Author: Alex Billington

"If you do find her, it's probably not the sister you remember." Tubi has revealed an official trailer for an indie thriller titled The Thicket, which will actually be opening in theaters this fall. Despite being produced by the free streaming service Tubi, this will be getting a theatrical release in September before it's streaming later in the year. Adapted from the bestselling book of the same name by Joe R. Lansdale. When a renowned bounty hunter and a band of unlikely heroes head out to pursue a brutal killer, they find themselves in a deadly no-man’s-land known as The Thicket. Peter Dinklage stars as Reginald Jones, who's recruited by a desperate man to track down a killer known only as Cutthroat Bill, played by Juliette Lewis. A film about vengeance, justice, and unlikely companionship, this one also stars Esmé Creed-Miles, Levon Hawke, Macon Blair, Andrew Schulz, James Hetfield, David Midthunder, with Arliss Howard, Leslie Grace, and Gbenga Akinnagbe. This looks like it might be properly thrilling - the trailer is worth a watch. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for ...

"If I were you, I wouldn't get hurt even more..." Neon has unveiled a second official trailer for Cuckoo, the chilling German horror film arriving in theaters soon. It first premiered at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival and also played at SXSW earlier this year. Cuckoo is the second feature from German filmmaker Tilman Singer after Luz. Gretchen travels to the German Alps with her father & stepmother, where she comes across dark secrets. She hears strange noises and is plagued by visions of a weird woman chasing after her, drawn into a conspiracy involving bizarre experiments by the resort’s owner that echoes back generations... Following his festival hit Luz, Singer has once again succeeded in creating an atmospheric & visually outstanding horror trip. Shot on 35mm, this film stars Euphoria's Hunter Schafer alongside a brilliant and terrifying Dan Stevens in it. It also features Jessica Henwick, Marton Csókás, Jan Bluthardt, Greta Fernández, Konrad Singer, Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, & Proschat Madani. I am a BIG fan of this original horror (read my review) - it's an eerie, strange freaky blast, with ...

"I guess we're gonna have to start assimilating sooner rather than later." Dark Star Pictures has revealed an official trailer for The Becomers, an indie sci-fi comedy from filmmaker Zach Clark. This premiered at the 2023 Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal one year ago, and is ready for release in US art house theaters + on VOD this fall. A body-snatching alien comes to Earth, reconnects with their missing partner alien, and tries to find their way in modern America. The "visually striking and outrageously plotted film reverberates with the pulse of politics & cultural trends of the last five years – drawing from COVID, Qanon, and constant states of anxiety – while exploring themes of confusion, isolation, and the deep need for human connection through the story of two body-snatching alien lovers." Starring Molly Plunk, Mike Lopez, Keith Kelly, Isabel Alamin, and Frank V. Ross, and featuring narration from Sparks' lead singer Russell Mael. This looks like some lo-fi, low budget, kooky sci-fi weirdness, if anyone is into this kind of funky cinema. Enjoy. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for ...

"Boris, tell them what you did!" Kino Lorber has revealed an official trailer for an indie comedy called The Falling Star, the latest creation from the Belgian filmmaker duo known as Abel & Gordon - best known as Dominique Abel & Fiona Gordon. This first premiered last year at the 2023 Locarno, Telluride, Thessaloniki Film Festivals. KL is "pleased to present The Falling Star, the enchanting new caper from Dominique Abel & Fiona Gordon that parodies film noir with their signature deadpan wit and quirky, colorful whimsy." The story follows a former activist who's been a fugitive for 35 years, and works as a bartender now. Boris' past finally catches up with him when a mysterious stranger appears at the bar, armed, and wanting his revenge. Starring Abel & Gordon, along with dancer Kaori Ito, Philippe Martz, and Bruno Romy. This film is described by critics: "unique and poetic... a symphony of primary colours, scenes composed as if paintings, bodies which speak louder than words, dances which suddenly possess the various characters, irresistible visual ingeniousness." Sounds like some amusing, and ...

"Leave the valley before something really terrible happens." Dreamscape has revealed a trailer for an indie horror film titled Round the Decay, the latest from horror filmmaker Adam Newman (Everwinter Night). Round the Decay offers "a fresh take on the monster movie formula with roots extending into psychological & folk horror," with inspiration from Pumpkinhead and Cube. Arriving to watch in October in a few months. A young woman returns to the site of her broken engagement, Newport's Valley, NH, a sleepy tourist town with an all-consuming secret where something sinister lurks. Starring Victoria Mirrer as Kenzie, Damian Maffei, Sienna Hubert-Ross, Melody Kay, Phil Duran, Sarah Nicklin, plus Roger Clark. "Round the Decay has a lot of heart and a lot of character, but it definitely doesn't skimp on scares or gore. Plus, it has a new, original monster that we can't wait to introduce to you all." A practical creature designed by veteran special effects artist Greg McDougall. The monster isn't revealed here yet - keep an eye out for more. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Adam ...

"Their wrath will be my vengeance." Netflix has launched the full red band trailer for the R-rated versions of Rebel Moon, the epic Zack Snyder sci-fi saga. Snyder teased this version last year when the first Part 1 opened in late 2023. This is the definitive, actually-what-he-wanted-to-make version of this movies - hard R in every sense. The new Director's Cut movies are titled Rebel Moon - Chapter One: Chalice of Blood and Rebel Moon - Chapter Two: Curse of Forgiveness. These an original Zack Snyder creation, a Star Wars-esque sci-fi adventure about a ragtag team of rebels. In a universe controlled by a corrupt militaristic government, the moon of Veldt is threatened by the forces of the Imperium, the army of the Mother World controlled by "Regent Balisarius". Sofia Boutella stars as Kora – a former member of the Imperium who rallies warriors from across the galaxy to fight back against them. With a cast including Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein, Charlie Hunnam, Michiel Huisman, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Cleopatra Coleman, Fra Fee, Jena Malone, Staz Nair, plus Anthony Hopkins ...

"3, 2, 1... Ready or not, here I come." Dread & Epic have revealed the official trailer for an indie horror film project tiled My First Horror Movie (or also My First Horror Film - it's all the same anyway). This first premiered at 2023 Screamfest New Orleans last year, and it will be heading to VOD directly this August. An aspiring influencer documents her journey booking her first horror film but receives a bloody surprise when a real-life killer begins murdering her cast mates. Now her and the rest of the cast are trying to survive the film they were just cast in. Not exactly an entirely original premise. My First Horror Movie is directed by Shihan Van Clief and stars Georgina Navarro, Chauntice Green, Justyn Franco, Stephan O'Shea, Joy Marie Thomas, and Miles Crawford. "As a first-time filmmaker, I wanted My First Horror Film to be a thrilling story that also leaves the audience feeling good," states Van Clief. This trailer plays more like an experimental student film than anything properly polished, but some might find it entertaining ...

"At its core, this film is about healing." Strand Releasing has unveiled an official trailer for an indie drama titled I'll Be Your Mirror, made by the indie filmmaker Bradley Rust Gray. This initially premiered back in 2022 at the Sundance Film Festival, but it has been stuck in release limbo for the past few years. Now it's finally opening this summer. Chloe (starring Carla Juri) travels to Japan for work where she is welcomed by an old friend, Toshi. Sliding between the melancholy of loss of her husband and the awe of perspectives changed, she wanders an unfamiliar landscape. I'll Be Your Mirror explores grief and the road to emotional recovery. With a fresh rhythm, and unforgettably rich performances, this subtle study captures the vibrancy of healing. Also starring Takashi Ueno, Issey Ogata, Gustaf Skarsgärd, and Sachiko Ohshima. At Sundance it won a Special Jury Award for "Uncompromising Artistic Vision", but received mostly mixed-to-negative reviews. This reminds me of Perfect Days, but it's nowhere near as good as that film. Worth a look. Here's the first official trailer for Bradley ...

"Why don't I show you my beautiful town?" Level 33 Ent. has revealed the official US trailer for a film titled Across the River and Into the Trees, a UK / Spanish / Italy production made by a Spanish filmmaker. It first premiered at a festival back in 2022 and initially opened in Spain last year (as Al otro lado del río y entre los árboles), with a theatrical US release set for the end of August later this summer. The film is based on one of the last full-length novels published by Ernest Hemingway in his lifetime. Set in post-World War II Italian Venice, weary US Army Colonel Richard Cantwell is a true hero who faces the news of his illness with indifference as he struggles with the weight of the war. Amid his unraveling plans, a chance encounter with a countess offers hope & redemption against the backdrop of war. Hemingway's themes of love, youth, and age resonate in Across the River and Into the Trees. This stars Liev Schreiber as Cantwell, Matilda De Angelis, Josh Hutcherson, Danny ...

"So what kinda gal are you lookin' for?" Lionsgate has revealed the official trailer for an awkward romantic comedy movie called Running on Empty, being released this summer starting in August (eventually on VOD later in August). Marking the feature directorial debut of filmmaker Daniel André, this was originally titled Mort in Sherman Oaks before the new title change, since it's set in the San Fernando Valley. The film follows an odd young man named Mort who discovers he has less than a year to live. After hearing the news, his fiancé leaves him, then he meets Kate using a dating service that matches people by their death dates, all while being stalked by a disturbed pimp. Definitely sounds kooky! Mort sets out on a spirited quest to find meaning in his existence and hopefully the girl of his dreams along the way. The film stars Keir Gilchrist, Lucy Hale, Francesca Eastwood, Rhys Coiro, Jay Pharoah, Lisa Yaro, Monica Potter, Dylan Flashner, Dustin Milligan, and Jim Gaffigan. This romcom seems pretty odd but also mildly amusing. Here's the official trailer (+ ...