Resolution 📼 is a lo-fi sci-fi worth watching-fi

Guess who's back, back again. Smash Cut’s back, tell a friend. Long time no see. In case you’re new here, I’m Karl, and every Monday and Thursday I’m going to send you a recommendation for a movie streaming on Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, or HBO Max. Get caught up here.

Today’s movie recommendation: Resolution 📼

Vinny Curran and Peter Cilella in Resolution. Courtesy of Tribeca Flim.

Today’s movie is Smash Cut favorites Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson’s debut feature Resolution. Here’s what it’s about:

Michael (Peter Cilella) tracks down his high school best friend Chris (Vinny Curran) to a remote house just inside an Indian reservation where he is on a drug-induced bender. Determined to help his friend, Michael hatches a plan to restrain Chris for a week and force him into sobriety. And while the plan begins to work, the arrival of multiple strange videos containing disturbing “stories” starts to make Michael think that “something” is watching them. [Trailer]

Streaming on Prime Video.Buy or rent on Amazon, Apple TV, or YouTube.

Why you should watch it: Resolution is a creepy, atmospheric, and wholly satisfying meta-horror that served as a perfect introduction to Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson’s madcap specific brand of high concept, lo-fi science fiction.

The mystery unfolds at a slow but steady pace as a dread-filled atmosphere drives the suspense. However, like all of Moorhead and Benson’s films, Resolution isn’t quick to answer any of your questions—and it’s better because of it. [Full review]

🍷 Pair it with: The Endless, The Cabin in the Woods, Coherence

One trailer you should watch: Chaos Walking 🪐

After years in development hell, a difficult production, and endless reshoots Chaos Walking finally has a trailer and release date—January 22, 2021.

The movie is directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Edge of Tomorrow) and stars *takes breathe* Daisy Ridley, Tom Holland, Mads Mikkelsen, Demián Bichir, Cynthia Erivo, Nick Jonas, and David Oyelowo. Here’s the premise:

In the not too distant future, Todd Hewitt (Holland) discovers Viola (Ridley), a mysterious girl who crash lands on his planet, where all the women have disappeared and the men are afflicted by "the Noise" – a force that puts all their thoughts on display. In this dangerous landscape, Viola's life is threatened – and as Todd vows to protect her, he will have to discover his own inner power and unlock the planet's dark secrets.

I hope you have a lovely and safe Thanksgiving week! Wear a mask, wash your hands, and check in on each other—but like, from afar.

See you Thursday —
Karl

📽 P.S. You can see every movie I’ve ever recommended right here.

🍅 I’m also a Tomatometer-approved critic on Rotten Tomatoes! You can find new movie reviews here.