Even though the Sundance Film Festival [1] looked entirely different than it has before, its virtual program for 2021 still had oodles of features for audiences [2] to delve into. Out of 14,000 submissions, 74 features from all over the world were chosen to present at the virtual festival. And out of the eclectic mix of animation, documentaries, limited series, and films that were featured, we've listed our top 10 selections [3]. Whether you're into horror, drama, or Nicholas Cage, there's something here for you. Check out our 2021 Sundance highlights ahead!
Censor
"Censor is an ode to the 'video nasty' era in the UK when '80s society was certain that low-budget horror and exploitation films were the source of all their woes. In the movie, Niamh Algar stars as Enid, a video censor whose own trauma is brought to the forefront by a film from the archives. What follows is a slow descent into madness as she tries to discover the 'truth' of her sister's disappearance and gets sucked into the world of a seemingly sadistic director. Not all is what it seems in the movie, and while you may think you see the ending coming, it switches on its head in the last moments, and you're left wondering what you just watched — but in a good way." — Grayson Gilcrease, celebrity & entertainment assistant editor
Flee
"I've never seen a documentary done the way Flee is, and rather than distracting from the story, it makes an impact in another way. Amin's story is intense, terrifying, and heartbreaking, but it's also a story of perseverance and hope, which can be hard to have but especially hard during a time of turmoil. It's definitely a must-see." — Mekishana Pierre, celebrity & entertainment associate editor
How It Ends
"It's the end of the world as we know it, but Zoe Lister-Jones and Cailee Spaeny are feeling fine. Liza and her inner child take on Los Angeles by foot and tie up the loose ends of their life before a meteor strikes. Directed and written by Lister-Jones and her husband Daryl Wein, this comedy approaches the apocalypse without panic. Instead, the introspective movie provides a look at the end with much-needed levity and plenty of standout celebrity cameos." — Karenna Meredith, trending news associate editor
Together Together
"There's something about a story where two people find family with each other that warms my heart. Ed Helms is that fatherly mix of annoying and awkward, and Pattie Harrison is his perfect foil, with a yearning for belonging that she masterfully balances with general disdain for people. (It's giving me lots of Aquarius vibes). It's a beautiful film with an uncertain ending that makes me hope for everyone." — Mekishana Pierre, celebrity & entertainment associate editor
Marvelous and the Black Hole
"Marvelous and the Black Hole is a magical coming of age film from director Kate Tsang. Sammy, an angsty teen dealing with her mother's untimely death, befriends Margot, a children's magician. Their unlikely bond gives Sammy an outlet for her anger, and it's a joy to watch Miya Cech's standout performance." — Karenna Meredith, trending news associate editor
Passing
"There are layers to the allure of Passing. It's not a perfect film, but it has two of the most powerful performances from Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson that make the film worth viewing, even if you haven't read the book. The story never quite answers the questions that the relationship between Negga's Clare and Thompson's Irene strike up. We can assume that Clare was using her reconnection with Irene as a gateway to her Blackness, but was she also trying to get closer to the other woman because she loved her? Was she hoping to replace her in her marriage? Or, did she not even know what she wanted? Sometimes it feels like there's too much nuance in the film to cover up for an inability to understand the motivations of each character, but nonetheless, I was captivated for every moment." — Mekishana Pierre, celebrity & entertainment associate editor
On the Count of Three
"Director Jerrod Carmichael somehow finds the right tonal balance for what is essentially a dark buddy comedy surrounding a suicide pact with On the Count of Three. When Val decides to end things, he doesn't want to go it alone and busts his best friend, Kevin, out of a mental health facility. What follows is the pair spending their supposed last day together doing things they never would've done in their 'normal' lives. It's a tough movie to watch and both Christopher Abbott and Carmichael are standouts in both their chemistry and ability to emote. What also stuck with me is actors typically known for their comedic chops, like J.B. Smoove, Tiffany Haddish, Lavell Crawford, and Henry Winkler, didn't feel out of place when the tone shifted." — Grayson Gilcrease, celebrity & entertainment assistant editor
Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
"I really wish I could have experienced Summer of Soul in theaters. I just know that it would have been a lively experience for Black folks in their seats, and we would have had a party." — Mekishana Pierre, celebrity & entertainment associate editor
Prisoners of the Ghostland
"I've always been drawn to the outlandish or ridiculous, and Sion Sono's Prisoners of the Ghostland is one of the wildest movies I think I've ever had the pleasure of watching. Part Spaghetti Western, part post-apocalyptic rescue mission, the film is some of Nicolas Cage [5]'s best work in the past decade. Complemented by a cast including horror icon Bill Moseley, Sofia Boutella, Tak Sakaguchi, and The Notebook's Nick Cassavetes, Cage stars as a criminal tasked with rescuing a warlord's granddaughter from a desert wasteland to earn his freedom." — Grayson Gilcrease, celebrity & entertainment assistant editor
One For the Road
"I wish there was a way I could fully articulate how deeply poignant Baz Poonpiriya's One For the Road is. It's a story of loss, yearning, love, family, and regret, and it's one that aches so deeply, you physically feel it. You don't learn much about the friendship between Aood (Ice Natara) and Boss (Tor Thanapob) until later, but there's a heaviness in their relationship that's clear from the beginning. As they commence their road trip we zigzag around the world from New York to Thailand as the story of Aood and Boss unfolds. The narrative is gripping, it's affecting, and it strikes the perfect balance between sad and hopeful. It is an absolute must-see." — Mekishana Pierre, celebrity & entertainment associate editor