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Tribeca Film Festival is fast approaching, which means New York City—a place already ripe with cinephile culture—will turn up even harder for the fest's 12-day run. Tribeca offers more than just film screenings—there are talks, panels, and VR experiences, too—but tackling the film portion alone is still a lot. This year's slate includes dystopian thrillers, kooky biopics, coming-of-age documentaries, and even a directorial feature from Katie Holmes (say whaaaat?). But just looking at the long list of film titles, it's impossible to tell what's what, and more importantly, what's worth paying attention to.
That's where we come in. From the narrative films, docs, and shorts that Tribeca Film is presenting this year, we sifted through the line-up to pick the 25 films we're most excited about. There's something here for everyone, of all different formats and genres. Below, check out our most anticipated movies, when to can catch them during Tribeca (or a theater near you), and why we can't wait to see them.
Tribeca Film Festival runs from April 13–24 in New York City.
High-Rise
Directed by: Ben Wheatley
Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans, Elisabeth Moss
Tribeca premiere: Wed., April 20
Theatrical release: May 13
Why we’re excited: Arguably the biggest film to premiere at Tribeca this year is High-Rise, a film about a dystopian society that exists entirely in a high-rise building. After receiving positive reviews at Toronto last year, the film will make its way to Tribeca before rolling out to theaters. Based on J.G. Ballard’s novel, High-Rise stars Tom Hiddleston as Dr. Robert Laing, a man who moves to this luxury building that’s organized by class—the lowest live at the bottom while the chief architect of the building (Jeremy Irons) lives in the penthouse at the top. It’s most definitely a critique of class systems, but on its own it looks to be a thrilling and creepy drama about a bunch of people (including Sienna Miller and Elisabeth Moss) living in this experimental residence. Also, Tom Hiddleston is in it, so 'nuff said.
Equals
Directed by: Drake Doremus
Stars: Kristen Stewart, Nicholas Hoult, Guy Pearce, Jacki Weaver
Tribeca premiere: Mon., April 18
Theatrical release: July 1
Why we’re excited: Drake Doremus made waves with Like Crazy, a loosely scripted, highly improvised drama about a couple separated by distance. With Equals, his third feature, Doremus returns to the idea of star-crossed lovers, giving us a Shakespearean tale about Silas (Nicholas Hoult) and Nia (Kristen Stewart). Taking place sometime in the post-apocalyptic future, Equals exists in a world where people have been forced to turn off their emotions. In the midst of this sterile and cold world, Silas and Nia, coworkers, film themselves falling for each other. It’s a relationship that’s highly discouraged, one that, based on the premise, has no hope of surviving. While it’s been circulating for sometime, we’re glad to see Hoult and Stewart, both rising stars for some time now, work against each other. And, if Doremus’ track record says anything, we’re certain their chemistry will be palpable.
LoveTrue
Directed by: Alma Har'el
Cast: N/A
Tribeca premiere: Fri., April 15
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we're excited: Well, Shia LaBeouf executive produced the film, if that's enough of a draw for you as it is for us. But that's not all. Director Alma Har'el, who previously won Tribeca's Best Documentary Feature Award in 2011, returns to the festival with a second doc that sounds as intoxicating as it is grounded to reality. She follows three different stories in three very different parts of the country (Alaska, Hawaii, and New York) in cinéma vérité style as they discover the meaning (or meaninglessness) of "true love." Each subject deals with their real-life relationship problems, whether it be finding romance as a stripper or learning to live with a child you just found out isn't biologically yours. The film pairs beautiful visuals with a hypnotizing score by Flying Lotus.
All This Panic
Directed by: Jenny Gage
Cast: N/A
Tribeca premiere: Thurs., April 14
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we're excited: Some of the most poignant, heartfelt films belong in the coming-of-age subgenre (see: The Virgin Suicides, Boyhood, etc.) and All This Panic encapsulates the essence of these films. Except, it's also a documentary, so the subjects' coming-of-age is as real as it gets. Filmed over the course of three years, the teenage girls featured in All This Panic grow up onscreen and have the kind of candid conversations—surprisingly insightful and hilarious—that real teenagers have. The movie shouldn't work, but it does, and it has all the dramatic elements of a really good narrative film. The documentary will bring back the joys, woes, and, well, all this panic from your own teenage years, but it'll make you remember them in the most cinematic way.
Elvis & Nixon
Directed by: Liza Johnson Cast: Kevin Spacey, Michael Shannon, Alex Pettyfer, Johnny Knoxville, Colin Hanks, Evan Peters Tribeca premiere: Mon., April 18 Theatrical release: April 22 Why we’re excited: It’s easy to climb aboard anything that stars Kevin Spacey and Michael Shannon, but the fact that the two figures are playing Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley adds to the hype. Elvis & Nixon, as suggested by its title, captures a specific moment in 1970 when the two figures, arguably the biggest names in the U.S. then, met for the first time. It’s even stranger why they met. Presley apparently wanted to meet with President Nixon—pre-Watergate—to be made a Federal Agent at Large for the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. The film, a comedy, looks at the chaos leading up to their meeting. It’ll be interesting to see how Shannon will do as the rock star, who's had many an impersonator but seems impossible to play onscreen.
Dreamland
Directed by: Robert Schwartzman
Cast: Johnny Simmons, Amy Landecker, Jason Schwartzman, Noël Wells, Alan Ruck, Beverly D'Angelo, Talia Shire, Shay Mitchell, Frankie Shaw, Nick Thune
Tribeca premiere: Thurs., April 14
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we're excited: Did anyone else have a HUGE crush on Michael Moscovitz from The Princess Diaries? Fifteen years later, Robert Schwartzman (Jason Schwartzman's brother) is honoring his Coppola family name by putting on his director pants for the first time. His debut indie comedy has been compared to the likes of The Graduate and Risky Business, and comes with a score composed by Schwartzman himself (after all, he's also known for his indie rock band Rooney, whose timely reunion comes this year). Johnny Simmons stars as a down-in-the-dumps musician living at his girlfriend's mom's. He starts working at a hotel, where he begins a love affair with an older woman. We're too curious not to check out Schwartzman's film, and to see if those Coppola genes really do run deep.
Always Shine
Directed by: Sophia Takal Cast: Mackenzie Davis, Caitlin FitzGerald
Tribeca premiere: Fri., April 15
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we’re excited: Last year, we were given the gem that is Queen of Earth, a psychological melodrama about the deteriorating relationship between two women. Always Shine seems to follow that lead, exploring the reunion of Anna and Beth, two friends, both actresses, who decide to catch up and spend a weekend together in Big Sur. As expected, their time alone brings up various forms of resentment, anger, and confusion, and their relationship is put to the test. What’s most exciting about the film, however, is that it features two actresses who’ve been consistently stellar. Mackenzie Davis, best known for her work on Halt and Catch Fire, plays Beth, while CaitlinFitzGerald, the standout on Showtime’s Masters of Sex, stars as Anna. In addition to the inspired casting, the whole thing takes place in Big Sur, which will at the very least make Always Shine nice to look at.
Contemporary Color
Directed by: Bill Ross, Turner Ross
Cast: N/A
Tribeca premiere: Sat., April 16
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we're excited: Talking Heads singer David Byrne is a visionary, and this documentary captures a singular event curated by the legendary musician at Barclays Center last summer. Using an artform called the color guard, which involves synchronized dancers and flags, Byrne called on various performers (St. Vincent, Nelly Furtado, Ad-Rock, Ira Glass) to create a one-of-a-kind multi-media experience. The Ross brothers released the acclaimed doc Western last year, and at the very least Contemporary Color promises to be cinematic eye candy.
Custody
Directed by: James Lapine
Cast: Catalina Sandino Moreno, Hayden Panettiere, Viola Davis, Tony Shalhoub, Raul Esparza, Dan Fogler, Ellen Burstyn
Tribeca premiere: Sun., April 17
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we're excited: This custody battle movie is directed by the author of the book Into the Woods—yes, the same one that was made into a Meryl Streep movie. It's hard to get around the weird résumé, but what better time than now for a courtroom drama, especially after The People v O.J. left us craving more? Catalina Sandino Moreno plays a single mother in an intense custody battle over her son. On her side is Hayden Panettiere, a recent law school graduate, who has ghosts of her own. With Viola Davis and Tony Shalhoub on cast, the performances are guaranteed to deliver.
A Hologram for the King
Directed by: Tom Tykwer
Cast: Tom Hanks, Alexander Black, Sarita Choudhury, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Ben Whishaw, Tom Skerritt
Tribeca premiere: Wed., April 20
Theatrical release: April 22
Why we’re excited: There’s probably no better time to release a film adaptation of Dave Eggers’ novel A Hologram for the King than this month. The film version, starring Tom Hanks and directed by Tom Tykwer (best known for the divisive Cloud Atlas), follows desperate American businessman Allan Clay (Hanks), who heads to Saudi Arabia hoping to sell technology to the king. Clay is unable to meet with the king, and instead becomes preoccupied with his driver, contraband, and a mass he finds growing on his back. The dark comedy explores the self-entitled American who goes abroad and expects everything to happen as he wishes. If it’s half as good as Eggers’ novel, we’re in for a treat.
Madly
Directed by: Gael García Bernal, Mia Wasikowska, Sebastian Silva, Anurag Kashyap, Sion Sono, Natasha Khan
Cast: Radhika Apte, Satyadeep Misra, Adarsh Gourav, Kathryn Beck, Lex Santos, Mariko Tsutsui, Yuki Sakurai, Ami Tomite, Tarô Suwa, Justina Bustos, Pablo Seijo, Tamsin Topolski
Tribeca premiere: Thurs., April 14
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we’re excited: Taking a style that perhaps worked best with Paris, Je T’aime, Madly is a film all above love, but separated into six distinct shorts. Written and directed by talents such as Gael García Bernal and Mia Wasikowska—talents we usually see onscreen—the vignettes take us to Argentina, Australia, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and India, where each director attempts to tackle the various faces of romance. While it's certainly not the newest idea, it will be interesting to see some of our favorite talents, including Chilean director Sebastian Silva, work together to create such an expansive project.
AWOL
Directed by: Deb Shoval Cast: Lola Kirke, Breeda Wool, Dale Soules, Ted Welch, Bill Sage Tribeca premiere: Fri., April 15 Theatrical release: N/A
Why we’re excited: Besides the fact that the film sounds like a present-day Carol, the fact that it stars Lola Kirke is enough. Kirke, the younger sister of Girls star Jemima Kirke, shined last year in Noah Baumbach’s Mistress America and currently leads Amazon’s successful Mozart in the Jungle. While we’ve mostly seen her in lighter roles, AWOL, which follows an aimless young woman named Joey in rural Pennsylvania, seems like the perfect opportunity for Kirke to show off her dramatic chops. In AWOL, Joey prepares to enlist in the army, but finds herself falling for Rayna (Breeda Wool), a housewife whose trucker husband practically ignores her. The two eventually embark on a dangerous romance, one that will most definitely affect Joey and all of her future decisions.
All We Had
Directed by: Katie Holmes
Cast: Stefania Owen, Katie Holmes, Luke Wilson
Tribeca premiere: Fri., April 15
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we’re excited: It’s worth noting anytime an actor makes the leap into directing, and that’s why we’re keeping an eye out for All We Had, Katie Holmes’ feature directorial debut. The film, based on the novel by Annie Weatherwax, is a story about a mother and daughter who can’t seem to catch a break. Escaping a bad boyfriend and short on cash, Rita (Holmes) moves to a new town with her daughter Ruthie (Owen) to try and start over. The drama, which focuses on the Great Recession that hit the U.S. in 2007, sounds a bit like Anywhere But Here, the sweet and surprisingly decent feature starring Susan Sarandon and Natalie Portman as mother and daughter. And while we don’t know how exactly this story will play, it’s awesome to see Holmes not only take a stab at something new, but also offer up some big, complex roles for women.
Dean
Directed by: Demetri Martin
Cast: Demetri Martin, Kevin Kline, Gillian Jacobs, Rory Scovel, Ginger Gonzaga, Reid Scott, Mary Steenburgen, Christine Woods, Beck Bennett, Briga Heelan
Tribeca premiere: Sat., April 16
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we're excited: If you're a fan of comedian Demetri Martin, this is a no-brainer for you. Martin directs, writes, and stars in this indie comedy, and is joined by the great Gillian Jacobs, who plays his L.A. love interest. It's a role we've seen her in recently (Judd Appatow's Netflix series Love) but don't mind seeing even more of. Demetri Martin stars as the titular Dean, a young man who is dealing with his recent break-up and his family home being sold. Mirroring the late coming-of-age is Dean's father, played by Oscar winner Kevin Kline, a man who is learning to get over the death of his wife and moving on with a new woman.
The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Directed by: Bill Purple Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Maisie Williams, Jessica Biel, Mary Steenburgen Tribeca premiere: Thurs., April 14 Theatrical release: N/A Why we’re excited: Jason Sudeikis has been landing leading role after leading role, and in The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, we might see the funnyman at his most dramatic. The film follows Sudeikis’ Henry, an architect who is mourning the loss of his wife, played by Jessica Biel. Unable to get his act together he finds himself getting close with Millie, a teenage girl with a very dark past. Maisie Williams, who is known for her standout work in Game of Thrones, is just entering the film world, and it will be interesting to see how she works alongside Sudeikis in a film that’s about two damaged people coming together to move on with their lives. In addition, we’re looking forward to hearing the score by Justin Timberlake (Biel's husband, of course), which will mark the first time the actor-singer has composed for a film.
A Kind of Murder
Directed by: Andy Goddard Cast: Patrick Wilson, Jessica Biel, Vincent Kartheiser, Haley Bennett Tribeca premiere: Sun., April 17 Theatrical release: N/A
Why we’re excited: There’s something about directors wanting to adapt Patricia Highsmith novels to the big screen, the best examples being The Talented Mr. Ripley, last year’s Carol, and Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train. The latest is A Kind of Murder, an adaptation of Highsmith’s chilling The Blunderer. The film stars Patrick Wilson as Walter Stackhouse, a crime novelist who finds himself obsessed with a crime story about a bookseller who is suspected of killing his wife. Unhappy in his own marriage—he’s married to a successful real estate businesswoman (played by Jessica Biel)—he begins to have fantasies of murdering her. When she actually ends up dead, we start to lose track of what is real, what is Walter’s true intentions, and, most of all, we begin to question the ultimate meaning of guilt. Given the casting and the pretty decent track record when it comes to turning Highsmith’s books into films, we’re pretty hopeful for this one.
Nerdland
Directed by: Chris Prynoski
Cast: Paul Rudd, Patton Oswalt, Hannibal Buress, Riki Lindhome, Kate Micucci, Mike Judge, Reid Scott
Tribeca premiere: Thurs., April 14
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we're excited: This animation film features a comedic cast that includes Paul Rudd, Patton Oswalt, Hannibal Buress, and a cameo from Molly Shannon. The premise sounds like it could be your regular live-action flick—Rudd and Oswalt star as L.A. screenwriters looking to make it big before their 30th birthdays—but the visuals from animation company Titmouse, Inc. will create a one-of-a-kind universe. Even if the disillusionment of Hollywood is an age-old tale.
The Phenom
Directed by: Noah Buschel
Cast: Johnny Simmons, Ethan Hawke, Paul Giamatti, Alison Elliott, Yul Vazquez, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Marin Ireland, Elizabeth Marvel, Paul Adelstein, Louisa Krause, Frank Wood
Tribeca premiere: Sun., April 17
Theatrical release: June 24
Why we're excited: Ethan Hawke nad Paul Giamatti have had a phenomenal past year, and the two stellar actors come together on The Phenom, a baseball movie about a major league pitcher (Johnny Simmons) who's been demoted to the minors after losing it on the mound. Hawke plays the athlete's father, and Giamatti plays his sports therapist who helps him uncover the source of his anxiety (we have a feeling his ex-con dad may have a lot to do with it).
The Ticket
Directed by: Ido Fluk
Cast: Dan Stevens, Malin Akerman, Kerry Bishé, Oliver Platt
Tribeca premiere: Sat., April 16
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we're excited: Aside from our thirst for The Guest hunk Dan Stevens, The Ticket sounds like a compelling drama about a man whose life is completely changed. Stevens a blind man who can suddenly see, and who's set on creating a life that he missed out on in the dark. But pursuing a better career and nicer material things puts a strain on his marriage (to Malin Akerman) and friendships. The Ticket paints a modern cautionary tale that's worth checking out.
Holidays
Directed by: Kevin Kolsch & Dennis Widmyer, Nicholas McCarthy, Gary Shore, Sarah Adina Smith, Anthony Scott Burns, Kevin Smith, Scott Stewart, and Adam Egypt Mortimer
Cast: Seth Green, Clare Grant, Ruth Bradley, Sophie Traub, Jocelin Donahue, Harley Morenstein, Lorenza Izzo, and Andrew Bowen
Tribeca premiere: Thurs., April 14
Theatrical release: April 22
Why we're excited: This sounds like a horror fan's wet dream. Taking after the format of V/H/S, this new horror anthology tells several different tales with different directors and stars, each capturing the horrors of holidays in the most gruesome ways. You'll never look at a cute Easter bunny or a sweet Valentine's gift the same way.
Bad Rap
Directed by: Salima Koroma
Cast: N/A
Tribeca premiere: Sat., April 16
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we're excited: Music documentaries are pretty commonplace, but Bad Rap focuses on subjects rarely documented or talked about—subjects that are rare, period. That would be Asian-American rappers, the invisible faces of hip-hop. The doc follows four rappers (Awkwafina, Dumbfoundead, Rekstizzy, and Lyricks) in live performance and in interviews, where they reveal what it's really like to break into the scene as a minority. It's also a platform for them to prove to the world that they are worth your attention.
2 Fists Up
Directed by: Spike Lee
Cast: N/A
Tribeca premiere: Thurs., April 21
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we're excited: After his explosive Chi-Raq last year, we were wondering what Spike Lee would tackle next. Leaving the narrative feature arena, Lee now brings us 2 Fists Up, a documentary short (it runs at 30 minutes) that sees how the Black Lives Matter movement made its way to the University of Missouri. Late last year, students of color rose up against the school, saying they felt unsafe being part of an institution that supported systematic oppression. Lee's doc not only looks at the ins and outs of the entire movement, but specifically at how its message captured the hearts of Mizzou's student body, including the football team.
Little Boxes
Directed by: Rob Meyer
Cast: Melanie Lynskey, Nelsan Ellis, Armani Jackson, Oona Laurence, Janeane Garofalo, Christine Taylor
Tribeca premiere: Fri., April 15
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we're excited: Cary Fukunaga produced this movie, which already piques our interest. Fukunaga, of course, was the best part of True Detective (season one) and he also directed last year's acclaimed Beasts of No Nation. The film focuses on a kid (with a black father and white mother) as he tries to understand his biracial identity in a new town. Another reason to watch? Melanie Lynskey, of course, the underrated actress in the canceled-too-soon HBO show Togetherness.
Mr. Church
Directed by: Bruce Beresford Cast: Eddie Murphy, Britt Robertson, Xavier Samuel, Natascha McElhone, Lucy Fry Tribeca premiere: Fri., April 22 Theatrical release: N/A
Why we’re excited: It’s a gift to get a truly remarkable Eddie Murphy performance, one we haven’t really had since his Oscar-nominated work in Dreamgirls. In Mr. Church, Murphy teams up with director Bruce Beresford, best known for Driving Ms. Daisy, to tell the story of a successful chef who ends up raising a young girl after her mother becomes unfit to do so. Although we don’t know much about the film, we do know it focuses on their evolving relationship through many years. We also know that Murphy is front and center, and that the role could be the career boost he—and we—need.
Wolves
Directed by: Bart Freundlich
Cast: Michael Shannon, Carla Gugino, Taylor John Smith, Chris Bauer, John Douglas Thompson
Tribeca premiere: Fri., April 15
Theatrical release: N/A
Why we're excited: Michael Shannon makes another Tribeca appearance, this time playing a shitty dad with a gambling addiction. He's a liability to his son Anthony (Taylor John Smith), a high school basketball captain following his athletic dreams to Cornell on scholarship. Carla Gugino also stars, as Anthony's mother, in this compelling family drama and coming-of-age tale.