Indie Films Releasing May 16: ‘Friendship’ Expands, ‘Sister Midnight’

New Releases in Theaters This Week

This week, **A24** is expanding its audience reach with the **comedy** film Friendship. Following a tremendous limited opening last weekend, the movie has jumped from 6 to 60 screens across major markets, including **Detroit**, the hometown of star **Tim Robinson**. This **bromantic** comedy featuring Robinson and **Paul Rudd** earned an impressive **$451,000** from screens in **New York** and **Los Angeles**, marking it as the top limited opening in 2025. With a **per screen average** exceeding **$75,000**, and the film created by **Andrew DeYoung** (known for Our Flag Means Death and PEN15), it is poised to attract even more viewers. Joining the cast are **Kate Mara** and **Jack Dylan Grazer**, ensuring a talented ensemble complements the film’s comedic undertones. Robinson is also recognized for his work on Netflix’s popular sketch comedy, I Think You Should Leave.

Exploring New Horizons with Sister Midnight

**Magnolia Pictures** and **Magnet Releasing** present Sister Midnight, which marks the debut feature of **Karan Kandhari**. This film stars celebrated Indian actress **Radhika Apte** alongside **Ashok Pathak**, **Chhaya Kadam**, and **Smita Tambe**, and it will screen at the **Angelika Film Center** in **New York City**. The story follows **Uma**, played by Apte, a rebellious small-town misfit venturing into **Mumbai**, only to realize she is not cut out for the life of a housewife. Faced with prying neighbors and the relentless noise of the city, **Uma** takes a bold step in redefining her existence. This film features an eclectic soundtrack, with **Paul Banks**, frontman of **Interpol**, making his debut as a composer. Premiering at **Cannes’ Directors Fortnight**, it also won accolades for Best Film in the Next Wave section at **Fantastic Fest**.

With a **staggering 96%** approval rating from critics on **Rotten Tomatoes**, this film is drawing significant attention and will expand to **Los Angeles** next week, with additional cities to follow.

A Theatrical Experience: Salome

**Fathom** presents Strauss’ **Salome** as part of **The Met: Live In HD**, screening Saturday at **1 PM ET** across **700 theaters**. This production, featuring soprano **Elza van den Heever** in the title role and baritone **Peter Mattei** as Jochanaan, is the first revisit of the opera by the company in over **20 years**. **Claus Guth** directs an innovative Victorian-era adaptation that delves into themes of societal tension and modern psychology. Inspired by **Stanley Kubrick’s** Eyes Wide Shut, Guth’s production contrasts daytime normalcy with the darker aspects of nightlife.

Conductor **Yannick Nézet-Séguin** will lead this one-act tragedy, marking his debut at the Met. The ensemble cast also includes mezzo-soprano **Michelle DeYoung** and tenor **Piotr Buszewski**. This series continues to be a key attraction in the specialty box office this year.

An Emotional Journey: The Kiss

Juno Films is releasing The Kiss in a limited engagement across **16 theaters**, including **New York** and **Los Angeles**. This romantic historical drama is directed by **Bille August**, a two-time **Golden Globe** and **Academy Award** winner. Based on **Stefan Zweig’s** German classic novel Beware of Pity, it stars **Esben Smed** and **Clara Rosager**, and transports audiences to **1913 Denmark**, as World War I looms over the plot. The film navigates the complexities of love and pity through the relationship of a noble cavalry officer, **Anton Abildgaard**, and the wheelchair-bound daughter of the baron, **Edith**.

A Gritty Action Film: The Old Woman With The Knife

The Korean action thriller The Old Woman With The Knife is being released on **27 screens** by **Well Go USA**. Directed by **Min Kyu-dong**, the narrative centers around **Hornclaw**, a veteran assassin whose abilities are challenged by the return of a younger nemesis. This film presents a gritty perspective on the action thriller genre through a female vantage point and showcases a strong performance by **Lee Hye-young** alongside renowned actors **Kim Sung-cheol**, **Yeon Woo-jin**, and **Kim Moo-yul**. The film had its premiere at **Berlin** and is adapted from the novel by **Gu Byeong-mo**.

Engaging Stories: July 7: Who Killed the President?

GVN Releasing introduces July 7: Who Killed the President?, a Haiti-set political thriller from filmmaker **Robenson Lauvince**, in **20 theaters** with plans for expansion. The narrative follows a college student drawn to Haiti to document the life of its President **Renel Moïse**. As the student encounters the chaos surrounding the President’s **assassination**, the journey veers into a world of **corruption**, betrayal, and danger, raising the stakes to an explosive revelation that threatens her life.

Thrills and Chills: The Ruse

In a thrilling presentation, **Seismic Films** collaborates with **Mena Films** for The Ruse, which is directed and self-distributed by **Stevan Mena**. Starring **Veronica Cartwright**, **Michael Steger**, and **Madelyn Dundon**, this film will run on **over 400 screens**. The plot revolves around a caregiver whose mysterious disappearance leads the new nurse, **Dale**, into a sinister environment filled with unpredictable characters and supernatural occurrences that threaten her safety.

Modern Romantic Comedy: Things Like This

The **romantic comedy** Things Like This written and directed by **Max Talisman**, marks the first theatrical release from **Andrew Felts and Ryan Bury**’s new distribution company **MPX Releasing**. This film will be available on **300 screens**. Focusing on two men named **Zack**, who navigate their complex emotions in **New York City**, it features a talented ensemble including **Charlie Tahan**, **Cara Buono**, **Jackie Cruz**, and **Eric Roberts**.