Indie Film Release Guide: June 30th [An ONTD Original]
This summer’s box office is not panning out quite as studios hoped, to put it mildly. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny looks to be the underwhelming big studio release this weekend, taking the reins from previous major studio underperformers The Flash and Elemental. Of course, there are plenty of other options, and you can read on for some of those 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: June 23rd, June 16th, and June 9th.
Nimona
Click to viewStars: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy
Writer: Robert L. Baird, Lloyd Taylor, Pamela Ribon
Director: Nick Bruno, Troy Quane
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Plot: When a knight in a futuristic medieval world is framed for a crime he didn't commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona -- a mischievous teen who happens to be a shapeshifting creature he's sworn to destroy.
What you should know: Originally a production of Blue Sky Studios, the film was cancelled following Disney's shutdown of the studio in early 2021. At the time of its cancellation, the film was reportedly 70% finished in Layout. The film was revived by Annapurna and Netflix the following year.
Where to watch: Netflix
Every Body
Director: Julie Cohen
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: The film tells the stories of three individuals who have moved from childhoods marked by shame, secrecy, and non-consensual surgeries to thriving adulthoods after each decided to set aside medical advice to keep their bodies a secret and instead came out as their authentic selves.
What you should know: Director Julie Cohen has directed several documentaries, including Julia (2021) and RBG (2018).
Where to watch: In theaters
Prisoner’s Daughter
Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Brian Cox, Christopher Convery, Eileen Rene Prudhont
Writer: Mark Bacci
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Genre: Drama
Plot: A father fights for the love of his daughter and grandson, after serving twelve years in prison.
What you should know: Director Catherine Hardwicke is best known for Twilight (2008).
Where to watch: In theaters
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
Director: Stephen Kijak
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: The biography of renowned actor Rock Hudson is examined in this relevant investigation of Hollywood and LGBTQ+ identity, from his public "ladies' man" character to his private life as a gay man.
What you should know: Rock Hudson’s acting career spanned over 30 years.
Where to watch: HBO/Max
The Unseen
Stars: RJ Mitte, Christian Stolte, William Mark McCullough, Jennifer A. Goodman
Writer: Jennifer A. Goodman
Director: Vincent Shade
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Plot: A law student finds himself in a twisted web of murder and deceit brought on by a dark force from his past.
What you should know: RJ Mitte has mainly appeared in indies since his breakout role on Breaking Bad.
Where to watch: In theaters
Run Rabbit Run
Stars: Sarah Snook, Lily LaTorre, Neil Melville, Katherine Slattery
Writer: Hannah Kent
Director: Daina Reid
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Plot: Sarah Snook plays a single mother frightened by her young daughter's inexplicable memories of a past identity.
What you should know: This is writer Hannah Kent’s first feature film.
Where to watch: Netflix
Millie Lies Low
Stars: Ana Scotney, Jillian Nguyen, Chris Alosio, Sam Cotton
Writer: Eli Kent, Michelle Savill
Director: Michelle Savill
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Plot: After missing her flight to a prestigious internship, an anxiety-ridden architecture grad fakes being in New York while lying low in her hometown scrounging for another ticket.
What you should know: Director Michelle Savill was also a casting assistant on The Power of the Dog.
Where to watch: In theaters
In the Company of Rose
Director: James Lapine
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Rose Styron, the widow of the great American novelist William Styron, shares the fascinating story of her complex life as a poet, journalist, human rights activist, and life partner to William.
What you should know: Director James Lapine is also a theater director, having directed several productions on and off Broadway.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD
The Childe
Stars: Kim Seon-Ho, Kang Tae-Ju, Kim Kang-Woo, Go Ara
Writer/Director: Park Hoon-jung
Genre: Action, Drama
Plot: An aspiring boxer travels to the Philippines in the hopes of tracking down his father, and in the process, he gets mixed up with some bad people.
What you should know: It’s in Korean.
Where to watch: In theaters
As Far As I Can Walk
Stars: Ibrahim Koma, Nancy Mensah-Offei, Maxim Khalil, Rami Farah
Writer: Stefan Arsenijevic, Nicolas Ducray, Bojan Vuletic
Director: Stefan Arsenijevic
Genre: Drama
Plot: A re-imagining of a traditional medieval epic in which contemporary African migrants take the place of Serbian national heroes. Urgent and timeless at the same time, the adaptation raises questions about identity, tradition, race and love.
What you should know: It’s in English and Serbian.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (Trailer) from Disney
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Trailer) from Universal
The Passengers of the Night (Trailer)
The In-Law Gang! (Trailer)
Confidential Informant (Trailer)
Warhorse One (Trailer)
New to Streaming
M3GAN (Trailer) on Amazon Prime
A Thousand and One (Trailer) on Peacock
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?