August soon arrives, and instead of blockbusters and sequels, it’s mostly a month filled with original films, unattached to previously existing IP. A rarity to be sure! Hopefully, these stories can pull you to the theater (and out of the heat) a few times in the coming weeks.
First up, a psychological thriller called Resurrection. The story follows Margaret (Rebecca Hall) as she tries to protect herself from her abusive ex-boyfriend David (Tim Roth), who reappears after 22 years. The trailer has a slow burn vibe, full of anxiety and fear, as Roth looms large over Hall’s everyday activities. Reviews at Sundance were positive; you can check it out on Aug. 5
If you’d rather view a black comedy slasher film, check out Bodies Bodies Bodies. Starring Amandla Stenberg and Pete Davidson, the film finds a group of teens playing a murder mystery style game … only to, of course, find that someone has actually been killed by an unknown party. The trailer looks like a full on satire of: twenty-somethings; the era of digital dominance; and all those Gen Z terms that you’ll either get immediately or have absolutely no clue about. It releases Aug. 5.
For another horror flick, look to Barbarian. Written and directed by Zach Cregger of The Whitest Kids U’ Know fame, the plot concerns a woman who is accidentally double-booked at an Airbnb with a stranger. Although she finds him off-putting, it becomes clear that there is much more going on in the building than just a weird accidental roommate. The film stars Bill Skarsgard, Justin Long and Georgina Campell, but the involvement of Cregger alone has me intrigued, especially considering there doesn’t appear to be any comedy. It releases on Aug. 12. (Just kidding, it’s Sept. 9 now – close enough!)
Itching for drama? Keep an eye on Emily the Criminal. The film stars Aubrey Plaza as a woman saddled with debt so high that she gets involved with a credit card scam – which inadvertently pulls her into the seedy crime underworld of L.A. Written and directed by John Patton Ford, it looks to showcase Plaza’s dramatic chops in what will surely be an entertaining crime thriller. It releases on August 12th.
If you thirst for a fantasy drama, try Three Thousand Years of Longing. Directed by George Miller, known for the Mad Max franchise, the film is based on The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye by A.S. Byatt and concerns a scholar, played by Tilda Swinton, as she encounters the titular Djinn (Idris Elba). He offers her three wishes, all of which lead to interesting consequences. It looks like a madhouse of effects and camerawork, anchored by a bizarre story and fun performances. It releases Aug. 31.
Finally, the second part of the final season of Better Call Saul should be about halfway over by now, and I implore you to watch it as soon as you can. Bob Odenkirk and Rhea Seehorn have never been better, and the conclusion looks to be absolutely thrilling. It airs Monday nights on AMC.
