By The Bukit List

Thanks to the cinema, Netflix, and a near infinite pool of channels, it’s pretty easy to find good indies, but sometimes it’s still nice to have a list. Here are 10 independent film picks straight from The Bukit List—a list that includes a little something for everyone. The internet will surely agree with some of these, but there are a handful on this list that are just underground enough to NOT land on many (if any) other lists, so you’re in good hands. We like to think so, at least. 

To all our renegade cinephiles out there (and everyone else), here’s that list:

  1. Swimming Pool. Filled with super moody atmospheric visuals and strong performances, “Swimming Pool” is a great lazy day “Bukit List” watch if you like a good mystery with weird twists. It’s a French-British film that revolves around a middle-aged female crime novelist (played by Charlotte Rampling) who’s struggling with writer’s block. To find inspiration and solitude, she heads to the French countryside where things get…strange. 
  2. Withnail and I. “Withnail and I” is unconventional British cinema at its best—a sleeper hit that’s earned its well-deserved ‘cult classic’ status. Set in London in the late 1960s, the film follows the misadventures of two struggling actors as they navigate their way through a memorable and debaucherous weekend. It’s a story of friendship, desperation, and hedonism with a lot of cheeky one-liners. 
  3. Heathers. This is another one we’ll never get tired of. Its dark and snarky dialog is full of memorable one-liners like, “well, fuck me gently with a chainsaw—do I look like Mother Theresa?” And let’s be honest, Christian Slater and Winona Ryder together pretty much defined the cultural landscape of the 80s and 90s so if you’re of a certain era, the film is bound to trigger some nostalgic emotions. Heathers (and Wino) forever. 
  4. This is Spinal Tap. “Put it up to eleven!” As an important landmark in mockumentary history, “This is Spinal Tap” will forever be cemented in our hearts as pure comedy gold. We’re talking some serious Hall of Fame shit. If you haven’t seen it or if you haven’t watched it lately, go download it. You’re welcome. 
  5. Bait. “Bait” is another British indie that doesn’t get nearly enough recognition. Set in a picturesque but economically downtrodden fishing village in Cornwall, it’s the story of a once-thriving working-class community posed by the challenges of gentrification. The film forgoes excessive dialog, instead relying heavily on visuals. The ensemble cast is comprised mainly of non-professional actors whose performances are raw and real. It’s a thought-provoking and visually stunning film that will stay with you for a long time after you finish it. 
  6. Donnie Darko. Too obvious? Well, we can’t leave DD off our first indie film list—it’s too good. Richard Kelly’s cult classic is a little bit sci-fi, a little bit psycho-thriller, and a little bit coming-of-age drama. It’s also beautifully shot and it’s a really cool story. And Jake Gyllenhaal reminds us how easy it was in our youth to feel alone and misunderstood. It’s super emo and we love it. 
  7. Lost Highway. It’s hard to pick just one David Lynch film, but we chose Lost Highway for this list just because the soundtrack is so epic (it’s a Trent Reznor score and you know the man knows how to make a soundrack—lots of Rammstein and Nine Inch Nails). The film is dark, mysterious, and sometimes kinda funny in a totally Lynchian way. It’s also really stylish…and it never gets old.  
  8. Mid90s. Directed by Jonah Hill, “Mid90s” pays homage to the art of skateboarding and skateboarding culture with a young main character who finds solace and brotherhood among a group of misfit skateboarders. Set in the mid-1990’s in Los Angeles, Hill does a great job of capturing the essence of the era, right down to the fashion, music, and skate culture. It’s a really well done film that received critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of youth culture. It definitely marked Jonah Hill’s successful transition into directing. 
  9. Harold and Maude. Harold and Maude is one of the most unconventional love stories out there. The characters are quirky and memorable, and the film does a great job exploring existential themes like the meaning of life, the pursuit of happiness, and the inevitability of death. It’s a fun watch with some disturbing twists and strange tonal shifts along the way. It’s a comedy, romance, and drama all rolled into one, and many will agree it’s one of the greats.  
  10. Clerks. Clerks will forever have a solidified place in the sanctuary of cult classics. Seriously, who doesn’t love Dante, Randal, Jay, and Silent Bob? Btw, if you don’t know what we’re talking about, that’s okay. Just watch the film. It glorifies soul-sucking jobs and dead-end aspirations in a way that no other film does. It’s unapologetically brilliant—a cross-generational classic that continues to win the hearts of new audiences along with its existing fan base.