Sundance Film Festival 2022: Another fresh year for the Sundance film festival as it continues to grow even bigger each in the dawn of each year. This year the festival is starting from January 20 and will end on January 30. From 2021 to 2022, the Sundance program has increased its number of films from 72 to 81. This year the film festival was scheduled to take place in hybrid mode including both in-person and virtual screenings. But the increasing transmission of the Omicron variant is compressing the whole festival in only digital mode keeping in mind the safety protocols.
But not to worry, as live every year the festival is bringing out some of the best films throughout the world to make them breath in the crowd of viewers. From sci-fi thriller to satirical comedy and lots of indie movies and debut features there is something for almost everyone in this festival. Choosing from this long and very competitive list of 82 films, 75 of which are world premiere, we’ve narrowed down the list of most anticipated movies from the Sundance film festival to ten movies.
Let’s have a look at the Sundance Film Festival 2022 Best Movies to Watch
The Worst Person in the World-
Slash FilmPremiere: January 20
Show: January 22- January 23
A in-depth look at the life of Julie, a young woman as she looks for the right path of her life that will lead to a happy future. This film offers an intelligent and brilliant outlook of life as it unfolds with all its essential complications. The honest depiction of a young woman’s journey tk find herself and lose even more on the way is outstanding. The stunning performance from Renate Reinsve in the role of Julie and the amazing visual presentation are the jewels of the movie that sparkle the most. ‘The Worst Person in the World’ brings to an end director Joachim Trier’s Oslo trilogy.
When You Finish Saving the World-
IndieWirePremiere: January 20
Show: January 22- January 23
Director Jesse Eisenberg runs his debut by this film. It focuses on the struggling relationship between a mother and a son as they try to connect with each other. The mother, Evelyn runs a shelter for domestic abuse survivors and her son Ziggy performs folk music and tries to impress his classmates through it. Finn Wolfhard, famous for starring in ‘Stranger Things‘ is playing the role of Ziggy and the brilliant Julianne Moore can be seen in the role of Evelyn. This complicate story of a family that sometimes bends convention is among the most interesting films of the festival this year.
Master-
IndieWirePremiere: January 21
Show: January 23- January 24
A horror film intersected with the real horror of racism. Without the horror genre Sundance film festival is incomplete. This films central characters are three women trying to fit in an elite New England University when a supernatural force begins to emerge. Another debut feature of this festival ‘Master’ is written and directed by Mariana Diallolt who was made one of Variety’s 10 Directors to watch for her previous work. The central cast include Regina Hall, Zoe Renee, and Talia Ryder elevating the curiosity that has been building around the film.
Something in the Dirt-
IMDbPremiere: January 23
Show: January 25- January 26
Trip to the supernatural realm continues with acclaimed indie filmmakers Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson and their new film ‘Something in the Dirt‘. A supernatural force is found out that can bring fame to two neighbours but as they delve deeper in the plot a darker force lurking under the city challanges their friendship. Filmaholics who have not forgot ‘The Endless’ from Moorhead and Benson duo will treat this film as a must watch.
After Yang-
IMDbPremiere: January 21
Show: January 23- January 24
Video essayist turned director Kogonada’s debut ‘Columbus’ was a masterpiece of outstanding command of visuals and tone. The unique film offered a soul-shattering look into two characters and now he is back with another promising project ‘After Yang’. A father and a daughter try to save the life of a beloved robotic family member whose name is Yang. This science fiction movie stars Colin Farrell and Jodie Turner-Smith as the father daughter duo and is already premiered at Cannes for critical acclamation.
Cha Cha Real Smooth-
Premiere: January 23
Show: January 25- January 26
Another film coming from a filmmaker (Cooper Raiff) whose first film makes this second one (‘Shithouse’) a must watch and a hope to experience a mixture of humor and emotion. A college graduate gets into a relationship with a young mother and her daughter while taking a new job of a bar mitzvah party-singing gig. Starring in this film are Raiff himself and the fascinating Dakota Johsnon.
Dual-
The Austin ChroniclePremiere: January 22
Show: January 24- January 25
A sci-fi film that evolves round a woman named Sarah suffering from a terminal illness. She makes a clone to support her friends and family after her death. But when she does not die what happens as two Sarah-s compete to keep on living in the world? Directed by Riley Stearns, this film is starred by Karen Gillan and Aaron Paul.
A Love Song-
IndieWirePremiere: January 20
Show: January 22- January 23
This debut of director Max Walker-Silverman stars undervalued actress and actor like Dale Dickey and Wes Studi. The films centres an elderly couple who try to reconnect in wilderness. This movie seems to promise an interior look of characters as the couple wrestles with passing time and desire.
Emily the Criminal-
SlashFilmPremiere: January 24
Show: January 26- January 27
After almost a decade since John Patton Ford’s short film ‘Patrol’, ‘Emily the Criminal’ is ending our long waiting. Aubrey Plaza is playing the role of the titular Emily. The protagonist in this film is a young woman who is crushed by student debt and desperately takes frightening means to survive. A multi layered actress like Plaza is sure to enhance the film’s depth.
Watcher-
DeadlinePremiere: January 21
Show: January 23- January 24
This film features a young woman who, with her fiancé, has recently moved to a new apartment. But creepiness begins to creep in when she feels that she’s being stalked by an unknown watcher. In this debut film of Chole Okuno is starring as the protagonist the familiar face from ‘It Follows’ and ‘The Guest’ Maika Monroe.
