'Ezra,' 'Evil Does Not Exist' and other new movies in Milwaukee theaters this week

Note: This story is updated for the week starting May 31.

After a couple of weeks in which expected Hollywood blockbusters didn’t meet the industry’s expectations (revenue-wise, not quality-wise), the new movies coming to Milwaukee theaters are a more varied bunch this weekend. Two of them screened earlier this year at the Milwaukee Film Festival.

Here’s what’s new in Milwaukee-area theaters starting Friday, as well as some of the new movies available on streaming and on demand this week.

‘Ezra’

Short version: A struggling stand-up comedian (Bobby Cannavale) decides to take his autistic son Ezra (William A. Fitzgerald) on a cross-country road trip, to the dismay of his ex-wife (Rose Byrne) and others. Robert De Niro, Whoopi Goldberg, Vera Farmiga and Rainn Wilson co-star in this inspirational dramedy, directed by Tony Goldwyn.

Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.

‘Evil Does Not Exist’

Short version: People in a village outside Tokyo learn that plans to build a glamping site nearby could threaten their water supply and their community’s character. The latest drama by Oscar-nominated director Ryusuke Hamaguchi (“Drive My Car”), described in one review as an “eco-thriller,” screened at the 2024 Milwaukee Film Festival.

Where you can see it: Downer Theatre.

‘In a Violent Nature’

Short version: A vengeful corpse is revived and, seeking a talisman from its past, pursues a group of teens vacationing in the woods. This well-reviewed slasher movie, which is told from the slasher's point of view, was a late-night attraction at the 2024 Milwaukee Film Festival.

Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.

‘Summer Camp’

Short version: Old friends (Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard) get back together at a reunion at the summer camp where they first met, and they discover how much — and how little — has changed. Eugene Levy, Dennis Haysbert and Beverly D'Angelo co-star.

Where you can see it: ACX Cinema/Bayshore; AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.

‘The Dead Don’t Hurt’

Short version: Viggo Mortensen wrote, directed and stars in this Western about a Danish immigrant (Mortensen) who, after making a life for himself in a small town in Nevada, heads off to fight for the Union in the Civil War. When he returns, he discovers that his wife (Vicky Krieps) has had to fight against the abusive leaders of their town. Danny Huston, Solly McLeod and Garret Dillahunt co-star.

Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall.

‘Young Woman and the Sea’

Short version: When Gertrude Ederle set out to become the first woman to swim across the English Channel, the water wasn’t her only obstacle. Daisy Ridley plays the American who, in 1926, surprised the world in this inspirational true-story drama produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.

Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres’ Majestic, North Shore, Ridge cinemas.

‘Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle’

Short version: Karasuno High’s volleyball club squares off against its nemesis in a showdown competition called “The Dumpster Battle” in this feature-length adaptation of the popular manga series.

Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Majestic, Menomonee Falls, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.

Animator Don Hertzfeldt’s ‘ME’ and ‘It’s a Beautiful Day’

Short version: New work by animation master Don Hertzfeldt is a special occasion; his latest, “ME,” is a 22-minute musical about “trauma, technology and the retreat of humanity into itself.” It’s showing with his 2012 classic “It’s Such a Beautiful Day.”

Where you can see it: Oriental Theatre.

RELATED: 33 movies from 2023 with Wisconsin ties, from 'Barbie' to 'Air'

‘California Typewriter’ fundraiser for QWERTYFEST

The documentary “California Typewriter” centers on people who, in the age of digitization, have remained loyal to their typewriters (including famous typewriter head Tom Hanks). It’s showing as a fundraiser for QWERTYFEST MKE, the local festival celebrating pretty much the same thing, at the Oriental Theatre at 7 p.m. June 6. (QWERTYFEST is June 21-23 this year; see qwertyfest.com for details.) Tickets are $13. Info: mkefilm.org/oriental-theatre.

‘Songs of Earth’ at Oriental Theatre

To better appreciate her father’s connections to nature, award-winning filmmaker Margreth Olin followed the 84-year-old around for a year. The result is “Songs of Earth,” a quietly beautiful documentary that was Norway’s submission for best international feature film at the Oscars last year. It’s showing at the Oriental Theatre at 6:45 p.m. June 2 and 3. Tickets are $13. Info: mkefilm.org/oriental-theatre.

Milwaukee Film's Hitchcock retrospective, Part 2

Suspense master Alfred Hitchcock’s catalog has so many great movies that Milwaukee Film is continuing its Hitchcock retrospective for another round. Showing this week: “To Catch a Thief” with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, 7 p.m. June 5. Tickets are $13. Info: mkefilm.org/alfred-hitchcock-retrospective.

‘Hot Dads’ movies at Oriental Theatre

After a month of “Cool Moms” movies, Milwaukee Film is paying tribute to fathers great and not so great with a “Hot Dads” series at the Oriental Theatre. This week’s entries: “Easy A,” 7 p.m. May 31; “To Kill a Mockingbird,” 1 p.m. June 1; “The Conjuring,” 9 p.m. June 1; “Boyhood,” noon June 2; “Us,” 9:30 p.m. June 6. Tickets are $13. Info: mkefilm.org/hotdads.

RELATED: Where you can find free outdoor movies in the Milwaukee area this summer

What's showing at Milky Way Drive-In

The Milky Way Drive-In, next to Franklin Field in Ballpark Commons, 7035 S. Ballpark Drive, is showing : May 30, a double feature of "Grease" and "Dirty Dancing" at 6:30 p.m.; May 31, “Jurassic Park” at 6:30 p.m. and “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning” at 9:15 p.m.; June 1, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” at 5 p.m., “The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” at 7:15 p.m., “Imaginary” at 10:30 p.m.; June 2, double feature of “The Sandlot” and “The Princess Bride” at 5 p.m. Admission is $35 per carload. Info: milkywaydrivein.com.

RELATED: The Milky Way Drive-in in Franklin sets its 2024 opening date; 'Barbie' among early movies

New movies on demand

“Backspot”: A cheerleader lands a spot with an all-star cheer squad but discovers the challenges — and dangers to her physical and mental well-being — are only just beginning. Devery Jacobs and Evan Rachel Wood star in this often-harsh coming-of-age drama. Available May 31.

"Shadow Land”: A former U.S. president sets out to thwart an international conspiracy designed to discredit his presidency. Jon Voight, Marton Csokas and Rhona Mitra star in this political thriller. Available June 4.

“What You Wish For”: A down-on-his-luck chef (Nick Stahl) assumes a friend’s identity and takes a job at an over-the-top-extravagant haven for the super rich, where he learns that his life is on the line with every dish. Available May 31.

“The Mattachine Family”: When the child he and his husband fostered is reunited with his birth mother, a photographer realizes the couple are not on the same page on the whole parenting thing and sets out to reconnect with family, friends and the past to find answers. Available June 4.

Recent releases newly available on demand: “Poolman,” May 31; “Exhuma,” June 4.

New movies on streaming services

“Jim Henson: Idea Man”: Henson’s amazing creations and life are the focus of this loving portrait of the guy behind the Muppets and more (including some early commercials he made). Ron Howard directed this new documentary. On Disney+ May 31.

“Let the Canary Sing”: Cyndi Lauper’s life as a singer, artist and activist is the focus of this documentary, which also screened at the 2024 Milwaukee Film Festival. On Paramount+ June 4.

“How to Rob a Bank”: This documentary recounts the story of a high-profile, seemingly unstoppable bank robber in 1990s Seattle. On Netflix June 5.

“Am I OK?”: Dakota Johnson plays a woman who, wrecked by self-confidence issues, tries to sort out her sexual identity in this inspired-by-a-true-story comedy directed by Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne. On Max June 6.

“Under Paris”: In this pre-Olympics horror-thriller, a scientist (Bérénice Bejo) discovers that a shark — yes, a shark — is swimming deep in the waters of the Seine in the heart of Paris. On Netflix June 5.

Recent releases newly available on streaming services: “Sympathy for the Devil,” Hulu May 31; “T.I.M.,” Hulu May 31; “Mean Girls” (2024), Prime Video June 4; “Perfect Days,” Hulu June 6; “Jungle Bunch: Operation Meltdown,” Hulu June 6.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New movies in Milwaukee this week: 'Ezra,' 'Evil Does Not Exist,' more