Best Movies at Tribeca 2023 (Narrative Features)

2023 marks 21 years since Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff launched the Tribeca Film Festival in the wake of the devastating 9/11 attacks, in a bid to revive New York’s film and arts scene. The festival prided itself on giving independent movies and filmmakers a platform to express themselves to the industry, and providing them with the exposure that may aid their careers in years to come.

From smaller budget films like Dark Touch and King Jack to giving premieres to studio-backed, streaming service flicks like Steven Soderbergh’s No Sudden Move and Jerry & Marge Go Large, Tribeca is a festival that doesn’t discriminate when celebrating all areas of the movie-making sphere. With this year’s festival just weeks away, let’s take a look at some of the very best films making their premiere.

The Adults, (United States) – North American Premiere

2023 is a year that has shown signs of prospective promise for the career of Michael Cera, who’s still looking to recapture the form that saw him become one of the most in-demand actors in the late 2000s. Dustin Guy Defa’s comedy-drama, The Adults concerns the relations of three distant siblings who reunite for a weekend of catching up and reforming their childhood bond. However, their brother, Eric (Cera) finds himself torn between spending time with his sisters and a local poker game.

Afire, (Germany) – New York Premiere

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Christian Petzold returns after 2020’s critically loved Udine, with another German-language installment, the comedy-drama, Afire. Set in Northern Europe on the coast of the Baltic Sea, a group of friends head on an idyllic holiday. Unfortunately, their tranquil escape doesn’t last long when an unwanted guest disturbs their plans. Not only are the friends forced to contend with an unwelcome presence, but the imminent danger of a forest fire in the local vicinity poses an increasingly prominent threat.

The Blackening, (United States) – US Premiere

Taken from the improv comedy troupe 3peat, The Blackening is a celebration of Black cinema, writing, and the horror genre itself, and follows a group of seven friends who go on a log cabin retreat in the woods (what could possibly go wrong?). Of course, as with any cinematic woodland getaway, their stay soon descends into chaos and a bloodbath ensues’ who survives is anyone’s guess. What’s set to be a comical deconstruction of racist tropes in the horror genre should be a lot of frightening fun.

Bucky F*cking Dent, (United States) – World Premiere

No true creative is solely reliant on one source of income, and in aspiring novelist Ted’s case, he earns his corn by flogging peanuts at the Yankee Stadium. After discovering his estranged father is terminally ill, Ted seeks to make amends and patch up their fractious relationship. Of course, unpredictability is lurking around the corner. Bucky F*cking Dent is a kind of passion project for star David Duchovny, who also writes and directs the film, which is based on his book.

Cinnamon, (United States) – World Premiere

The great Pam Grier is unrecognizable as the heavy metal biker cowboy, Mama, a real departure from her glamorous renditions of Coffy and Foxy Brown, in Bryan Keith Montgomery Jr.’s Cinnamon. The Tribeca entry follows two young lovers, as they chance their arm to attain their dreams. Cinnamon is a poignant and off-kilter picture that expertly delves into the issue of Blaxploitation.

Downtown Owl, (United States) – World Premiere

Henry Golding stars alongside Vanessa Hudgens and Ed Harris, in the screen adaptation of the brilliant Chuck Klosterman’s celebrated novel, Downtown Owl. There is indeed a town situated in North Dakota named Owl, and it provides the backdrop for this tale about a strange assortment of characters who prepare for a blizzard of epic proportions.

Related: International Films to Look Forward to at Tribeca 2023

Given Klosterman’s penchant for layered pop culture reference and amateur philosophizing, one can expect this film to be a fun, if slightly melancholic, look at loneliness and culture.

Eric LaRue, (United States) – World Premiere

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Michael Shannon is an all-consuming actor, but for the new picture, Eric LaRue, the iconic screen villain (The Shape of Water, Man of Steel, Boardwalk Empire) finds himself behind the camera for his directorial debut. Following a son’s stomach-turning crime, his parents (including the great Judy Greer) pursue different forms of comfort in opposing religious cults in this dramatic, emotionally-charged flick.

First Time Female Director, (United States) – World Premiere

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A movie that very literally, does what it says on the tin. First Time Female Director taps into the male-dominated industry of filmmaking, comically challenging the status quo, and the constant pressure on female directors to prove themselves and their worthiness. First-time director Chelsea Peretti’s maiden movie concerns a female filmmaker’s hilarious struggle at filling the void left by a theater’s now departed, former male predecessor. Condiering her acerbic wit, this is sure to be a dry comedy hit.

Fresh Kills, (United States) – World Premiere

The world of the mafia family has always captured the film industry’s curiosity, and once again, in Jennifer Esposito’s crime drama, Fresh Kills, the affairs of a notorious New York crime family go under the cinematic microscope. After a mob boss is imprisoned, the women of the Lo Russo mob must navigate the perilous criminal underworld of the ‘80s and ‘90s New York, leaning on the unspoken code of the mafia.

The Good Half, (United States) – World Premiere

Heralding from a long bloodline of filmmaking heritage, Robert Schwartzman returns after 2020’s The Argument with the dramedy, The Good Half. Dealing with themes of love, loss, grief, and healing, an aloof writer arrives home for his mother’s funeral in this highly anticipated film.

Of course, Nick Jonas’ central performance is what has many people paying attention The Good Half, but an excellent supporting cast (Brittany Snow, Elizabeth Shue, David Arquette, Matt Walsh, and more) and an intriguing script should guarantee that the film rises to the hype.

LaRoy, (United States, France) – World Premiere

There’s a fine line between love and hate, and after Ray Jepsen uncovers his wife’s sordid affair, his plans to die by suicide are thwarted when he is mistaken for a hitman and decides to do the devil’s work himself. An inspired narrative, with a curiosity-procuring twist, keep your eyes peeled in LaRoy, which should continue Steve Zahn’s ascent as one of the most interesting yet underrated actors working today.

The Lesson, (UK) – World Premiere

The up-and-coming Daryl McCormack appears alongside the esteemed company of Richard E. Grant and Julie Delpy for Alice Troughton’s The Lesson. The feature portrays the account of an aspiring novelist, who takes up a tutoring position for the son of a legendary author. A movie that unravels to reveal more suspiciously sinister undertones is an irresistible watch.

The Line, (United States) – World Premiere

The life of a ”frat bro” college student is one that is regularly frowned upon by outsiders, and it’s hardly surprising when misogyny, debauchery, and hedonism are involved. 2023’s coming-of-age drama, The Line, depicts a sophomore in the midst of fraternity culture, and the conflicting pulls of loyalty and tradition which arise from it. Alex Wolff is on his way to becoming one of the best young actors today, and he’s sure to shine here.

The Listener, (United States) – North American Premiere

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The Listener, directed by the great Steve Buscemi, is an ode to the selfless individuals that go above and beyond the call of duty, and more specifically, about the mental health helpline volunteers, who lend an empathetic ear to those most in need of emotional support.

Related: Tribeca Film Festival 2023: Exciting Documentaries Premiering This Year

A truly humbling, sobering, yet inspiriting picture that focuses on life’s real superheroes, The Listener stars Tessa Thompson, Margaret Cho, Rebecca Hall, Alia Shawkat, and many others.

Maggie Moore(s), (United States) – World Premiere

The delightful Jon Hamm is placed at the center of the action as a rural town’s sheriff as he reunites with Mad Men co-star as director, John Slattery, for the comedy murder mystery, Maggie Moore(s). A hilarious example of a crime comedy, the film puts the befuddled sheriff as chief investigator in the murders of two women of the same name, just days apart. Tina Fey co-stars.

Shortcomings, (United States) – New York Premiere

Social commentary and satirical features are two-a-penny currently, but Randall Park’s directorial debut, Shortcomings promises to be an uproarious occasion, that details the romantic lives of three protagonists. Having received its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, the movie that is due for international release later this year is set to grace a festival’s big screen once more, this time at Tribeca.

Stan Lee, (United States) – World Premiere

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The name that is so synonymous with Marvel Studios and the franchise that has gripped vast swathes of cinema-goers, Stan Lee, the biographical documentary on Stan Lee’s life delves into the upbringing, formative years, unimaginably successful career, and legacy of the comic book writer’s life, all in his own words.