Trailer Blitz: Watch the Skies, Rust, Lilly, Dead Mail, Restless, Pavements and More
Here’s a list of movie trailers from the past few days that we didn’t get to until now.
It’s that time again—Welcome to Trailer Blitz!
As we continue doing our best to keep our readers informed about the many films heading to both the big screen and small screen in the coming months, we occasionally need to pull together a quick list of trailers we missed the first time around. So, scroll through, catch up, and enjoy!
“Watch the Skies” Trailer: New Swedish Sci-Fi Adventure Uses AI Technology to Create a Seamless English Dub — In Theaters May 9th
Okay, the idea of using AI technology for films and television has become a hot-button issue lately. But no matter how you feel about it, like it or not, AI is becoming an increasingly prevalent tool within the industry. And some might even say the genie is already out of the bottle—so, let’s see what individual artists can do with such a tool. Could there be anything positive that comes from such technology?
Well, here's a test subject: Watch the Skies.
On the surface, there’s nothing remotely questionable or suspicious. However, it is using state-of-the-art AI technology to help translate this Swedish sci-fi thriller into English, potentially helping its chances of breaking through to a wider, English-speaking market.
Look, a film purist might argue that the only true way to experience a movie is through its original presentation, and subtitles exist to help audiences who don’t speak the film’s original language. But we’re sure most people know someone in their own family, perhaps even their own parents, who refuse to watch foreign films unless there’s an English dubbed version.
And we all know, most of those dubbed versions are terribly bad, and sometimes even unintentionally hilarious. While the dubbing process has become more advanced in recent years — Netflix, for instance, has done a great job providing decent English dubs for their original content, we can't help but be extremely impressed with this new AI technology for dubbing. It's nearly unnoticeable, despite a few “rubbery lip” moments in this new U.S. trailer for Watch the Skies.
Just think of the possibilities—Hollywood would truly have to compete with a global cinema market. Now that would be an interesting future to see.
Directed by Swedish filmmaker Victor Danell, Watch the Skies is a Spielbergian-meets-Stranger Things action-adventure that follows a rebellious teenager (Inez Dahl Torhaug) who becomes convinced that her missing father (Jesper Barkselius) was abducted by aliens. Determined to uncover the truth, she teams up with a quirky UFO club made up of lovable misfits, and together they embark on a high-stakes journey to prove her theory right—and uncover something far bigger than they ever imagined.
Danell worked closely with the AI company Flawless to create an English dub that goes beyond traditional voiceovers. Using advanced digital AI manipulation, the actors’ faces and lips were digitally altered to match the English dialogue, making it appear as though they’re actually speaking English words instead of Swedish. To maintain authenticity, some of the main cast also provided their own English-language performances for the dub.
Watch the Skies will be released in U.S. theaters on May 9th.
“Rust” Trailer: Alec Baldwin Stars in Controversial Western Completed After On-Set Tragedy That Claimed the Life of Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins — In Theaters and on VOD May 2nd
This comes with a lot of emotional baggage and plenty of mixed feelings. Rust, the now-infamous western film, is primarily known for the tragic on-set shooting that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, a 42-year-old mother and rising talent behind the camera. The incident made global headlines, involving actor and producer Alec Baldwin, who accidentally discharged what he believed to be a prop gun. Unfortunately, it contained a live round, killing Hutchins and injuring the film's writer-director, Joel Souza.
The tragedy sparked, as it should, an important discussion about safety protocols on movie sets and who is ultimately responsible for ensuring these measures are in place. Now, four years after the incident and following a highly publicized criminal trial—which resulted in set armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed being sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter—the film has finally been completed.
There’s no denying the uncomfortable feeling surrounding the movie’s upcoming release. Some might view it as shameless and exploitative, seeing it as profiting from the tragedy and morbid curiosity. However, the filmmakers behind the western have assured that their intention was to honor the final work of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was just weeks away from completing the production. Fellow cinematographer Bianca Cline (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) was brought on to finish what Halyna had started.
Baldwin returned to finish his scenes, while actor Josh Hopkins was hired to play a new character, essentially filling the spot left by Jensen Ackles, who had to leave the production months prior to Halyna's death due to a scheduling conflict.
Also featuring Travis Fimmel, Frances Fisher, Jake Busey, and Devon Werkheiser in the cast, the film follows aging outlaw Harland Rust (Baldwin) as he comes out of hiding to rescue his thirteen-year-old nephew after he is caught and sentenced to hang for an accidental killing.
Rust is slated to hit theaters and VOD on May 2nd.
Side note: Hulu recently released a behind-the-scenes documentary titled Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna, directed and produced by Rachel Mason, a close friend of Halyna and her husband, Matt Hutchins. The documentary does a solid job of unpacking the events that led to the tragic incident, shedding light on a troubled production that was already plagued with serious issues weeks before the accidental shooting occurred. Last Take is now streaming on Hulu.
“Lilly” Trailer: Patricia Clarkson Fights for Equal Pay in This New Legal Drama Based on the True Story of Tire Factory Worker-Turned-Women's Rights Activist Lilly Ledbetter — In Theaters May 9th
Academy Award nominee and Emmy winner Patricia Clarkson is one of those hardworking actresses who has built a substantial career over the years, consistently proving her powerhouse talent, yet still deserving of far more recognition. From her roles in films and shows like Pieces of April, The Station Agent, The Green Mile, Six Feet Under, and Sharp Objects, we've always hoped Clarkson would be given more opportunity to shine. Well, Lilly, a new legal drama, just might be the role that allows Clarkson to rise to the occasion and impress us once again.
In this upcoming film, based on a true story, Clarkson stars as Lilly, an Alabama tire factory worker who spent nearly two decades enduring daily employment discrimination and sexual harassment by her co-workers and supervisors. Upon her retirement, she learns that she was paid considerably less than her male counterparts. Outraged, Lilly decides to take legal action against her company, leading to a groundbreaking legal case in the ongoing fight for equal pay and against pay discrimination.
The real-life Lilly Ledbetter became a prominent equal pay and women’s rights activist after her much-publicized legal battle against the Goodyear tire company, which ultimately resulted in the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. This landmark federal statute made it easier for employees to challenge ongoing pay disparities and strengthened protections against pay discrimination based on sex, race, national origin, age, religion, or disability.
Joining Patricia Clarkson in the cast is John Benjamin Hickey, Thomas Sadoski, and Josh McDermitt.
The film is written and directed by veteran television helmer Rachel Feldman, whose directing credits include episodes of such shows as Blue Bloods, The Rookie, Criminal Minds, and The Baxters.
Lilly is set to arrive in theaters on May 9th.
“Dead Mail” Trailer: A Blood-Stained Message Leads to a Deadly Chase in This 1980s Grindhouse Horror Thriller — Premieres April 18th on Shudder
If you’re under the assumption that experimental filmmaking and independent voices are dead in Hollywood, it might be time to take a look at the current horror film scene. You'll likely be pleasantly surprised by how much creativity and boundary-pushing is happening in the genre.
Case in point: Dead Mail, a retro-inspired horror thriller that delivers all the grindhouse vibes with an out-there premise, making it feel like we’re entering a new wave of midnight movies.
When a torn-up, blood-stained note reading “Help me, I've been kidnapped” lands in a Midwestern post office, the mysterious message is sent to the local “Dead Letter” investigator, a genius mailman tracker named Jasper (played by Tomas Boykin, from 3 from Hell). With the ability to track down any miscellaneous letter, no matter where it came from or how bad its condition is, Jasper takes on the case to find its origins. Little does he know, the ominous note was sent by a victim of a psychopath (John Fleck) who is actively trying to retrieve the blood-stained message, as it could be the very evidence the police need to capture and send him away for good. Jasper soon finds himself on a collision course with this madman. And it’s going to take more than just his tracking skills to survive this twisted cat-and-mouse game.
Set in the 1980s, complete with a retro synth score and a grainy VHS aesthetic, Dead Mail comes from the writing and directing team of Joe DeBoer & Kyle McConaghy, following their 2020 film debut BAB.
The film is produced by horror producer Roy Lee, who is currently on a hot streak with hits like Barbarian, Late Night with the Devil, Strange Darling, and Companion.
After a successful run on the festival circuit with mostly positive reviews, Dead Mail is now set to premiere on the horror streaming platform Shudder on April 18th.
“Restless” Trailer: A Nurse Faces Sleepless Nights as She's Forced to Live with a Scary Loud Neighbor in This British Psychological Thriller — Arrives on VOD/Digital May 23rd
Picture this nightmare scenario: you come home after a long day at work, tired and just wanting to make some dinner for yourself. Desperate for some rest and food in your belly, your tranquility is suddenly shattered by a loud ruckus from next door. The noise is coming from your inconsiderate neighbor, and he might as well be from hell.
Now, what do you do? Do you try to confront your neighbor yourself, call the police, or just hope the problem will work itself out on its own?
Now, what do you do if you're a mild-mannered woman who always comes home to loud music and violent screams from the wild parties your newly moved-in neighbor throws every night? You want to deal with the problem yourself, but you just don't have the mental bandwidth—especially when you have to wake up the next morning and go to your job as a caregiver.
Restless, a newly tightly wound British suspense thriller, explores this scenario, with English actress Lyndsey Marshal (The Hours, HBO's Rome) starring as a working-class nurse faced with this terrifying predicament. As each sleepless night piles on, she becomes more mentally and emotionally fragile, leading to a destructive confrontation she can't stop, even if she tried.
The thriller is written and directed by British filmmaker Jed Hart, best known for his acclaimed 2016 short Candy Floss, starring Barry Keoghan and Grace Hogg-Robinson. (You can watch the short film here.)
Co-starring Aston McAuley, Restless is set to be released on VOD and Digital platforms on May 23rd.
“Pavements” Trailer: Alex Ross Perry's Experimental Music Documentary Takes a Look at ‘90s Alternative Band Pavement with Joe Keery and Jason Schwartzman — In Theaters May 5th and 9th, Nationwide June 6th
Hey, any Gen-Xers out there? Well, this just might be something you want to learn more about. It's a Pavement documentary from acclaimed indie filmmaker Alex Ross Perry, known for Her Smell and Listen Up Philip.
Perhaps not as popular as grunge giants like Nirvana or Pearl Jam, but Pavement was a ‘90s indie alternative rock band that came out around the same time and generated a strong following among college misfits, long-haired slackers, and disaffected teenagers. Born out of Stockton, California, and featuring frontman Stephen Malkmus, who went on to become a celebrated artist in his own right, Pavement was the band your older brother or that guy behind the front desk at your local Tower Records loved to listen to and likely had a mixed tape playing in the background constantly. Despite the band's lack of mainstream airplay, their music, without a doubt, played a part in influencing the next wave of indie alternative rockers like Weezer, Blur, Deerhunter, and Animal Collective, just to name a few.
This new documentary, titled Pavements, takes a slightly satirical look at the band's history and legacy, with additional meta-staged reenactments of the band's origins featuring Stranger Things actor Joe Keery portraying a young Stephen Malkmus, while Jason Schwartzman plays Chris Lombardi, the founder of Matador Records who signed the band and oversaw their studio albums.
Part stage reenactment biography, part music documentary, part psychedelic concert film, part experimental meta-comedy ... well, we suppose this new film from Alex Ross Perry, Pavements, has a lot of parts. But it's all rock 'n' roll, baby!
Also featuring Tim Heidecker, Kathryn Gallagher, Michael Esper, Nat Wolff, Fred Hechinger, Logan Miller, Zoe Lister-Jones, and director Alex Ross Perry himself, Pavements will open in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on May 5th and May 9th, followed by a wider release on June 6th.
For more details, visit the film's official website at pavements.official.film.
“The Legend of Ochi” Featurette: Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Return of Practical Creature Effects in Writer-Director Isaiah Saxon’s Heartfelt Modern Fantasy — In Theaters April 25th
Tired of computer-generated characters in live-action films? Wondering why filmmakers don’t just bring back the magic of practical creature effects like they used to? Well, writer-director Isaiah Saxon gets it—and with The Legend of Ochi, he just might prove that old-school filmmaking is still the way to go.
Go behind the scenes in a brand-new featurette for The Legend of Ochi, Saxon’s upcoming modern fantasy adventure about a young girl (played by Helena Zengel) who discovers and befriends an injured baby Ochi—an ancient, feared mythical creature that, as it turns out, just wants a little love.
Think Gremlins meets E.T., but brought to life using cutting-edge puppetry and practical effects instead of CGI. With its heartfelt story and hand-crafted magic, The Legend of Ochi appears to be a love letter to the kind of creature features we don’t see nearly enough of anymore.
Watch the new behind-the-scenes featurette now—and catch The Legend of Ochi when it hits theaters on April 25th.
⇩ Additional Trailers:
“Seneca” Trailer: John Malkovich Stars as Roman Philosopher in Wild Historical Epic About Nero’s Betrayal — Available on VOD April 8th
John Malkovich takes on the role of Roman philosopher Seneca in this wildly imaginative historical epic, which centers on Emperor Nero’s betrayal of his once-trusted mentor and teacher. In a swirl of paranoia and excess, Nero accuses Seneca of plotting his assassination—and sentences him to death during a lavish, debauched party.
Up-and-comer Tom Xander stars as the unhinged Nero, with Geraldine Chaplin as Cecelia. The ensemble cast is rounded out by Andrew Koji, Mary-Louise Parker, Lilith Stangenberg, and the late Julian Sands in his final screen role. Directed by German-born filmmaker Robert Schwentke (The Captain, Red, Snake Eyes), Seneca will be released on VOD platforms on April 8.
“All the Lost Ones” Trailer: In a War-Torn America, Survival Means Choosing a Side in This Intense Post-Apocalyptic Thriller — In Theaters April 18th, VOD April 25th
America is torn apart by a devastating civil war, sparked by the unchecked consequences of climate change. The landscape is bleak, society fractured, and survival is far from guaranteed. In the midst of the chaos, a group of survivors seeks refuge in a remote cabin, trying to stay hidden from a violent rebel militia that now roams what's left of a war-ravaged nation.
Directed by Mackenzie Donaldson and starring Jasmine Mathews, Douglas Smith, Lochlyn Munro, Steven Ogg, and Devon Sawa, All the Lost Ones is a gritty post-apocalyptic thriller that asks a haunting question: when everything is on the line, what side do you choose? Hitting theaters on April 18th followed by VOD release on April 25th.
“This Place” Trailer: Res Dogs’ Devery Jacobs Stars in this New Sultry Coming-of-Age Drama About Identity, Love, and Cultural Heritage — Now Available on VOD
Reservation Dogs star Devery Jacobs plays a young transplant adjusting to life in the big city, where she sparks a budding romance with a sophisticated woman (played by Priya Guns) in the sultry coming-of-age drama This Place.
Directed by Canadian filmmaker V.T. Nayani, who co-wrote the script alongside Jacobs and writer Golshan Abdmoulaie, the film explores identity, love, and the complexities of cultural heritage through an intimate and emotionally charged lens. This Place is now available on VOD starting March 25th.
“Call of the Void” Trailer: A Woman Seeks Solitude After Tragedy, But Her Peace Is Shattered by Sinister College Students in This Psychological Thriller — Available on VOD April 15th
While reeling from her brother's untimely death, a woman retreats to a remote cabin deep in the woods in search of peace—but her plans are quickly upended by the arrival of a group of college students who may be far more sinister than they seem in this new psychological thriller Call of the Void.
Directed by James B. Cox and starring Caitlin Carver, Mina Sundwall, Richard Ellis, Ethan Herisse, and Christian Antidormi, this tense and atmospheric thriller arrives on VOD on April 15th.
“The King of Kings” Final Trailer: Kenneth Branagh Narrates the Life of Jesus in This New Animated Feature Film with Oscar Isaac as Jesus — In Theaters April 11th
Billed as the first biblical animated feature since 1998’s The Prince of Egypt, The King of Kings is based on The Life of Our Lord, an 1850s short story by famed English novelist Charles Dickens that recounts the life of Jesus of Nazareth.
Kenneth Branagh voices Charles Dickens, who serves as the film’s narrator. The story is framed around Dickens sitting down with his children to tell the story of Christ, with Oscar Isaac lending his voice to the role of Jesus.
Featuring a top-tier voice cast that includes Branagh, Isaac, Uma Thurman, Mark Hamill, Pierce Brosnan, Roman Griffin Davis, Forest Whitaker, and Ben Kingsley, this visually rich animated feature arrives in theaters on April 11th.