10 of our most anticipated films at Sundance 2021

Sundance Film Festival: On the Count of Three

Directed by and starring Jerrod Carmichael, On the Count of Three looks to be as comedic and entertaining as it is heart-shattering. The film follows Val (Carmichael) who has reached a place in his life where he feels the only way out is to end things.

But he considers himself a bit of a failure—his effectiveness lacking—so he figures he could use some help. As luck would have it, Val’s best friend, Kevin (Christopher Abbott), is recovering from a failed suicide attempt, so he seems like the perfect partner for executing this double suicide plan.

But before they go, they have some unfinished business to attend to- and all sorts of darkly comedic and existential bromance ensue. On the Count of Three premieres on January 29th at 8 pm central time.

Sundance Film Festival: Passing

Perhaps the most hotly anticipated premiere of Sundance 2021 is Passing, which marks the directorial debut of actress Rebecca Hall.

Adapted from the 1929 Nella Larsen novel of the same name and shot in black and white, Passing tells the story of Irene Redfield (Tessa Thompson),  and Clare Kendry (Ruth Negga) two black women living in the 1920s.

Irene runs into Clare (an old high school friend) one day and the two rekindle their former friendship, but there’s one key thing separating them – while both are African American women who can “pass” as white, they have chosen to live on opposite sides of the color line. Clare is living as white-passing; Irene is not.

With Oscar nominee Negga, and Thompson hot off the success of her performance in Sylvie’s Love, the source material and cast make Passing an unskippable entry.

Passing premieres on January 30th at 5 pm central time.