The unveiling of the 2022 Sundance Film Festival line-up was decidedly unique. For the first time in recent memory, acquisition films are dominating the proceedings. Sure, there are a few A24 and Amazon Studios films here and there, but for the most part, the mini-majors decided to pass on a hybrid in-person and virtual festival (for a variety of reasons). In many ways, that may benefit festival-goers who are in for more “unseen” surprises than usual. Yep, Park City is going old-school.
This year’s slate is also decidedly filled with thrillers or “horror” films that you might not have seen outside of Midnight selections in previous years. Whether that’s a sign of the times or simply the types of films that can even get independent financing these days remains to be seen. But we’re in for a decidedly dark-themed festival. Gonna be tough to find those comedies to brighten up your viewing day where you can.
Both documentaries and narrative films will also tackle timely subjects such as abortion rights, the Russian/Ukrainian stand-off, human rights in China, and “cancel culture.” Scroll through this year’s slate and you can already see the CNN and AP newsbreaks from Park City. Thought-provoking discourse is a hallmark of Sundance, but it’s been quite a while since it’s felt so decidedly geopolitical.
Choosing the must-see films at the festival is never easy. You’ve got your sources who’ve seen many of the selections, but sometimes the movies deemed potential trainwrecks demand your attention as much as the ones likely to earn Oscar nominations or top 10 placements a year from now. And sometimes the “messy” flicks actually play with the Park City faithful.
Keeping all that in mind, Here’s 22 for 2022 to keep in mind over the weeks to come.
“Master” (U.S.A.)
Director and Screenwriter: Mariama Diallo
Festival synopsis: Three women strive to find their place at an elite New England university. As the insidious specter of racism haunts the campus in an increasingly supernatural fashion, each fights to survive in this space of privilege.
Cast: Regina Hall, Zoe Renee, Talia Ryder, Talia Balsam, Amber Gray.
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Why it’s a must-see: An Amazon Studios release, Diallo is being touted as a breakout directing talent. One of two Regina Hall movies at the fest this year.
“Cha Cha Real Smooth” (U.S.A.)
Director and Screenwriter: Cooper Raiff
Festival synopsis: A directionless college graduate embarks on a relationship with a young mom and her teenage daughter while learning the boundaries of his new bar mitzvah party-starting gig.
Cast: Dakota Johnson, Cooper Raiff, Vanessa Burghardt, Evan Assante, Brad Garrett, Leslie Mann.
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Why it’s a must-see: Sources say this may just be the “it” movie of the festival. Oh, and Johnson is a producer on this one s well. Likely, a major acquisitions play.
“You Won’t Be Alone” (Australia)
Director and Screenwriter: Goran Stolevski
Festival synopsis: In an isolated mountain village in 19th century Macedonia, a young feral witch accidentally kills a peasant. She assumes the peasant’s shape to see what life is like in her skin, igniting a deep-seated curiosity to experience life inside the bodies of others.
Cast: Noomi Rapace, Anamaria Marinca, Alice Englert, Carloto Cotta, Félix Maritaud, Sara Klimoska.
World Cinema Competition
Why it’s a must-see: A short film selection veteran of the festival, Stolevski’s feature debut is said to be something in the vein of “Under the Skin” meets “Lamb.” That may be partially inaccurate, but Rapace has certainly been taking chances lately. That’s more than enough for a hike in the snow to catch it.
“Alice” (U.S.A.)
Director and Screenwriter: Krystin Ver Linden
Festival synopsis: When a woman in servitude in 1800s Georgia escapes the 55-acre confines of her captor, she discovers the shocking reality that exists beyond the treeline…it’s 1973. Inspired by true events.
Cast: Keke Palmer, Common, Jonny Lee Miller, Gaius Charles.
Premieres
Why it’s a must-see: Frankly, this feems like very familiar territory to 2020’s “Antebellum,” but Ver Linden is said to impress in her directorial debut.
“The Exiles” (U.S.A.)
Directors: Ben Klein, Violet Columbus
Festival synopsis: Documentarian Christine Choy tracks down three exiled dissidents from the Tiananmen Square massacre, in order to find closure on an abandoned film she began shooting in 1989.
U.S. Documentary Competition
Why it’s a must-see: Considering China’s almost non-stop campaign to erase Tiananmen Square from the history books and increasing tensions with the United States (and Hollywood for that matter), the repercussions from this premiere may be more intriguing than the film itself.
“The Janes” (U.S.A.)
Directors: Tia Lessin, Emma Pildes
Festival synopsis: In the spring of 1972, police raided an apartment on Chicago’s South Side. Seven women were arrested. The accused were part of a clandestine network. Using code names, blindfolds and safe houses, they built an underground service for women seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions. They called themselves JANE.
U.S. Documentary Competition
Why it’s a must-see: We’re not sure Lessin and Pildes thought this subject matter would be as timely today as when they began working on it, but considering the upcoming Supreme Court rulings on a Mississippi state law dealing with abortion, it most certainly is.
“Klondike” (Ukraine/Turkey)
Director and Screenwriter: Maryna Er Gorbach
Festival synopsis: The story of a Ukrainian family living on the border of Russia – Ukraine during the start of war. Irka refuses to leave her house even as the village gets captured by armed forces. Shortly after, they find themselves at the center of an air crash catastrophe on July 17, 2014.
Cast: Oxana Cherkashyna, Sergey Shadrin, Oleg Scherbina, Oleg Shevchuk, Artur Aramyan, Evgenij Efremov.
World Cinema Competition
Why it’s a must-see: Speaking of current events, it’s unclear by the time Sundance occurs whether Russia will have decided to invade Ukraine or Vladimir Putin will blink and withdraw his forces at the border. In either case, the continuing tension between Russia and Ukraine’s NATO supporters make this another timely selection for the fest.
“Utama” (Bolivia/Uruguay/France)
Director and Screenwriter: Alejandro Loayza Grisi,
Festival synopsis: In the Bolivian highlands, an elderly Quechua couple has been living the same daily life for years. When an uncommon long drought threatens their entire way of life, Virginio and his wife Sisa face the dilemma of resisting or being defeated by the environment and time itself.
Cast: Jose Calcina, Luisa Quispe, Santos Choque.
Why it’s a must see: Every fall festival wanted it. Filmmakers held out for Sundance. If you know anything about the biz, that’s a bit of an endorsement.
“Dual” (U.S.A.)
Director and Screenwriter: Riley Stearns
Festival synopsis: After receiving a terminal diagnosis, Sarah commissions a clone of herself to ease the loss for her friends and family. When she makes a miraculous recovery, her attempt to have her clone decommissioned fails, and leads to a court-mandated duel to the death.
Cast: Karen Gillan, Aaron Paul, Beulah Koale
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Why it’s a must-see: Even though it has a very similar conceit as “Summer Song” (which debuts on Apple TV+ at the end of December) Sterns demonstrated a unique perspective with his last comedy, “The Art of Self Defense,” which debuted at SXSW 2019. Whether this one is as comedic remains to be seen.
“Nothing Compares” (Ireland, U.K.)
Director: Kathryn Ferguson
Festival synopsis: The story of Sinéad O’Connor’s phenomenal rise to worldwide fame and subsequent exile from the pop mainstream. Focusing on Sinéad’s prophetic words and deeds from 1987 to 1993, the film reflects on the legacy of this fearless trailblazer through a contemporary feminist lens.
World Cinema Documentary
Why it’s a must-see: O’Connor’s controversial past has been covered numerous times in the media but rarely given a documentary treatment. The fact O’Connor is also collaborating with a different filmmaker on her own doc makes the fact this endeavor made the Sundance cut even more curious.
“Something In The Dirt” (U.S.A.)
Directors: Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, Screenwriter: Justin Benson
Festival synopsis: When neighbors John and Levi witness supernatural events in their Los Angeles apartment building, they realize documenting the paranormal could inject some fame and fortune into their wasted lives. An ever-deeper, darker rabbit hole, their friendship frays as they uncover the dangers of the phenomena, the city, and each other.
Cast: Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead
NEXT
Why it’s a must-see: Benson and Moorhead are known for their independent horror collaborations “Spring,” “The Endless” and “Synchronic,” but this appears to be something else entirely. Oh, and were you aware they just directed episodes of Marvel Studios‘ “Moon Knight”? So, y’know, filmmakers to watch and all that.
“AM I OK?” (U.S.A.)
Directors: Stephanie Allynne, Tig Notaro, Screenwriter: Lauren Pomerantz
Festival synopsis: Lucy and Jane have been best friends for most of their lives and think they know everything there is to know about each other. But when Jane announces she’s moving to London, Lucy reveals a long-held secret. As Jane tries to help Lucy, their friendship is thrown into chaos.
Cast: Dakota Johnson, Sonoya Mizuno, Jermaine Fowler, Kiersey Clemons, Molly Gordon, Sean Hayes
Premieres
Why it’s a must-see: The title scares us, but that cast is more than intriguing. Plus, Johnson really hasn’t made a bad creative choice since the “Fifty Shades” franchise ended.
“Call Jane” (U.S.A.)
Director: Phyllis Nagy Screenwriters: Hayley Schore, Roshan Sethi
Festival synopsis: Chicago, 1968: after having a life-saving secret abortion, a suburban housewife seeks to give women access to healthy and safe abortions through an underground collective of women known as “Jane.”
Cast: Elizabeth Banks, Sigourney Weaver, Chris Messina, Kate Mara, Wunmi Mosaku, Cory Michael Smith
Premieres
Why it’s a must-see: A recurring theme this year, “timely.” Plus, that cast and the fact it’s somehow just Nagy’s second directorial outing since “Mrs. Harris” in 2005.
“FINAL CUT” (France)
Director and Screenwriter: Michel Hazanavicius
Festival synopsis: Things go badly for a small film crew shooting a low-budget zombie movie when they are attacked by real zombies.
Cast: Romain Duris, Bérénice Bejo, Grégory Gadebois, Finnegan Oldfield, Matilda Lutz, Raphaël Quenard
Premieres
Why it’s a must-see: The Oscar-winning director of “The Artist” has a new “comedy” about the making of a zombie movie that is attacked by real zombies and its premiering at…Sundance. Not Cannes, not Venice, but Sundance. It also has no domestic distribution. It’s either utterly amazing or an epic mess.
“Fire Of Love” (U.S.A.)
Director: Sara Dosa
Festival synopsis: Intrepid scientists and lovers Katia & Maurice Krafft died in a volcanic explosion doing the very thing that brought them together: unraveling the mysteries of volcanoes by capturing the most explosive imagery ever recorded. A doomed love triangle between Katia, Maurice and volcanoes, told through their archival footage.
U.S. Documentary Competition
Why it’s a must-see: Sure, it’s another found-footage doc, but in the word of one insider who’s seen it the result is something “spectacular.” How has NatGeo not acquired this one yet?
“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande” (U.K.)
Director: Sophie Hyde, Screenwriter: Katy Brand,
Festival synopsis: Nancy Stokes, a retired school teacher, is yearning for some adventure, and some sex. Good sex. And she has a plan: she hires a young sex worker named Leo Grande.
Cast: Emma Thompson, Daryl McCormack
Premieres
Why it’s a must-see: Is it the sort of prestige U.K. comedy that would charm older art-house audiences or is it something more? With Lionsgate holding UK rights we’re guessing the former, but with Thompson on board you know the screenplay has to be good.
“Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul” (U.S.A.)
Director and Screenwriter: Adamma Ebo
Festival synopsis: In the aftermath of a huge scandal, Trinitie Childs, the first lady of a prominent Southern Baptist megachurch, attempts to help her pastor husband, Lee-Curtis Childs, rebuild their congregation.
Cast: Regina Hall, Sterling K. Brown
Premieres
Why it’s a must-see: Based on Ebo’s short film of the same name, Hall, Brown, and Daniel Kaluuya’s involvement as a producer makes this one to earmark in your schedule.
“Resurrection” (U.S.A.)
Director and Screenwriter: Andrew Semans
Festival synopsis: Margaret’s life is in order. She is capable, disciplined, and successful. Soon, her teenage daughter, who Margaret raised by herself, will be going off to a fine university, just as Margaret had intended. Everything is under control. That is, until David returns, carrying with him the horrors of Margaret’s past.
Cast: Rebecca Hall, Tim Roth, Grace Kaufman, Michael Esper, Angela Wong Carbone
Premieres
Why it’s a must-see: You know who has great taste when it comes to picking roles in independent films? Rebecca Hall. If she chose this as her first on-screen role after directing “Passing,” well, at worst, the screenplay has got to be good.
“Sharp Stick” (U.S.A.)
Director and Screenwriter: Lena Dunham
Festival synopsis: Sarah Jo is a naive 26-year-old living on the fringes of Hollywood with her mother (longing for money) and sister (longing for exposure). She just longs to be seen. When she begins an affair with her older employer, she is thrust into an education on sexuality, loss and power.
Cast: Kristine Froseth, Jon Bernthal, Scott Speedman, Lena Dunham, Taylour Paige, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Premieres
Why it’s a must-see: I mean, it’s Lena Dunham’s first film since “Tiny Furniture” famously won over SXSW after being snubbed by (checks notes), oh yes, Sundance in 2010. Dunham is also on a bit of a cold street since her ’10s decade-defining series “Girls.” Will this constitute something of an industry comeback?
“We Need to Talk About Cosby” (U.S.A.)
Director: W. Kamau Bell
Festival synopsis: Can you separate the art from the artist? Should you even try? While there are many people about whom we could ask those questions, none pose a tougher challenge than Bill Cosby.
Premieres
Why it’s a must-see: It’s hard to imagine this subject matter not sparking significant controversy. Will be one of the most anticipated post-screening Q&As at the fest.
“When You Finish Saving the World” (U.S.A.)
Director and Screenwriter: Jesse Eisenberg
Festival synopsis: Evelyn and her oblivious son Ziggy seek out replacements for each other as Evelyn desperately tries to parent an unassuming teenager at her shelter, while Ziggy fumbles through his pursuit of a brilliant young woman at school.
Cast: Julianne Moore, Finn Wolfhard
Premieres
Why it’s a must-see: One of just two A24 titles at this year’s festival, Eisenberg’s feature directorial debut is produced by “SNL” veteran and “Brigsby Bear” director Dave McCary, Emma Stone and Moore. Unique collection of talent to say the least.
“FRESH” (U.S.A.)
Director: Mimi Cave Screenwriter: Lauryn Kahn
Festival synopsis: The horrors of modern dating seen through one young woman’s defiant battle to survive her new boyfriend’s unusual appetites.
Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sebastian Stan, Jojo T. Gibbs, Charlotte Le Bon, Andrea Bang, Dayo Okeniyi
Midnight
Why it’s a must-see: One of Edgar-Jones’ first projects since her breakout role in “Normal People” and she’s starring opposite the Winter Soldier himself? In a movie, Legendary Entertainment co-financed but hasn’t publicly locked down a distributor? With that talent? Our eyebrows are raised.
The 2022 Sundance Film Festival will take place both virtually and in Park City between January 20 and 30.