Indie Box Office Highlights: New Releases & Exciting Features

This weekend marks a revitalization at the indie box office following the Academy Awards, transitioning from the usual slow period to a lineup brimming with promising films. Audiences can anticipate a range of genres, including adaptations of literary works and unique dramas, providing a fresh array of options for cinephiles.

Feature Films Premiering This Weekend

In The Lost Lands

Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, In The Lost Lands launches on 1,365 screens across the country. The film, adapted from a George R.R. Martin short story, showcases performances by Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista. Its plot revolves around a sorceress, Gray Alys, dispatched by a queen to the mysterious Lost Lands, where she and her guide must navigate dangers from both humans and demons. The film had its premiere at George R.R. Martin’s Jean Cocteau Cinema in Santa Fe, New Mexico, followed by a lively after-party.

Night Of The Zoopocalypse

Viva Pictures brings animated entertainment with Night Of The Zoopocalypse, showing on 1,400 screens. This film tells the story of zoo animals turned into zombies following a meteor’s viral outbreak. The narrative follows a mountain lion and a wolf as they lead their fellow survivors to thwart the zombie menace. The film has made a notable impact, boasting a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 15 critics.

The Rule Of Jenny Penn

If you’re seeking psychological thrills, look no further than The Rule Of Jenny Penn, which opens on 878 screens. This unsettling drama features John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush. It centers around Judge Stefan Mortensen (Rush), who must confront a fellow resident’s sadistic behavior in a nursing home after suffering a stroke. The film promises a powerful exploration of personal fears and moral boundaries and has been described by reviewers as a “master class in acting.”

Queen of the Ring

Also releasing this weekend is Queen of the Ring, presented by new distributor Sumerian in over 200 theaters. Based on the true story of wrestler Mildred Burke, the film chronicles her struggles against societal norms in a time when women’s wrestling was illegal in the U.S. The film stars a well-known cast including Emily Bett Rickards and Josh Lucas.

Seven Veils

Atom Egoyan’s Seven Veils debuts on more than 160 screens. The film stars Amanda Seyfried as Jeanine, a theater director who revisits her past while staging an opera. Egoyan explores themes of trauma and artistry, reflecting on how personal history can influence one’s life and work.

There’s Still Tomorrow

Italian film There’s Still Tomorrow, directed by Paola Cortellesi, becomes available on 105 screens across the U.S. This women’s rights drama set in post-war Rome gained significant acclaim in Italy, surpassing major films like Barbie and Oppenheimer in terms of viewership.

Limited Releases

Eephus

Music Box Films presents Eephus, marking the directorial debut of Carson Lund, on two screens. The film explores amateur baseball as a metaphor for life’s transitions and will expand to other markets in the coming weeks.

On Becoming A Guinea Fowl

A24 features the critically praised film On Becoming A Guinea Fowl, opening in limited venues such as AMC Lincoln Square and Angelika Film Center in NYC. This film tackles family secrets in a surreal narrative, showcasing the cultural complexities of Zambian life.

The Empire

Bruno Dumont’s The Empire<\/em>, a French space opera, debuts at the IFC Center. The film intertwines humor and science fiction, depicting a cosmic battle that disrupts a tranquil fishing village in Northern France.