2023 SXSW Red Carpet Highlights: Hometown Heroes, Binge-worthy Series & More

One of the most anticipated SXSW returns was that of the Film Festival red carpet, and it seems like our visiting celebs agree. Look back on the World Premieres from this year's lineup of Headliners, Episodics, Documentaries, and more. We have the scoop on cast, crew, and directors from Everything Everywhere All at Once to The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, and more in Austin, TX at SXSW 2022. Catch all of the drama, fun, and elegance in our 2022 Red Carpet Review.

THE NEXT GREAT BINGEWORTHY SERIES

Taking place almost entirely in Europe, Season 3 of FX’s Atlanta finds Earn, Alfred ‘Paper Boi,’ Darius, and Van in the midst of a successful European tour, as the group navigates their new surroundings as outsiders, and struggle to adjust to the newfound success they had aspired to. Zazie Beetz, Stefani Robinson, Donald Glover, Hiro Murai and Stephen Glover attend the Closing Night Screening of the World Premiere.

Leaping off the pages of the popular comic, DMZ chronicles the harrowing journey of fearless and fierce medic Alma Ortega (Rosario Dawson), who sets out on a harrowing journey to find the son she lost. Living up the midday premiere were DMZ series stars Benjamin Brat and Rosario Dawson.

Inspired by the true story of Michelle Carter’s unprecedented “texting-suicide” case, Elle Fanning is The Girl from Plainville.

Based on the the iconic 1976 film starring David Bowie, The Man Who Fell to Earth follows a new alien character who arrives on Earth at a turning point in human evolution and must confront his own past to determine our future. Cast members Jimmi Simpson, Naomie Harris, and Bill Nighy attend the SXSW World Premiere.

Kiernan Shipka, Kathleen Roberts, and Diane Kruger met on the red carpet for the World Premiere of Swimming With Sharks. When Lou Simms (Kiernan Shipka) starts her internship at Fountain Pictures she seems like a naïve Hollywood newcomer, awestruck by the studio’s notorious CEO, Joyce Holt (Diane Kruger). In truth, Lou has done extensive research on Joyce and landing this internship was no happy accident. As Lou’s obsession grows, she will do anything to get close to her idol.

Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway posed for photos outside of the World Premiere of WeCrashed. The series is inspired by actual events — and the love story at the center of it all. WeWork grew from a single coworking space into a global brand worth $47 billion in under a decade. Then, in less than a year, its value plummeted. What happened?

HOMETOWN HEROES

With a name that has become synonymous with his home state of Texas, Richard Linklater returned to SXSW with his latest film, Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood. Taking inspiration from Linklater’s own life, Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood is a snapshot of American life in the 1960s that is part coming of age, part societal commentary, and part out-of-this-world adventure. Fellow Texan and frequent collaborator, Glen Powell stars in the animated film.

Lee Pace signed autographs for fans at the premiere of Bodies Bodies Bodies. A party game turns deadly in this fresh and funny look at backstabbing, fake friends, and one party gone very, very wrong. Set in a single location, Bodies Bodies Bodies sets itself apart as a post-pandemic horror film.

Ethan Hawke joined the SXSW alumni of directors with a six part series on the famous love story between Paul Newman and Joann Woodward, The Last Movie Stars. The film opens as young Paul Newman and an even younger Joanne Woodward set out for stardom in 1950s NYC. Joanne finds early success as Paul, a married father of three, struggles to find his way, until the pair fatefully cross paths backstage during a production of Picnic.

Recipient of the 2020 SXSW Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Film, Cooper Raiff, reappeared this SXSW with his sophomore film Cha Cha Real Smooth. Cooper Raiff writes, directs, and stars alongside Dakota Johnson, Leslie Mann, and newcomers Vanessa Burghardt and Evan Assante in this tale of unconventional love that brims with emotional honesty.

CONSIDER US BLOCK-BUSTED

The SXSW 2022 Opening Night Film Everything Everywhere All at Once quickly became one of the most talked about films of the year. Considering the incredible chemistry between this ensemble cast, it's easy to imagine why. Just don't ask us to explain the hotdog fingers; you'll have to figure that out for yourself. Everything Everywhere All At Once is a hilarious and big-hearted sci-fi action adventure about an exhausted Chinese-American woman (Michelle Yeoh) who can't seem to finish her taxes.

The Lost City stars Sandra Bullock and Daniel Radcliffe embodied the "red" carpet in their chic premiere looks. The Lost City follows brilliant, but reclusive author Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock) who spent her career writing about exotic places in romance-adventure novels featuring cover model Alan (Channing Tatum), who has dedicated his life to embodying the hero character, “Dash.” Thrust into an epic jungle adventure, the unlikely pair will need to work together to survive the elements.

No other premiere in the South By lineup had quite the impact that The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent had. If the combined star power of Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal weren't enough to stir up red carpet buzz, throw in three Nic Cage mascots. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent stars Nicolas Cage as... Nick Cage. Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, the fictionalized version of Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan (Pedro Pascal).

Be sure to add these premiering stories to your watchlist for 2022. For more info on where and when to see your favorite SXSW films, shows, and docs, visit our rundown of April/May Film Releases. Happy viewing, and thanks for a great SXSW return.

Teaser – Atlanta Season 3 Premier – Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for SXSW