Fueled by the hope of escaping her dreary suburban life, a misunderstood teen entertains the increasingly sinister advances of an Internet acquaintance. A stylish and self-assured melange of high and low art, “The Follower,” directed by Stephanie Szerlip, tracks the excitement and danger of a 16-old-year girl drifting away from childhood innocence. After posting a photo on Instagram that her mother considers risqué, Sophie is punished and not allowed to attend a barbecue party. That’s just fine with her — it leaves her home alone to drink wine and sunbath in the yard listening to music. That’s when Jimmy Flowers enters the picture, a face-scarred cool kid in a leather jacket that shows up driving a decommissioned cop car to flirt with Sophie (while his damaged friend stays in the car with his pet raccoon). When the exchange turns a bit dark, Sophie starts to backpedal, but she’s in a vulnerable spot and brimming with mixed feelings. A riff on the 1966 Joyce Carol Oates story, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”
Jess is alone in Tarpon Springs, Florida on Christmas Eve. “Storms Named After People,” directed by Sarah Ballard, is a poetic glimpse into the headspace and disaffection of a young woman skulking around a small tourist town avoiding her father. She tries to delay and defer — instead of returning...
Two friends enjoying a night to themselves realize they're not the only ones in the apartment. “Mean Spirit,” directed by Nick Funess, is a darkly funny snapshot of gossiping pals, bad roommates and getting caught in an awkward situation. While drinking wine one night, one of the friends, played ...
A queer sci-fi about 10 aliens in human host bodies learning how to be men. Profound and strangely funny. Directed by Joseph Sackett. Julian Cihi, Will Seefried, Marchánt Davis, Vasile Flutur, Colby Minifie.
