Photo courtesy of Next Best Picture
For the first time since 2019, this summer will see major film releases almost every weekend. Due to this influx of highly anticipated blockbusters, the season is poised to fully return to the norms of pre-pandemic moviegoing. There’ll be plenty of superheroes, boogeymen and death-defying stunts for audiences to flock to, but there’ll also be a decent number of independent films that deserve attention from viewers. Spanning a myriad of genres and hailing from a talented group of filmmakers, these indies are set to stand out among a crowded blockbuster field this summer.
1. “BlackBerry” (Elevation Pictures) directed by Matt Johnson – Friday, May 12
With an electric cast that includes Jay Baruchel, Cary Elwes, Michael Ironside and the Golden God himself, Glenn Howerton, this biopic about the rise and fall of the titular smartphone brand looks to be another darkly funny effort from the director of found-footage cult classics “The Dirties” and “Operation Avalanche.” It premiered at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival and has racked up strong critical scores across the board.
2. “Sanctuary” (Neon) directed by Zachary Wigon – Friday, May 19
Margaret Qualley (playing the maid) and Christopher Abbott (playing the possessor) are the sole stars in a twisted genre hybrid that follows a cat-and-mouse game between a wealthy soon-to-be heir to a hotel empire and a dominatrix. It is entirely set in a hotel room. Reviews have praised the film for its unpredictability and social commentary.
3. “Past Lives” (A24) directed by Celine Song – Friday, June 2
One of the biggest breakouts at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Celine Song’s directorial film debut has been acclaimed for its gut-wrenching story and humanism. Already a potential awards season candidate, it’s shaping up to be another unqualified win for Asian-American cinema.
4. “Sympathy for the Devil” (RLJE Films) directed by Yuval Adler – Friday, July 28
Nicolas Cage fans will be treated to what should be another delightfully deranged performance from the acting legend. In this psychological horror, a man (Joel Kinnaman) is forced to drive an enigmatic stranger (Cage) at gunpoint. It’s notable for being the first film in Nevada history to use an LED soundstage. Half of the film was shot on this kind of soundstage.
5. “Talk to Me” (A24) directed by Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou – Friday, July 28
Another one of last Sundance’s buzziest titles, “Talk to Me” sees the creators of the popular RackaRacka YouTube channel pivot to professional filmmaking with what some are claiming to be the scariest film since “Hereditary.” The late-summer chiller seemingly takes influence from horror classics such as “The Evil Dead” and “The Exorcist,” and it is promised to be terrifying, intense and gory. The story about a group of friends who misuse an embalmed hand and summon evil forces is supported by a strong cast and inventive practical effects. If there’s one indie this summer that will become a hit with casual moviegoers, it’s definitely this one.
With such a terrific slate set for the summer, it’s undeniable that independent cinema isn’t going anywhere. However, excluding last year’s unprecedented success of “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” the arthouse scene has yet to make its glorious post-pandemic comeback.
With Martin Scorsese urging theater owners at CinemaCon to play more indies in order to inspire the next generation of filmmakers, the hope is that mainstream interest in independent cinema can soon reach the levels of before. Both major theater chains and moviegoers (who often claim to desire original films, only to ignore them) need to put in the work to support indie filmmaking since that’s where much of modern cinema’s innovation and excitement comes from.
