Indie Film Release Guide: June 2nd [An ONTD Original]

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Summer movie season is in full swing this weekend, with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse opening just a week after the debut of the live action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. As cinema screens get more crowded, films will be in and out of theaters faster, so be sure to keep that in mind for indies that you’re looking to check out, like some of the ones listed 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: May 26th, May 19th, and May 12th.

Past Lives

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Stars: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro, Moon Seung-ah
Writer/Director: Celine Song
Genre: Drama, Romance
Plot: Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrest apart after Nora's family emigrates from South Korea. 20 years later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront notions of love and destiny.
What you should know: This is director Celine Song’s directorial debut.
Where to watch: In theaters



The Boogeyman

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Stars: Sophie Thatcher, Chris Messina, Vivien Lyra Blair, David Dastmalchian
Writer: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, Mark Heyman
Director: Rob Savage
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: High school student Sadie Harper and her younger sister Sawyer are reeling from the recent death of their mother and aren’t getting much support from their father, Will, a therapist who is dealing with his own pain. When a desperate patient unexpectedly shows up at their home seeking help, he leaves behind a terrifying supernatural entity that preys on families and feeds on the suffering of its victims.
What you should know: Based on the Stephen King story of the same name.
Where to watch: In theaters

Concerned Citizen

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Stars: Shlomi Bertonov, Ariel Wolf, Lena Fraifeld, Uriah Jablonowsky
Writer/Director: Idan Haguel
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: A socially progressive man’s attempt to improve his Tel Aviv neighborhood goes unexpectedly awry.
What you should know: It’s in Hebrew, English and French.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Lynch/Oz

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Writer/Director: Alexandre O. Philippe
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Explores one of the most fascinating puzzles in the history of motion pictures: the enduring symbiosis between America’s primordial fairytale, The Wizard of Oz, and David Lynch’s singular brand of popular surrealism.
What you should know: Nominated for awards at several 2022 film festivals.
Where to watch: In theaters

Follow Her

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Stars: Dani Barker, Luke Cook, Eliana Jones, Mark Moses
Writer: Dani Barker
Director: Sylvia Caminer
Genre: Thriller
Plot: An aspiring actress responds to a mysterious classified ad and finds herself trapped in her new boss's twisted revenge fantasy.
What you should know: Director Sylvia Caminer has also directed a ton of Samantha Brown travel shows.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Montréal Girls

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Stars: Hakim Brahimi, Jasmina Parent, Sana Asad, Jade Hassouné
Writer: Patricia Chica, Kamal John Iskander
Director: Patricia Chica
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Plot: A young Middle-Eastern aspiring poet moves to Montréal and is forever changed by the city and the young women he meets.
What you should know: This is Patricia Chica’s feature film directorial debut.
Where to watch: In theaters

Reality

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Stars: Sydney Sweeney, Josh Hamilton, Marchánt Davis, Benny Elledge
Writer: Tina Satter, James Paul Dallas
Director: Tina Satter
Genre: Drama
Plot: A former American intelligence specialist was given the longest sentence for the unauthorized release of government information to the media about Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections via an email operation.
What you should know: Based on the play by Tina Satter.
Where to watch: Max

Falcon Lake

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Stars: Joseph Engel, Sara Montpetit, Monia Chokri, Arthur Igual
Writer: Charlotte Le Bon, François Choquet
Director: Charlotte Le Bon
Genre: Drama, Romance
Plot: A shy teenager on a summer vacation experiences the joy and pain of young adulthood when he forges an unlikely bond with an older girl.
What you should know: It’s in French and English.
Where to watch: In theaters; available VOD on June 13th

Shooting Stars

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Stars: Marquis Mookie Cook, Dermot Mulroney, Caleb McLaughlin, Wood Harris
Writer: Frank E. Flowers, Tony Rettenmaier, Juel Taylor
Director: Chris Robinson
Genre: Biography, Drama
Plot: A look at the young life of basketball star LeBron James.
What you should know: Shot on location in Ohio, and based on the book of the same name.
Where to watch: Peacock

Rise

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Stars: Marion Barbeau, Hofesh Shechter, Denis Podalydès, Muriel Robin
Writer: Cédric Klapisch, Santiago Amigorena
Director: Cédric Klapisch
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: A young ballet dancer’s life is upended when she suffers a career threatening injury and catches her boyfriend cheating on her. As she begins her physical and emotional rehabilitation, she finds solace in friends, a new love, and a new contemporary dance troupe.
What you should know: It’s in French and English.
Where to watch: In theaters

More New Releases

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Trailer) from Sony
Unidentified Objects (Trailer)
Padre Pio (Trailer)
Simulant (Trailer)

New to Streaming

Magic Mike’s Last Dance (Trailer) on HBO Max
Christmas with the Campbells (Trailer) on Hulu
The Devil Conspiracy (Trailer) on Hulu
Rubikon (Trailer) on Hulu

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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?