Not every movie is for everyone. Sometimes, a film that critics pan becomes your personal favorite. Other times, friends or audience ratings may suggest a movie isn’t worth your time, but you end up enjoying it. While there are movies that are universally loved and others that are universally disliked, there’s a middle group of underrated movies that polarize viewers and critics. This September, Amazon Prime Video presents three underrated films that fall into this gray area, waiting to be discovered by those willing to give them a chance.
One Fast Move (2024)
This Amazon Original features KJ Apa (Riverdale) as a young man chasing his dream of becoming a motorcycle racer. However, his desire to reconnect with his estranged father takes precedence. The film also boasts an impressive cast, including Eric Dane (Grey’s Anatomy), Edward James Olmos (Blade Runner), and Austin North (Outer Banks). While One Fast Move is an action-packed film, it delves deeper into themes of emotional trauma and overcoming barriers, all wrapped in a touching father/son tale. Mark Jackson of Epoch Times praises the film’s predictable yet appealing elements: “It’s got motorcycle racing, an estranged father-son relationship, and a romance with a diner waitress. Movies don’t get any better than that!”
Drive-Away Dolls (2023)
Margaret Qualley, known for her roles in shows like The Leftovers, Fosse/Verdon, and Maid, as well as the Oscar-winning movie Poor Things, delivers another stellar performance in Drive-Away Dolls. She shares incredible chemistry with Australian actress Geraldine Viswanathan (Blockers) as they play Jamie and Marian, lesbian best friends embarking on a road trip. Inspired by the classic Thelma & Louise, their journey takes an unexpected turn when they end up with a rental car carrying illegal cargo. Drive Away Dolls is a fun-filled crime comedy road movie that keeps you engaged with its witty banter and lighthearted tone. While the screenplay might not be the most complex, the chemistry between the two leads is undeniable. Jordan Ruimy of World of Reel describes it as a “B-movie sprinkled with goofiness and lots of sex.”
Monolith (2022)
Monolith, an Australian sci-fi thriller, features Lily Sullivan (Evil Dead Rise) as The Interviewer, a disgraced journalist grappling with loneliness and depression. To combat these feelings, she starts a podcast dedicated to unsolved mysteries. As callers recount their encounters with a strange black brick, The Interviewer’s paranoia escalates, questioning her role in the unfolding events. Monolith might disappoint viewers expecting a neatly wrapped-up ending, which is precisely why it received mixed reviews. However, its cerebral nature is what attracts others. Emilie Black from Cinema Crazed encapsulates the divided opinions: “It’s one of those films that will either be loved or leave the viewer completely nonplussed.”
