IIn the month of the release of a new Marvel movie, many theaters seem to forget the existence of other movies.

Such an example, Guardians of the Galaxy Episode 3 sounds like a dramatic ending to this particular trilogy – independencet’s film critic Clarisse Loughrey called it “Marvel’s best move in years”.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check out some of the smaller releases on offer.

Among the best movies released this month are the ones that will take you from Tunisia to South Korea through the New Jersey suburbs. They were heartbroken, delighted, and confused in equal measure.

From an adaptation of a teen novel to a high-concept French thriller, here are five movies to see in cinemas in May 2023.

Case

Release date: May 5

Lotfy Nathan’s Case was inspired by Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor who died by suicide to protest the tyranny in Tunisia. Bouazizi’s actions were the catalyst for the Tunisian Revolution and the broader Arab Spring against corruption. IN Case, Adam Bessa plays a man who faces being evicted from his home while taking care of his two younger sisters. His dreams of a better life, and the frustration of being denied help at every given turn, make for a devastating but necessary drama. The extraordinary Bessa was jointly awarded the Cannes Film Festival’s Certain Award for his performance in 2023 (along with Vicky Krieps for corset).

Back to Seoul

Release date: May 5

by Davy Chou Back to Seoul is a meditation on the often futile search for belonging. The film tells the story of a 25-year-old woman, adopted as a baby by a French couple, as she returns to Korea in search of her biological parents. Park Ji-min excels in this delightfully languid drama with an explosive energy that suits Freddie’s personality well. Both Chou and Ji-min have interesting careers ahead of them.

Is God There? It’s Me, Margaret

Release date: May 19

There’s a reason Judy Blume’s teen novel, published in 1970, hasn’t made it to the big screen until now. With a rabid fan base, anyone who touches it feels a huge responsibility to make sure the film does its job fairly. Hire Kelly Freemon Craig, Outstanding Teen Film Director Side seventeento oversee this adaptation was a genius breakthrough – Is God There? It’s Me, Margaret is an engaging knockout that is accessible to anyone, not just the book’s target readers.

Scared Beau

Release date: May 19

Ari Aster Follows hereditary And mid summer with a three-hour surrealist adventure that rarely takes your foot off the pedal. To tell Scared Beau It’s not for everyone is an understatement – it’s certainly divided critics – but there’s no doubt that Aster’s film needs to be experienced to be believable. Joaquin Phoenix plays Beau, a man who encounters one obstacle after another as he tries to get home to his mother (Patti LuPone). A nonstop, unsettling and yes, hilarious film that has established Aster as one of the most exciting new filmmakers around.

All the time

Release date: May 26

After a successful festival, Eric Gravel was extremely stressed All the time finally reached UK cinemas. The film ranks a week in the life of a single mother, living in the suburbs of France, as she tries to keep her job as a maid during a strike and general upheaval in Paris. Laure Calamy, whom UK audiences will be best known for as Noémie in Call my agent!delivers an outstanding performance as Julie, who is always pushed to the limit of her stress level. All the time was a short win (running time was 87 minutes) and effective.