It’s that time again. Time to capsule review the films that are coming out of the height of festival season. Of course, there is a constant slate of new films at other festivals making the rounds and coming to the box office, so this recap is only films that come from Sundance and SXSW at the top of the year. Most of the films premiering at Cannes Tribeca, and Venice won’t get official release dates until later this year or early next year, so while the buzz is around the most current films making their international rounds, we’re only focused on films that have moved from the festival circuit to mainstream release. September seems to be a quiet month for new film releases, which makes sense seeing as how award season releases typically ramps up in Q4. Seeing as how two out of 3 of these films are horror, I don’t think they’ll be up for Oscars anytime soon.
So here are three films set to release this September that you should check out.
Honk For Jesus, Save Your Soul – Theaters and Peacock September 2nd
A scathing look at megachurch culture and the corruption that comes with absolute power, “Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul” is a high minded and clever critique of a powerful religious world that feels a bit too ambitious in its execution for its own good. “Honk for Jesus” sports some top notch performances, particularly from Sterling K. Brown and Regina Hall. How absolutely shines here, delivering one of the most well rounded and powerful performances of her career. She’s funny and complex, packing an incredible amount of emotion behind her troubled eyes. “Honk for Jesus” tells the story of a disgraced megachurch pastor and his dutiful wife who are trying to revitalize their new church, which has disintegrated from thousands to a loyal 5 members after his scandals drove everyone away. It perfectly captures the arrogance and narcissism that comes with the megachurch figureheads, and the unsung victims it leaves in its wake.
What is perhaps the most troubling part of “Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul” is in its choice to use two different film methods to tell one story. The film constantly shifts between mockumentary style to basic, steady cam film format often without warning, making it feel like two different movies trying to tell the same story at the same time. “Honk For Jesus” never really comes together into a cohesive film the way it should or even the way it wants to. What we’re left with is a disjointed and baffling execution that hinders an otherwise compelling and well-acted satirical examination. All throughout the viewing, I found myself wanting the film to pick one method of storytelling and stick with it. It’s either a mockumentary or a steady cam satire. The films desire to be both really takes away from a lot of what the film does right. And “Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul” get’s a lot right. It is just sadly overshadowed by the strange execution choices that take away from the overall impact of an otherwise terrific film.
Sissy – Shudder Sept 29th
Surprisingly one of the my favorite films of the festival season, “Sissy” is the perfect comedy/horror flick of the times. Similar to “Bodies Bodies Bodies” which subverts the slasher genre using the Gen Z lens, “Sissy” also leverages the social media and streaming obsession to its advantage. Wildly clever and effective and sporting some stellar performances from its leads, “Sissy” begins as one thing and quickly transforms into something else entirely. It is funny, violent, and deeply satirical, taking shots at our current obsession with influencers and online influencer culture. Everyone is in on the joke of their own generation, and everything feels organic and purposeful even when the events of the film become wildly outrageous and unbelievable. This accredited to the incredible performances, namely Aisha Dee as the main character Cecilia. Dee embodies everything that is good and dangerous about influencers and the culture that idolizes social media fame, and never stops being compelling as she navigates through the story.
“Sissy” tells the story of Cecilia and Emma, childhood friends who became estranged after a violent event that transpired when they were young. Cecilia is an up and coming social media influencer, and despite her bubbly personality still deals with rejection and the inability to fit in. She runs into Emma in a grocery story, who invites her to her bachelorette party at a remote cabin in the woods. Cecilia (nicknamed Sissy as a derogatory moniker stemming from their childhood event) reluctantly agrees, and upon arriving at the cabin discovers that she not only doesn’t belong with this group of friends, but that her childhood nemesis Alex (Emily de Margheriti) is also a part of the group and now besties with her old friend Emma. Their uneasy alliance soon turns deadly, and it isn’t long before anything and everything spirals out of control leaving a trail of bodies in its wake.
For someone who doesn’t particularly care for horror, “Sissy” is the perfect blend of comedy, violence, and subversion. You’re never quite sure who’s side you’re actually on, or why these horrible things keep happening and what they all mean. The film is incredibly clever, slowly turning the wheel from what is expected into the unexpected, proudly delivering some gruesome kills but framing them in a unique, ambiguous context that leaves you guessing, jumping and yes, laughing all the way to the very end. It is a high minded critique of social media culture today, and never feels forced or pandering in its stellar execution. I can’t recommend this one enough. “Sissy” ranks as one of the best films to come out of the festival season this year. If you get a chance, “Sissy” is more than worth the watch.
Speak No Evil – Theaters Sept 9th, Shudder Sept 15th
One of the most unsettling and disturbing film to come out of the top of year festival season, “Speak No Evil” is a slow burn psychological thriller that, no matter how you feel about it at its conclusion, you will never EVER forget. There is simply nothing that can prepare you for this harrowing journey, and while I highly recommend this film I have to add extreme caution. You’ll have to watch “Speak no Evil” at your own risk, and while I know damn well your curiosity is already getting the better of you, I can’t stress enough how careful you need to be embarking on this journey. The expert elegance with which “Speak No Evil” is crafted leaves you with a false sense of security that things aren’t as bad as they seem, only to deliver one of the most unforgettable and gruesome endings that grips you so tightly you can’t look away even when you want to.
“Speak No Evil” tells the story of two families who meet on holiday in Tuscany and become fast friends. The Dutch family later invites the Danish family to their home for a reunion via postcard, and not wanting to be rude, they accept the strange and unprompted invitation. As soon as they arrive to the remote countryside of the Netherlands, they instantly feel that something isn’t quite right. Their desperate need to be polite and cordial house guests cause the Danes to overlook and discount the increasingly unsettling micro-aggressions that soon manifest into to outright horror and torture. It is here where “Speak no Evil” is focused, expertly examining our strange desire to not offend people and not be seen as rude even when everything is telling you to run for your life.
“Speak no Evil” is an unforgettable experience for viewer, fan or not. It will not leave you even when you want to. Hell it’s been 9 months since I watched it and it still hasn’t left my nightmares. There is great reward here for those that can stomach it, so I’ll say to watch at your own risk.
So there you have it, 3 festival films coming this September!
