With the recent discourse surrounding Markiplier's new movie, Iron Lung, and Hollywood's monopoly over the movie industry, here are 5 independent movies that really highlight the lengths independent cinema can reach (without getting into any spoilers, of course).

District 9

District 9, at its core, is a movie about apartheid and racial divide. It takes place in South Africa in an Afrofuturistic reality set 30 years after aliens took refuge on Earth. These aliens are forced to reside in an area called “District 9,” and from there, the main story begins. The film is shot in a found-footage style and follows the main character, Wikus van de Merwe, who catches an odd illness and is forced to take refuge in District 9. The contrast between this style of cinematography and the CGI aliens is truly unique and eye-catching. The movie is meant to mirror the events, locations, and actions that happened during the apartheid in South Africa, which really elevates the film and is the reason why it's so critically acclaimed.

What We Do In The Shadows 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like living with four vampires? I definitely have not. In this mockumentary-style film, we follow four vampire roommates and their everyday challenges adapting to the modern world. Standing out in the comedy department, What We Do In The Shadows had me chuckling for the majority of the run, making mundane situations hilarious. The genius behind the movie, the director Taika Waititi, known for films like Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, really flexes his comedic muscles in his direction. The constant jokes never feel overdone, and they somehow keep getting funnier the longer the movie goes on. If you ever feel like you need a laugh, don't hesitate to watch this movie!

The Descent

For the horror fans out there, The Descent is one of the scariest horror movies I have ever seen. The film follows the main character, Sarah, and her friends, as they go cave spelunking. The film creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that will make you feel trapped with them. Honestly, that sounds scary as is, but the film offers more frightful scares that I cannot get into without crossing into spoiler territory. The Descent evokes a constant stream of moments that will have you holding your breath, which is not helped by the found-footage style of cinematography. The claustrophobic atmosphere is intensified by this style, giving a sense of unease throughout, which is not easily done. So if you are easily scared, be warned: this is not for the faint of heart.

Little Miss Sunshine 

If you need a “feel-good movie” to watch, Little Miss Sunshine is for you. The movie follows a dysfunctional family and their struggles with each other and themselves. They go through a physical journey by driving the youngest daughter, Olive, to her beauty pageant, as well as a spiritual journey as the family comes to understand and value one another. With standout actors and actresses such as Steve Carell and Toni Colette, this film is filled with amazing talent. The character dynamics and growth are the main attractions of the film, especially the dynamic between Carell’s character Frank and Paul Dano's character Dwayne: two characters who you’d think wouldn’t get along seem to have some mutual respect and understanding of each other. Little Miss Sunshine is a journey that will stay in your heart for years to come.

Whiplash  

Whiplash is an intense film from beginning to end; expect to be on the edge of your seat for the entire duration. Offering quite a simple premise, Miles Teller's character, Andrew, falls under the tutelage of J.K. Simmons' character, Terence Fletcher. Terance is a harsh and downright abusive teacher who keeps pushing Andrew towards perfecting his drumming skills to the point of insanity. The absolute dread and anxiety this movie makes you feel is unbelievable, and this is all coming from a movie about drumming. This is due to the way the movie is edited and the performances by the two main actors. The message the movie conveys is also a key piece to watch out for, but since it is the culmination of the entire movie, I won’t reveal it to avoid spoilers. Whiplash is definitely a must-watch and a masterpiece, so don't skip out on it!

Independent films bring a breath of fresh air in an industry bogged down by studio executives and quarterly goals. So the next time you're bored or find yourself with nothing to do, fill your free time with a film from this list! Who knows, maybe you'll discover your next favorite movie!