Most Anticipated Movies of 2021 (Part IV)
PART IV (70-61)
Director: Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, The Rider) Cast: Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh, Ma Dong-seok, Kit Harrington, Gemma Chan, Barry Keoghan, and Haaz Sleiman.
First off, I know what some of you must be thinking: How shocking it is that I would select a Marvel film to be in my list, and furthermore, place it above films directed by the likes of Ridley Scott, David O. Russell, and Steven Spielberg. Anyone who is familiar with my posts on social media knows I give Marvel a tough time because of how repetitive and empty their formula has become. However, Eternals- the upcoming superhero film from Chloé Zhao and her debut blockbuster- does not look to be like a typical offering from the MCU. The story, which follows a group of immortal extraterrestrial beings who have shaped Earth's history and civilizations, will introduce audiences to a new group of heroes that many are perhaps unfamiliar with; a risky and challenging move in itself, although I will say that people also had the same concerns about Guardians of the Galaxy, which James Gunn fearlessly took in stride with his approach to that film. Perhaps even riskier than adapting the film's mostly unknown source material is the fact that MCU President Kevin Feige boldly chose to hire Chloé Zhao, whose quiet, intimate indie films have instantly made her popular among cinephiles (like myself), but also make her a surprising and unconventional choice to helm a $200 million blockbuster epic from a studio that almost never takes any real risks. Apparently though, that's exactly why Feige decided to choose her. The Marvel boss called Zhao's pitch for the movie the best he had ever heard, and was really struck by her desire to capture the epic scope of its multimillennial story while still grounding it in intimacy and genuine humanistic drama. It seems that Feige really wants to diversify the range of the studio's brand, and deliver something that we genuinely haven't seen yet, and I'm all the more thrilled for it. Zhao, whose most current film, Nomadland, is presently making the annual awards season rounds and is primed for a slew of Oscar nominations, is a remarkable talent behind the camera, and I can't wait to see what she's able to bring to such a large production like this. The director recently disclosed in an interview that she also has a writing credit in the upcoming blockbuster as well (another rarity in the studio's filmography that's hardly ever bestowed upon the directors they hire), and that she incorporated her love of manga to give the movie a blend of East and West influences. For a story whose characters already have echoes of Greek mythology, I am very excited to see how Zhao marries these two influences, and I think Eternals is already shaping up to be the most surprising blockbuster of the new decade, as well as completely new direction for Marvel.
Release: November 5th.
Directors: Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini (American Splendor) Cast: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton, Natalia Dyer, Rhea Seehorn, Karen Allen, Michael O'Keefe, James Urbaniak, Alex Neustaedter, Jack Gore, Cotter Smith, Kelcy Griffin, Ana Sophia Heger, and F. Murray Abraham.
The track record of directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini is sadly not a very encouraging one, especially when considering how excited we should be for their upcoming horror film, Things Heard & Seen. The Nanny Diaries and Girl Most Likely were massive flops from the directing duo, and their five-year absence from the film scene had almost pushed them out of memory altogether before I had discovered they were working on a new project for Netflix. However, I always love a good comeback, and American Splendor is just so good, I think they're worthy of another shot. Although it's been a good while since they last directed a film, they've kept themselves pretty busy lately, dabbling in some television here and there with a few episodes of Shameless and Succession that they directed, probably warming up for whatever narrative feature they planned on tackling next. Which brings me to their upcoming film starring Amanda Seyfried and James Norton. As I previously mentioned, Things Heard & Seen is a psychological horror film (the directors' first foray in the genre), and centers on an artist (Seyfried) who, upon relocating to the Hudson Valley in an effort to rediscover her creativity, begins to suspect that her marriage carries a sinister darkness, one that may rival the haunting history of her new abode. I'm very excited by the idea of the directors doing another story about an artist, and even more excited about how differently they seem to be approaching it this time, which feels like it could be a darker, twisted sister of American Splendor if they manage to pull it off. Seyfried is just coming off her involvement in David Fincher's Mank, which many are calling the best performance of her career so far, and she's supported by some other promising players such as Karen Allen and F. Murray Abraham. My fingers are definitely crossed for this one.
Release: April 30th.
Director: Robert Machoian (God Bless the Child, When She Runs) Cast: Clayne Crawford, Sepideh Moafi, Chris Coy, Avery Pizzuto, Arri Graham, and Ezra Graham.
If the names of Robert Machoian or any of the films he directed such as God Bless the Child or When She Runs fail to ring any bells: don't worry, you're just as much in the dark as I am. I have not been acquainted yet with any of the director's previous works (most of which he directed with collaborator Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck), but based on my research, it looks as though his first three narrative features toured the bulk of the American indie film festival circuit when they debuted. However, it was his last film, which premiered at Sundance last year, that seems to have finally garnered him the attention as a serious talent to watch. The film, which centers on a father desperately trying to keep his family of six together after he and his wife separate, even as he struggles to grapple with her newfound relationship to another man, was an instant hit at Sundance and met with widespread critical acclaim. In perhaps the most exciting twist to the story, it was later nabbed by Neon for distribution, the studio behind indie sensations such as Parasite, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, and I, Tonya and which has quickly been building a reputation as a close competitor to A24 (who are also known for acquiring hot, auteur-driven indie titles.) Definitely keep your eyes out for this one!
Release: May 14th.
67) Zeros and Ones
Director: Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant, Welcome to New York) Cast: Ethan Hawke, Cristina Chiriac, Phil Neilson, and Valeria Correale.
Auteur and provocateur Abel Ferrara is known for his electrifying albeit unflinching approach to his work. Even if his mostly polarizing films fail to connect with everyone, he is definitely an acquired taste with an eccentric and distinct voice. Perhaps that's why I can't help but be intrigued by the premise of his next film, which sounds like it may be the most ambitious thing he's ever done. The Bad Lieutenant director has cast Ethan Hawke in his upcoming feature, about an American soldier stationed in Rome who must embark on a hero's journey to uncover and defend against an unknown hostile threat after it blows up the Vatican. Ferrara has described the script (which he wrote) as a film "of lockdown and war, danger and espionage, American soldiers, Chinese middlemen, Mid Eastern holy men, provocateurs, diplomats, [and] rogue elements of the CIA and KGB." In other words, in typical Abel Ferrara fashion, it sounds like he's going to be rattling some institutional powers while pushing some political hot-button issues. Ethan Hawke is pretty choosy about the roles he selects, and this premise sounds very intense and ripe with potential ideas and themes. Looking forward to this one!
Release: TBA
66) Saint Maud
Director: Rose Glass Cast: Morfydd Clark, Jennifer Ehle, Lily Knight, Lily Frazer, Turlough Convery, Rosie Sansom, Marcus Hutton, Carl Prekopp, and Noa Bodner.
By now, enough people have seen the trailer for A24's upcoming horror film, Saint Maud, that it's almost become a sort of internet phenomenon. The haunting preview treats audiences to a stream of disturbing imagery, such as levitating bodies, religious hallucinations, and a brief glimpse of the title character lining the soles of her shoes with needles before her feet painfully crunch into them, provoking all the gasps and squeals of shock and disgust that make for a truly great horror movie trailer. Directed by British filmmaker, Rose Glass, in her breakout feature-length debut, the film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival back in 2019 and it was slated for a theatrical release last year (multiple times), but sadly COVID had other plans. Perhaps that's why the trailer has had so much time to circulate, whetting the appetites of horror movie buffs who have been anticipating its release ever since. After a whole year of waiting though, audiences will finally get a chance to see why Rose Glass has become major new talent to watch. The shocking new film focuses on a pious young nurse who becomes dangerously obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient. It's examination of how frightening and "possessive" religious fanaticism can be when it takes hold has echoes of Stephen King's best work, and I'm so excited to finally catch this as soon as it becomes available on EPIX.
Release: Began a very limited theatrical release on January 29th, and is slated to premiere on EPIX on February 12th.
65) Blue Bayou
Director: Justin Chon (Gook, Ms. Purple) Cast: Justin Chon, Alicia Vikander, Mark O'Brien, Linh Dan Pham, and Emory Cohen.
If you haven't seen Gook yet, all I can say is that you are sorely missing out and to go see it as soon as possible (its currently streaming through Amazon Prime, you're welcome.) The film made a huge splash at Sundance in 2017, where it picked up four of the festival's top prizes, including Best Actress, Best Director, the NEXT audience award, and the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature Film. Most of all though, it put Justin Chon on the map as a serious talent to watch (both behind and in front of the camera), who had only been recognized before as a YouTube personality and a minor character in the Twilight franchise. Thankfully, he's gone on to much better things since then, including a new film where he's once again director and star. Blue Bayou tells the story of a hard-working Korean-American man raised in the Louisiana bayou trying to make a life for his family, even as he confronts the painful ghosts of his past and the fear of deportation from the only home he's ever known. Chon has such a lovely control of intimacy and humanity and his films, and based on the plot synopsis this sounds like it could be this year's Minari with a dash of A Better Life. Sold!
Release: June 25th.
64) The Worst Person in the World
Director: Joachim Trier (Oslo, August 31st, Thelma) Cast: Anders Danielsen Lie, Renate Reinsve, and Herbert Nordrum.
My first introduction to Joachim Trier was his 2017 horror film, Thelma, which delivered a brilliant new take on the genre trope of an angsty teenager whose repression manifests itself as supernatural abilities and powers; basically like Stephen King's Carrie if it had been directed by Robert Eggers. After that, I watched his other films and immediately realized that this was someone I needed to keep my eye on. The acclaimed Norwegian director has reunited with one of his regular stars, Anders Danielsen Lie, for his upcoming film, The Worst Person in the World, which will conclude Trier's unofficial "Oslo trilogy" following his feature debut Reprise and Oslo, August 31st. The films are connected only by their setting in Oslo and share no similar plot thread, focusing on young characters coming into their own as they search for their identity and find personal happiness and fulfillment. Although Anders Danielsen Lie has been the lead character in Trier's last two "Oslo" films, the final chapter will instead focus on a female one named Julie (Renate Reinsve), who is trying to navigate a complicated love life while struggling to find a career path that can help her feel connected to who she really is and what she's passionate about. Trier is exceptionally gifted at telling these kinds of stories, and he has a truly original voice that highlights his experience and knowledge of Scandinavian culture and values in a way that's so refreshing and modern.
Release: TBA
63) Seance
Director: Simon Barrett Cast: Suki Waterhouse, Madisen Beaty, Ella-Rae Smith, Inanna Sarkis, Jade Michael, Stephanie Sy, Seamus Patterson, Djouliet Amara, and Megan Best.
Although Seance may be the directorial debut of Simon Barrett, there's a chance you've already been acquainted with his work. The screenwriter-turned-director has been a frequent collaborator with director Adam Wingard, and wrote the screenplays for his earlier films, such as You're Next and The Guest. While Wingard has recently taken a small break from low-budget indie horror films- drawn by the lure of studio cash to helm mainstream projects like Netflix's bastardized American remake of Death Note and Warner Bros. upcoming Godzilla vs. Kong- Barrett decided to strike out on his own with one of his own scripts, about a ghost story that takes place in a British female boarding school. Having worked with Wingard so many times, Barrett should prove to have a confident hand behind the camera, and I'm extremely excited to see what he's capable of by himself. Should Seance be a success, he may continue being one of this generation's major voices in horror cinema, with or without Wingard.
Release: May 21st.
62) X
Director: Ti West (The Innkeepers, The House of the Devil) Cast: Mia Goth, Kid Cuddi, Jenna Ortega, and Brittany Snow.
In terms of his feature-length filmography, Ti West has kept a pretty low profile the last four years. Following a streak of terrifying, slow-burn hits (The Innkeepers and The House of the Devil), West was lauded for a while as one the biggest new names in horror. However, his last film, In a Valley of Violence, was a western starring Ethan Hawke and John Travolta that was met with lukewarm reception, and he hasn't directed a full-length horror movie since 2013 with The Sacrament. This isn't to say that he hasn't been busy the whole time either; he's been brought on to direct a few episodes here and there for popular television series such as Scream, The Exorcist, and Wayward Pines. But it looks as though the director is finally returning with a new horror movie that he has assured fans will be in the same vein of his earlier work that put him on the map. While the plot details regarding X are being kept under very tight wraps, we have learned that A24 will be producing the new film from West, which is sure to excite horror fans who are well aware of the studios penchant for delivering strong and striking genre fare. Really looking forward to this!
Release: TBA
61) The Lair
Director: Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, The Descent) Cast: Charlotte Kirk
I mentioned earlier on this list (in my entry for The Reckoning) that Neil Marshall had another project that was in development. Well, this is it. And although cameras aren't set to roll until May, I wouldn't completely discount it from this years lineup altogether. Directors are always surprising us with unexpected films they shot in secret (there's even one coming up on this list) or projects they wrapped more quickly than expected, so I would not be at all shocked if The Lair found its way to the Midnight section at TIFF or the Fantasia Film Festival this fall. And after you hear the premise, you'll understand why I'm crossing my fingers for that to happen, because you could say The Lair is true return to form for what Marshall does best (yes, even more than The Reckoning, which he wasn't nearly as enthusiastic about as he is this.) The story centers on a Royal Air Force pilot who is on her final flight mission when her jet is shot down over one of the most dangerous rebel strongholds in Afghanistan. Her instincts to seek refuge in an abandoned underground bunker prove to be a fatal mistake though when she awakens the attention of a hoard of deadly man-made creatures hungry for human flesh, inadvertently leading them back to her base. Marshall has described his new film as a full-blown monster movie that's heavy on blood, gore, action, and memorable scares, comparing the film to one of his earlier cult hits, Dog Soldiers, as well as Alien and Predator. These are obviously strong words and bold promises, but if anyone is capable of living up to them, it's Neil Marshall.
Release: TBA
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