Five Must-See Films at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival

Update 1/5/22: The 2022 Sundance Film Festival will only be held virtually. Learn more here.

On December 9th, The Sundance Institute announced their 2022 lineup for the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. From a pool of over 3,700 feature submissions, the Sundance programmers chose a diverse slate of 82 titles — including 39 by first-time feature directors — in a variety of genres and styles. 

The 2022 Sundance Film Festival takes place virtually from January 20th-30th. Tickets go on sale December 17th. Here is our list of five must-see Sundance films.

NANNY

Directed by Nikyatu Jusu 
Starring Anna Diop, Michelle Monaghan, Sinqua Walls, Morgan Spector, Rose Decker and Leslie Uggams
Screenplay by Nikyatu Jusu
Produced by Nikkia Moulterie and Daniela Taplin Lundberg 
Executive Producers Ryan Heller, Sumalee Montano, Grace Lay, Rebecca Cammarata, and Nikyatu Jusu

Undocumented immigrant Aisha lands a job nannying for the daughter of a wealthy Manhattan couple. While she easily wins the affection of young Rose, she also finds herself caught up in the rocky marriage between the girl’s controlling mom and woke photojournalist dad. Just as his arrival finally feels imminent, a supernatural presence begins to invade both her dreams and her reality.

Learn more about Nanny

TIKTOK, BOOM.

Directed by Shalini Kantayya
Produced by Ross M. Dinerstein, Shalini Kantayya, and Danni Mynard
Executive Producers Ross Girard, Rebecca Evans, Travis Collins, Randall Lane, Michael Cho, Mimi Rode, Tim Lee, William Rosenfeld, and Robert Kapp

Dissecting one of the most influential platforms of the contemporary social media landscape, TikTok, Boom. examines the algorithmic, socio-political, economic, and cultural influences and impact of the history-making app. A cast of Gen Z subjects, helmed by influencer Feroza Aziz, remains at its center, making this one of the most needed and empathetic films exploring what it means to be a digital native.

Learn more about TikTok, Boom.

CALL JANE

Directed by Phyllis Nagy
Starring Elizabeth Banks, Sigourney Weaver, Chris Messina, Kate Mara, Wunmi Mosaku, and Cory Michael Smith
Screenplay by Hayley Schore and Roshan Sethi 
Produced by Robbie Brenner, David Wulf, Kevin McKeon, Lee Broda, Claude Amadeo, and Michael D'Alto
Executive Producers Chris Triana, Judy Bart, Erica Kahn, Christelle Conan, Peter Touche, Joseph Lanius, Leal Naim, Michelle Campbell Mason, Jeffrey Hecktman, Tom Burke, Patricia Lawley, and Iris Smith

When Joy’s pregnancy leads to a life-threatening condition, she must navigate a medical establishment unwilling to help. Her journey to find a solution to an impossible situation leads her to the “Janes,” a clandestine organization of women who provide Joy with a safer alternative — and in the process, change her life.

Learn more about Call Jane

RESURRECTION

Directed by Andrew Semans
Starring Rebecca Hall, Tim Roth, Grace Kaufman, Michael Esper, and Angela Wong Carbone
Screenplay by Andrew Semans
Produced by Tory Lenosky, Alex Scharfman, Drew Houpt, Lars Knudsen, Tim Headington, and Lia Buman

Margaret (Rebecca Hall) leads a successful and orderly life, perfectly balancing the demands of her busy career and single parenthood. Before long, Margaret starts seeing David (Tim Roth), an unwelcome man from her past, everywhere — and their meetings appear to be far from an unlucky coincidence. Battling her rising fear, Margaret must confront the monster she’s evaded for two decades who has come to conclude their unfinished business. 

Learn more about Resurrection

SUMMERING

Directed by James Ponsoldt
Screenplay by James Ponsoldt and Benjamin Percy
Produced by Peter Block and P. Jennifer Dana

It’s the waning days of summer for four friends Dina, Lola, Daisy, and Mari, who will soon be going their separate ways when they all start middle school. While planning how to spend their last weekend together, they stumble across a mystery that takes them on a life-changing adventure. 

Learn more about Summering 

Check out the full 2022 Sundance lineup here.