Winter is officially over, and spring days are growing longer and warmer. As in past years, this April serves as the bridge month leading up to the official start of the summer season in May.
Here are some of the more interesting theatrical and streaming titles coming out next month. Please note: All opening dates are subject to change.
April 3
‘Pulse’
Danny (Willa Fitzgerald) and Phillips (Colin Woodell), in "Pulse." Jeff Neumann/Netflix
Willa Fitzgerald (“Scream,” “Reacher”) leads a mostly unknown cast as a third-year Miami emergency room resident in co-show runner Carlton Cuse’s (“Lost”) medical drama. Early word is that the new series is equal parts “St. Elsewhere,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and the recent Max show “The Pitt.” (Netflix)
April 4
‘Eric LaRue’
In this potentially divisive and controversial directorial debut from actor Michael Shannon, Judy Greer and Alexander Skarsgard play the parents of the title character, an accused teen school shooter. Co-stars include Tracy Letts, Paul Sparks, and Alison Pill. (Magnolia)
‘The Luckiest Man in America’
Michael Larson (Paul Walter Houser) figures out how to beat a game show, in "The Luckiest Man in America." IFC Films
In this fact-based drama, Paul Walter Houser (“Richard Jewel”) stars as Michael Larson, an ice cream truck driver who appeared as a contestant on the CBS game show “Press Your Luck” in 1984. A big fan of the show, Larson was able to figure out how the game really worked. He won so much money, CBS wrongfully accused him of cheating. (IFC Films)
Viola Davis (“Widows,” “The Woman King”) is the lead in another action drama, this time as U.S. President Danielle Sutton, who is attending a G20 summit in South Africa. When terrorists attempt to disrupt the proceedings, Sutton calls on her ex-military training and decides to fight back. Anthony Anderson co-stars as Sutton’s husband. (Amazon Prime)
April 11
‘The Amateur’
Based on the 1981 novel and Canadian movie of the same name, Rami Malek stars as CIA cryptographer Charles Heller in this political action thriller. After his wife is killed during a terrorist attack in London, Heller blackmails his bosses into training him and sending him out to take out the culprits. (20th Century)
‘Drop’
In this mystery action thriller, Meghann Fahy (“The Bold Type,” “The Perfect Couple”) stars as widowed single mother Violet. While on a date with Henry (Brendon Sklenar), Violet begins to receive a series of threatening anonymous texts instructing her to commit murder. If she doesn’t do as told, her son and sister will be killed. (Universal)
‘Warfare’
Co-written and co-directed by Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland (“Ex-Machina,” “Civil War”), this fact-based war drama (presented in real time) stars D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai as Mendoza, a Navy SEAL attack controller. Set in 2006 Iraq, Mendoza leads a SEAL team during a mission through insurgent territory. (A24)
‘Sacramento’
Director, co-writer, and co-producer Michael Angarano stars alongside Michael Cera, Kristen Stewart, and Maya Erskine in this road flick comedy. After the death of one of the character’s father, the quartet of co-leads heads out from Los Angeles to Sacramento. (Vertical)
‘The King of Kings’
An animated story from Charles Dickens, "King of Kings." Angel Studios
This animated Christian family film is based on the 1934 posthumously published book “The Life of Our Lord” by Charles Dickens. The voice cast includes Uma Thurman, Ben Kingsley, Pierce Brosnan, Forest Whitaker, Kenneth Branagh as Dickens, and Oscar Isaac as Jesus. (Angel Studios)
‘Your Friends and Neighbors’
Already renewed for a second season, this new dramatic series from show runner Jonathan Tropper (“Banshee,” “Warrior”) stars Amanda Peet and Jon Hamm as recent divorcée Coop, who is also a newly unemployed hedge fund manager. Coop attempts to maintain his opulent lifestyle via scams he pulls on—wait for it—his friends and neighbors. (Apple TV+)
April 17
‘Ransom Canyon’
Based on the Jodi Thomas series of books, this dramatic series from show runner April Blair looks a lot like “Yellowstone” set in Texas. Josh Duhamel stars as Staten Kirkland, the head of one of three competing ranching families fighting for control of the local cattle industry. Co-stars include James Brolin and Minka Kelly as Staten’s romantic interest. (Netflix)
Quinn (Minka Kelly), in the series "Ransom Canyon." Anna Kooris/Netflix
April 25
‘The Accountant 2’
Braxton (Jon Bernthal, L) and Wolff (Ben Affleck), in "The Accountant 2." Amazon-MGM Studios
In the sequel (that no one asked for or was expecting) to the profitable but wanting 2016 original, Ben Affleck returns as Wolff, the shady title character who launders money for the mob. Co-starring the scene-stealing Jon Bernthal as Wolff’s brother, it is again directed by Gavin O’Connor and written by Bill Dubuque. (MGM)
April 30
‘Carême’
This French language limited drama series is based on the relatively short life and career of Marie-Antoine Carême (Benjamin Voisin), regarded by many foodies as the world’s first celebrity chef. During the early 19th century, Carême crossed paths with, among others, Napoleon, Tsar Alexander I of Russia, and King George IV of England. (Apple TV+)
What to Watch for
I’m particularly looking forward to “Pulse,” “The Amateur,” “Drop,” “Your Friends and Neighbors,” and “Ransom Canyon.”
What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to [email protected]
Michael Clark
Author
Originally from the nation's capital, Michael Clark has provided film content to over 30 print and online media outlets. He co-founded the Atlanta Film Critics Circle in 2017 and is a weekly contributor to the Shannon Burke Show on FloridaManRadio.com. Since 1995, Clark has written over 5,000 movie reviews and film-related articles. He favors dark comedy, thrillers, and documentaries.
