This May offers a wide selection of women-made and centric films of all genres to check out on VOD and streaming platforms. Starting off the month is “The Half of It,” which hits Netflix May 1. Bookish high school student Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) helps her widowed father pay the bills by writing papers for her classmates. But her ghostwriting gig takes a turn for the worse when she’s hired by jock Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer) to write love letters for another girl — one who also happens to be her crush. To make things more complicated, Ellie ends up developing a close friendship with Paul.
Similarly depicting the complexities of love and growth, writer-director Lynn Chen’s “I Will Make You Mine” (May 26) explores the lives of three incredibly different women with a single thing in common: their romantic connection to musician Goh Nakamura. When Goh returns to town, the past catches up with all of them.
This month will also see several films dealing with the joys and difficulties of familial relationships. In “Tammy’s Always Dying” (May 1), Kathy MacDonald (Anastasia Phillips) is stuck caring for her alcoholic mother, Tammy (Felicity Huffman). Following a cancer diagnosis, Kathy moves back into her mother’s house to provide additional care, and finds herself stuck with her abuse — only for an opportunity for escape to arise when she’s chosen to guest star on a talk show.
“Saint Frances” (May 5) showcases the realities of joining someone else’s family. When Bridget (Kelly O’Sullivan), takes a job nannying six-year-old Frances, she struggles to bond with the young girl and navigates the parents’ clashes, all while dealing with her own personal life and relationships.
Several compelling nonfiction features also arrive in May. Netflix’s “Becoming” (May 6), from Nadia Hallgren, follows Michelle Obama on a 34-city tour, and takes its name from the former First Lady’s bestselling memoir. “On the Record,” from “Hunting Ground” and “Invisible War” filmmakers Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick, launches on the new streaming platform HBO Max on May 27. It chronicles former music executive Drew Dixon and others’ decisions to come forward with sexual assault allegations against Russell Simmons. Directed by Cristina Ibarra and Alex Rivera, “The Infiltrators” (May 1) is a docu-thriller using footage and reenactments to depict the true story of two young immigrants who are purposefully detained and sent to a for-profit detention center by Border Patrol.
Here are the women-centric, women-directed, and women-written films debuting this May. All descriptions are from press materials unless otherwise noted.
May 1
“The Half of It” – Written and Directed by Alice Wu (Available on Netflix)
“The Half of It”
Bookish introvert Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) is perfectly content with her life: watching old movies with her widowed father and ghostwriting papers for her high school classmates to help pay the bills. But her side gig turns personal when lovelorn jock Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer) hires her to craft love notes to Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire), a smart, popular girl out of both their leagues — and Ellie’s own secret crush. Just as the duo’s plan begins to work, a new wrinkle emerges: Ellie and Paul have fallen into a deep friendship neither could have anticipated, giving rise to a surprising love triangle.
“The Infiltrators” (Documentary) – Directed by Cristina Ibarra and Alex Rivera (Available via Virtual Cinemas)
“The Infiltrators” is a docu-thriller that tells the true story of young immigrants who are detained by Border Patrol and thrown into a shadowy for-profit detention center — on purpose. Marco and Viri are members of the National Immigrant Youth Alliance, a group of radical DREAMers who are on a mission to stop unjust deportations. And the best place to stop deportations, they believe, is in detention. However, when Marco and Viri attempt a daring reverse “prison break,” things don’t go according to plan. By weaving together documentary footage of the real infiltrators with re-enactments of the events inside the detention center, “The Infiltrators” tells an incredible and thrilling true story in a genre-defying new cinematic language.
“Bull” – Directed by Annie Silverstein; Written by Annie Silverstein and Johnny McAllister (Available on VOD)
“Bull”
After trashing her neighbor’s house in a fit of youthful defiance, 14-year-old Kris (Amber Havard) seems destined to follow in her mother’s footsteps to the state penitentiary. To make amends, she is forced to help Abe Turner (Rob Morgan), an ex-bull rider scraping by on the Texas rodeo circuit, with errands at home and at his work. While traveling with Abe, she discovers a passion for bull riding. Yet, as Kris sets out to learn the dangerous sport, bad influences lure her back into delinquent ways. Meanwhile, Abe struggles with the aches and pains of growing older and aging out of the only life he has ever known. Together, Kris and Abe forge an unexpected connection, helping each other see new possibilities and hope for the future before it’s too late.
“Tammy’s Always Dying” – Directed by Amy Jo Johnson; Written by Joanne Sarazen (Available on VOD)
“Tammy’s Always Dying”
For what seems like forever, Kathy MacDonald (Anastasia Phillips) has been taking care of her trainwreck of a mother, Tammy (Felicity Huffman), an alcoholic who’s the life of the party when she’s in her cups, but a sharp-tongued, vicious monster when sober. When Tammy is diagnosed with cancer, Kathy must move back into her house to help care for her — and suffer her abuse. But escape may be on the horizon. Kathy has been selected as a guest on a sordid “Jerry Springer”-ish talk show, where she’s coached by the imperious and cynical Alana Wiseman (Lauren Holly), and may be set for a big payday.
“Long Gone By” (Available on HBO GO and HBO NOW)
“Long Gone By” tells the tale of Ana Alvarez (Erica Muñoz), a single mother from Nicaragua living in Warsaw, Indiana, with her teenage daughter, Izzy (Izzy Hau’ula). When a routine check in leads to a deportation order, life as Ana knows it ends. The timing could not be worse as Izzy has just been accepted to Indiana University, a dream that becomes a nightmare when she discovers that because of her immigration status she will not qualify for the needed scholarships or federal aid. Faced with an impossible reality of a lifetime away from her daughter, Ana decides to risk everything in a last chance effort to leave Izzy’s tuition paid before her time runs out.
“The Flood” – Written by Helen Kingston (Available on VOD)
Wendy (Lena Headey), a hardened immigration officer, is offered a high-profile asylum case, judged on her ability to quickly and clinically reject applicants. Through her interrogation, she must uncover whether Haile (Ivanno Jeremiah) is lying and has a more sinister reason for seeking asylum. We follow Haile on his perilous 5,000 KM journey over oceans, across borders, and amidst the flurry of the Calais Jungle to find solace and safety in the UK. But now he must cross the final hurdle.
May 4
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (Available on Disney+)
The battle between the Jedi and the Sith comes to a thrilling conclusion in this final chapter of the Skywalker Saga. A year following the events of “The Last Jedi,” Rey (Daisy Ridley) and the remaining members of the Resistance are forced to confront their past while taking on the First Order one more time.
May 5
“Saint Frances” – Written by Kelly O’Sullivan (Available on VOD)
“Saint Frances”: Corey Stein
Flailing 34-year-old Bridget (Kelly O’Sullivan) finally catches a break when she meets a nice guy and lands a much-needed job nannying six-year-old Frances (Ramona Edith-Williams). But an unwanted pregnancy introduces an unexpected complication. To make matters worse, she clashes with the obstinate Frances and struggles to navigate a growing tension between Frances’ moms. Amidst her tempestuous personal relationships, a reluctant friendship with Frances emerges, and Bridget contends with the inevitable joys and shit-shows of becoming a part of someone else’s family.
“South Mountain” – Written and Directed by Hilary Brougher (Available on VOD)
Lila (Talia Balsam) is an artist and mother living in the Catskills who has selflessly devoted herself to everyone around her, often at the expense of her own happiness. When her husband (Scott Cohen) leaves her for another woman with whom he has already fathered a child, Lila plunges into an existential crisis that unfolds with simmering tension and a series of unexpected twists.
“Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind” (Documentary) (Available on HBO GO and HBO NOW)
“Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind”
Natalie Wood’s remarkable life and career are often overshadowed by the circumstances surrounding her tragic death at age 43. Guided by her daughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner, as well as her extensive circle of family and close friends, “Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind” intimately explores Wood’s personal life and illustrious career that spanned nearly five decades. The film chronicles her triumphs and challenges, featuring previously unseen home movies, photographs, diaries, and letters, as well as interviews with those who knew her best.
“Better Days” – Written by Wing-Sum Lam, Yuan Li, and Yimeng Xu (Available on VOD)
Nian (Dongyu Zhou) finds her life at a standstill when faced by relentless bullying from her peers as she prepares for her college entrance exam. Fate brings her together with small-time criminal Bei (Jackson Yee), but before they can retreat into a world of their own, both are dragged into the middle of a murder investigation that will change their lives forever.
“Ordinary Love” – Directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn (Available on VOD)
Joan and Tom (Lesley Manville and Liam Neeson) have been married for many years. An everyday couple with a remarkable love, there is an ease to their relationship which only comes from spending a lifetime together. When Joan is diagnosed with breast cancer, the course of her treatment shines a light on their enduring devotion, as they must find the humor and grace to survive a year of adversity.
May 6
“Becoming” (Documentary) – Directed by Nadia Hallgren (Available on Netflix)
“Becoming”: Netflix
“Becoming” is an intimate look into the life of former First Lady Michelle Obama during a moment of profound change, not only for her personally but for the country she and her husband served over eight impactful years in the White House. The film offers a rare and up-close look at her life, taking viewers behind the scenes as she embarks on a 34-city tour that highlights the power of community to bridge our divides and the spirit of connection that comes when we openly and honestly share our stories.
May 7
“The Delicacy” (Documentary) – Written by Christina Wise and Jason Wise (Available on SOMM TV)
“The Delicacy” is the story of a rare and exotic food, the sea urchin, and how it’s harvested, how it’s eaten, and the role it plays in nature and the lives of those who bring it to the table. With commentary from some of the most influential and prolific voices in the culinary world, the film follows a group of sea urchin divers in Santa Barbara as they deal with the hazards of their vocation. “The Delicacy” takes the viewer from the coastal waters of California to the plates of high-end restaurants as it follows one of the most sought after foods in the world gathered by the most dangerous profession.
May 8
“Clementine” – Written and Directed by Lara Jean Gallagher (Available via Virtual Cinemas)
“Clementine”
Reeling from a one-sided breakup, anguished Karen (Otmara Marrero) flees Los Angeles for her ex’s idyllic lake house in the Pacific Northwest. There, she becomes entangled with a mysterious, alluring younger woman (Sydney Sweeney), whom she cannot seem to resist. Equal parts psychological thriller and sexual coming-of-age story, “Clementine” is a tense rumination on who to love and how to let go.
“Valley Girl” – Directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg; Written by Amy Talkington (Available on VOD)
Julie (Jessica Rothe) is the ultimate ’80s Valley Girl. A creative free spirit, Julie’s time is spent with her best friends shopping at the Galleria mall and making plans for senior prom. That is, until she falls hard for Randy (Joshua Whitehouse), a Sunset Strip punk rocker, who challenges everything the Valley and Julie stand for. Despite push-back from friends and family, Julie must break out of the safety of her world to follow her heart and discover what it really means to be a Valley Girl. Based on the classic 1983 hit film.
“How to Build a Girl” – Directed by Coky Giedroyc; Written by Caitlin Moran and John Niven (Available on VOD)
“How to Build a Girl”
Johanna Morrigan (Beanie Feldstein) is a bright, quirky, 16-year-old who uses her colorful imagination to regularly escape her humdrum life in Wolverhampton and live out her creative fantasies. Desperate to break free from the overcrowded flat she shares with her four brothers and eccentric parents, she submits an earnestly penned and off-beat music review to a group of self-important indie rock critics at a weekly magazine. Despite being brushed off initially, Johanna clamors to the top of the ’90s rock music scene by reinventing herself as Dolly Wilde — a venerable, impossible-to-please music critic with an insatiable lust for fame, fortune, and men. It isn’t long before the rapid pace at which Johanna’s life is changing becomes overwhelming and she runs face-first into a devastatingly real, existential crisis: Is this the type of girl she wants to become? Or does she need to start over and build again from the ground up?
“Sweetness in the Belly” – Written by Laura Phillips (Available on VOD)
An orphan in Ethiopia (Dakota Fanning) escapes as a refugee to England, where upon growing up she works to aid fellow immigrants and refugees in reuniting with their families.
“Hope Gap” (Available on VOD)
The intimate, intense, and loving story of “Hope Gap” charts the life of Grace (Annette Bening), who is shocked to learn her husband (Bill Nighy) is leaving her after 29 years of marriage, and the ensuing emotional fallout the dissolution has on their only grown son (Josh O’Connor). Unraveled and feeling displaced in her small seaside town, Grace ultimately regains her footing, and discovers a new, powerful voice.
“The Legion” – Written by Carmen Ballesteros, Pedro Santamaría, Alberto Vázquez Figueroa, and C.J. Wells (Available on VOD)
During the invasion of Parthia, two Roman legions (Mickey Rourke, Bai Ling) have been brought to a standstill in the snowy mountains of Armenia, leaving them slowly dying in the freezing cold. The rest of the Roman army is a two weeks’ march away, and the region swarms with Parthian patrols. Their only hope for survival is Noreno (Lee Partridge), a half-Roman soldier, who is entrusted with the impossible mission of crossing the deadly terrain to seek help for his men and turn the tide of the battle.
May 12
“The Traitor” – Written by Valia Santella, Ludovica Rampoldi, Marco Bellocchio, and Francesco Piccolo (Available on VOD)
“The Traitor” tells the true story of Tommaso Buscetta (Pierfrancesco Favino), the man who brought down the Cosa Nostra. In the early 1980s, an all out war rages between Sicilian Mafia bosses over the heroin trade. Tommaso Buscetta, a made man, flees to hide out in Brazil. Back home, scores are being settled and Buscetta watches from afar as his sons and brother are killed in Palermo, knowing he may be next. Arrested and extradited to Italy by the Brazilian police, Buscetta makes a decision that will change everything for the Mafia: he decides to meet with Judge Giovanni Falcone and betray the eternal vow he made to the Cosa Nostra.
May 15
“Alice” – Written and Directed by Josephine Mackerras (Available via Virtual Cinemas)
Alice (Emilie Piponnier) is the perfect wife and mother, living with her husband Francois (Martin Swabey) and their son in an apartment in Paris. One day, however, Alice’s credit cards are declined, and she discovers that Francois has left them completely bankrupt due to a secret addiction to high-end escorts. When Francois suddenly disappears, Alice is left to fend for herself and their son. She soon learns that the bank will foreclose on their home in just a few weeks. With no one to turn to, Alice visits Francois’ escort service in the hopes of finding a way to quickly make some cash. At first reluctant in her new profession, Alice soon begins to thrive, gaining both financial independence and a sense of empowerment that she has never felt before. But when Francois shows up at their doorstep, Alice is forced to reconcile between the life they had shared and the one she has built for herself.
May 19
“Ovid and the Art of Love” – Written and Directed by Esmé von Hoffman (Available on VOD)
“Ovid and the Art of Love”
Set centuries apart but in the same place, “Ovid and the Art of Love” tells the story of the renowned Roman poet Ovid (Corbin Bleu), whose comic verses and permissive lifestyle provoked the brutal Emperor Augustus’ (John Savage) ire. As Ovid and the emperor’s granddaughter — thrown together by fate — race to escape execution, Ovid’s story asks: In a world of unrest, is love the most radical act of all? Bringing together togas, high-tops, oration, poetry slams, and hip-hop, this film tells a timely story about power, pleasure, and politics.
“The Dalai Lama: Scientist” (Documentary) – Written and Directed by Dawn Gifford Engle (Available on VOD)
Eighty-five years ago, a little boy was born in a remote corner of Tibet. One day, miraculously, he was discovered to be the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, and he was soon carried away to the capitol city of Lhasa to become the political and religious leader of the vast kingdom of Tibet. But the little boy had a secret, locked inside his heart. In “The Dalai Lama: Scientist,” the Dalai Lama tells the unknown story, in his own words, of his lifelong journey into the world of science and technology, and how the world has changed as a result. With extensive, rare, and never-before-seen footage, this film tells the very human story of the Dalai Lama that no one knows.
May 22
“Military Wives” – Written by Rachel Tunnard and Rosanne Flynn (Available on Hulu and VOD)
“Military Wives”
“Military Wives” centers on a group of women from different backgrounds whose partners are away serving in Afghanistan. Faced with their loved ones’ absences, they come together to form the very first military wives choir, helping each other through some of life’s most difficult moments — and quickly find themselves on an international stage.
“Lucky Grandma” – Directed by Sasie Sealy; Written by Sasie Sealy and Angela Cheng (Available via Virtual Cinemas)
“Lucky Grandma”
In the heart of Chinatown, New York, an ornery, chain-smoking, newly widowed 80-year-old grandma (Tsai Chin) is eager to live life as an independent woman, despite the worry of her family. When a local fortune teller (Wai Ching Ho) predicts a most auspicious day in her future, Grandma decides to head to the casino and goes all in, only to land herself on the wrong side of luck — suddenly attracting the attention of some local gangsters. Desperate to protect herself, Grandma employs the services of a bodyguard from a rival gang (Corey Ha) and soon finds herself right in the middle of a Chinatown gang war.
“A Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps” (Documentary) – Directed by Alana DeJoseph; Written by Shana Kelly (Available via Virtual Cinemas)
Narrated by Annette Bening, “A Towering Task” tells the remarkable story of the Peace Corps and takes viewers on a journey of what it means to be a global citizen. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy gave young Americans the opportunity to serve their country in a new way by forming the Peace Corps. Since then, more than 200,000 of them have traveled to more than 60 countries to carry out the organization’s mission of international cooperation. Nearly 60 years later, Americans — young and old alike — still want to serve their country and understand their place in the world; current volunteers work at the forefront of some of the most pressing issues facing the global community. Yet the agency has struggled to remain relevant amid sociopolitical change. More than once it had to fight for its very existence, and now — between COVID, a rise in nationalist sentiment, and deep cuts to governmental-agency budgets — the Peace Corps is again confronting a crisis of identity: What role should it play around the world and in the lives of engaged citizens?
May 26
“I Will Make You Mine” – Written and Directed by Lynn Chen (Available on VOD)
“I Will Make You Mine”
Rachel (Lynn Chen) lives in idle luxury with a cheating husband; Professor Erika (Ayako Fujitani) juggles career demands while raising her daughter, Sachiko (Ayami Riley Tomine); and struggling musician Yea-Ming (Yea-Ming Chen) is still chasing a fast-fading dream. Three women who could not be more different have one thing in common: their flawed romantic history with singer-songwriter Goh Nakamura. When the amiable but unreliable Goh ambles back into town and into their lives, the past comes roaring back.
May 27
“On the Record” (Documentary) – Directed by Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick; Written by Amy Ziering, Sara Newens, and Kirby Dick (Available on HBO Max)
“On the Record”
“On the Record” presents the powerful and haunting story of music executive Drew Dixon as she grapples with her decision to become one of the first women of color, in the wake of #MeToo, to come forward and publicly name hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons of sexual assault. The documentary chronicles not only Dixon’s story but that of accusers Sil Lai Abrams and Sheri Sher.
