Indie Film Release Guide: March 15th [An ONTD Original]

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This weekend doesn’t bring anything new in the way of big, major studio releases, so look for Dune: Part Two and Kung Fu Panda 4 to continue dominating the box office. There are, however, a bevy of indie releases, and those are detailed here for your perusal.

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: March 8th, March 1st, and February 23rd.

The American Society of Magical Negroes

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Stars: Justice Smith, David Alan Grier, An-Li Bogan, Nicole Byer
Writer/Director: Kobi Libii
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Plot: A young man, Aren, is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people's lives easier.
What you should know: Writer and director Kobi Libii was awarded “Director to Watch” at the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters



Arthur the King

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Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Simu Liu, Juliet Rylance, Nathalie Emmanuel
Writer: Michael Brandt, Mikael Lindnord
Director: Simon Cellan Jones
Genre: Adventure
Plot: An adventure racer adopts a stray dog named Arthur to join him in an epic endurance race.
What you should know: Won the Truly Moving Picture Award at the 2024 Heartland Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters

One Life

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Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Lena Olin, Johnny Flynn, Helena Bonham Carter
Writer: Lucinda Coxon, Nick Drake, Barbara Winton
Director: James Hawes
Genre: Drama, History
Plot: Recounts the life of Sir Nicholas 'Nicky' Winton, a young London broker who, in the months leading up to World War II, rescued over 600 children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia.
What you should know: The film is based on a true story, chronicled in the book by Barbara Winton.
Where to watch: In theaters

Knox Goes Away

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Stars: Michael Keaton, Marcia Gay Harden, Al Pacino, James Marsden
Writer: Gregory Poirier
Director: Michael Keaton
Genre: Thriller
Plot: When a contract killer has a rapidly evolving form of dementia, he is offered an opportunity to redeem himself by saving the life of his estranged adult son.
What you should know: This is Michael Keaton’s second directorial effort, following 2008’s The Merry Gentleman.
Where to watch: In theaters

Irish Wish

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Stars: Lindsay Lohan, Ed Speleers, Alexander Vlahos, Ayesha Curry
Writer: Kirsten Hansen
Director: Janeen Damian
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Plot: When the love of Maddie's life gets engaged to her best friend, she puts her feelings aside to be a bridesmaid at their wedding in Ireland.
What you should know: Lindsay Lohan’s brother Dakota appears in the film.
Where to watch: Netflix

Frida

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Director: Carla Gutierrez
Genre: Documentary, Animation
Storyline: A raw and magical journey into the life of iconic artist Frida Kahlo, told through her own words from diaries, letters, essays, and interviews. Vividly brought to life with lyrical animation inspired by her unforgettable artwork.
What you should know: Won the U.S. Documentary Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime

The Animal Kingdom

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Stars: Roman Duris, Paul Kircher, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Tom Mercier
Writer: Thomas Gailley, Pauline Munier
Director: Thomas Gailley
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Horror
Plot: In an extraordinary world where mutations in human genetics cause people to transform into hybrid creatures, François does everything he can to save his wife, who is affected by this mysterious condition.
What you should know: It’s in French.
Where to watch: In theaters, and available VOD

Butterfly in the Sky

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Director: Bradford Thomason, Brett Whitcomb
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Chronicles the journeys of broadcasters, educators and filmmakers who believed television could inspire a lifelong love of reading.
What you should know: Picked up 10 Awards on the 2022-2023 film festival circuit.
Where to watch: In theaters

Club Zero

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Stars: Mia Wasikowska, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Amir El-Masry, Camilla Rutherford
Writer: Jessica Hausner, Géraldine Bajard
Director: Jessica Hausner
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Plot: A teacher takes a job at an elite school and forms a strong bond with five students - a relationship that eventually takes a dangerous turn.
What you should know: Shot at the University of Oxford at the same time as Saltburn.
Where to watch: In select theaters

Remembering Gene Wilder

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Writer: Glenn Kirschbaum
Director: Ron Frank
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: This loving tribute to Gene Wilder celebrates his life and legacy as the comic genius behind an extraordinary string of film roles, from his first collaboration with Mel Brooks in The Producers, to the enigmatic title role in the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, to his inspired on-screen partnership with Richard Pryor in movies like Silver Streak.
What you should know: Won several audience awards from film festivals in 2023 and 2024.
Where to watch: In theaters

Expands

Love Lies Bleeding (Trailer)

More New Releases

French Girl (Trailer) from Paramount
The Neon Highway (Trailer)
Exhuma (Trailer)
On the Adamant (Trailer)
Prey (Trailer)

New to Streaming

Little Wing (Trailer) on Paramount+

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