Indie Film Release Guide: May 1st [An ONTD Original]: ohnotheydidnt — LiveJournal

Releasing a belated sequel to a popular film to mine nostalgia for box office dollars? Groundbreaking. But The Devil Wears Prada 2 looks to dominate the weekend, and with last weekend’s Michael also looking to make bank, indies like Hokum are facing an uphill battle.

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: April 24th, April 17th, and April 10th.

Hokum

Stars: Adam Scott, Peter Coonon, David Wilmot, Florence OrdeshWriter/Director: Damian McCarthyGenre: HorrorPlot: A horror writer visits an Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, unaware the property is said to be haunted by a witch.What you should know: Filmed in West Cork, Ireland.Where to watch: In theaters

One Spoon of Chocolate

Stars: Shameik Moore, RJ Cyler, Paris Jackson, Rockmond DunbarWriter/Director: RZAGenre: Action, Drama, ThrillerPlot: An ex-military convict seeks a fresh start in a small town, but his past catches up as he finds love amid danger and chaos.What you should know: This is the RZA’s first feature film since 2020’s Cut Throat City.Where to watch: In theaters

An Autumn Summer

Stars: Lukita Maxwell, Katie Baker, Mark McKenna, Louise BarnesWriter/Director: Jared IsaacGenre: RomancePlot: In a magical lake town, one couple and four best friends spend the final month before college chasing an endless summer.What you should know: This is writer and director Jared Isaac’s feature directorial debut.Where to watch: In theaters

Deep Water

Stars: Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley, Angus Sampson, Lucy BarrettWriter: Pete Bridges, Shane Armstrong, S.P. Krause, Damien Power, John Kim, Dan LuoDirector: Renny HarlinGenre: Action, DramaPlot: A group of international passengers en route from Los Angeles to Shanghai are forced to make an emergency landing in shark-infested waters. Now they must work together in hopes to overcome the frenzy of sharks drawn to the wreckage.What you should know: This is the biggest release so far from newly formed indie studio Magenta Light Studios.Where to watch: In theaters

Two Pianos

Stars: François Civil, Charlotte Rampling, Nadia Tereszkiewicz, Hippolyte GirardotWriter: Arnaud Desplechin, Kamen Velkovsky, Ondine Lauriot dit Prévost, Anne BerestDirector: Arnaud DesplechinGenre: Drama, Music, RomancePlot: Mathias, a virtuoso pianist, lives an impossible love story.What you should know: Filmed in Lyon, France.Where to watch: In theaters

Animal Farm

Stars: Seth Rogen, Gaten Matarazzo, Steve Buscemi, Glenn CloseWriter: Nicholas Stoller, George OrwellDirector: Andy SerkisGenre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, FamilyPlot: A satirical fable following an animal revolution as pigs seize power and the farm descends into a ruthless dictatorship.What you should know: Netflix originally picked up this project for distribution in 2018, but subsequently dropped it.Where to watch: In theaters

The Last One for the Road

Stars: Filippo Scotti, Sergio Romano, Pierpaolo Capovilla, Roberto CitranWriter: Adriano Candiago, Francesco SossaiDirector: Francesco SossaiGenre: Comedy, DramaPlot: Two blustery 50-somethings, have an obsession: going for their last drink. One night, they run into Giulio, a shy architecture student, whose way of seeing the world and love will be transformed as the trio wander from bar to bar of Veneto.What you should know: Filmed in several areas of Italy.Where to watch: In theaters

Swapped

Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Juno Temple, Justina Machado, Cedric the EntertainerWriter: John Whittington, Christian Magalhaes, Robert Snow, Adam Karp, Nathan GrenoDirector: Nathan GrenoGenre: Animation, FamilyPlot: A tiny woodland creature and a majestic bird suddenly swap bodies, forcing them to team up to survive the wildest adventure of their lives.What you should know: This is a Skydance Animation production.Where to watch: Netflix

Casa Grande

Stars: Daniel Mora, George Kosturos, Dorian De Tappen, Loren EscandonWriter: Juan Pablo Arias Muñoz, Sherell JacksonDirector: Juan Pablo Arias MuñozGenre: DramaPlot: A prodigal daughter rejoins her family at their farm during a difficult time, as her ailing father faces both a terminal diagnosis and mounting pressure from competitors. Old wounds resurface as they grapple with what lies ahead.What you should know: It’s in English and Spanish.Where to watch: In theaters

Our Land

Writer: María Alché, Lucrecia MartelDirector: Lucrecia MartelGenre: DocumentaryStoryline: Armed men kill Indigenous leader Javier Chocobar during attempted eviction in Argentina, 2009. After years of protests, a court case opens in 2018. Community voices and trial footage are shown amid colonial land struggles.What you should know: Won Best Film at the 2025 BFI London Film Festival.Where to watch: In NYC; expands in coming weeks

Expands

Omaha (Trailer)

More New Releases

The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Trailer) from 20th Century StudiosAmerican Dream (Trailer) Re-release

New to Streaming

Wuthering Heights (Trailer) on HBO MaxHeresy (Trailer) on Shudder

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