Indie Film Weekly [EP 10]: The Monkey (2025) & Brick (2005)
Hey there! Welcome to Indie Film Weekly, your insider guide to new independent film releases. I’m Glen Reynolds of Circus Road Films, where we specialize in helping indie filmmakers get their stories to film festivals and indie film distributors.
Each week, we spotlight new indie films hitting theaters. For these films, I suggest searching for them on Fandango or Google to see if they are showing in your city. And if you have to travel a bit, please do. It's important to support indie films by getting to the theater.
In addition, we highlight recent standout indie films that you can rent or download on platforms like Amazon, AppleTV, YouTube Movies, and Fandango at Home. Supporting indie films on these platforms is crucial, as not every indie film gets a Netflix deal.
Finally, we focus on one classic indie film that you can stream or rent, celebrating the timelessness of independent cinema.
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New in Theaters
Let’s start with some films that will be in theaters this weekend!
First up is The Monkey, directed by Osgood Perkins. When twin brothers discover a mysterious wind-up monkey, their lives take a dark turn as a string of outrageous deaths begins to rip their family apart. Fast-forward twenty-five years, and the cursed toy resurfaces, forcing the now-estranged siblings to confront their past and break the cycle. If you love Stephen King adaptations with a mix of horror and psychological thrills, this one is for you. The film replaces the monkey's traditional cymbals with a drum due to copyright issues, adding a unique twist to the classic toy.
Next, we have Old Guy, directed by Simon West, is an action-packed thriller following an aging hitman who is forced to train a young up-and-comer when his employer starts phasing out the old guard. But when they discover they’re being double-crossed, they team up to take down their backstabbing bosses. With high-octane action and sharp humor, Old Guy delivers a fresh take on the assassin genre. The film stars Christoph Waltz and Lucy Liu. It was shot on location in Northern Ireland, providing a gritty backdrop to the story. The film stars Christoph Waltz and Lucy Liu.
Finally, Millers in Marriage, directed by Ed Burns, is a dramedy that follows three middle-aged couples as they navigate the complexities of marriage, fidelity, career struggles, and second chances. The ensemble cast includes Gretchen Mol as Eve Miller, a former indie singer-songwriter; Julianna Margulies as Maggie, a writer; Minnie Driver as Renee, a fashion executive; and Edward Burns as Andy Miller, an artist. Additional cast members include Morena Baccarin, Benjamin Bratt, Patrick Wilson, Campbell Scott, and Brian d'Arcy James. With its relatable themes and thoughtful character studies, this film is bound to strike a chord with audiences looking for a more introspective take on modern relationships.
So, look for these films in a theater near you: The Monkey, Old Guy, and Millers in Marriage.
Films to Rent or Download
Looking for something to rent or download this week? Here are some standout options you can find on Amazon, AppleTV, or YouTube Movies:
First, Y2K, directed by Kyle Mooney, takes us back to December 31, 1999, when two high school juniors crash a New Year's Eve party, only to find themselves in a full-blown apocalypse as Y2K turns out to be real. This nostalgic yet chaotic sci-fi comedy blends millennial-era paranoia with over-the-top action and humor. The film stars Kyle Mooney, Rachel Zegler, and Fred Durst. Kyle Mooney, known for his nine-year tenure on Saturday Night Live, brings his unique comedic style to the film. The film stars Kyle Mooney, Rachel Zegler, and Fred Durst.
Next, The End, directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, is a haunting dystopian drama about a wealthy family living in a salt mine-turned-luxury bunker after an unspecified catastrophe wipes out the outside world. The film explores themes of isolation, privilege, and survival, making it a chillingly relevant watch. The cast includes Tilda Swinton, Michael Shannon, and Stephen Graham.
Finally, The Order, directed by Justin Kurzel, follows a veteran FBI agent investigating a series of violent robberies in the Pacific Northwest, leading him to a dangerous white supremacist group intent on overthrowing the government. This tense thriller dives deep into political extremism and the dangers of unchecked radicalism. The film stars Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult.
To recap, check out Y2K, The End, and The Order on your preferred rental or download platform.
Indie Classic
And now on to our Indie Classic. This week, we’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of Brick, directed by Rian Johnson, was sold at Sundance and became the film that launched his career, eventually leading him to direct Knives Out and Star Wars: The Last Jedi. This neo-noir thriller follows teenage loner Brendan Frye, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as he investigates his ex-girlfriend’s mysterious murder. Blending hardboiled detective storytelling with a high school setting, Brick is a unique and gripping genre mash-up that still holds up two decades later. I was fortunate enough to be friends with the producer of Brick back in the day and saw some early cuts of Rian's earliest films before they hit the big screen. What a massive talent. Unfortunately, Brick is not currently available on any streaming service, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon or AppleTV. If you haven’t seen it yet, now’s the perfect time to check it out.
And that’s a wrap for this episode of Indie Film Weekly! Thanks for spending some time with me as we explore the world of independent cinema. You can also read about these films in our weekly email newsletter, which you can sign up for at theindieigniter.com.
If a film we discussed caught your interest, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review—it’s a great way to support the indie film community. Until next week, keep watching, keep supporting indie film, and I’ll see you back here soon!