SXSW Curtain Raiser: Top 10 From SXSW
One of the biggest music and film festival, SXSW, is kicking off in a couple weeks in Austin, Texas, and FilmSlop will be there providing coverage! These are some of the movies we’re looking forward to that will be premiering at the festival and hopefully coming soon to a theater – or streaming service – near you.
The Fox - Making it’s North American debut, the film follows NIck (Jai Courtney), an affable and wealthy heir, discovers that his fiancée, Kori (Emily Browning), is cheating on him. One night he captures a talking fox, voice by Olivia Colman, who makes him a deal: let her live and she’ll fix his relationship. When Nick follows the fox’s advice, which is to push Kori down a magic hole, he gets what he wishes for. Despite appearing now as the perfect partner, Kori begins exhibiting some strange behaviors that have Nick questioning his decision. Premiering March 15th, 2026 at SXSW.
Hokum - In Damian McCarthy’s follow up to 2014’s Oddity, Adam Scott plays a horror novelist who visits a remote part of Ireland to scatter his parent’s ashes. The only problem is he unknowingly books an accommodation that’s rumored to be haunted. And it most likely is. Premiering March 14th, 2026 at SXSW and in theaters May 1st.
They Will Kill You - Zazie Beetz plays a woman who answers a cryptic ad for a housekeeping job in a luxurious New York City high-rise. She soon discovers residents of the building have been disappearing without a trace for decades, fueling rumors that a demonic cult is at work. Directed by Kirill Sokolov who is known for mixing visceral horror and humor. Premiering March 14th, 2026 at SXSW and in theaters March 27th.
Pretty Lethal - Vicky Jewson’s action thriller about a troupe of ballerinas stranded in a remote forest and take shelter at an unsettling roadside inn run by a former ballet prodigy. The dancers will have to stop competing with one another long enough to survive the night. Uma Thurman, Avantika, and Lana Condor star. The world premiere will be held at SXSW before streaming on Amazon Prime Video March 25th, 2026.
Wishful Thinking - Graham Parkes directs Lewis Pullman and Maya Hawke in this sci-fi comedy. Hawke and Pullman star as Julie and Charlie, respectively, a couple who are at a loss on who to fix their relationship. Julie is an ambitious game designer and Charlie is a struggling musician working in sound design. When they’re pushed by a friend to attend a couple’s therapy seminar run by twins who claim to fix relationships through energy work, their session triggers a karmic event that makes their relationship affect the world around them. With their volatility causing natural disasters, stock market crashes and international incidents, the couple has to decide whether their love can survive amidst the destruction. Premieres March 12th, 2026 at SXSW.
Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice - This sci-fi action comedy follows two gangsters (Vince Vaughn and James Marsden) who are in love with the same woman (Eiza González) embark on the most dangerous night of their lives. Somehow a time machine is involved. Premieres March 14th, 2026 at SXSW and drops on Hulu and Disney+ March 27th.
Your Attention Please - Big Tech’s impact on mental health is at the forefront of everyone’s minds these days. Sara Robin’s documentary puts the spotlight on parents, teens and concerned citizens who are fighting back and pursuing legislative reform to put a stop to the negative impacts of social media. Premieres March 12th, 2026 at SXSW.
Power Ballad - Once and Sing Street writer/director John Carney returns to the big screen with a new musical comedy which sees Paul Rudd as a wedding singer and Nick Jonas as a fading boy band star. The two bond one night over a late night jam sesh, but things quickly go south when Jonas’s Danny takes a song Rudd’s Rick wrote and turns it into the hit single that could revive his career. Premiering March 14th, 2026 at SXSW and in theaters June 5th.
A Safe Distance - In Gloria Mercer’s debut feature, Alex is abandoned in the wilderness by her boyfriend after she rejects his marriage proposal. She is rescued by an enigmatic couple who are seemingly living off the grid. As Alex befriends the couple and is drawn deeper into their world, the truth about them becomes clear: they’re wanted fugitives. Alex is forced to navigate the complicated feelings of desire and loyalty while also trying to survive. Premieres March 12th, 2026 at SXSW.
Brian - You may know Will Ropp from his acting roles in shows like FX’s hit comedy Adults or HBO Max’s The Sex Lives of College Girls. Ropp is making the transition to writer/director with his debut feature film. Starring Ben Wang (The Long Walk, Karate Kid: Legends) and William H. Macy, Brian follows the titular high schooler on his quest to become class president. That is if his unrequited crush on his teacher and pension for public meltdowns don’t get in the way. Premiering March 14th, 2026 at SXSW.
