[SXSW ’23] ‘Fuck Me, Richard’ and other SXSW stand outs

This year’s SXSW included over one hundred films from around the world. This included some of the most anticipated movies of 2023, indie films, and documentaries. While we did not watch everything that screened in Austin, we were able to watch a few movies. Here are the ones that stuck with us after the fest was over.

Jules Cabot

Tetris

Without a doubt, Tetris was the most fun movie I watched from this year’s SXSW. Tetris tells the story of a very complicated business deal between the USSR and multiple people who were trying to purchase the rights to distribute Tetris, the classic video game. What could have easily been a pretty boring business story is a really entertaining and funny thriller. Taron Egerton stars as Henk Rogers, the man credited with bringing “Tetris” to a global audience, and his performance as the mustached-80s-dad is really fun. Tetris will premiere on AppleTV+ on March 31.

Raging Grace 

When Joy, an undocumented Filipina single mother, finds a new job working as a caretaker for an elderly white man, she thinks that she will have an easier time taking care of her daughter Grace – at least, they won’t be homeless for a little while. Suspense slowly builds as we begin to sense that this deal is not as good as it seems, and Grace and Joy are in more danger than they realize. Raging Grace is a well-crafted look at the horrors of colonialism, and with strong performances and a great score, it deserves to come to a wide audience. 

Nathaniel Muir

Only the Good Survive

Writer-director Dutch Southern has put together the rarest of rare movies. His debut is a genre bending caper-horror-coming of age story that throws everything at the wall and makes them stick. What should be disjointed and frustrating is silly and engaging. Unsurprisingly, this leads to some noticeable flaws, but the pros far outweigh the cons. There is an almost youthful exuberance that leads to a lighthearted tone that can be felt in even the most serious moments. There may be better films that come out this year, but you would be hard pressed to find one that is more fun.

F*ck Me, Richard

Every generation has its own take on the perils of modern dating. While the way people meet may change, the dangers of deceiving one’s self and of being taken advantage of always remain. Lucky McKendrick writes, stars, and had a hand in directing this tale of money, lies, and phone sex. Just when it looks like this is going to be another cautionary tale about dating apps, the short becomes something more vague. It is not about who is lying, or even why. It is a character study about one lonely person that ends up saying a lot about today’s world.