Whether it’s a unique premise, character, twist, or world, a unique movie can take you completely by surprise and give you some of the most rewarding cinematic experiences. Unique can be a pretty vague term to use so before we go into the most unique movies released in 2020 we need to define what makes a movie unique. 

In this blog, we will be defining a unique movie as a movie with a distinct element that differentiates it from the typical movies released in its genre. Parasite is a unique film that took the world by storm because of the compelling premise and the unexpected genre shift that takes place in the middle of the film. Let’s take a look at the 7 Most Unique Movies Released in 2020. 

7. Uncanny Harbor

If you are into micro-budget independent films written by a director who is making his feature-length debut, then you’ll want to check out Uncanny Harbor. Taking place in a seaside New England town, Uncanny Harbor is about a recluse fisherman who suddenly has emerging memories of his missing wife and what actually happened on the night she vanished 25 years prior. The world built in Uncanny Harbor is ominous, foreboding, and shrouded in mystery but the 2nd half is when the twists and turns come out full force.

 

What Makes The Film Unique: The film is unique, not in the story it has, but in how that story is presented to the audience. We begin thinking this is a typical investigation into a woman’s disappearance but by the middle of the film we realize that nothing about this is typical. The major shift that takes place in the film makes Uncanny Harbor walk the line between horror, thriller, and Sci-Fi. 

 

Where To Watch Uncanny Harbor

Reveel

 

6. Black Box

How the human mind handles trauma has gripped storytellers for centuries. In the same vein as Wander Darkly, Black Box is about a single father who undergoes an experimental memory recovery treatment after a traumatic accident. The film never descends into the horror it was marketed to be but the unsettling atmosphere remains all the same. 

 

What Makes The Film Unique: Black Box puts its own spin on the subject of how trauma affects our memories. The twists that take place within the film shifts the plot in a direction you wouldn’t expect beforehand.

 

Where To Watch Black Box

Prime Video

 

5. Shirley

Elizabeth Moss is proving herself to be a force to be reckoned with in each new role she plays. In Shirley, Moss plays Shirley Jackson, a real-life 20th-century author. Shirley gets the idea for her new book after a young couple moves in with her and her husband. The film is inspired by Shirley Jackson as she writes her 2nd novel, Hangsaman. The film combines both fiction and fact to create an engrossing fantasy that you can’t turn away from. 

 

What Makes The Film Unique: The film is a biopic that blends real and fictitious events into a story that gives you a glimpse into Shirley’s inscrutable mind. 

 

Where To Watch Shirley 

Hulu

 

4. Wander Darkly

Wander Darkly is a beautifully creative film that presents a couple’s relationship through their memories. The film is reminiscent of Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind where memory is presented as a living, changing entity. Wander Darkly is about a couple who relives their relationship after a near-death experience leaves them in a state between life and death. Throughout the film, we are left questioning if the main characters are alive, dead, or in a supernatural state.

 

What Makes The Film Unique: The unknown nature of the couple’s surreal state after a near-death experience keeps you engaged throughout the film. As we delve deeper into their relationship, the characters become 3-dimensional people who we want to root for.

 

Where To Watch Wander Darkly

Hulu

 

 3. Promising Young Woman

Promising Young Woman is Emerald Fennell’s writer/director debut feature film. It’s a strong, bold film for a first-time director with an intense final act. The film is about a woman who is traumatized by a past event and seeks revenge on the people responsible. Fennell’s film deals with many controversial topics particularly surrounding the #MeToo movement but the statement the film makes is clear and impactful. Cassie, the protagonist, is a character that is sure to stick with you long after the film has ended. 

 

What Makes The Film Unique: The premise is what really makes the film stand out. Cassie spends her free time acting as a vigilante for women who get taken advantage of by men. She acts overly drunk at bars just to lure “nice guys” into trying to take advantage of her when actually, that’s when her trap for them is sprung.

 

Where To Watch Promising Young Woman

HBO Max

 

2. Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets

If you like people-watching, you will love Bloody Nose Empty Pockets. The entire film revolves around patrons enjoying their last night in a closing Las Vegas bar. The film is a fictitious documentary — which is a film shot in a documentary style but that is also completely staged. You would never know that just by watching it. The actors, some of who are actual actors and others who are just playing themselves, do a remarkable job of bringing an authentic humanity to their roles. The film poignantly captures that the bar isn’t just a bar to the patrons, it’s a safe haven for them, for lost souls. 

 

What Makes The Film Unique: There’s no overarching story to follow but there is still a lot of depth in every scene. The meaningful interactions between characters reveal a lot about society and humanity in general. There isn’t a dull moment in this film.

 

Where To Watch Bloody Nose Empty Pockets

Prime Video Through A Topic Subscription (They have a free trial for 7 days) 

 

Available To Rent For $3.99 On… 

Youtube
Prime Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies & TV
Vudu

 

1. I’m Thinking Of Ending Things

Charlie Kauffman is known to create unique films. Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind to name a few. Most recently he wrote and directed I’m Thinking Of Ending Things. The film is about a young woman who travels with her boyfriend to meet his parents on a secluded farm. The logline may seem simple but the film is far from that. The film takes a surreal approach to addressing existential questions about humanity. It’s a film you won’t understand until it’s over… and even then, you may still need to watch a few explainer videos on YouTube.

 

What Makes The Film Unique: We spend most of our time in a car but the clever dialogue and the dreamlike approach to crafting the story keeps you guessing throughout the entire film.

 

Where To Watch I’m Thinking Of Ending Things

Netflix

 

New Filmmakers, New Voices

The rise of independent films and the advancement of technology has helped the film industry amplify the voices of filmmakers all over the world. Now, there are more unique movies being created than ever before. We couldn’t include every unique movie that was released in 2020 in this blog post but we hope these 7 movies will give you a cinematic experience different from anything you’ve experienced before.

Memorial Day is a time to mourn and recognize the soldiers who lost their lives in service to their country. Memorial Day doesn’t have to be depressing but it should be a day of appreciation for the fallen, and the films we watch should reflect that notion. There are many different war movies but not all war movies make good Memorial Day movies. We have put together a list of the 5 Best Memorial Day Movies that memorialize the sacrifices soldiers make in service of their country.

1. The Messenger (2009)

The Messenger is not a traditional war movie. Many people don’t consider it to be a war movie at all. Instead of focusing on the soldiers fighting in the Iraq War, Oren Moverman (Director and writer of the film) decides to focus on the soldiers that are tasked with notifying the next of kin of a soldier’s death. It’s a rare look into the sorrowful job of casualty notification and the psychological journey soldiers have to undergo to adapt back to normal life. Conflict mounts as the protagonist builds a relationship with the widow of a fallen officer. The Messenger was nominated for many awards including 2 Academy Awards.

 

Where To Watch The Messenger

Crackle
Pluto TV
Tubi

 

2. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Saving Private Ryan is one of the most well-known war movies today. The opening sequence is famous for its merciless brutality and harsh reality for those of us unfamiliar with combat. The film follows Captain Miller and a group of US soldiers who travel behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action. The premise of Saving Private Ryan is touching in itself. A group of soldiers risk their own lives to spare a mother of more heartbreak but what makes it more moving is that the film was inspired by the true story of the Niland brothers. The 4 Niland brothers served simultaneously during WWII. 2 of the brothers, Preston and Robert, were killed in combat while Edward went missing after his plane was shot down. Frederick was the last surviving brother and when the War Department was notified of that fact, they ordered for him to be removed from the frontlines and sent home. Eventually, it would be discovered that Edward survived being shot out of the sky and was a Burmese Prisoner of War for years. Edward returned to America and lived to be 72. Frederick lived to be 63.

 

Where To Watch Saving Private Ryan

Netflix

 

3. Band of Brothers (2001)

Band of Brothers is not a film, but it is an excellent mini-series that follows the “E” Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division from their initial training in 1942 to the end of WWII. The mini-series showcases the bonds forged between soldiers and how these men were ordinary but brave. It’s a timeless series that examines the horrors of war while simultaneously paying tribute to those who fought in it. Band of Brothers consists of 10 hour-long episodes. It won 6 Primetime Emmys and is a must-see for anyone who wants to watch something good on Memorial Day.

 

Where To Watch Band Of Brothers

HBO Max

 

4. Glory (1989)

With master performances by the likes of Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, Glory is a timeless classic that holds up against war movies released even today. It is also the only film on this list that takes place before the 20th century. Glory is about Colonel Robert Gould Shaw who volunteers to lead an all African American regiment of The Union. The film addresses the overlooked topics of racism within the military and highlights the sacrifices that African American soldiers have made for the U.S. in every war.

 

Where To Watch Glory

Prime Video with AMC Plus

 

5. American Sniper (2014)

Chris Kyle was one of the deadliest snipers in US history. His death in 2013 was a tragedy that shocked the country. Clint Eastwood created a film that honored the legacy of Chris Kyle and showcased his commitment to his comrades proudly. American Sniper follows Chris Kyle from when he decides to enlist after the 1998 terrorist attacks on US embassies all the way to the days leading up to his murder. The film examines the brutal everyday decisions Kyle has to make while deployed and how it psychologically affects him. Unlike the other picks on this list, American Sniper focuses on one soldier, his family, and the duty to his country.

 

Where To Watch American Sniper

fubo TV

 

What Makes These Films Good Memorial Day Movies

Many war films can give a sensationalized representation of war. They can present battles as an exciting grand spectacle, forgetting to emphasize how traumatic and sorrowful those battles can be, but these films never forget or dampen the harsh realities of war. They honor those who have served by highlighting their bravery even when being in the midst of something truly horrific. On top of that, the soldiers in these films are 3-dimensional characters with individual personalities. You not only understand the soldiers’ bravery, but you also understand who they are as human beings. This Memorial Day, make sure to honor all of the soldiers who are living today along with those who have fallen.

Published on May 24th, 2021. Updated on May 12th, 2022