INDIE FILMS
Pagan War Goddess Irish Horror Thriller 'The Morrigan' Official Trailer
"Nothing kills her. Perhaps we can kill the human host..." Cineverse has unveiled the official US trailer for an Irish horror film titled The Morrigan, set for a VOD release starting February in the US. An ambitious archaeologist protects her wayward daughter from the influence of the Pagan Goddess, called The Morrigan. This first premiered at the 2025 Galway Film Fleadh and also stopped by the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival last year. The initially follows an archaeologist specialising in Gaelic mythology who travels with her teenage daughter to a remote region of Ireland. The two are forced to fight for their lives as a vengeful Pagan War Goddess is released from her long-dead tomb. She must now fight to keep her teenage daughter from falling under the control of The Morrigan. Starring Saffron Burrows, James Cosmo, Toby Stephens, Art Parkinson, and Antonia Campbell-Hughes. Some creepy scenes in here and scary The Mummy-esque moments as she starts hunting everyone. Might be a freaky horror to catch this winter - check it out.
Fun Trailer for Nastasya Popov's 'Idiotka' Fashion Design Comedy Film
"Let's take a look, shall we?" Utopia has unveiled an official trailer for the kooky comedy indie film titled Idiotka, which first premiered at last year's SXSW Film Festival. After playing at a bunch of other fests in 2025, it's now set for a limited release starting in February 2026 coming up soon this winter. Directed and written by Nastasya Popov, the film is anchored by a fun & vibrant cast led by Anna Baryshnikov, with Camila Mendes, Owen Thiele, Benito Skinner, plus Saweetie & Julia Fox. It's a spunky film serving as a satire about reality TV and celebrity, wrapped in a heartwarming, high fashion comedy that celebrates both family and identity. Set in West Hollywood's Russian district, fashion designer Margarita lives out the American Dream: competing on a reality show with a big cash prize. Will she slay, serve, or survive? Find out on tonight's episode of Idiotka! Described as wildly funny and strange and delightful. Have a fun time.
› Posted January 21 in Indies, To Watch, Trailer | Comments
Sundance 2026 Most Anticipated - 10 New Films to Catch at the Fest
We're days away from another edition of the Sundance Film Festival up in the mountains of Utah (the final fest in Utah before it moves to Colorado). The 2026 festival is about to kick off in a few days, and FS is back in Utah, ready to start watching. Ready to dive into the enthralling line-up of new films this year. This is our 20th time we have covered Sundance, ever since 2007, bringing attention to the films & this iconic festival. I am always looking forward to wading through all the fresh films the fest. Packing in as many as I can catch. Out of the 90 films showing at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, I've picked 10 films that I'm looking forward to watching the most. To keep things well balanced, I've chosen 5 feature films and 5 documentaries from the line-up. For 2026, the festival has chosen a fascinating selection of unknown directors, first-time filmmakers, and potential indie hits that might end up as your next favorite. As usual with Sundance, you never can really tell what'll good or bad before watching anything, but here's my early picks from the diverse line-up anyway. I recommend adding these 10 films below to your festival schedule / or to your watchlist.
› Posted January 20 in Editorial, Feat, Indies, Lists, Sundance 26 | Comments
First Trailer for Ilker Catak's 'Yellow Letters' - Premiering at Berlinale
"What do we always say? Fear not problems, but fear itself." An official trailer has arrived for a film titled Yellow Letters, which is premiering next month at a film festival. Yellow Letters (titled Gelbe Briefe in German) is the next film from the acclaimed Turkish-German director of The Teachers' Lounge from a few years ago. It was just announced today as part of the 2026 Berlin Film Festival line-up playing in the Main Competition at the festival, which starts in February. The marriage of Derya & Aziz is under pressure after losing their jobs because of state arbitrariness and moving to Istanbul to live with Aziz's parents. They and their 13-year-old daughter Ezgi have to redefine their way of life. "People are losing their jobs, their social status, and their right to exist in society due to state arbitrariness. This story is inspired from the specific events in Turkey but similar things are getting more common all around the world. My goal was to give those people a voice by making visible what is usually silenced or ignored." This film stars Özgü Namal, Tansu Biçer, Leyla Smyrna Cabas, & İpek Bilgin. A political tale of what's going on in the world now.
› Posted January 20 in Berlinale, Foreign Films, Indies, To Watch, Trailer | Comments
Tied Up Like a Dog in 'Heel' Trailer with Anson Boon & Stephen Graham
"Life's sick sometimes. It's your only chance to get out of your head." Magnolia Pictures has unveiled an official trailer for a crazy weird movie called Heel, about a family that takes in a troubled boy & chains him up like a dog. Heel premiered at TIFF last year under the title Good Boy, and it also played at the London Film Festival right after, but not at many other fests aside from those. It's ready to hit US theaters in March. A 19-year-old criminal, Tommy, is kidnapped and forced into a rehabilitation process by a dysfunctional couple, Chris and Kathryn, who try to make him a "good boy." Tommy must find a way to escape at any cost. The obviously reminds me of A Clockwork Orange, also about a hooligan who gets rehabilitated, but this has a few different twists and turns in it. Anson Boon stars as the "good boy", along with Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, Kit Rakusen, & Savannah Steyn. Another new film by the acclaimed Polish director of Corpus Christi and last year's Anniversary. This looks totally wacky and committed to the bit enough to actually work – though I think it's pretty obvious what's going to happen with him. Get a look.
Official Trailer for Infected World Thriller 'Savage Flowers' About a Cult
"We're safe here, aren't we?" "You're a filthy little carrier." Cineverse has revealed an official trailer for an indie thriller film titled Savage Flowers, set in a dystopian time when an infection has taken over. Made by British filmmaker Brad Watson, this originally premiered last year in the UK at a film festival, and is being released on VOD directly starting this week in the US. Set in an infected world where the children are carriers – a young orphan finds sanctuary in a ramshackle foster home but she soon discovers it's not the world outside that she should fear. It's the girls she's inside with. It's a cult thriller set in a post-apocalyptic world of disease - reminds me of The Virgin Suicides or The Other Lamb. Starring Roxanne McKee, Nick Moran, Meesha Garbett, Olivia-Mai Barrett, Iona Bell, Connie Jenkins-Greig, Luke Brandon Field, Joshua Wichard. Reviews state: "Savage Flowers is gripping and thrilling at times, some moments more enticing than others but nonetheless an interesting dive into female dynamics & survival." Take a look.
› Posted January 19 in Indies, To Watch, Trailer | Comments
Official Trailer for 'Saber' Doc About Lightsaber Fighting Championship
"This is my family. This is my home." Indie Atlantic Films has debuted the first trailer for the documentary film titled Saber, a story about the people who love to participate in lightsaber fighting. It's not just about geeks! It's about a group of people who might never have crossed paths, finding friendship, support, and a sense of belonging through the iconic lightsaber. In a world that often feels divided, Saber is a reminder that community can be found in the most unexpected places and that sometimes, the family you choose is the one that saves you. This is premiering at the 51st Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival coming up soon in February and will be out later this year. Saber follows a passionate group of LED saber combat athletes as they train for the Saber Legion World Championships in Las Vegas. But this isn't just a story about competition or fandoms, it's about the power of shared passions to bring people together. This looks like a geeky fun film about how this passion for geeking out with the iconic Star Wars saber brings people together. Check it out.
› Posted January 19 in Documentaries, Indies, Star Wars, To Watch, Trailer | Comments
Creepy Forest Horror Thriller 'The Arborist' Trailer with Lucy Walters
"The world moves on... But for us, time is frozen in its tracks." 🌳 Dark Sky Films has revealed their official trailer for the indie horror film titled The Arborist, formerly known as The Wound Wood when it first premiered last year. It played at the 2025 FrightFest London genre festival last year and is out to watch on VOD starting in February 2026 coming soon. A grief-stricken arborist and her son awaken a haunting when they begin felling trees at the estate of a mysterious recluse. Reviews add: "This creepy, low-grade horror film is largely an examination of guilt and grief set at an isolated mansion in the middle of a forest." Starring Lucy Walters as Elle, Hudson West as her son Wyatt, with Will Lyman, Chloe Trejo, Bill Thorpe, and Danny Corbo. This looks like it was some very creepy aspects to it, especially with how haunting and eerie the woods are... Always something unsettling in creaky old forests. Check out the horror trailer below.
The Sport of Curling Comedy Film 'The Roaring Game' Official Trailer
"We are taking home the gold." Brainstorm Media has unveiled an official trailer for a sports comedy called The Roaring Game, ready to watch soon. Just in time for the 2026 Winter Olympics! They're capitalizing on the rare once-every-4-years hype for the obscure sport of curling. This premiered last year and will be out on VOD in February. This is the underdog story of a down-on-his-luck janitor who recruits a curling team of misfits to win back the love of his life and sweep his way to glory. Starring Darin Brooks as Rickey, with Fivel Stewart, Eddie Kaye Thomas, William Forsythe, Vanessa Angel, Antwon Tanner, Rob Gronkowski, John Fiore, and Paul Johansson, with Justin Chatwin and Mickey Rourke as "The Plow King". A janitor brings together a misfit team to compete and win back his girlfriend, who is playing hockey for the US team at the World Games. He'll use his sweeping skills to win gold in the sport of curling. This seems like another fun riff on the classic Kingpin bowling comedy but with tons of goofy curling twists.
› Posted January 16 in Indies, To Watch, Trailer | Comments
Stephan James is Just Out of Prison in Indie Film 'Ricky' Official Trailer
"You cannot let your past define who you are." Blue Harbor Entertainment has unveiled the official trailer for an indie drama titled simply Ricky, releasing in March. This first premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival exactly one year ago. Despite winning the Best Director Award at Sundance, it's having a tough time getting a proper theatrical release. Blue Harbor has a Kickstarer running as part of a Pay-It-Forward to get more people out to see it and enjoy it. Newly released after being locked up in his teens, 30-year-old Ricky navigates the challenging realities of life post-incarceration, and the complexity of gaining independence for the first time as an adult. Starring Stephan James as Ricky, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Titus Welliver, Maliq Johnson, Imani Lewis, & Simbi Kali. "This film resonates far beyond incarceration. Whether someone has lived that experience or simply recognizes their own struggle in Ricky’s journey, our goal is to spark real conversations about re-entry, resilience, and the human cost of starting over. At the same time, we want to shine a light on the state of independent filmmaking itself—an art form at risk in today's industry." Check it.
› Posted January 16 in Indies, To Watch, Trailer | Comments
Official Trailer for 'Teacher's Pet' University Thriller w/ Michelle Torian
"He's turning it into some kind of game..." Quiver Distribution has revealed the official trailer for an indie film called Teacher's Pet, a thriller set at a university about a young woman being taken in by her extra creepo professor. After first premiering at Dances With Films last year, this film will be out to view on VOD starting in February this winter. A brilliant high school senior days away from escaping to Yale must outwit her malevolent new English teacher when he becomes obsessed with her. When he reveals his sinister past, Clara fights a treacherous battle of wits for survival. From the same duo who made that hilarious Ovation short film last year. Teacher's Pet stars Michelle Torian as Clara, Luke Barnett as Mr. Heller, Clayton Royal Johnson, Kevin Makely, Sara Tomko, Drew Powell, Alexe-Anne Godin, Alexis DawTyne, Richard Handley, and Barbara Crampton. At first glance this reminds me of the recent film Miller's Girl with a similarly scary story, and obviously last year's After the Hunt as well. Check out the trailer below.
› Posted January 16 in Indies, To Watch, Trailer | Comments
Vivid Vamp Horror Madness in 'Vampires of the Velvet Lounge' Trailer
"You're just going to keep hiding in the dark and killing humans indefinitely?" "Yes." Strand Releasing has debuted an official trailer for Vampires of the Velvet Lounge, an indie horror comedy from filmmaker Adam Sherman. This will be hitting theaters starting in March if you're up to watch more vamps on screen fiending for blood. Inspired by the legend of Elizabeth Báthory, it follows a glamorous coven of vampires in the deep south who prey on lonely singles found through dating apps, seducing & slaughtering them to preserve their youth. When they swipe right on the wrong profiles — a cunning undercover vampire hunter and a band of emotionally stunted bros — the hunt spirals into hilariously horrifying chaos. It's a vampire film inspired by a "chilling, lesser-known legend of Elizabeth Báthory, 16th-century Hungarian countess rumored to bathe in the blood of virgins to stay young. I set out to make the kind of horror film I loved growing up, one that's wild, disturbing, darkly funny and made for the big screen." Starring Mena Suvari, Dichen Lachman, Stephen Dorff (why of course), Timothy V. Murphy, Sarah Dumont, and Will Redmond. This looks very stylish and packed with all kinds of big white fangs ready to bite into your neck.
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