This weekend features two major studios bringing films with nearly zero audience overlap to theaters. Warner Bros has Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest offering One Battle After Another on deck, while Universal offers up Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, based on the Netflix kids show of the same name. The rest of the weekend’s offerings are from smaller studios, and you can read about those below.
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: September 19th, September 12th, and September 5th.
The Strangers: Chapter 2
Stars: Madelaine Petsch, Gabriel Basso, Ema Horvath, Brooke Lena Johnson
Writer: Alan R. Cohen, Alan Freedland
Director: Renny Harlin
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Plot: On the final day of their cross country road trip, a couple's vehicle breaks down, forcing them to take refuge in a remote Airbnb. As night falls, three masked strangers terrorize them until dawn.
What you should know: All three films in this series were filmed simultaneously.
Where to watch: In theaters
Eleanor the Great
Stars: June Squibb, Erin Kellyman, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jessica Hecht
Writer: Tory Kamen
Director: Scarlett Johansson
Genre: Drama
Plot: After a devastating loss, witty and proudly troublesome Eleanor Morgenstein, 94, tells a tale that takes on a dangerous life of its own.
What you should know: This is Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut.
Where to watch: In theaters
Dead of Winter
Stars: Emma Thompson, Judy Greer, Marc Menchaca, Laura Marsden
Writer: Nicholas Jacobson-Larson, Dalton Leeb
Director: Brian Kirk
Genre: Action, Thriller
Plot: A woman, travelling alone through snowbound northern Minnesota, interrupts the kidnapping of a teenage girl. Hours from the nearest town and with no phone service, she realizes that she is the young girl's only hope.
What you should know: The film was originally set to star Sharon Stone.
Where to watch: In theaters
All of You
Stars: Brett Goldstein, Imogen Poots, Jenna Coleman, Zawe Ashton
Writer: William Bridges, Brett Goldstein
Director: William Bridges
Genre: Drama
Plot: A stirring near-futuristic romance of two best friends who harbor an unspoken love for one another even after a test matches one of them up with their supposed soulmate.
What you should know: Premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
Where to watch: Apple TV+
BFFs
Stars: Constantine Paraskevopoulos, Adam Rifkin, Jennifer Morrison, Anita Briem
Writer: Adam Rifkin
Director: Constantine Paraskevopoulos
Genre: Comedy
Plot: Jerry trying to reconnect with childhood friend Henry. As their practical jokes escalate, it threatens Henry's current life with potentially fatal consequences.
What you should know: This is the directorial debut of actor and director Constantine Paraskevopoulos.
Where to watch: In theaters
Predators
Director: David Osit
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Exploring the controversial NBC series that caught potential child predators in sting operations, leading to arrests, and its eventual cancellation.
What you should know: Nominee for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
Where to watch: In theaters
Third Act
Writer: Victoria Chalk, Tadashi Nakamura
Director: Tadashi Nakamura
Genre: Documentary
Storyline: Filmmaker Tadashi explores his father Robert A. Nakamura's life as an influential Asian American artist and activist, while grappling with Robert's Parkinson's diagnosis, navigating themes of art, grief, and their father-son relationship.
What you should know: Earned several nominations on the film festival circuit.
Where to watch: In theaters
Brides
Stars: Ebada Hassan, Safiyya Ingar, Yusra Warsama, Leo Bill
Writer: Suhayla El-Bushra
Director: Nadia Fall
Genre: Drama
Plot: Two teenage girls in search of freedom, friendship, and belonging run away from their lives in the UK with a dangerous plan of travelling to Syria.
What you should know: It’s in English and Turkish
Where to watch: In theaters
All the Devils are Here
Stars: Eddie Marsan, Sam Claflin, Burn Gorman, Suki Waterhouse
Writer: John Patrick Dover
Director: Barnaby Roper
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Plot: Secluded in the middle of Dartmoor, Four thieves find themselves hiding out with nothing to do but count the money and time to kill.
What you should know: Filmed in Devon, England.
Where to watch: Available VOD
Homebound
Stars: Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, Janhvi Kapoor, Shreedhar Dubey
Writer: Shreedhar Dubey, Neeraj Ghaywan, Varun Grover, Sumit Roy
Director: Neeraj Ghaywan
Genre: Drama
Plot: Two friends from a North Indian village pursue police jobs seeking dignity, but their friendship strains as desperation grows in their quest.
What you should know: The movie is based on “Taking Amrit Home”, a NYT feature by Kashmiri journalist Basharat Peer, which traced the journey of two friends as they returned to their homes during the first wave of COVID-19 and India's nationwide lock-down.
Where to watch: In theaters
More New Releases
One Battle After Another (Trailer) from Warner Bros
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie (Trailer) from Universal
New to Streaming
Megan 2.0 (Trailer) on Peacock
French Lover (Trailer) on Netflix
Ruth and Boaz (Trailer) on Netflix
The Man in My Basement (Trailer) on Hulu
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?
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