We’re again from the Sundance Movie Pageant with a whole wrap-up and data on if you’ll see the perfect of the fest!
This yr’s version of the Sundance Movie Pageant felt a contact bittersweet to me. You see, Sundance is on the verge of relocating, with it more and more unlikely that it’ll proceed in Park Metropolis previous the 2026 pageant version. Having been going to Sundance since 2010 (the place does the time go), I have to admit I felt just a little unhappy sitting in a few of the traditional Sundance spots this yr, just like the Vacation Village Cinemas (the place all of the press screenings are) and the traditional Eccles theatre, as after subsequent yr that is likely to be the tip of their run as premium Sundance spots. I’ve seen so many classics in these theatres, and it will likely be a disgrace to bid adieu to Park Metropolis.
Oh properly, a minimum of we now have the 2026 version to stay up for. As it’s, the 2025 version turned out to be the perfect version of the pageant because it was rocked by the pandemic. One subject lately is that Sundance motion pictures haven’t been breaking by to the mainstream as a lot as they used to, however this yr I noticed a number of movies which have a very good likelihood of working for the plenty. Neon purchased the horror flick Collectively and has already given it a summer season launch date, whereas the buzzy word-of-mouth hit of the pageant, Sorry, Child, bought purchased by A24. Whereas there have been a number of disappointments (the a lot anticipated A24 horror flick, Opus, landed with a thud), there have been numerous nice motion pictures displaying on the fest. Listed here are a few of our favourites:
Lurker:
This thriller, The Bear’s Alex Russell’s characteristic directorial debut, focuses on a retail worker (Theodore Pellerin) who insinuates himself into the inside orbit of a rising pop star (Archie Madekwe). The opinions for this have been glorious, and it has a lot attraction that it appears sure to stroll away from the pageant with a strong distribution deal. I’m really shocked one hasn’t been introduced but, because it looks like a no brainer for both A24 or a top-streamer like Prime Video or Netflix.
Prepare Goals:
This quiet, contemplative semi-western provides Joel Edgerton the jaw-dropping showcase he’s all the time deserved. Netflix ponied up an enormous $16 million for the rights to this one, and it appears seemingly they’ll push it onerous in subsequent yr’s awards season. Edgerton could properly enter into the Oscar dialog subsequent yr, and this is a superb movie that I’m desperate to see once more.
Collectively:
Neon has already set an August 1st broad launch for this physique horror flick, which options standout turns from real-life spouses Alison Brie and Dave Franco. This movie is a complete blast, with frenetic pacing, gross sensible results, and an arresting visible type from writer-director Michael Shanks. This is likely to be Neon’s subsequent massive style hit.
The Ugly Stepsister:
One other superior physique horror flick, this can be a defiantly R-rated tackle Cinderella, informed from the attitude of one of many “ugly” stepsisters. Due for a Shudder launch, given how jaw-droppingly insane it’s, this may show to be their most talked-about film since Late Evening With the Satan, with it incomes a spot alongside traditional fairy story deconstructions like The Firm of Wolves. Shudder/ IFC ought to put this out as counter-programming to Disney’s Snow White reboot.
Pee wee as Himself:
This two-part documentary will probably be airing on HBO and streaming on MAX inside a number of months, and it provides the good Paul Reubens a posthumous alternative to inform his personal life story. It’s undoubtedly the saddest movie I noticed on the pageant, as a deathbed interview Reubens performed (which is within the movie) reveals sure rumors haunted him till the day he died. Hopefully, this documentary provides him the vindication he by no means obtained in life.
Learn all of our Sundance opinions HERE. Which one are you most excited to see?
