Indie Film Release Guide: December 8th [An ONTD Original]

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There are no big studio releases this weekend, but there are plenty of alternatives on the table. Searchlight’s Poor Things begins its run in limited release, but will be expanding to more cities in the near future. Meanwhile, Hayao Miyazaki’s newest feature expands wider this weekend, so check for The Boy and the Heron near you.

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: December 1st, November 23rd, and November 17th.

Poor Things

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Stars: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef
Writer: Tony McNamara
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi
Plot: The incredible tale of the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter.
What you should know: Based on the novel by Alasdair Gray.
Where to watch: In select theaters; expands in coming weeks



Origin

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Stars: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash, Emily Yancy
Writer/Director: Ava DuVernay
Genre: Drama, History
Plot: The unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions.
What you should know: Based on the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, a nonfiction book by the American journalist Isabel Wilkerson.
Where to watch: In select theaters; expands on January 19, 2024

The End We Start From

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Stars: Jodie Comer, Joel Fry, Katherine Waterston, Mark Strong
Writer: Alice Birch, Megan Hunter
Director: Mahalia Belo
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Plot: A woman who along with her newborn try to find their way home as environmental crisis that submerges London in flood waters and sees a young family torn apart in the chaos.
What you should know: Nominated for nine 2023 British Independent Film Awards.
Where to watch: In select theaters; expands in January

The Cello

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Stars: Samer Ismail, Jeremy Irons, Tobin Bell, Elham Ali
Writer: Turki Al Alshikh
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: An aspiring cellist learns that the cost of his cello is a lot more insidious than he thought.
What you should know: Filmed in Saudi Arabia.
Where to watch: In theaters

Anselm

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Director: Wim Wenders
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Anselm Kiefer is one of the greatest contemporary artists. His past and present diffuse the line between film and painting, thus giving a unique cinematic experience that dives deep into an artist's work and reveals his life path.
What you should know: Nominee for the Golden Eye Award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters

Fast Charlie

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Stars: Pierce Brosnan, Morena Baccarin, James Caan, Gbenga Akinnagbe
Writer: Richard Wenk, Victor Gischler
Director: Phillip Noyce
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Plot: Charlie Swift is a fixer with a problem: the thug he's whacked is missing his head and Charlie will only be paid if the body can be identified. Enter Marcie Kramer, the victim's ex-wife and a woman with all the skills Charlie needs.
What you should know: Last film of James Caan, who died in 2022.
Where to watch: In theaters

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget

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Stars: Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi, Bella Ramsey, Imelda Staunton
Writer: Karey Kirkpatrick, John O’Farrell, Rachel Tunnard
Director: Sam Fell
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Plot: Having pulled off an escape from Tweedy's farm, Ginger has found a peaceful island sanctuary for the whole flock. But back on the mainland the whole of chicken-kind faces a new threat, and Ginger and her team decide to break in.
What you should know: Several cast members from the original film reprised their roles, while several others were recast.
Where to watch: In theaters; on Netflix December 15th

Lord of Misrule

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Stars: Tuppence Middleton, Ralph Ineson, Matt Stokoe, Evie Templeton
Writer: Tom de Ville
Director: William Brent Bell
Genre: Horror
Plot: Rebecca Holland, who has recently taken over as priest of a small town. When her young daughter Grace goes missing at the local harvest festival, a desperate search begins. The closer they edge towards finding Grace, the more secrets emerge from the town’s dark past. Soon, Rebecca must decide just how much she is willing to sacrifice to rescue her daughter from the grip of evil.
What you should know: Filmed in the UK.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Our Son

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Stars: : Luke Evans, Billy Porter, Christopher Woodley, Robin Weigert
Writer: Peter Nickowitz, Bill Oliver
Director: Bill Oliver
Genre: Drama
Plot: A divorcing couple fight over the custody of their 8-year-old son.
What you should know: Won several awards on the 2023 film festival circuit.
Where to watch: In theaters

Merry Little Batman

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Stars: Yonas Kibreab, Luke Wilson, James Cromwell, David Hornsby
Writer: Morgan Evans, Etan Cohen, Jase Ricci
Director: Mike Roth
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Plot: Little Damian Wayne confronts enemies in his city after finding himself alone at Wayne Manor.
What you should know: Acquired by Amazon Prime after being scrapped at HBO Max.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime

Expanding

The Boy and the Heron (Trailer)

More New Releases

Waitress: The Musical (Trailer)
A Creature Was Stirring (Trailer)
Asian Persuasion (Trailer)

New to Streaming

Leave the World Behind (Trailer) on Netflix
Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie (Trailer) on Peacock

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