By Miranda Rodriguez & Nick Rodriguez
So many films so little time. With a stacked lineup of 115 features there are many to choose from, but along with this comes the hard decision on what to watch. As amateur and aspiring filmmakers, we have been keeping a finger on the pulse of all things that will be showing at SXSW 2024.
Check out the list below for films at SXSW that you shouldn’t sleep on:
‘Azreal’
Director: E.L. Katz
Cast: Samara Weaving, Vic Carmen Sonne, Katariina Unt, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Sebastian Bull Sarning
* SXSW WORLD PREMIERE
SXSW Alum, E.L. Katz will be returning with “Azreal.” In “Azreal,” you will see Samara Weaving’s continued streak into Scream Queen stardom. Be one of the first people to see this film at its world premiere at SXSW on March 9.
Synopsis: A post-apocalyptic world sees a devout cult of mute zealots hunt down a young woman, Azrael, who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael is to be sacrificed to pacify an ancient evil that resides deep within the surrounding wilderness.
Katz’s directorial debut “Cheap Thrills,” premiered at SXSW where it won the Midnighter Audience award.
‘Cuckoo’
Director: Tilman Singer
Starring: Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, Jessica Henwick, Marton Csókás, Jan Bluthardt
Euphoria’s breakout star, Hunter Schafer’s first starring role in a film. After bewildering the audience at its Berlinale premiere, SXSW attendees will be the first international audience to set their sights on this off-kilter psychological horror experience.
Synopsis: On a trip to the German Alps with her father and stepmother, Gretchen (Hunter Schafer from HBO’s “Euphoria”) discovers that the resort town where they’re staying hides sinister secrets, as she’s plagued by strange noises and frightening visions of a woman pursuing her. Soon, Gretchen finds herself pulled into a conspiracy involving bizarre experiments by the resort’s owner that echo back generations.
‘The Fall Guy’
Director: David Leitch
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Winston Duke, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Stephanie Hsu
* SXSW WORLD PREMIERE
It has been 7 years since David Leitch’s solo directorial debut “Atomic Blonde,” wowed audiences at its SXSW worldwide premiere and the action director is back with the high-octane action-comedy extravaganza, “The Fall Guy.” Fresh off his Oscar-nominated role as Ken in last year’s blockbuster “BARBIE,” Ryan Gosling is back flexing his comedic chops. Be the first to see what is sure to be another summer movie blockbuster hit for Gosling.
Synopsis: Gosling is portraying film stuntman, Colt Seavers, who unwillingly has to burst out of his comfort zone and confront real danger as he searches for a missing troubled action star to save his director/ex-lover’s big-budget production from being shut down.
‘It’s What’s Inside’
Director: Greg Jardin
Starring: Brittany O’Grady, James Morosini, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Devon Terrell, Gavin Leatherwood, Reina Hardesty, Nina Bloomgarden, David Thompson
One of the most talked about films out of this year’s Sundance Film Festival, “It’s What’s Inside,” was quickly bought by Netflix for 17 million just three days after its debut, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It was also reported in the article as “the (first) highest sale” of the festival. Now audiences at SXSW will get to experience and add to the word of mouth as it makes its Texas debut.
Synopsis: A pre-wedding party descends into an existential nightmare when an estranged friend shows up with a mysterious suitcase.
‘Monkey Man’
Director: Dev Patel
Starring: Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, Sobhita Dhulipala, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte,, Makarand Deshpand
* SXSW WORLD PREMIERE
Originally announced in 2018, actor-turned-filmmaker, Dev Patel, was set to make his directorial debut, Monkey Man. It wasn’t until three years later, it was acquired by Netflix for release in 2022. Yet, more setbacks troubled this film and it was subsequently dropped by the streamer and was rescued by Monkeypaw Productions (Jordan Peele’s production company) and Universal Pictures for a worldwide release in theaters later this April… This resulted in an action-packed trailer being released which caught social media by surprise and resulted in 15 million views on YouTube. Now it is being talked about as one of the most anticipated films of the year among moviegoers.
Synopsis: Kid (Patel), is an anonymous young man who ekes out a meager living in an underground fight club where, night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, he is beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash.
‘Road House’
Director: Doug Liman
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Daniela Melchior, Billy Magnussen, Jessica Williams, Joaquim de Almeida, Conor McGregor
* SXSW WORLD PREMIERE
You don’t want to miss this… As a direct-to-streaming film, this will be one of the only chances to catch this action-packed feature on the big screen. Director Doug Liman will not be in attendance in protest of the film not receiving a theatrical release. Read more in his editorial in Deadline Hollywood for more information.
Synopsis: A reimagining of the 1989 classic, sees Elwood Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal), ex-UFC fighter-turned-bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse. Facing threats from a criminal gang led by Brandt (Billy Magnussen), Dalton’s violent past emerges.
‘Sasquatch Sunset’
Director: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner
Starring: Riley Keough, Jesse Eisenberg, Christophe Zajac-Denek, Nathan Zellner
Director David Zellner previously worked as an actor with SXSW alum and Austin native, Riley Stern, in “The Art of Self-Defense.” As well as having one of his earlier films “Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter,” showing at SXSW in 2014 during its festival run to critical acclaim.
Synopsis: A year in the life of a Sasquatch family.
‘The Uninvited’
Director: Nadia Conners
Starring: Elizabeth Reaser, Walton Goggins, Lois Smith, Eva De Dominici, Rufus Sewell, Pedro Pascal, Michael Panes, Kate Comer, Roland Rubio, Annie Kurzen
* SXSW WORLD PREMIERE
A stranger crashes a party… There is plenty still under wraps about this film but having Pedro Pascal in the cast is guaranteed to be an instant grab. “The Uninvited” is the first narrative project for the acclaimed documentarian Nadia Conners.
Synopsis: Rose and Sammy enjoy an idyllic life with love, a Hollywood Hills home, and a curious son. During a party, Sammy assigns unusual significance to it, while Rose juggles preparations amid distractions. The unexpected arrival of Helen, who claims residence there, oscillates between confusion and lucidity. Strangely, Helen possesses intimate knowledge of the house and its guests: an Ingenue, a director, and Rose’s former flame. Helen’s revelations during the party spark drama, unearthing hidden truths and compelling Rose to confront her past, future, and desire for change.
‘Y2K’
Director: Kyle Mooney
Starring: Rachel Zegler, Jaeden Martell, Julian Dennison, Lachlan Watson, Daniel Zolghadri, Mason Gooding, The Kid Laroi
* SXSW WORLD PREMIERE
SNL alum: Kyle Mooney’s directorial debut. This A24 disaster comedy sees a cast of up-and-comers including rising star, Rachel Ziegler, take on the infamous Y2K hysteria. Mooney, known for his offbeat absurd humor, now translating it to film. Produced by Jonah Hill and the creator of “The Bear.”
Synopsis: On the last night of 1999, two high school juniors crash a New Year’s Eve party, only to find themselves fighting for their lives in this dial-up disaster comedy.
Follow along our SXSW journey on Instagram at @abstractwolf, @nickrod30 and @whatthef.stop_photography
If you are interested in receiving coverage for your upcoming feature(s), please email us at mirandarodriguez@dropthespotlight.com.
