"Fischer, Surfer, Rick and Morty": What to Watch in Cinemas and at Home in May
May Film Premiers: A Refreshed Look
Step into the world of entertainment this May as we embark on thrilling journeys, meet captivating characters, and experience the unimaginable in these groundbreaking premieres. Get ready to dive into the captivating and the macabre, the comical and the profound - May is packed with excitement!
In Cinemas
"Legends of Our Ancestors" - 12+, from May 1st
A journalist from Yekaterinburg (Alexander Yazenko) embarks on a mission to an isolated Siberian village to uncover an ancient folklore about a forest spirit responsible for the disappearance of mystical beings. Upon his return to the city, he starts questioning his sanity as he encounters the very spirit he had been seeking. Joined by his daughter visiting from Moscow, he ventures back to the tundra to confront the the entity demanding his assistance. This film blends folklore, fantasy, and adventure shot in remote areas of Siberia with professional ethnographers.
"Surfer" - 18+, from May 1st
Academy Award-winning actor Nicholas Cage returns to his native Australia to reconnect with his estranged son. Instead of reconciliation, he confronts a local gang of surfers who claim ownership of a secluded beach. As the conflict escalates into survival battles, the protagonist finds himself alone against an entire group. "Surfer" was directed by Lorcan Finnegan, the creator of "Vivarium," and was showcased at Cannes 2024 in the Midnight Screenings section.
"How to Make a Fortune from a Murder" -18+, from May 15th in theaters
Pier, a shy accountant, finds his life with his wife Juliet stagnant. All that changes when he accidentally hits and kills two men on a country road. Inside their trunk, he discovers two cadavers coated in honey and a suitcase filled with €2 million. Just as things start looking up, a bear appears.
A French black comedy with elements of thriller and absurdism, "How to Make a Fortune from a Murder" stars Frank DuBosc and Lor Calami. While the film's title alludes to the American franchise "How to Get Away with Murder," the storyline is entirely unique.
"True Friend" - 18+, from May 15th
Airs, a writer portrayed by Leslie Mann, receives an unexpected inheritance from a deceased friend - a massive dog named Apollo. Apollo wreaks havoc on her well-organized life, causing conflicts with neighbors and nearly getting her evicted. With each walk, however, Apollo serves as a reflection of her own lost connections. This emotional drama with comedic elements is based on a true story published in The New Yorker.
"The Javanetzki Film" - 18+, from May 15th
This documentary-fiction film explores the life of Mikhail Javanetzky, a writer, satirist, and man of his era. The narrative unfolds through archival recordings, rare interviews, and dramatized renderings of his writings. Notable contributors to the project include Alexander Vasilyev, Leonid Yarmolnik, Ksenia Rappoport, and others whose lives were impacted by Javanetzky's monologues. The film focuses not just on his work but also the cultural context in which it was created.
"Ganzel and Gretel: Mission "Sleeping Beauty" - 12+, from May 22nd
When the Kingdom is plunged into chaos by a mysterious enchantress's curse on the Princess, special agents Gretel and Ganzel from the Department of Magical Safety are brought in to save the day. Alongside the Prince Ragнар, they embark on a mission through enchanted lands, from the lair of witches to Dracula's castle.
This animated adventure comedy for the entire family is filled with humor, action, and fantastical twists. Voiced by actors from "Shrek" and "How to Train Your Dragon."
"Nezha 2" - 18+, from May 29th
The sequel to the Chinese animation hit "Nezha: The Rebirth of the Red Boy." The heroes fight to restore their bodies after rescuing their souls. A group of legendary artifacts come into play, including the Seven-colored Lotus, which can alter predetermined fate.
"Nezha 2" set a record, earning over $2 billion - more than "The Avengers: Endgame." Its animation rivals Pixar's, and the story combines ancient myths with elements of science fiction.
Parallel Distribution
"Thunderbolts" (Thunderbolts), 18+, expected
The latest Marvel Cinematic Universe film brings together some of the most enigmatic characters: Ghost, Red Guardian (David Harbor), U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell), Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), and Black Widow (Florence Pugh). These morally ambiguous heroes are forced to work together under the orders of governing authorities, taking on dangerous "dirty" jobs.
The plot promises a darker, more grounded tone compared to classic Marvel films. Critics praise the film, with many highlighting that the studio can still craft intelligent and emotional stories without sacrificing humor, action, and explosions. The focus on character development and interpersonal relationships is crucial to the movie's success.
On the Small Screen
"Eguideon" - second season, 18+, release date unknown
In the second season of the Russian thriller, Detective Evgueni Bokov (Ivan Yankovsky) continues investigating a series of serial killings in the 90s. The setting has been moved to the South of Russia, where Bokov and his partner Valeri Kozhev (Alexander Yazenko) help a local detective uncover the identity of a pyromaniac arsonist who sets fire to young women's bodies.
"Lesson" - 18+, release date unknown
Former rock musician Anton (Yury Borisov) receives an unexpected condition to inherit his estate: he must work as a teacher for a year. He reluctantly agrees and launches a non-standard special course for high school students, which quickly evolves into an emotional experiment.
The series balances drama, satire, and thriller, showcasing the complex characters of the students and faculty. Borisov again demonstrates his range, from a confused anti-hero to an inspiring guide.
"The Walking Dead: Dead City" - second season, 18+, starts May 4th
This series focuses on two characters from the original Walking Dead universe - Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Maggie (Loren Cohen), who relocate to New York City. The first season spin-off aired in 2023, two years after the main cast's adventures.
The series offers a fresh perspective on the franchise, featuring more confined spaces, unconventional locations (subways, rooftops, elevators), and complicated relationships within the main duo. The story is about adversaries who become unlikely allies, but trust is a luxury that few can afford.
"Poker Face" - second season, 16+, starts May 8th
Charlie Keil, portrayed by Natasha Lyonne, is a woman with a unique ability to detect lies. After a conflict with influential figures, she goes into hiding and encounters a new case in each episode while theatre-hopping.
The format is reminiscent of classic detective shows like "Columbo": the crime has already occurred, and we watch as Keil pieced together the evidence. Directed by Rian Johnson (creator of "Knives Out"), the series is a triumph of style, charisma, and unconventional plot structure.
"Love, Death, and Robots" - fourth season, 18+, starts May 15th
The fourth season of this Netflix animation anthology continues to explore the future, both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Each episode is a self-contained mini-movie with its own unique style, themes, and genres: from tragedy to comedy, surrealism to realism. In the fourth season, expect 10 more episodes.
In the teaser trailer from Netflix, we see various scenes featuring gladiatorial battles with dinosaurs, giant robot infants, and diverse apocalyptic scenarios.
"Killer Bot" - 16+, starts May 16th
Based on Martha Wells' book series, the titular protagonist (played by Alexander Skarsgard) is a security droid who has hacked his own programming and become a self-aware being. His main goal is to watch movies and TV shows, but troublesome events keep getting in the way.
"Nine Strangers" - second season, 18+, starts May 21st
The first season introduced audiences to Russian guru Martha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman), who promised to change the lives of nine people. In the second season, a new set of characters and their stories unfolds. Each episode plunges viewers into the internal world of a participant, building tension episode by episode. The project is based on a novel by Liane Moriarty, author of "Big Little Lies."
"Rick and Morty" - eighth season, 18+, starts May 25th
The adventures of genius-yet-chaotic scientist Rick and his grandson Morty continue in new episodes. The series retains its signature humor, absurd ideas, and philosophical discussions. The eighth season includes episodes with references to John Carpenter, Dostoevsky, and TikTok. The creators promise more plot arcs for Evil Morty and the resolution of the mystery behind Beth's disappearance. A fantastic reason to return to the series or discover it for the first time!
"And Just Like That" - third season, 18+, starts May 29th
The third season of the Sex and the City sequel will feature 12 episodes. The storyline follows Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda Hobbs (Cynthia Nixon), and Charlotte York (Christine Davis) as they navigate new challenges and changes in their lives, love, and friendships in their 50s. Zrisiteleĭ can expect a blend of nostalgia and contemporary themes, exploring self-definition, maturity, and personal growth in New York City.
- In "Ganzel and Gretel: Mission 'Sleeping Beauty'," special agents Gretel and Ganzel are brought in to save the day when the Kingdom is plunged into chaos by a mysterious enchantress's curse on the Princess.
- "Lesson" is a series that features former rock musician Anton who, after receiving an unexpected condition to inherit his estate, work as a teacher for a year. The series showcases his non-standard special course for high school students.
- The fourth season of "Love, Death, and Robots" continues to explore the future, featuring various self-contained mini-movies with unique styles, themes, and genres.
- In "Thunderbolts," morally ambiguous heroes Ghost, Red Guardian, U.S. Agent, Winter Soldier, and Black Widow are forced to work together under the orders of governing authorities, taking on dangerous "dirty" jobs. The film recently received critical praise for its darker, more grounded tone compared to classic Marvel films.
