Independent Films – Page 3 – Unspool Hollywood

Melanie Lynskey in PIKE RIVER, Smash New Zealand Hit In Theaters January 30th and on Digital Nationwide

Director: Robert Sarkies
Writer: Fiona Samuel
Directed by Robert Sarkies
Written by Fiona Samuel
Run time: 2 hour 18 minutes
Country: New Zealand
Language: English

Melanie Lynskey stars in this David and Goliath drama based on actual events following the 2010 Pike River Mine disaster that took the lives of nearly 30 men working underground. A touchpoint in global culture at the time, two women—one who lost her son, the other her husband—would make it their mission to bring a negligent corporation to account, no matter the odds stacked against them.

Co-starring Robyn Malcolm and Lucy Lawless, the women would fight for years—through life's changes and challenges—to have their voices heard, culminating in a pivotal political moment for New Zealand as Jacinda Ardern found herself at the head of her party and poised to become Prime Minister.

PIKE RIVER arrives in the U.S. with an inspiring message of perseverance and hope brought to life by strong performances from Lynskey, Malcolm and the entire ensemble cast.

Hlynur Palmason’s THE LOVE THAT REMAINS In New York Theaters January 30th and Los Angeles and more February 6th

In New York Theaters, January 30th

Los Angeles and additional cities February 6th

WINNER, Palm Dog – Cannes Film Festival

Official Selection – Toronto International Film Festival

Official Selection – Busan International Film Festival

Official Selection – New York Film Festival

Official Selection – San Sebastián International Film Festival

Official Selection – Zurich Film Festival

Official Selection – Mill Valley Film Festival

Official Selection – Hamptons International Film Festival

Official Selection – BFI London Film Festival

Official Selection – AFI Fest

Nia DaCosta Redefines Horror

Nia DaCosta Redefines Horror

A powerful new chapter in the 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple universe—told through a bold, singular voice.

From visionary director Nia DaCosta, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple expands the world first imagined by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland—then turns it inside out. This next chapter pushes beyond survival, exploring power, fear, and the unsettling truth that humanity itself can be the greatest threat.

Nia DaCosta continues to reshape the horror landscape with a perspective that is both fearless and culturally resonant. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple reflects her distinct approach to storytelling—layered, provocative, and unafraid to confront what lies beneath the surface. Her work doesn’t just revisit a franchise; it redefines it.

Film Overview

In a continuation of the epic story, Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) makes a discovery that could change the world as they know it. Meanwhile, Spike (Alfie Williams) finds himself trapped in a nightmare following a chilling encounter with Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). In 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the infected are no longer the only danger—the inhumanity of survivors proves even more terrifying.

NIGHT PATROL, a Film of Horror

Released September 19, 2025 at Fantastic Fest and January 16, 2026 in the United States

Director: Ryan Prows
Writes: Shaye Ogbonna, Ryan Prows, Tim Cairo, Jake Gibson
Starring: Jermaine Fowler, Justin Long, Freddie Gibbs, RJ Cyler, YG, Nicki Micheaux, Flying Lotus, CM Punk, Dermot Mulroney
Run time: 1 hour 44 minutes
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Country: United State
Language: English

Director Ryan Prows’s NIGHT PATROL tells the story of an L.A. cop who faces the challenge of watching the public housing in which he was raised come under threat from a task force

Distributor: RLJE Films Shudder
Production Company: Phantom Four Films
Producers: David S. Goyer, Keith Levine, Josh Goldbloom, James Harris
Cinematographer: Benjamin Kitchens
Editor: Bradinn French
Music: Pepijn Caudron

PIKE RIVER Coming to Theaters and on Digital January 30th

Directed: Robert Sarkies
Writer: Samuel
Starring: Melanie Lynskey, Robyn Malcolm, Lucy Lawless
Run time: 2 hours 18 minutes
Country: New Zealand
Language: English

This is a film about the powerless vs. the powerful, of people vs. money, of right vs. wrong. An inspiring true story of an incredible female friendship and together what is possible when you simply won't give up.

Official website:https://brainmedia.com/

Producer: Vicky Pope, Timothy White
Executive Producers: Robert Sarkies, Melanie Lynskey, Robyn Malcolm
Cinematographer: Gin Loane
Edited: Peter Roberts
Music: "Sölve Steven

SINNERS Starring Michael B. Jordan, an Oscar Contender

Release dates: April 3, 2025, at AMC Lincoln Square and April 18, 2025, in the United States

Director and Writer: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Micheal B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Delroy Lindo
Run time: 2 hours 18 minutes 38
Country: United States
Language: English

Director and writer Ryan Coogler’s masterful horror film starring Micheal B. Jordan is one of the best films of 2025. Jordan’s portrayal the Smokestack Twins Elijah "Smoke" Moore and Elias "Stack" Moore is an Oscar worthy performance. Rounding out a fantastic range of characters are Mary, Stack's ex-girlfriend (Hailee Steinfeld), Samuel "Sammie" Moore (a.k.a. "Preacherboy") (Miles Caton) Smoke and Stack's cousin, a sharecropper and aspiring blues musician. elderly Sammie (Buddy Guy), Remmick, an Irish vampire (Jack O'Connell ), Annie, (Wunmi Mosaku) Smoke's partner and a Hoodoo practitioner, Pearline (Jayme Lawson), a married singer with whom Sammie becomes smitten, Cornbread (Omar Benson Miller), a sharecropper and bouncerDelta Slim *Delroy Lindo), an old town harmonica player and musical legendBert (Peter Dreimanis), a local KKK member, Hogwood's nephew, and Joan's husband, Joan (Lola Kirke), a KKK member and Bert's wife, Grace Chow (Li Jun Li), Bo's wife and a shopkeeper, Jedidiah Moore (Saul Williams ), a pastor, Sammie's father, and the twins’ uncle,

Photo of Barry Jenkins, moderator and Ryan Coogler, Micheal B. Jordan and cast and crew of SINNERS

Barry Jenkins, Ryan Coogler, Micheal B. Jordan, and cast and crew. Photo: Yevette Renee

Bo Chow (Yao), Grace's husband and a shopkeeper, Hogwood (David Maldonado), the local KKK leader and Bert's uncle, Lisa Chow (Helena Hu(, Bo and Grace's daughter, Ruthie (Andrene Ward-Hammond), Sammie's mother, Chayton (Nathaniel Arcand), a Choctaw vampire hunter, and Therise (Emonie Ellison) , Cornbread's pregnant wife.

SINNERS is a film you will want to see more than once. It has so many layers, you will see something different with each screening of the film. Must see film.

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Company: Proximity Media
Producers: Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler
Cinematographer: Autumn Durald Arkapaw
Editor: Michael P. Shawver
Music: Ludwig Göransson

All That’s Left of You: A Story of a Palestinian Family

Release dates: January 25, 2025 at Sundance
November 20, 2025, in Germany

Director and Writer: Cherien Dabis
Starring: Saleh Bakri, Cherien Dabis, Mohammad Bakri, Adam Bakri, Maria Zreik, Muhammad Abed Elrahman, Sanad Alkabareti, Salah El Din
Run time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Genre: Drama
Languages: Arabic and English
Countries: Germany, Cyprus, Palestine, Jordan, Greece, Qatar, Saudi Arabia

Writer and Director Cherien Dabis’ tells the traumatic story of a multigenerational family who must live through the Israel and Palestine conflict that has endured for decades. Salim (Saleh Bakri), Young Salim (Salah El Din), Hanan (Cherien Dabis), Sharif (Adam Bakri), Older Sharif (Mohammad Bakri), Munira (Maria Zreik), Teenage Noor (Muhammad Abed Elrahman), and Young Noor (Sanad Alkabareti).

Distributor: X Verleih AG [de] through Warner Bros. Germany
Production Companies: Pallas Film, Displaced Pictures, Nooraluna Productions, Twenty Twenty Vision, AMP Filmworks, ZDF, Arte
Producers: Thanassis Karathanos, Cherien Dabis, Martin Hampel, Karim Amer
Cinematographer: Christopher Aoun
Editor: Tina Baz
Music: Amine Bouhafa

ROADS OF FIRE

Producers: Malcolm Bird and Joél Inchaustegui
Executive Producers: Nicole Tao, David Wu, Malcolm Bird, Nathaniel Lezra, and Benjamin Wellington

“This isn't your typical documentary," said filmmaker Nathaniel Lezra. "With rare, unprecedented access, we've woven together three gripping human stories that reveal the true face of this urgent crisis.”

Director Tracie Laymon’s BOB TREVINO LIKES IT Starring Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo

Director and Writer: Tracie Laymon
Starring: Barbie Ferreira, John Leguizamo, French Stewart, and Rachel Bay Jones
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Rating:
Run time: 1 hour 42 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English

Bob Trevino Likes It from writer and director Tracie Laymon, is grounded from some of her own experiences, as it tells the story of Lily Trevino (Barbie Ferreira ), as seeks to find her biological father, Robert Trevino, (French Stewart ), and finds a friend in Bob Trevino (John Leguizamo). Jeannie (Rachel Bay Jones) as Bob’s wife), Harlan (Ted Welch), Daphne (Lolo Spencer), Lily's roommate and employer, and Counselor (Ashlyn Moore)

Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Producers: Tracie Laymon, Sean Mullin, Edgar Rosa, Felipe Dieppa
Cinematographer: John Rosario
Editor: Anisha Achary
Music: Jacques Brautbar
Production Companies: Laymon's Terms, Five By Eight Productions

AFTERSHOCK: THE NICOLE P. BELL STORY – From Manny Halley Productions and Roc Nation in Theaters Thanksgiving Weekend, November 28th, and VOD December 15th

Director: Alesia “Z” Glidewell
Writers: Cas Sigers and Glidewell
Starring: Rayven Ferrell, Bentley Green, Richard Lawson, Kevin Jackson, and Richard T. Jones
Genre: Drama
Run time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English
Producers: Manny Halley, Rodney Turner II, and Yolanda Halley
Executive Producers: Manny Halley, Nicole Paultre Bell, and Roc Nation

Director Alesia “Z” Glidewell ‘AFTERSHOCK: THE NICOLE P. BELL STORY’ tells of the horrific murder of Sean Bell, just hours away from his marriage to Nicole Paultre Bell, at the hands of New York police, in a hail of 50 bullets. This incident caused anger around the world and the demand for improved policing.

Producer Manny Halley, “We believe there is strong commercial value in what is on screen and are excited to release this movie. Aftershock is a deeply moving film that captures the urgency and humanity of a story that still resonates today.”

Nicole Paultre Bell, "With this movie, I am pleased to share my journey - a journey of resilience, hope, and the pursuit of justice. This movie retells my story of finding strength and fighting for accountability after the tragic loss of my husband-to-be and the father of my children. This is a collective experience shared by countless survivors - those who have lost loved ones to senseless violence and those who have fought tirelessly for accountability and civil reform. It's a story of the strength that resides within each one of us, a strength that propels us forward even in the darkest of times. The support my family has received over the years has been a constant source of motivation. It is my hope that this project will honor Sean's memory and serve as a testament to the power of community."