This month will see the streaming release of previous sci-fi juggernauts like Tenet, as well as some long-awaited series like Marvel's M.O.D.O.K. and Season 2 of Love, Death & Robots. But as pushed-back 2020 movies start to re-appear on the release schedule and spring horror season makes way for summer blockbusters, May also brings a selection of new science fiction and fantasy movies both broad and unexpected.
Here's everything science-fiction and fantasy fans should get excited to watch in May.
A fantasy adventure, The Water Man follows a young boy determined to help save his terminally-ill mother by finding the legendary Water Man, who has the key to immortality. After teaming up with a girl who has met this man before, the pair venture into the strange, unnerving forest said to be the Water Man's home.
The Water Man presents not only a fantastical forest through which the heroes must adventure, but also the magical belief that death can be postponed with the right work, the right price and the right sacrifice. The brutal and heartfelt coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of this mysterious forest and the legend of the Water Man make The Water Man an anticipated May release.
The feature directorial debut of David Oyelowo, The Water Man stars Rosario Dawson, Lonnie Chavis, Amiah Miller, Alfred Molina and David Oyelowo. The movie hits theaters on May 7.
Cerebrum takes place in a world where people's memories can be restored or lost through digital backups. It centers on the story of an estranged father and son researching this technology in an amateur lab. When the father and lead scientist die and his son becomes the main suspect, the lab's memory technology -- and the nature of the self -- must be tested in order to find out the truth.
While it isn't the first movie to tackle the idea of the digital self, Cerebrum promises to explore the techno-dystopic future through the lens of broken familial relationship. By mixing genres of sci-fi, thriller and murder mystery, the movie showcases fast-paced action alongside introspective moral and motivation questions.
Cerebrum is directed by Arvi Ragu and stars Christian James, Alexxis Lemire, James Russo, John Ruby and Anirudh Pisharody. The movie will be available for streaming on May 4.
Waking inside a cryo-chamber with no memory of who she is or how she ended up there, the protagonist finds that her nightmare is only just beginning. With her air supply quickly running out, she must recover her memories to figure out who she is and to find her way out.
Another film that dives into the importance of memory, Oxygen seems a tour de force for veteran actor Mélanie Laurent, whose isolation and confinement provide the story's impetus but also means she must carry the movie. This thriller from famous French horror director Alexandre Aja is sure to keep sci-fi fans at the edge of their seats.
From director Alexandre Aja, Oxygen stars Mélanie Laurent and premieres on Netflix on May 12.
As a stressed-out screenwriter fights to stay awake out of fear of his own nightmares, he soon discovers that he has the ability to bring his dreams to life. This super power catches the eye of a ruthless gangster intent on using the screenwriter in pursuit of his own goals. Originally released theatrically in China in April, Super Me was snatched up by Netflix for U.S. release thanks to its overwhelming popularity.
Super Me is directed by Zhang Chong and stars Darren Wang, Song Jia, Cao Bingkun and Wu Gang. The movie arrives on Netflix on May 8.
Growing up in a room with only a computer as a companion, Darwin lives his life alone and voiceless. When a power short takes away his computer as well, he is forced to leave his cell and brave the outside world. When he joins forces with a family living outside the cement cubicles, Darwin learns not only how to speak but also the value of companionship -- and the danger he's in. Originally called Confinement, 2149: The Aftermath brings another isolated, dystopic world to life and is sure to capture the attention of sci-fi fans eager to explore human nature.
Directed by Benjamin Duffield and staring Nick Krause, Molly Parker, Juliette Gosselin, Jordyn Negri and Daniel DiVenere, 2149: The Aftermath will be available to stream May 18.
The trailer for Undergods gives little away about its dystopian world and overall story, but the premise suggests the value of human men, both living and dead. Celebrated at film festivals and the British Independent Film Awards, the movie promises absurd and uncomfortable stories for the current times. Director Chino Moya describes Undergods as a "collection of uncanny tales" that he claims resonates with the currently uncanny world. While dystopias have often served to hold the mirror up to current problems, Undergods may provide a way to escape.
Undergods is directed by Chino Moya and stars Kate Dickie, Ned Dennehy, Geza Rohrig, Burn Gorman and Tanya Reynolds. It's slated for release on May 7 in select theaters and on streaming.
Cruella tells the story of the origins of the famous villain behind Disney's 101 Dalmatians, Cruella de Vil, back when she was known as Estella. Her relationship with self-serving fashionista Baroness von Hellman spurs her villainous turn, and the movie promises to deliver on her descent in a Joker-style exploration.
With only the lightest whispers of the magic expected from a fantasy movie -- her Katniss-esque flaming dress, for example -- Cruella's genre influence leans hard on action. Yet this villainous origin story is sure to delight fans of science fiction and fantasy as well as those eager to see a movie make the complicated backstory of a notorious dog-slaughterer palatable.
Directed by Craig Gillespie, Cruella stars Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Paul Walter Hauser, Joel Fry and Emily Beecham. The film arrives in theaters and on Disney+ Premiere Access May 28.
Army of the Dead imagines what a guns-out heist movie would look like in a post-zombie apocalypse world. Dave Bautista leads a group into the zombie-infested Las Vegas strip in an attempt to steal the vast amounts of wealth still held in the casinos' vaults. Of course, hordes of super-strong, super-intelligent zombies stand in their way.
Zombies may merit their own genre category, but director Zack Snyder has insisted that Army of the Dead's zombies may be hiding a more menacing, technological origin. In the meantime, sci-fi/fantasy fans won't want to miss another Snyder edit, the guaranteed high body count or Tig Notaro.
Army of the Dead is directed and co-written by Zack Snyder and stars Dave Bautista, Garret Dillahunt, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Raúl Castillo, Tig Notaro, Theo Rossi and Ana de la Reguera. The film will release on Netflix May 21.
0 Comments