Indie Film Weekly [EP 21]: Clown in a Cornfield (2025) & The Other Lamb (2020)
Indie Film Weekly
Hey everyone, welcome to another episode of Indie Film Weekly—your compass for navigating the indie film landscape without falling into a franchise sequel pit. I’m Glen Reynolds of Circus Road Films, here to highlight this week’s finest indie films in theaters, on demand, and from the vault.
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New in Theaters
First up is Friendship, directed by Andrew DeYoung and starring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd. What begins as a quirky suburban bromance quickly spirals into full-blown cringe chaos. When Craig Waterman (Robinson), a socially awkward dad, meets his effortlessly cool new neighbor Austin Carmichael (Rudd), their budding friendship kicks off with a night of urban exploration, punk rock, and an odd fixation on Paleolithic antiquities.
DeYoung, whose credits include PEN15 and Our Flag Means Death, creates the perfect cringe comedy pressure cooker, allowing Robinson to slide brilliantly between boyish vulnerability and nuclear-level awkwardness. Rudd, oozing rugged charisma with a soft edge, is the perfect foil. Bonus: there's a psychedelic fast-food trip that would make Cronenberg proud. Kate Mara also shines as Craig’s long-suffering wife Tami, in a hilariously deadpan turn.
Next is Caught by the Tides, the latest poetic opus from Jia Zhangke. This film is part romance, part elegy, following Qiaoqiao as she drifts across China looking for her lost lover Bin. Through haunting images and dance sequences, the film becomes a portrait of emotional and economic change in a rapidly shifting country.
A Jia film is never just about one person. Shot over two decades using a mix of archival and narrative footage, Caught by the Tides is a haunting reflection on modernity, memory, and resilience. Its layered storytelling invites viewers to slow down and absorb the quiet, fleeting moments that shape a life.
And finally, we veer sharply into genre with Clown in a Cornfield, directed by Eli Craig. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like—a sinister clown stalking small-town teens in rural America. But don’t be fooled: this isn’t just slasher paint-by-numbers. It’s sharp, stylish, and surprisingly self-aware.
Craig, who directed the cult zombie comedy Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, brings the same horror-meets-humor sensibility. The clown here isn’t just scary—he’s a symbol of the town’s fractured identity. That, or he’s just really mad about crop insurance. Either way, it works.
That’s Friendship, Caught by the Tides, and Clown in a Cornfield – three radically different reasons to go to the movies this weekend.
Films to Rent or Download
Our TVOD pick this week is Pratfall, directed by Alex Andre. Set over one sleepless night in New York City, the film follows a jittery insomniac who meets a mysterious French tourist in Central Park. What follows is a madcap, dreamlike wander through a city that never shuts up.
Equal parts rom-com and existential drift, Pratfall embraces chaos and connection in equal measure. It’s Before Sunrise by way of Buster Keaton, with surreal interludes and offbeat charm. Shot mostly guerrilla-style in the city, it’s got that authentic indie texture and a ton of heart.
Rent Pratfall now on your favorite platform.
Indie Classic
This week’s Indie Classic is The Other Lamb, celebrating its 5th anniversary. Directed by Małgorzata Szumowska, the film centers on a teenage girl raised in an all-female cult led by a single male messiah figure. As cracks appear in her worldview, she begins to question everything.
With eerie visuals and a haunting score, The Other Lamb blends psychological horror with feminist allegory. Raffey Cassidy gives a magnetic performance as Selah, the girl caught between blind belief and rebellion. The film premiered at TIFF and quickly became a favorite among arthouse horror fans.
It’s like Midsommar's quiet, more introspective cousin. Streaming now and perfect for anyone craving something moody, mysterious, and loaded with metaphor.
And that’s a wrap for this week’s Indie Film Weekly! For more insights, trailers, and festival updates, subscribe to our newsletter at theindieigniter.com.
If you liked this episode, drop a comment or text it to your favorite film nerd. Until next time, keep your popcorn weird and your cinema independent. See you next week!