunning to rise to the top of this mesmerizing and singular world.
What you should know: TW for graphic sexual imagery and assault
Where to watch: In theaters
Mau
Director: Benjamin Bergmann, Jono Bergmann
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: The unlikely story of design visionary Bruce Mau and his ever-optimistic push for massive change.
What you should know: The song in the trailer is “I Zimbra” by the Talking Heads, which also appears in Spiderman: No Way Home.
Where to watch: In theaters May 13th; on Amazon and Apple TV June 7th
Senior Year
Stars: Rebel Wilson, Mary Holland, Sam Richardson, Zoe Chao
Writer: Andrew Knauer, Arthur Pielli, Brandon Scott Jones
Director: Alex Hardcastle
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: A cheerleading stunt gone wrong landed her in a 20-year coma. Now she's 37, newly awake and ready to live out her high school dream: becoming prom queen.
What you should know: Sam Richardson and Zoe Chao previously collaborated on The Afterparty.
Where to watch: Netflix
Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story
Director: Frank Marshall, Ryan Suffern
Genre: Documentary, Music
Storyline: Captures the signature annual music and cultural event that has been called America's greatest festival in all of its beauty and glory, and delves deep into the rich culture of The Big Easy.
What you should know: The first Jazz Fest was held in 1970; 2020 marked the 50th Anniversary.
Where to watch: In theaters
Monstrous
Stars: Christina Ricci, Santino Barnard, Don Durrell, Colleen Camp
Writer: Carol Chrest
Director: Chris Sivertson
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: A terrifying new horror awaits Laura and her seven-year-old son Cody when they flee her abusive ex-husband and try to settle into a new life in an idyllic and remote lakeside farmhouse. Still traumatized, their physical and mental well-being are pushed to the limit as their fragile existence is threatened.
What you should know: Director Chris Sivertson also directed I Know Who Killed Me, the 2007 Lindsay Lohan vehicle.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
Homebound
Stars: Tom Goodman-Hill, Aisling Loftus, Raffiella Chapman, Hattie Gotobed
Writer/Director: Sebastian Godwin
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Plot: A trip to the countryside turns out to be far from idyllic for a father and his new fiancée when his kids decide the house is a little too crowded.
What you should know: This is director Sebastian Godwin’s feature directorial debut.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
More New Releases
Firestarter (Trailer) from Universal
The Last Victim (Trailer)
Rickshaw Girl (Trailer)
Foxhole (Trailer)
New to Streaming
Sneakerella (Trailer) on Disney+
Old (Trailer) on HBO
The Matrix: Resurrections (Trailer) on HBO
Operation Mincemeat (Trailer) on Netflix
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD?