Indie Film Weekly [EP 19]: Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie (2025) & Junebug (2005)
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.
Indie Film Weekly is proudly brought to you by Indie Igniter, your go-to resource for marketing your independent film and reaching your audience. Check them out at theindieigniter.com and subscribe to their newsletter.
New in Theaters
First up is Neighborhood Watch, directed by Duncan Skiles. In this suspenseful thriller, a young man believes he has witnessed a kidnapping and enlists his neighbor—a gruff, retired security guard played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan—to help him investigate. Jack Quaid co-stars as the increasingly obsessed amateur sleuth. The tension escalates as paranoia blurs the line between reality and delusion.
Skiles, known for his chilling debut The Clovehitch Killer, once again explores suburban dread, this time drawing inspiration from Rear Window and true crime forums. The chemistry between Morgan and Quaid brings surprising layers of humor and heart to the mystery.
Next, Magic Farm, directed by Amalia Ulman, is a bold absurdist comedy about a mother and son living on a strange rural commune. Starring Chloë Sevigny and Alex Wolff, the film walks the line between satire and surrealism, blending family dysfunction with cult-like rituals and pop culture references.
Ulman, who made waves with her autofiction debut El Planeta, continues to push boundaries—this time drawing on her own upbringing in Argentina and Spain. The film premiered at Sundance and then Berlin, where it was praised for its chaotic tone and unforgettable costume design.
And finally, Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie, directed by David L. Bushell, brings the iconic duo back together for one final ride. Mixing documentary-style footage with wild sketches and animated sequences, the film explores the pair’s legacy, their highs and lows, and the enduring power of counterculture comedy.
This is the first Cheech & Chong film in over a decade, and fans will be pleased to know it includes footage from their early days, plus new cameos from comedy stars who cite the duo as pioneers.
So check out Neighborhood Watch, Magic Farm, and Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie in theaters now.
Films to Rent or Download
On demand this week is Mad God, a stop-motion descent into madness directed by legendary visual effects artist Phil Tippett. The story follows a figure known as The Assassin as he journeys through a crumbling, grotesque world filled with creatures and industrial horrors.
Tippett, known for his work on Star Wars and Jurassic Park, spent over 30 years making this film, building the sets and animating sequences himself. It’s a labor of love—and obsession—that finally saw release in 2022 after decades in the vault. A truly singular vision, it’s part nightmare, part masterpiece.
You can rent Mad God now on all major VOD platforms.
Indie Classic
Our Indie Classic this week is Junebug, which turns 20 this year. Directed by Phil Morrison, this quiet, intimate drama follows newlywed art dealer Madeleine, played by Embeth Davidtz, as she visits her husband’s Southern family for the first time. Tensions simmer beneath the surface, but the emotional center is Ashley, played by Amy Adams in a luminous, breakout role.
Adams earned her first Oscar nomination for this performance, and the film’s authenticity comes from its balance of humor and heartbreak. Shot in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, it captures the nuances of regional identity, small-town dynamics, and the complexities of marriage.
Junebug is currently streaming on the Roku Channel. It’s well worth a rewatch—or a first watch if you missed it the first time around.
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!