Indie Film Weekly [EP 14]: Bob Trevino Likes It (2024) & Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Indie Film Weekly
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
First up is Bob Treviño Likes It, directed by Tracie Laymon. It premiered at South by Southwest, where it took home both the Grand Jury Award and the Audience Award for Narrative Feature! The film follows Lily, played by Barbie Ferreira, who finds an unexpected connection with a stranger on Facebook who shares her estranged father’s name. John Leguizamo brings warmth and heart as Bob Treviño, the kind stranger. Fun fact: they shot the film in and around Louisville, Kentucky, showcasing some beautiful local spots. And here’s something interesting—because the film was made outside of the studio system, it received waivers during the 2023 Hollywood strikes, allowing it to finish production when most others were stalled.
Next is Magazine Dreams, directed by Elijah Bynum. This one premiered at Sundance and has had people talking ever since. Jonathan Majors stars as Killian Maddox, a socially isolated bodybuilder with dreams of fame and acceptance. It’s a raw, intense performance, and Majors went all in—he trained for over a year, packed on serious muscle, and stuck to a grueling diet to transform into Killian. Another cool fact: the film dives deep into the world of bodybuilding without glamorizing it, and Bynum worked closely with real-life trainers and athletes to capture the psychological toll of the sport. If you’re up for something that lingers with you, this one packs a punch. It is worth noting, the film's journey to the screen faced challenges due to external controversies. Initially set for a 2023 release by Searchlight Pictures, the film was temporarily shelved following legal issues involving Majors. However, after resolutions, Briarcliff Entertainment, who also released the controversial film The Apprentice, acquired distribution rights.
Third up is Misericordia, directed by Alain Guiraudie (gyro-dee). It had its world premiere in the Directors’ Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival. Guiraudie, best known for Stranger by the Lake, brings his signature slow-burn tension to this rural mystery. Jérémie returns to his hometown after the death of his old boss—the village baker—but things quickly get strange. There’s a suspicious neighbor, a creepy priest, and a disappearance that pulls Jérémie deeper into the village’s secrets. A little fun trivia: “Misericordia” translates to “mercy,” which hints at the moral complexities Guiraudie loves to explore. Here’s a different fun fact: Guiraudie actually spent over a year scouting the rural village where they filmed Misericordia, specifically looking for a location that had no cell phone reception. He wanted to emphasize the isolation and timelessness of the story—there’s a sense that this village exists in its own unsettling pocket of reality, untouched by modern life. That eerie stillness becomes part of the tension, making the setting almost a character in itself.
Films to Rent or Download
Now available on TVOD is The Highest Brasil, directed by Jeremy Curl. It premiered at the Austin Film Festival and has sparked plenty of conversation since. Set in Ireland—not Brazil!—the film follows Seamus, a struggling fisherman whose life is in freefall after his marriage collapses. Just when things seem hopeless, he’s offered a chance to join a band of eccentric misfits on a mysterious and increasingly unhinged project. A few fun facts: the film’s title is a reference to a mythical place from Irish folklore called "Hy-Brasil," a phantom island said to appear once every seven years. Jeremy Curl drew from both ancient Irish myths and modern economic anxieties to create a story that feels both timeless and completely contemporary. If you’re into surreal, thought-provoking films with a dark sense of humor, this one’s for you.
Indie Classic
And for this week’s classic spotlight, we’ve got Monty Python and the Holy Grail, celebrating its 50th anniversary. Co-directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, this one barely needs an introduction. King Arthur, the Knights Who Say “Ni,” the killer rabbit—you know the drill. But here are a couple of fun facts: the film was famously funded in part by British rock legends Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, who were huge Python fans and wanted to support their movie. And because the budget was so tight, they couldn’t afford horses—leading to the iconic coconut sound effect gag, which has become one of the most beloved jokes in film history. And here’s a little-known fact: The famous “Bridge of Death” scene—where each knight has to answer three questions or be cast into the Gorge of Eternal Peril—was inspired by John Cleese’s memories of his school days. Specifically, it was a parody of the absurdly difficult and arbitrary oral exams he endured at Clifton College. He and the other Pythons used those experiences to create the hilariously ridiculous logic that makes the bridgekeeper scene such a standout.
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!