I am back again with another movie list of the best independent cinema currently streaming on Netflix. Let’s get to it.
BLUE RUIN
Blue Ruin is the second feature from Green Room director Jeremy Saulnier. His first feature, Murder Party (also on Netflix) was met with mixed reviews. Blue Ruin is a faultless revenge drama with a staggeringly amazing performance from Macon Blair.
I am sure most of you have caught this flick by now but if you haven’t, then please sort that out straight away. It is on Netflix now. You have no excuse!.
The film follows Dwight, a young man who’s mental health has deteriorated after the brutal murder of his parents. Dwight now lives on the streets and bothers no one. When the man who killed his parents gets released from prison, Dwight snaps and plots to get revenge.
The great thing about Blue Ruin is that it doesn’t follow the usual revenge formula. Dwight isn’t very good at all. This makes you sympathise with Macon’s performance and shines a whole different light the revenge genre.
I DON’T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE
Starring Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood. I Don’t Feel At Home In This World Anymore is the directorial debut from Blue Ruin star Macon Blair.
The film focuses on Ruth. A gentle and caring soul that is trying her hardest to be nice to people and help in whatever way she can. She tries, but the world keeps shitting on her. She finally snaps when she gets home from a tiring shift at a care home to find that her apartment has been robbed. Among the stolen items were her grandmother’s cherished silverware that was left to her after she passed.
With the help of her nerdy ninja-star throwing neighbour, Tony, the two set out to find the people responsible.
BAD DAY FOR THE CUT
Set in Northern Ireland, Bad Day For The Cut tells the story of a farmer on a path of vengeance to find out who murdered his mother.
Both funny and violent, Bad Day For The Cut is a fantastic revenge comedy drenched in Irish humour. Being set in Northern Ireland we get treated to something that really ain’t touched on in Irish cinema.
The result? turns out the Irish can do revenge cinema just as well as any other part of the world.
TRASH FIRE
Trash Fire was a pleasant surprise. This may not be for everyone as it is pretty fucking dark. I would advise you to just watch it and not read anything other than the Netflix synopsis…if even that!
I have no idea how this one slipped past me but I am so glad I found it. Its stars Adrian Grenier and Angela Trimbu. It is about a couple who go to visit some estranged family years after a horrible fire tore them apart and destroyed everything.
When they arrive at the family home, it becomes evident why they have been apart for years. The grandmother is straight-up like the grandmother from Flowers In The Attic– man, I don’t think I have encountered such a horrible bitch like this in film in quite a while. Apart from the grandmother,
THUNDER ROAD
Written, directed and starring Jim Cummings. Thunder Road was an unusual one. It is a nice blend of family drama and dark humour. The film is based on a one-take short of the same name that was released in 2016 and co-stars Macon Blair.
The film opens with our lead character trying to give a eulogy at his mother’s funeral. Nothing goes according to plan and it is an absolute disaster. He wants to play the Bruce Springsteen song, Thunder Road because his mother used to sing it often. After the cd player malfunctions, we bear witness to something so cringe it would make Michael Scott look like a genius.
An oddball comedy with unusual dry humour. this may not be suited to everyone but if you’re as odd as me, you will find a lot of love for Thunder Road.
GOOD TIME
The title Good Time is a reference to being let out of prison early on good behaviour. Robert Pattinson plays Connie, a dodgy con-man who is just fresh out of jail and trying to look after his brother who has learning disabilities.
Although Connie seems to have the best intentions, himself and his brother get caught up in a ridiculous bank robbery. Connie was able to escape but his brother was captured by the authorities. Riddled with guilt, Connie must try and raise money to try and fix his mistakes and get his brother out of trouble.
Robert Pattinson stars in the lead role. He contacted the directors after seeing a movie poster for a previous movie they shot because of that poster. The part in Good Time was written for Pattinson which helped the directors break into the mainstream indie circle.
The Safdie Brother’s then went on to write and direct one of the most talked-about films in years, Uncut Gems. So, you can all thank Robert Pattinson for this, without his support who know where the Safdie Bros would be today.
MESSAGE FROM THE KING
Directed by the fantastic Fabrice du Welz who gave us the amazing Calvaire and starring Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther). Message From The King is a gritty thriller set in LA.
A strange man from South Africa arrives on the streets of L.A armed with a bike chain looking for his missing sister.
I am pretty sure this is Fabrice Du Welz’s English directorial debut. Message From The King is a superb revenge thriller proving that Boseman can handle the indie film world just as well as he can handle the Marvel Universe.
WHEELMAN
This Netflix Original stars Frank Grillo. This may not be a movie for everyone but I found a lot top enjoy about Wheelman. IMO, Frank Grillo is so underused in movies, so it really good to see him in the leading role.
like the Stephen Knight movie, Locke starring Tom Hardy, most of Wheelman takes place inside of a car.
An ex-con, known only as Wheelman has no choice but to take a job as a driver for a botched bank heist.
YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE
You Were Never Really Here is the latest film from one of my favourite directors, Lynne Ramsey. Everything that woman has released has been gut-wrenchingly solid independent cinema and this film continues her flawless achievement as a filmmaker.
With an astounding OST from Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, You Were Never Really Here follows an ex-veteran turned hitman that rescues young girls from sex traffickers using brutal and necessary force.
Joe is hired to track down the kidnapped daughter of a politician which ignites his past trauma dealing with his own childhood abuse.
Based on a novella of the same name by Jonathan Ames
So, that is it for this list anyway. There is still plenty more awesome indie cinema on Netflix but I think that is enough writing for one day. I hope you found something to enjoy. Make sure to check back soon for more great lists to watch during the shit-storm pandemic lockdown!.
Stay safe. As always, thanks for reading.
Words by Gary Gamble Founder/Owner/BigCheese @ Moviehooker
