Even before they announced Sundance would be moving to Boulder next year, things were changing a lot for the festival. A lot of it isn’t even something they can control. It feels like the big Hollywood studios are struggling, but the independent film world – the one Sundance represents – is in even worse shape. There are tons of movies being made, but fewer people are buying them, audiences are shrinking, and streaming services seem to prefer safe bets over truly original work. But, surprisingly, Sundance feels more important than ever. They had a Best Picture Oscar winner a few years back with CODA, and this year they have two films potentially winning big awards – Train Dreams is up for Best Picture, and Rose Byrne, who starred in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, is being considered for Best Actress. Thinking back, so many of today’s biggest directors – like Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, and Chloé Zhao – were first discovered at Sundance. It really shows how much of an impact the festival still has on the film world, and why wouldn’t it? Every year, Sundance shows incredible films, and I’m really excited to see what this year brings!
The Gallerist
The new movie, The Gallerist, hinges on getting the right tone. It stars Natalie Portman as an art dealer who tries to sell a dead body at Art Basel in Miami – a darkly comedic premise. With a strong supporting cast including Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Jenna Ortega, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and a satirical take on how money impacts art, it sounds promising. The film has the potential to be both biting and insightful. What’s especially exciting is that it’s directed and written by Cathy Yan, who previously made 2020’s Birds of Prey. I really enjoyed Birds of Prey and was impressed by Yan’s playful style and creative visuals, so I’m eager to see how she tackles this challenging subject matter. — Angelica Jade Bastién
Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty
Josef Kubota Wladyka’s film, Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty, tells the story of Haru (Rinko Kikuchi), a talented ballroom dancer in Tokyo who experiences a profound loss that impacts her passion. When she begins working with a new instructor, Haru rediscovers joy and purpose. The movie promises to be visually stunning, imaginative, and emotionally powerful – perfect for anyone who enjoys vibrant and dramatic stories, especially during challenging times. — A.J.B.
The History of Concrete
Park City will host the premiere of John Wilson’s first feature documentary, The History of Concrete, and it’s exactly the kind of quirky project fans of his HBO series would expect. The film is, as the title suggests, about concrete, but it’s also a personal look at Wilson’s creative process after the series ended. He explores our deep dependence on this ubiquitous material – and the difference between concrete and cement – traveling from a writing workshop to Europe, pondering if it will even outlast humanity. Wilson has a unique talent for blending the profound with the funny, and The History of Concrete is filled with the unusual characters, businesses, and facts that only he could uncover. — Fran Hoepfner
I Want Your Sex
Filmmaker Gregg Araki, famous for his groundbreaking ’90s queer films like the Teenage Apocalypse trilogy, is returning to the big screen after a decade of working in television. His new movie, which just premiered at Sundance, is already generating buzz, and many fans are excited simply because it’s an Araki film. The story centers on a young man played by Cooper Hoffman who becomes involved with an artist, Erika Tracy (Olivia Wilde), and is drawn into a dangerous and seductive world of art, filled with “sex, obsession, power, betrayal, and murder.” The film also features a fantastic cast including Charli XCX, Daveed Diggs, Mason Gooding, Chase Sui Wonders, Johnny Knoxville, and Margaret Cho. It’s a must-see! — Jason P. Frank
The Last First: Winter K2
It feels like the Sundance Film Festival always features a documentary about mountaineering, and they’re usually quite good. These filmmakers often use cutting-edge camera technology to put viewers right in the middle of the dangerous action. This new film, directed by Amir Bar-Lev—known for diverse documentaries like Fighter, My Kid Could Paint That, and Happy Valley—stands out from the rest. It chronicles a 2021 winter expedition to K2 in Pakistan—a nearly impossible climb—that ended in disaster and loss of life. Rather than focusing on the excitement of mountain climbing, the film suggests it will explore how a combination of national pride, commercial interests, and negligence contributed to this tragedy. —Bilge Ebiri
The Moment
Charli XCX’s new mockumentary, directed by a longtime collaborator, Aidan Zamiri, feels more like the classic rock satire This Is Spinal Tap than the reality show Truth or Dare. Like Charli herself, the film is both sincerely fun and playfully ironic. It’s coming to theaters January 30th, shortly after its debut at Sundance, but the real experience is seeing it at the festival. The movie features a cool cast including stars like Kylie Jenner and Alexander Skarsgård, as well as comedians Rachel Sennott, Kate Berland, and Richard Perez. Don’t miss out on The Moment! — J.P.F.
The Oldest Person in the World
Sam Green is known for bringing compelling documentaries to Sundance, including the Oscar-nominated Weather Underground (2003) and the acclaimed A Thousand Thoughts featuring the Kronos Quartet (2018). His latest film follows the lives of people around the world who, at different times, held the title of oldest person. While the subject matter might seem sad, Green’s filmmaking is typically lively, positive, and surprisingly joyful, suggesting this documentary will celebrate life rather than dwell on death. — B.E.
Once Upon a Time in Harlem
More than ten years after his passing, the innovative filmmaker William Greaves—famous for his groundbreaking documentary Symbiopsychotaxiplasm—has a new film debuting at Sundance. The documentary focuses on a 1972 gathering at Duke Ellington’s home, bringing together the last surviving key figures of the Harlem Renaissance. Co-directed by his son, David Greaves, who attended the party, the film promises a fascinating exploration of this important period in American art. The Harlem Renaissance profoundly impacted our understanding of society, psychology, politics, and emotions. I’m eager to see what insights emerge from the conversations between the poets, musicians, educators, actors, and other artists who shared a rich history together. — A.J.B.
One in a Million
Sundance Film Festival has often featured stories about refugees, and in recent years, filmmakers have understandably focused on this important topic. This new film by Itab Azzam and Jack MacInnes stands out because it was filmed over ten years, following a Syrian girl named Isra’a and her family as they fled the war in Aleppo. Their journey takes them through Turkey, the Balkans, and finally to Cologne, Germany. The film explores not only the immediate crisis faced by refugees and migrants, but also the broader challenges of adapting to new cultures and building new lives. By following this family over such a long period, the directors offer a unique and insightful look at both a global emergency and the enduring human experience of migration.
Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story
Maria Bamford’s comedy is unusual and honest, and it’s not for everyone. That’s what makes this documentary about her life and work so interesting – it’s a refreshing change from the typical comedian biographies we’ve seen lately. Bamford is incredibly open about her struggles with anxiety, not for a laugh, but because it feels like a core part of who she is. The film, directed by Judd Apatow and Neil Berkeley and filmed over several years, aims to show viewers what makes her comedy so appealing and offer a glimpse into her unique perspective.
Public Access
Forget today’s acclaimed TV and streaming services – the 1970s were the true golden age of television, not because the shows were necessarily better, but because absolutely anything could end up on TV, as seen on Manhattan Cable Television. David Shadrack Smith’s exploration of New York City’s public-access history – and the unique individuals who created those programs – is both informative and thought-provoking. Back then, Manhattan Cable had almost no rules, allowing people to freely share their opinions. While there were plenty of eccentric characters, like a piano-playing ranter nicknamed Frantic Fran, the channel also gave a platform to important voices in politics and social justice, including LGBTQ+ broadcasters who fought for AIDS/HIV awareness when mainstream society ignored the crisis. Public Access will make you long for a time when television truly belonged to the people, rather than just being filled with sequels and spin-offs. — F.H.
Run Amok and The Musical
So, Sundance this year has two really interesting movies about high school musicals gone wrong! The first, Run Amok, is the heavier of the two – it’s about a teen, played by newcomer Alyssa Marvin, who tries to put on a musical dealing with a really tough school tragedy. And get this, it stars Patrick Wilson, Margaret Cho, Elizabeth Marvel, and Molly Ringwald! The other one, The Musical, is more of a teacher-focused comedy. It’s about a drama teacher (Will Brill) whose girlfriend, also a teacher (Gillian Jacobs), dumps him for the school principal (Rob Lowe), and he decides to get revenge by totally messing with the school musical. Both movies are pretty darkly funny, and they remind me a lot of Hamlet 2 – that tradition of Sundance doing really great musicals about totally unexpected and even messed-up stuff.
See You When I See You
After a 13-year break from directing, Jay Duplass impressed audiences last year with the funny and heartwarming film The Baltimorons, which subtly explored themes of sadness. His new film dives deeper into those darker emotions, based on Adam Cayton-Holland’s memoir Tragedy Plus Time. It stars Cooper Raiff as a man dealing with the pain of his sister’s suicide, but reportedly maintains a comedic tone. The film also features a strong supporting cast including Kaitlyn Dever, David Duchovny, Hope Davis, and Kumail Nanjiani, making it a potentially standout return for this acclaimed filmmaker.
Union County
The film Union County boasts strong performances from Will Poulter and Noah Centineo, but it’s the non-actor cast – real people in recovery – who truly shine. Set in rural Ohio near the director’s hometown, the movie offers a detailed and realistic look at a community tackling the opioid crisis. It shows how they support individuals through therapy, employment, and recovery programs, focusing on keeping people alive. These individuals are both vulnerable and endearing, and the film highlights the slow but steady progress they make rebuilding their lives. Union County avoids being preachy and instead demonstrates the immense effort required to break the cycle of addiction. — F.H.
The Weight
Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe both clearly enjoy fully immersing themselves in historical roles, so it’s exciting to see them team up in Padraic McKinley’s The Weight. This thriller, set during the Depression, follows Samuel Murphy (Hawke) as he journeys through the Oregon wilderness with a hidden fortune, hoping to reunite with his daughter after being released from prison. The film is less about a conflict between people and more about a man battling the harshness of the natural world – and the burden of the money he carries. It’s also wonderful to have Hawke back at the Sundance Film Festival, especially as this marks its last year in Park City. —F.H.
Worried
This pilot, directed by Nicole Holofcener and based on Alexandra Tanner’s novel Worry, is a standout comedy at this year’s festival, even though it isn’t a movie. The show, written by Tanner and Lesley Arfin, follows Jules (Gideon Adlon), a stressed-out New Yorker, whose life is complicated when her younger sister, Poppy (played brilliantly by Rachel Kaly), comes to stay with her. Holofcener’s direction is a perfect fit for this story; at its best, Worried feels like a contemporary take on Walking and Talking, though it’s more focused on arguments than conversations. With a delightful performance from Devon Bostick as Jules’s boyfriend, Worried is a promising addition to the Brooklyn-based stories about young adults navigating life – except these characters are genuinely struggling. Hopefully, the show gets picked up for a full series, and Poppy gets help with her skin condition. — F.H.
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2026-01-22 20:57