The 2023 Tribeca Film Festival is set to host 109 feature films from 127 filmmakers across 36 countries, with 93 world premieres, one international premiere, eight North American premieres, one U.S. premiere, and six New York premieres. The festival will begin on June 7th and run through to the 18th. We pulled some of the most anticipated films and listed them below, along with links to their screenings — make sure to stay close to this website as we continue to cover the festival here and on social.
Downtown Owl
Life in a small town is always hard, but what about a small town that’s about to be hit with a once-in-a-lifetime snowstorm? That’s what the citizens of Owl, North Dakota are about to experience in the winter of 1984. This snowstorm – and the leadup to it – brings together three very different people: nostalgic football fan Horace (Ed Harris), newbie teacher Julia (Lily Rabe), and depressed quarterback Mitch (August Blanco Rosenstein).Rabe teams up with her real-life husband, Hamish Linklater, to adapt Chuck Klosterman’s acclaimed 2008 novel for the duo’s directorial debut. Thanks to Linklater’s script and an ensemble cast that includes Henry Golding and a delightfully out-of-type Vanessa Hudgens, Downtown Owl harkens back to the anxieties and isolation of Reagan-era Middle America while looking towards a better future. Equal parts contemplative drama and quirky comedy, this unlikely crowd-pleaser proves that sometimes, the people you need most in your life are the people you’d least expect.––Jarod Neece
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Eric LaRue
Michael Shannon directs an adaptation of Brett Neveu’s 2002 play about a mother coping with the fallout after her son murders three of his high school classmates. Janice (Judy Greer) is struggling; she moves through life as if in a haze, unable to let go of her anger and frustration. While her husband (Alexander Skarsgård) has found refuge at a new church, Janice finds it hard to seek solace in her faith despite her pastor’s pleas to heal her wounds by meeting with the mothers of her son’s victims. As Janice ponders what that meeting could achieve for her and her community, Eric LaRue asks audiences to witness the frayed emotional ripples that violent acts can engender.
Anchored by Greer’s deeply arresting performance, Shannon’s directorial debut grapples head-on with frustratingly timely conversations about who deserves our compassion and grace. Standout supporting turns by Tracy Letts and Alison Pill, who capture a subtly unnerving vision of spiritual fanaticism, stress the film’s interest in complicating facile views of atonement and forgiveness in light of such tragedies.––Manuel Betancourt
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Rather
Frank Marshall’s incisive documentary is a long-overdue tribute to an icon of journalism, a late-in-life Twitter superstar, a father, husband, and a voice of reason, compassion, and brilliance: Dan Rather. To older generations, his name may be synonymous with quality journalism and stalwart diplomacy, but to younger audience members unfamiliar with his career, Rather provides the opportunity to travel back in time through his remarkable experiences and sharp-witted commentary.
From his days embedded in the Vietnam War to his on-the-ground coverage of JFK’s assassination to his presence at the foot of the Berlin Wall as it fell, Dan Rather has reported on an astonishing number of iconic moments in history. Now, as a 92-year-old reflecting on seven decades of service and looking to the future of democracy, we meet a man freed from the auspices of any overarching network or deadline — a big-hearted human fueled by a tireless work ethic and dedication to the truth. Sprinkled with deadpan humor and often with a tear in his eye, Rather narrates the stories that define both him as a person and our nation’s alternately shameful and celebratory recent past.––Liza Domnitz
Trailer: View here.
He Went That Way
Zachary Quinto and Jacob Elordi star in this wicked take on the buddy road trip. In 1964 along Route 66, a 19-year-old serial killer Bobby (Elordi) finds himself needing a ride, but is devoid of options. His luck soon changes when he’s picked up by a celebrity animal handler, Jim (Quinto), who’s trekking along the great American highway with priceless cargo in tow: his chimpanzee, Spanky — an American TV darling. Bobby just wants to make it to his destination, while Jim and Spanky have goals of their own. As stress between them rises and their fiery personalities combust, the road only becomes more treacherous the farther they go.
This film is as much about a found family as it is a volatile crime drama centered on a serial killer and his captives on the road. Quinto and Elordi draw the audience in with their captivating chemistry as both performances bring out stark revelations about Jim and Bobby, and the difficulty of walking with kindness while navigating a brutal world.––Casey Baron
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John Early: Now More Than Ever
In his first HBO hour-long comedy special, actor and comedian John Early (Max’s Search Party) brings his unique blend of cutting commentary, pop star swagger, and all-around loveable personality to Brooklyn’s Roulette Intermedium. Shot in the style of a gritty 1970s rock documentary, Early’s standup set is intercut with tantalizing covers of artists such as Britney Spears and Neil Young, interspersed with riotous backstage footage. Featuring the comedian’s loyal band the Lemon Squares, John Early: Now More Than Ever explores the unbearable ordeal of modern life through Early’s signature playful pastiche – and plenty of explosive musical numbers.
Trailer
Maggie Moore(s)
Maggie Moorie(s) is a wonderfully twisted dark comedy that takes the audience on an unexpected journey through a seemingly ordinary small desert town. In this quirky locale, a bizarre series of events unfold as two women who share the same name are murdered just days apart. Police chief Jordan Sanders (Jon Hamm) is determined to solve the mystery of the murders while simultaneously grappling with the challenges of his tumultuous personal life. Tina Fey delivers a captivating, memorable performance as the nosy neighbor whose curiosity gets the better of her as she inadvertently becomes entangled with Hamm’s character.
John Slattery‘s directorial prowess shines in this unique blend of crime, humor, and romance. While comparisons to the Coen brothers’ work are inevitable given the film’s darkly comedic tone and offbeat characters, Slattery’s vision sets it apart as a refreshingly original take on the genre. The film’s stellar cast, engaging plot, and Slattery’s deft directorial hand create a cinematic experience that will keep audiences entertained until the end.––Jarod Neece
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Blood for Dust
Director Rod Blackhurst, winner of the 2016 Tribeca Audience Award for Here Alone, returns with a crime thriller about how far one man will go to provide for his family. Cliff (Scoot McNairy), a down-at-luck traveling salesman, loses his job before an opportunity presents itself by way of his old colleague, Ricky (Kit Harington). He is rightly hesitant but, running out of options, has no choice but to take Ricky up on the offer. He soon discovers he will be running drugs and guns across state lines for cartel leader John (Josh Lucas). During what should have been an easy assignment, Ricky shows his true colors, throwing both himself and Cliff into a fight for survival.
Blood for Dust utilizes each of its main actors to their highest potential. McNairy brings a humanity to Cliff and we can’t help being on his side the whole way. Josh Lucas has never been scarier, and Kit Harrington gives a career-best performance — viewers will be stunned by his onscreen persona. Blackhurst has crafted a unique film that gets to the heart of one man, and with outstanding mise-en-scène, this is a film you won’t soon forget.––Paul Struthers
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The Miracle Club
The Miracle Club is a heartwarming film that follows the story of close friends Lily (Maggie Smith), Eileen (Kathy Bates), and Dolly (Agnes O’Casey) from Ballyfermot, a hard-knock community in Dublin, Ireland. When the opportunity arises for the women to win a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, they jump at the chance. With their priest’s help, the women win the trip and embark on a journey that will change their lives. Once in Lourdes, the women are tasked with helping the sick and disabled pilgrims who come to bathe in the town’s healing springs. As they work, they reflect on their lives and search for personal miracles. However, when they are joined by Chrissie (Laura Linney), who has returned from the U.S. after a long absence, old wounds are reopened, and the women must confront their pasts.
The Miracle Club is a heartwarming, hilarious film that celebrates the power of friendship, love, and laughter with stunning performances and a poignant message. The stories of these women reminds us that we are only as strong as the friends and family who stand by us.––Jarod Neece
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The Good Half
Nick Jonas stars as Renn, an emotionally distant writer who returns to his hometown of Cleveland for his beloved mother’s funeral, after having spent years successfully avoiding interactions with his high-strung sister (Brittany Snow), bumbling but well-meaning father (Matt Walsh), and untrustworthy step-father (David Arquette). While in town, he forges a new relationship with a charming, energetic stranger (Alexandra Shipp) who pushes him to realize that he can’t avoid conflict forever — with his family or within himself.
Screenwriter Brett Ryland cleverly constructs this intimate story by seamlessly weaving memories of Renn’s mother (Elisabeth Shue) into his journey as he confronts complex familial relationships with a refreshingly wry sense of humor — a reminder that grief and growth involve ups and downs, with pain and laughter along the way. An impressive directorial effort from Robert Schwartzman, featuring grounded and moving performances by a fantastic ensemble cast, this tender family dramedy offers an honest and nuanced approach to grief, regret, and healing.––Celeste Wong
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The Adults
When Eric’s (Michael Cera) short trip back home turns into an extended stay, relationships with friends and family come to a head. The trip reunites him with his sisters, Rachel (Hannah Gross) and Maggie (Sophia Lillis), and unearths some old wounds as Maggie yearns to rekindle moments of their youth. At the same time, Eric falls back in with his old poker buddies, asserting his dominance as the best poker player in town. They gradually reveal their complicated inner lives, trauma, and relationships through theatrical performances and shared histories. The film’s strength lies in the cast’s nuanced performances and writer-director Dustin Guy Defa’s use of raw emotion and close-ups to convey the siblings’ complicated dynamic.
With top-notch performances from a talented cast, Defa returns to Tribeca with a personal and uplifting film that delves into family bonds and memories through the lens of a broken family trying to mend. The Adults is a well-crafted and affecting film that blends humor and heartache in a way that is both honest and relatable.––Jarod Neece
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For more information and to grab your tickets to the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival, click here.
Monica has a BA in Journalism and English from the University of Massachusetts and an MS in Journalism and Communications from Quinnipiac University. Monica has worked as a journalist for over 20 years covering all things entertainment. She has covered everything from San Diego Comic-Con, The SAG Awards, Academy Awards, and more. Monica has been published in Variety, Swagger Magazine, Emmy Magazine, CNN, AP, Hidden Remote, and more. For the past 10 years, she has added PR and marketing to her list of talents as the president of Prime Entertainment Publicity, LLC. Monica is ready for anything and is proudly obsessed with pop culture.
