As a cinephile with over three decades of movie-watching under my belt, I must say that the four films you’ve mentioned are truly gems hidden within the vast expanse of Netflix’s content library. Each one offers a unique blend of storytelling, acting, and emotion that would put many big-budget productions to shame.
Back in the ’90s, I had the fortune of meeting one of the legendary American movie producers from the past four decades – Lynda Obst. She was a powerhouse who kicked off her film career in the 80’s and went on to produce over a dozen hit movies. As I write this, she was 74 years old, having left us just a few months ago.
Ms. Obst was incredibly kind during our conversation about your coming-of-age story on competitive kayaking, but she dashed any hopes I had of her joining the project when she stated, “This is a potential two-million-dollar film. At present, I can’t even produce a movie for less than fifty million dollars.
For context, this is back when fifty million was considered a lot of money.
Low-budget entertainment can be some of the best entertainment on Netflix
In the film industry, a frequent challenge arises: producers aim for movies with reduced costs for potential higher profits. However, this isn’t always the case in practice. Instead, producers often seek the next blockbuster like ‘Barbenheimer,’ and if such a project requires hundreds of millions, they are prepared to invest that amount.
Absolutely, there’s always going to be innovative filmmakers ready to work in the realm of low-budget productions. Figures like Christine Vachon, Jason Blum, and the Duplass brothers have been instrumental in keeping independent cinema thriving for many years now.
Yet, it’s challenging for less renowned filmmakers to initiate projects without a striking element, as they may struggle to secure distribution once the movie is made, particularly without the financial resources of a production studio behind them.
Despite facing challenges, filmmakers continue to push forward, and every year, numerous low-budget movies manage to capture audiences’ attention. Today, we will explore four recent examples that you can stream on Netflix instantly. These films may not be completely unfamiliar – they feature some recognizable actors – but they all fall within the category of “low budget” productions. Three of them were produced for under $10 million each, while the fourth, being a period piece and therefore requiring higher costs, was made for slightly over $10 million.
As a gamer, I’m always on the hunt for games that offer an immersive storyline rather than just eye-catching graphics. While it’s true some low-budget films might not boast spectacular visual effects, they still manage to captivate me with compelling narratives and well-crafted characters. That said, it doesn’t mean these movies can’t have great looks too, but what truly makes them work is their engaging storytelling. They are, after all, just really good stories.
The Lost Daughter (2021)
Maggie Gyllenhaal made her directorial debut with the adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s novel “La Figlia Oscura,” which was published in 2006. In this gripping psychological thriller focusing on motherhood and past misdeeds, she wrote the screenplay and assembled an exceptional cast to bring it to life. Leading the ensemble is Olivia Coleman as the reserved and troubled Leda Caruso.
Leda is a solitary individual who chooses to spend time at a secluded Greek beach resort for solitude. However, her solitude is disrupted when she crosses paths with an energetic young mom named Nina (portrayed by Dakota Johnson). This interaction seems to stir a potentially harmful fascination within Leda. Throughout the movie, Gyllenhaal inserts scenes showing Leda as a young mother, grappling significantly with her maternal responsibilities.
In different moments, Leda shows compassion towards Nina but also disregards her. At times, she can be quite harsh, even cruel. Coleman’s portrayal as an actress is exceptional, managing to elicit both empathy and confusion from the audience regarding Leda’s shifting attitudes. Her performance is significantly enhanced by Jessie Buckley, who takes on the role of Leda in the flashback scenes.
In addition to Paul Mescal, Peter Sarsgaard, and Ed Harris, other notable cast members are Darius Gyllenhaal, Tom Coleman, and Greta Buckley. They each earned numerous accolades for their performances, and the film itself was honored with the Best Feature Film award at the Independent Spirit Awards. This movie offers a captivating exploration of a complex character, a flawed mother, whose story doesn’t follow the usual path you might anticipate. While it does contain melodramatic elements, it transcends typical “woman with a past” narratives by delving much deeper into the human condition.
Emily the Criminal (2022)
Aubrey Plaza has made four films, starting with “The Little Hours” from 2017. The latest one is “Emily the Criminal,” directed by John Patton Ford. All four movies are top-notch, showcasing Plaza’s unique humor and her knack for portraying young women’s lives, whether in contemporary or medieval settings.
The film “Emily the Criminal” shares similarities with Elizabeth Wood’s 2016 movie “White Girl” and elements reminiscent of “Breaking Bad.” It delves into the boundaries of criminal activity, examining what drives it and the dangers that come with participating. In this narrative, Aubrey Plaza portrays Emily, a shrewd individual struggling financially due to an unfortunate event from her past. When she encounters a chance to slightly bend the rules for monetary gain through fraudulent means, she decides to act on it.
As my charismatic, shrewd guide, Youcef (Theo Rossi), nudges me forward, I find myself drawn further and further into a world of illicit activities. At first, I was hesitant and petrified, but soon enough, I displayed an uncanny knack for navigating the treacherous waters of danger. The violence occasionally erupts, yet the compelling portrayals of characters grappling with their dreams amidst insurmountable obstacles keeps me hooked, fueling both the action and suspense.
His Three Daughters (2024)
Azazel Jacob’s tale could have easily become overly sentimental, yet it skillfully avoids clichés. Three sisters living in a New York apartment, each anticipating their father’s passing, reopening old scars and stirring up feelings of nostalgia and rage. The story has the potential to be tear-jerking, but instead, Jacob’s exceptional writing and the impressive performances by his actresses keep it from falling into trite territory.
Carrie Coon plays Katie, the pragmatic sister who finds herself compelled to face the harsh truth of their father’s impending death, despite having had minimal involvement with him throughout his life. A significant portion of the story revolves around her attempting to write his obituary and expressing frustration over her sisters’ perceived shortcomings.
Elizabeth Olsen portrays Christina, a typical middle child juggling responsibilities at home, frequently attempting to prevent her siblings from engaging in destructive squabbles. Natasha Lyonne takes on the role of Rachel, a stepdaughter who grapples with feelings of insecurity regarding her family position, despite being the one who has been caring for their father.
All three individuals will experience a sudden realization (epiphany) and an explosion of some sort. Over time, they’ll understand their relationships with each other better. The movie is filled with unexpected humor, often targeting Angel, the hospice caregiver who remains calm throughout, reminding them that their father might pass away at any moment.
The heartfelt and comedic tone of “His Three Daughters ” closely resembles the TV show “Somebody Somewhere,” both centered around sisters dealing with a family member’s passing. “His Three Daughters” skillfully avoids sentimentality, keeping the narrative intriguing and engaging until its heartwarming finale.
Wicked Little Letters (2024)
In “The Lost Daughter,” Olivia Coleman and Jessie Buckley never appeared together on screen because they portrayed the same character from different eras. Contrarily, in “Wicked Little Secrets,” a wickedly amusing comedy revolving around scandalous anonymous letters that could potentially ruin the 1920s town of Littlehampton, both actors share the screen. This is the most affordable film among those being discussed, with a budget slightly over ten million dollars primarily due to its period setting, which demands extra funds for costumes, sets, and props.
In Thea Sharrock’s third film, the mystery element isn’t fully exploited; you might figure out who’s sending the letters quite early on, and she unveils it roughly at the halfway mark. However, the “whodunit” is not the main focus. Instead, the movie delves into judgmental societies that restrict women, forcing them into predefined societal roles.
Buckley is Rose Gooding, a lively, profane young woman who isn’t married but has a child and is in an interracial relationship. This situation irritates her elderly neighbor Edith Swan (Coleman), who lives under the oppressive influence of a harsh father figure played by Timothy Spall.
It’s commonly believed in the town that Rose is the one sending offensive letters, which initially targeted Edith but later reached others as well. If Rose can’t clear her name, she stands to lose her daughter and her liberty. The situation is serious, yet there are numerous humorous instances throughout the story.
Indeed, the theme central to Henri-Georges Clouzot’s 1943 film, “Le Corbeau,” is strikingly similar. However, in that movie, it serves as a chilling metaphor for the tyranny of mob mentality during World War II. Conversely, “Wicked Little Lies” offers a more enjoyable narrative experience while still tackling the deeper themes of prejudice and power, which form the foundations of its storyline.
As a point of fact, the last film produced by Lynda Obst was Christopher Nolan’s 2014 science fiction blockbuster “Interstellar,” which had an approximate budget of $165 million. I found it to be quite captivating. In comparison, these four movies may not have the same grandeur, but they are equally engaging and enjoyable, with a combined cost that is significantly lower than $25 million.
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2024-12-16 14:04