In The Earth
Fresh off a rocky premiere of Netflix’s Rebecca, Ben Wheatley is returning to Sundance with a film that sounds more reminiscent of Kill List and A Field in England. In the Earth concerns a deadly virus ravaging the world (a little too real) and a scientist and his guide who are hoping to find the cure deep within the Arboreal Forest. However, nothing goes as planned, and after an attack, they meet a hermit who may help them out of the forest. But reality and fiction begin to meld together in a way that sounds a bit like Alex Garland’s Annihilation. I’m excited to see Wheatley go back to his roots and experiment with strange, creeping horror. (Mary Beth McAndrews)
John and The Hole
John and the Hole is not the only movie about something and a hole at Sundance this year (well played, Marvelous and The Black Hole), but it’s the one that packs the most promise (sorry, Marvelous and The Black Hole). The story follows John, a cold child who holds his family (Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Ehle, and Taissa Farmiga) captive in a hole in the ground. The directorial debut from visual artist Pascual Sisto is also one of three films at the fest that were originally slated to play Cannes 2020, which increases its pre-fest odds to be one of the festival’s major breakthroughs. A screenplay from Birdman writer Nicolás Giacobone doesn’t hurt either, though this is slightly new territory in that it’s his first credit without a co-writer. (Luke Hicks)
Judas and the Black Messiah
This Ryan Coogler-produced biographical drama from director Shaka King (Newlyweeds) may be making a debut at Sundance, but it will then very quickly be eyeing a release into theaters and on HBO Max on February 12th. From there, it’s likely entering the Oscar race for many involved. Telling the story of the FBI’s quest to infiltrate the Black Panther Party and take down its Illinois chapter chairman, Fred Hampton, Judas and the Black Messiah features one of the most exciting casts of the year: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons, and rising star Dominique Fishback (The Deuce). We’ll show up for this ensemble any time, especially at Sundance. (Neil Miller)
Knocking
A traumatic past and an ongoing heatwave are enough to leave anyone on edge, but add in a strange knocking in the walls of your apartment and all bets are off. Part drama, part thriller, Knocking drops its lead character and viewers alike into a situation that may or may not be as it seems. No one believes her claims, but does that mean she’s simply hearing things that aren’t there — or are her neighbors hiding something? Is it gaslighting if you’re actually losing your mind? We’re excited to find out together when the film premieres during the festival. (Rob Hunter)
Land
Robin Wright is well-known for what she does in front of the camera, but Land is her first feature directorial venture (she helmed a number of House of Cards episodes previously), and with it, she could prove just as noteworthy behind the camera. She also stars in the film, playing a character named Edee Mathis who decides to go rogue in the wilderness of Wyoming. Other films that feature women who purposely refuse the everyday norm to embrace nature like Wild and Nomadland have been critical successes. Now, we will see if Land takes the final spot in this unofficial trilogy. (Shea Vassar)
Related Topics: Sundance
