June6 , 2026

    Indie Film Release Guide: May 15th [An ONTD Original]

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    The major studios are taking a breather this weekend, but there are still plenty of new releases, the biggest of which is the well-reviewed Obsession from Focus Features. Amazon also has a new release this weekend, the film adaptation of the award-winning play Is God Is by playwright, writer and director Aleshea Harris. Check out more info about these films and more under the cut.

    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: May 8th, May 1st, and April 24th.

    Obsession

    Stars: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless
    Writer/Director: Curry Barker
    Genre: Horror
    Plot: After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.
    What you should know: Shot for under a million dollars and picked up by Focus Features for distribution for $15 million+ after a bidding war.
    Where to watch: In theaters

    Is God Is

    Stars: Kara Young, Mallori Johnson, Erika Alexander, Vivica A. Fox
    Writer/Director: Aleshea Harris
    Genre: Drama
    Plot: Two sisters embark on an epic quest for revenge; confronting a charged family history that will push them to extraordinary lengths.
    What you should know: Writer and director Aleshea Harris adapted her own award-winning play for her feature directorial debut.
    Where to watch: In theaters

    In the Grey

    Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Henry Cavill, Eiza González, Rosamund Pike
    Writer/Director: Guy Ritchie
    Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
    Plot: A covert team of elite operatives are living in the shadows. When a ruthless despot steals a billion-dollar fortune, they’re sent to take it back-an impossible heist that erupts into a deadly game of strategy, deception and survival.
    What you should know: Filmed on Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
    Where to watch: In theaters

    Forge

    Stars: Kelly Marie Tran, Andie Ju, Brandon Soo Hoo, Sonya Walger
    Writer/Director: Jing Ai Ng
    Genre: Drama
    Plot: Siblings Raymond and Coco Zhang run a forgery ring. Coerced by a disgraced millionaire, they create counterfeit masterpieces for his family’s collection. FBI agent Emily Lee investigates a new string of art forgeries.
    What you should know: It’s in Cantonese and English.
    Where to watch: In theaters

    LifeHack

    Stars: Georgie Farmer, Yasmin Finney, Roman Hayeck-Green, James Scholz
    Writer: Ronan Corrigan, Hope Elliott Kemp
    Director: Ronan Corrigan
    Genre: Action, Thriller
    Plot: Kyle and his friends hack for fun, pranking online scammers. Seeking a bigger thrill, they target billionaire Don Heard through his daughter Lindsey’s social media, stealing his cryptocurrency.
    What you should know: Nominated at the 2025 British Independent Film Awards.
    Where to watch: In theaters

    The Wizard of the Kremlin

    Stars: Jude Law, Paul Dano, Alicia Vikander, Tom Sturridge
    Writer: Olivier Assayas, Emmanuel Carrère, Giuliano Da Empoli
    Director: Olivier Assayas
    Genre: Drama, History, Thriller
    Plot: A young Russian filmmaker becomes an unlikely advisor to Vladimir Putin as he rises to power in post-Soviet Russia, navigating the new era’s complexities and chaos.
    What you should know: Based on the book by Giuliano Da Empoli
    Where to watch: In theaters

    Magic Hour

    Stars: Katie Aselton, Daveed Diggs, Brad Garrett, Susan Sullivan
    Writer: Katie Aselton, Mark Duplass
    Director: Katie Aselton
    Genre: Drama, Romance
    Plot: Erin and Charlie escape to the desert to navigate an unexpected and challenging new phase of their relationship.
    What you should know: Actor, writer and director Katie Aselton is married to co-writer Mark Duplass.
    Where to watch: In theaters

    An Enemy Within

    Stars: William Moseley, Patrick Baladi, Tristan Gemmill, Alexander Lincoln
    Writer/Director: John Michael Kennedy
    Genre: Thriller
    Plot: Caleb Wingate is given a choice over who lives and dies on his wedding day by an assassin known as The Wolf.
    What you should know: Filmed in Herefordshire, England.
    Where to watch: In theaters

    Driver’s Ed

    Stars: Sam Nivola, Sophie Telegadis, Mohana Krishnan, Aidan Laprete
    Writer: Thomas Moffett
    Director: Bobby Farrelly
    Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance
    Plot: A group of teens steal their school’s driver’s ed car, to go on a road trip to help a high school senior track down his college-freshman girlfriend and win her back.
    What you should know: Filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina.
    Where to watch: In theaters

    Decorado

    Stars: Asier Hormaza, Aintzane Gamiz, Kandido Uranga, Mikel Garmendia
    Writer: Francesc Xavier Manuel Ruiz, Alberto Vázquez
    Director: Alberto Vázquez, Stephanie Sheh
    Genre: Animation, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
    Plot: Arnold, a mouse in midlife crisis, sees his world as an artificial theater set. As personal troubles mount, his suspicion of living in a fake reality leads him to search for what’s authentic.
    What you should know: It’s in Spanish.
    Where to watch: In theaters

    More New Releases

    Shrek (Trailer) Re-release

    New to Streaming

    The Crash (Trailer) on Netflix
    Lurker (Trailer) on HBO Max
    The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas (Trailer) on HBO Max
    Marty, Life is Short (Trailer) on Netflix

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



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