SPONTANEOUS (2020)

Synopsis: When students in their high school inexplicably start to explode, two seniors struggle to survive in a world where each moment may be their last.

Starring: Katherine Langford, Charlie Plummer, Piper Perabo, and Rob Huebel

Director: Brian Duffield

To be honest, I was expecting a typical young adult film when I came across Spontaneous, but I was pleasantly surprised by how wrong I was. The concept of this movie is absolutely bonkers, making it one of the most distinct and entertaining coming-of-age movies I've ever seen. Despite its gruesome subject matter, it's strangely a charming experience. It’s a witty-yet-dark comedy that has a lot to say about how young adults process mortality, the whims of life, and the fact that everything is unpredictable. With delightful performances and a clever premise, I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed with this watch. It's a bloody good time! 

THE VAST OF NIGHT (2020)

Synopsis: In the 1950s, two kids search for the source of a mysterious frequency that has descended on their town.

Starring: Sierra McCormick, Jake Horowitz, Cheyenne Barton, Gail Cronauer, and Bruce Davis

Director: Andrew Patterson

The brilliant and masterfully crafted, 1950s-set, sci-fi indie film The Vast of Night recognizes that, sometimes, less really is more. Even though it has a small budget, this flick has a great deal of style. The way the slow burn unfolds to the audience will capture your interest despite its straightforward plot. What people do in the face of mystery is the subject of this captivating invasion movie, and it's jam-packed with incredible tracking shots, eerie cinematography, and a strong script full of meaningful and intimate dialogue. If you're looking for an obscure sci-fi movie in the vein of The Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits, mixed with modern elements of J.J. Abrams’ Super 8, then this movie is for you.

MASS (2021)

Synopsis: Years after a horrible tragedy turned their lives upside down, two couples, one, the parents of a victim of school shooting and the other, parents of the perpetrator, sit down to have a painful and heart-wrenching conversation.

Starring: Ann Dowd, Martha Plimpton, Reed Birney, and Jason Isaacs

Director: Fran Kranz

I'll warn you up front: Mass features four outstanding performances that will leave you crying, so have a box of Kleenex on standby. That said, it remains a gut-wrenching film that you simply must watch. Grief is never an easy thing to convert into something concrete or intelligible, but this movie handles it in a way that demonstrates empathy and forgiveness with such grace and compassion. It explores the tragic grief of four parents in such a fascinating light. Despite the fact that the whole movie is set in a church basement, the subject matter stretches well beyond the room they are in. It's a real shame that this movie didn't get any Oscar buzz.

WEREWOLVES WITHIN (2021)

Synopsis: A snowstorm traps town residents together inside the local inn, where the newly arrived forest ranger and resident postal worker must try to keep the peace and uncover the truth behind a mysterious creature that has begun terrorizing the community.

Starring: Sam Richardson, Milana Vayntrub, George Basil, Sarah Burns, Michael Chernus, Harvey Guillén, Catherine Curtin, Rebecca Henderson, Cheyenne Jackson, Wayne Duvall, Michaela Watkins, and Glenn Fleshler

Director: Josh Ruben

If you’re looking for a campy creature feature, then you need to check out this howling gem because Werewolves Within is a whole lot of fun from beginning to end. This horror comedy never takes itself too seriously because it knows exactly what it is, and it does an amazing job of balancing its wonderfully snappy banter, wacky characters, and bloody whodunnit mystery. Despite its absurdity, it’s a delightful film for all werewolf lovers to enjoy. I will admit it lacks scares, but who needs frightful moments when you're having a good time with some outlandish characters. If Knives Out and Fargo had a baby, this would be it.

CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH (2022)

Synopsis: A young man who works as a Bar Mitzvah party host strikes up a friendship with a mother and her autistic daughter.

Starring: Cooper Raiff, Dakota Johnson, Leslie Mann, Brad Garrett, Vanessa Burghardt, Evan Assante, Raúl Castillo, and Odeya Rush

Director: Cooper Raiff

I've been raving about Cooper Raiff's second feature film, Cha Cha Real Smooth, ever since I saw it, so it's unfortunate that not many people are aware of it. As it stands, this happened to be my favorite film of 2022 because it’s such an endearing coming-of-age dramedy that is charming, heartwarming, and grounded from start to finish. Anyone can relate to this film, which is what makes it so special. The cast’s chemistry feels so authentic and real that I was enamored with each and every character. If you've never heard of Cooper Raiff until now, you should definitely keep his name in the back of your mind because he’s an exciting young filmmaker to be on the lookout for.

DINNER IN AMERICA (2022)

Synopsis: A punk rock singer seeking an escape and a young woman obsessed with his band unexpectedly cross paths, going on a journey together through America's decaying Midwestern suburbs.

Starring: Kyle Gallner and Emily Skeggs

Director: Adam Rehmeier

Although this film had its official premiere at Sundance in 2020, it wasn't released to the public until 2022, which is a damn shame. This movie is an aggressively tender, in-your-face, punk-rock film with a heart of gold, so why was it kept a secret from the world for so long? It’s an oddball rom-com that is packed with fucked-up shenanigans from start to finish, a rad soundtrack, a captivating coming-of-age tale, and enticing chemistry between its two unlikeable lead characters. Given its anarchic vibe, it's one of those rare, edgy films that can be hard to come by these days.

PALM TREES AND POWER LINES (2023)

Synopsis: A lonely 17-year-old girl spends her summer break aimlessly tanning in her backyard with her best friend until she seeks comfort in an unseemly relationship with a 30-something man.

Starring: Lily McInerny and Jonathan Tucker

Director: Jamie Dack

Although Palm Trees and Power Lines begins as a standard coming-of-age emancipation tale, the voyage quickly turns into something far darker. The movie is a daring and compelling cautionary tale that delivers a glimpse into how vulnerability can be manipulated in a relationship. It’s certainly a hard watch, but it can’t go unseen because of the delicate subject matter's careful handling, which allows the unpleasantness to feel genuine and grounded. A somber and realistic drama, it’s able to convey such potent and poignant depictions of the harsh truth of modern-day predators. If nothing else, teens should be obliged to watch it.

THE SWEET EAST (2023)

Synopsis: A high school senior from South Carolina gets her first glimpse of the wider world, picturesque cities and woods of the Eastern seaboard on a class trip to Washington, D.C..

Starring: Talia Ryder, Simon Rex, Ayo Edebiri, Jeremy O. Harris, Jacob Elordi, Rish Shah, and Earl Cave.

Director: Sean Price Williams

Compared to everything else I’ve mentioned, you’ve probably heard the least about The Sweet East. Regardless of your interest level, you will undoubtedly enjoy seeing this ridiculously fun movie since it never takes itself too seriously. An innovative and enduring film that is shot in 16mm, it guides viewers through a chaotic and sarcastic tour of contemporary America. And even if this trippy coming-of-age odyssey can feel a little jumbled and messy at times, the magnificent and outrageous ensemble hold it all together. If you enjoy filmmakers Richard Linklater and Sean Baker, this one will be right up your alley.

MARMALADE (2024)

Synopsis: Follows an inmate as he narrates the colorful tale of a romantic bank heist to his cunning cellmate while plotting his escape to reunite with the alluring love of his life.

Starring: Joe Keery, Camila Morrone, and Aldis Hodge

Director: Keir O'Donnell

With a quirky and twisted storyline reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde, Marmalade is undoubtedly a wild and entertaining journey. It's a bizarre yet eccentric heist tale that captivates spectators with its romance, humor, thrills, and over-the-top performances, but it is especially worth watching for its unconventional characters and compelling final act, which cleverly ties everything together in twisty ways. It may even pleasantly surprise you with its unexpected depth and heart, and when I had the opportunity to speak with writer/director Keir O'Donnell earlier this year (check it out HERE), he seemed to have had a blast bringing this story to life.

BLEEDING LOVE (2024)

Synopsis: A father takes his estranged daughter on a road trip in an effort to get her out of trouble. Along the way, they meet all types of strangers as their strained relationship is put to the test.

Starring: Ewan McGregor and Clara McGregor

Director: Emma Westenberg

Bleeding Love is by no means groundbreaking, but I did find it to be a quite powerful tale of addiction, atonement, and forgiveness. In this sincere account of a father and daughter attempting to mend their relationship, Ewan McGregor is paired with his real-life daughter Clara McGregor, and their performances are beautiful and compelling. They truly give this story a poignant, searing honesty. Although the narrative of this bittersweet road-trip drama may be straightforward, I can assure you that it will tug at your heartstrings. Plus, there is a lovely sing-along to Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love.”