By Amanda Gilmore

Blumhouse Thriller Soft & Quiet might go down as one of the most uncomfortable to watch films of SXSW ’22.

The Film follows Emily (Stefanie Estes), a White Supremacist elementary school teacher, who organizes a club mixer of like-minded women. When they decide to move the meeting to Emily‘s house, they stop at the local store to pick up refreshments. When two minority sisters enter, the white supremacist club targets them. This interaction sends the club into a volatile chain of events.

In her first Feature debut, Writer-Director Beth de Araújo sets herself a daring challenge: making her group of antagonists the leads. From the beginning, these spiteful women spew revolting hate speech. de Araújo’s never shies from these vile remarks. Her long, unwavering takes make for a gruelling watch.

For some, this might be an insufferable viewing experience. However, those who brave the hateful rhetoric will be left viewing a terrifying film. From start to finish, audiences will have their skin crawl with the despicable things these women say and do. Yet, that’s the purpose. After all, people in real life believe and do these things. That’s the true Horror of Soft & Quiet.

de Araújo shows what these hateful thoughts can lead to. She wants us uncomfortable, angry and horrified. Throughout, the audience will think one thing: when are these women going to suffer horribly. Because that’s what they deserve. de Araújo’s idea to film this in real-time gives suspense and believability. This authenticity is solidified by her terrifyingly committed Cast.

Estes gives a chilling performance as the leader. She plays Emily with the calm exterior that holds her detestable beliefs. Olivia Luccardi is frightening as the unhinged Leslie, who takes control of the spiralling events. The rest of the talented Cast captivates us to continue watching even when we want to stop.

Thankfully, this group of White Supremacists get no redemption. However, after the challenging watch, some of the audience may not feel redeemed either.

Soft & Quiet screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

In-Person:
Saturday, March 12 at 5:15 PM EST – Alamo Lamar D

Sunday, March 13 at 7:45 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 2

Sunday, March 13 at 8:15 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 4

Thursday, March 17 at 1:15 PM EST – Alamo Lamar D

Online:
Sunday, March 13 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 48 hours

By Mr. Will Wong

Director Michael Morris (Better Call Saul, 13 Reasons Why) is known primarily for his work in Television, but makes his feature debut at SXSW with TO LESLIE. The Texas-set Drama centers on Leslie (Andrea Riseborough), a single mother who has made some poor life choices and after winning the lottery some years ago, blowing it all away. She lost custody of her son and has bottomed-out, going from stranger to stranger, turning to alcohol as her sources of comfort. She’s burned bridges around town and they aren’t afraid to remind her.

She meets Sweeney (Marc Maron), who owns a local motel. He gives her a chance to start again, hiring her on as a cleaner. Leslie however struggles, returning to her old self-destructive ways. This seems to be her last chance at getting her life in order and a shot at redemption with her son, a cross she’s beared for many years.

While TO LESLIE takes some time to unfold, Morris gives scenes the space to breathe and his audience to ponder. And your patience is rewarded if you wait to the end. Riseborough‘s superb work cannot be denied. She delivers a performance that makes one feel the weight of the world she carries on her shoulders. She’s numb to her critics, including Nancy (Allison Janney) who once loved her but now loathes her, and is really just trying to get through the day and not get fired. While her relationship with Sweeney doesn’t erase her problems, it awakens that little bit of vigor she needs to move forward again and for things to fall into place. The Film possesses great heart and soul because of the care and compassion Riseborough puts into Leslie and the struggles she’s facing. Sidenote: she produces the Film alongside Maron.

TO LESLIE screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

To Leslie at Stateside Theatre

Mar 12, 20228:30pm—10:29pm

To Leslie at Online Screening

Mar 13, 9:00am CDT – Mar 15, 9:00am CDT9:00am—10:59am

To Leslie at Alamo Lamar E

Mar 15, 202212:45pm—2:44pm

To Leslie at Alamo Lamar A

Mar 18, 20229:45pm—11:44pm

By Amanda Gilmore

Nothing is working out for Scientist Cameron Edwin (Jim Gaffigan). His wife has filed for divorce and he’s just been fired from his own television program. When a satellite falls from orbit and crashes into his dysfunctional family home, Cameron seizes the opportunity to fulfil his dream of becoming an astronaut by re-building it into a rocket ship. His wife and daughter believe he’s experiencing a Midlife Crisis, however, when surreal events begin happening around him, a mystery unfolds.

This unique Dramedy relates to the dreamer and romantic within us. Writer-Director Colin West creates a strange world for his characters to exist. However, this odd world is essential to the storyline. It toys with the audience’s concept of time and questions the relationships between characters. Through this one family, West has created a touching story about the relationship between love and memory.

These themes are perfectly captured through the talented Cast. While known for his Comedy, Gaffigan is refreshing in this rare dramatic role that he excels in. He makes an impact as a man stuck and yearning to rebuild his life and dreams. In some scenes, Cameron is shown doing educational science videos similar to those found in schools. Here, Gaffigan allows some of his comedic talents to shine through and gives off Bill Nye vibes.

Gaffigan’s chemistry with Rhea Seehorn, who plays his wife Erin, is strong. Resulting in moving, scenes shared between the two. Erin has a wide character-arch allowing Seehorn to show her range. Rounding off the Cast is Katelyn Nacon, who plays the couple’s daughter Nora, and Gabriel Rush, who plays her schoolmate Marc. The sweet relationship that blossoms between the two are a highlight.

The mystery infused in this peculiar world keeps the audience invested, even if it could benefit from a tighter runtime. However, even with Linoleum dragging in parts, it makes up for it with a heartfelt reveal that makes an emotional impact.

Linoleum screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

In-Person:
Saturday, March 12 at 8:15 PM EST – Alamo Lamar D

Sunday, March 13 at 1:45 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 2

Sunday, March 13 at 2:15 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 4

Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 PM EST – ZACH Theatre

Online:
Sunday, March 13 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 48 hours

By Mr. Will Wong

Based on true events, Hulu Series THE GIRL FROM PLAINVILLE dramatizes the events leading to Michelle Carter’s conviction for involuntary manslaughter of boyfriend Conrad Roy. The Screenplay by Liz Hannah and Patrick Macmanus is inspired by the Esquire article of the same name by Jesse Barron. The then-18-year-old had been struggling with his mental health and commit suicide in 2014 after it was learned that Carter had encouraged him to do so.

In the lead role is the talented Elle Fanning as Carter and the eight-episode Series introduces us to her reacting to news of Roy‘s (Colton Ryan) death. She overreacts, as if to mask her guilt, and is eager to make it known that she is grieving whether it be to her own parents, or Roy‘s mother Lynn (Chloë Sevigny), whom had never met nor heard of Carter through her son. The two maintained a relationship via their phones, only having met in-person a few times. We get a glimpse of Roy, who is seeking professional help and move our way backwards as we understand Carter and Roy‘s connection and how it leads to ill-fated consequences.

Over-compensating and hyper-concerned about her perception, Fanning taps into Carter‘s desire for sympathy and need for others to know how much she loved Roy. One chilling scene in the first episode has her reciting verbatim a scene from “Glee” where Lea Michele‘s Rachel is paying tribute to Finn (Cory Monteith), deeply-haunting. The Series sets this all up perfectly for us to want to unravel the-troubling relationship between Carter and Roy and its consequences. In addition to some fine work from Fanning, Sevigny also disappears completely into Roy’s mother as she navigates her grief and her life intersecting with the young woman responsible for her son’s death.

The Series will be available in Canada on W Network and also STACKTV on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 9 PM ET/PT. It screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

The Girl From Plainville at SXSW Film Theater

Mar 12, 202212:00pm—12:48pm

The Girl From Plainville at Online Screening

Mar 13, 9:00am CDT – Mar 15, 9:00am CDT 9:00am—9:48am

By David Baldwin

Jaakko (Petri Poikolainen) is blind and suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. He was not always this way, but now spends his days in pain and confined to a wheelchair. He chats daily with his girlfriend Sirpa (Marjana Maijaala), who he has only ever spoken to online and by phone. When she receives some bad news, Jaakko decides he must go to see here – even if the solo trip takes three hours and will involve multiple forms of transportation and relying on the kindness of strangers.

For 82 paralyzing minutes, Writer/Director Teemu Nikki takes us on a harrowing journey that is just as uncomfortably intense as it is charmingly humourous. The entire Film is told in close-ups, mainly of Poikolainen’s face, with every background object obscured or completely out of focus. Save for a few moments, we are with him the entire time and basically everyone around him ends up being a disembodied voice or a total blur, giving us keen insight into the limitations of Jaakko’s field of vision. It gets rather taxing in some moments, and completely heartbreaking in others. It makes for a tough watch for casual viewers, whereas the more invested viewers will hold onto Jaako’s every word and movement, hoping against the odds that he will make it to Sirpa. We know it will not be easy, and Nikki is acutely aware of what the audience’s expectations are. And while I will not spoil the obstacles he faces, I had to look away more than once out of sheer terror and distress.

All of these feelings would be meaningless without a compelling lead, and thankfully Poikolainen is more than up to the task. Much like Jaako, he is disabled, confined to a wheelchair and suffering from MS, which makes his performance especially more authentic and the situations he finds himself in infinitely more unsettling. It makes for a challenging and demanding dynamic, yet Poikolainen is always up to the task making for a performance that demands your attention just as it sears its way into your brain. Coupled with Nikki’s direction, it makes for an unforgettable experience unlike any other.

THE BLIND MAN WHO DID NOT WANT TO SEE TITANIC screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

In-Person:

Saturday, March 12 at 6:00PM EST – Alamo Lamar C

Tuesday, March 15 at 7:15PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 2

Tuesday, March 15 at 7:45PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 4

Friday, March 18 at 12:30PM EST – Alamo Lamar C

Online:

Sunday, March 13 @ 10:00AM EST – Available for 48 Hours

By Amanda Gilmore

Director Sara Dosa brings us the mesmerizing Documentary Fire of Love at SXSW ’22. It follows real-life couple Katia and Maurice Kraff who were intrepid French Scientists, who spent their lives trying to understand the mystery of volcanoes. Through their work, they captured some of the most spectacular footage of volcanoes ever recorded.

Audiences may flock to Fire of Love for the volcanoes, but they will be swept away by the unexpected love story between Katia and Maurice. Through the use of archived footage, Dosa gifts us with a love story for the ages set against the most stunning recordings of volcanoes. This is what makes the Documentary one to seek out. It’s entirely unique in its storytelling, allowing us to be taken on a journey of love and nature.

Due to the immense knowledge and love the scientists had for volcanoes, we are given a rounded education of them. This information is delivered by footage of the couple and soft-spoken narration from Miranda July. Her narration allows for the information to be understood while never distracting from the mesmerizing archival footage displayed.

Katia and Maurice passed away doing the thing they loved. Fire of Love pays homage to these fearless scientists and their impactful work.

Fire of Love screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

In-Person:
Friday, March 11 at 7:15 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 2

Friday, March 11 at 7:45 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 4

Sunday, March 13 at 6:15 PM EST – Satellite Venue: AFS Cinema

Thursday, March 15 at 1:00 PM EST – Paramount Theatre

Online:
Saturday, March 12 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 48 hours

By Mr. Will Wong

Writer-Director Duo Hannah Barlow and Kane Senes arrive at SXSW with Australian Horror-Comedy SISSY. The Film which taps into horrors for millennials in some ways echoes some of the tone we saw in Emma Seligman‘s SHIVA BABY, but delivers fully on the violence and gore as much as it does with biting humour.

The Film centers on Cecilia (Aisha Dee), who by chance reunites with her childhood BFF Emma (Barlow). Emma is about to get married and invites Cecilia to her bachelorette in the mountains with her crew. There is a bit of tension though as Cecilia‘s new BFF Alex (Emily De Margheriti) hasn’t quite forgiven Cecilia for a childhood trauma she caused. Years have passed and Cecilia is a popular mental health and wellness influencer and this bachelorette begins to awaken her painful past. While these memories are uncovered, more bodies get buried.

SISSY is as much a Psychological Horror it is as it is a Physical one. Cecilia finds herself being scrutinized for her career choice and lifestyle by Emma’s circle of friends, sending her spiraling. Despite presenting to the world composure and strength, she finds her world crumbling as one fatal catastrophe after the other occurs at this bachelorette. Uniquely, Senes and Barlow strike that fine balance taking awkward moments and finding the humour in them.

Dee is effective in the leading role, exuding calm and serenity as her influencer self, but as her world unravels, she becomes a crumbling mess. We wonder how she is going to make it out of this, and if she ever will grow and take accountability for herself. SISSY is tons of fun and shot beautifully, but most of all saying something about the things we place value in the Social Media age, and how catastrophic trauma in our younger years can be on our lives.

SISSY screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

Favorited

Sissy at Alamo Lamar D

Mar 11, 202210:00pm—11:42pm

Sissy at Online Screening

Mar 12, 9:00am CST – Mar 14, 9:00am CDT 9:00am—10:42am

Sissy at Alamo Lamar A

Mar 13, 202211:45am—1:27pm

Sissy at Alamo Lamar D

Mar 16, 20224:00pm—5:42pm

By Mr. Will Wong

Eight-part Mini-Series WECRASHED recounts the rapid rise and fall of WeWork, which started in 2010 under Adam Neumann (Jared Leto) and Miguel McKelvey (Kyle Marvin). The Company gave new startup technology companies, among other new enterprises, the ability to acquire flexible workspaces. We get a glimpse of the egos that governed the WeWork, namely Adam and his wife Rebekah (Anne Hathaway), which led the company to face great scrutiny in its unconventional business practices and future outlook, failing in its initial offering of company stock. The directing duo of John Requa and Glenn Ficarra manage to take this spectacular failure which just now in 2021 is finally recovering from near-fatality, succeeding in being a publicly-shared company, making incredible entertainment of it all.

At the center of the story is Adam, just a fledgling entrepreneur who thinks and talks big. His way of working lands him not only the gig of his dreams, but also the woman of his dreams in Rebekah. We meet the latter as a struggling Yoga Instructor (making $1 per student) and Actress (she’s legitimately a first cousin to Gwyneth Paltrow). He swings big and has that magical ability to persuade getting others and more often than not, they buy into his infectious charisma. We’re taking notes, trust me.

The Series works on two levels. On the surface it is a study of how a company which had a valuation of $47 billion at one point, saw several missteps that led to its value plummeting. And just when you think it’s over, it isn’t. It also is a love story between a pair of narcissists and their commitment to making WeWork thrive because it keeps giving them each their own platform to be noticed and heard. This is a thing of marvel.

Leto nails the Comedy of this and is cast well, convincing in Adam‘s delusion of grandeur. We wished we got a bit more nuance though as it feels as though this is a portrayal of Adam (don’t get us wrong, he is great) more so when he’s “on”. What we would’ve wanted more of was a balancing of some of the dramatic elements, giving us an understanding of the drive behind the man who deceived and manipulated his way to a payout in the billions. Hathaway also gets the humour behind all this, but we are able to get a bit further under the surface with Rebekah and what makes her tick. Whether it be her failed attempt at acting, dealing relentlessly with people using her as an “in” with her famous cousin, or her relationship with her father Bob Paltrow (Peter Jacobson), who was jailed for tax evasion, Hathaway gets Rebekah‘s darkest vulnerabilities and why defeat for her just isn’t an option. America Ferrera joins the story as Elishia Kennedy, a bright entrepreneur grappling with her own separation from her husband, lured into the shimmer of what Adam and Rebekah are selling. She is fantastic and like her, we wonder “Is Adam for real?”.

It’s all like watching an accident and its aftermath unfold, which is exactly what we signed-up for.

The first three episodes of WECRASHED premiere March 18, 2022 on Apple TV+, with new episodes arriving weekly.

WECRASHED screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

WeCrashed at Paramount Theatre

Mar 12, 20223:30pm—4:30pm

WeCrashed at Online Screening

Mar 13, 9:00am CDT – Mar 15, 9:00am CDT 9:00am—10:00am

By Mr. Will Wong

Based on Lauren Beukes‘ acclaimed Novel THE SHINING GIRLS, Apple TV+’s SHINING GIRLS delivers on the twisty thrills of its source material. The genre-bending Sci-Fi-Thriller series stars Elisabeth Moss as Kirby Mazrachi, who falls victim to a vicious attacker. Just avoiding death, she survives to hunt her assailant down. While this is a premise we’ve heard before, what makes this story interesting is that the time-travelling attacker, Harper Curtis (Jamie Bell) has a purpose. He must murder bright, successful women to be able to continue further in his time travels.

Moss has a hand in producing, directing and starring in this suspenseful Series and if you loved her in The Invisible Man, tonally there are some echoes of the quiet, vulnerable brilliance we saw in that Film. Her Kirby is confused, shaken and traumatized and it is up to us to uncover what happened exactly to her as she makes amends too these painful memories she’s suppressed. Bell is haunting, disarming at first, but just that little bit too eager to get to know his victims, before launching his attack. Also featured prominently is Wagner Moura as Dan who works at the newspaper which Kirby is employed. Dan had written about Kirby‘s attack years prior, but never followed-up on it and together they form multi-layer alliance to help her understand her present and her past.

Canadian Director and Producer Michelle MacLaren (Breaking Bad, The Morning Show) has a hand in directing the Series’ first two episodes, which leaves us wanting more.

SHINING GIRLS arrives on Apple TV+ April 29, 2022. It screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

Shining Girls at ZACH Theatre

Mar 13, 2022 2:45pm—3:39pm

Shining Girls at Online Screening

Mar 14, 9:00am CDT – Mar 16, 9:00am CDT 9:00am—9:54am

This is The Boys Season 3 Official Teaser Trailer, featuring the new single “Bones” by Imagine Dragons. Rated D for DIABOLICAL. Season 3 arrives June 3rd, 2022 only on Prime Video.

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video)