All Articles

A spoiler free review of Bandit begins with its confidence as a thriller. Directed by Allan Ungar, it leans on Josh Duhamel and Elisha Cuthbert to give the material a human centre. At story level, Michigan, Canada and The Flying Bandit shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. Those ingredients give the film a useful foundation, but the lasting impression depends on how well it balances mood, character and momentum. ⁠ The film is sharp

Hotel Transylvania 4: Transformania does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is an animated film shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Derek Drymon and Jennifer Kluska, it leans on Andy Samberg and Selena Gomez to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Johnny, Now and experiment into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than nove

There is an appealing directness to Significant Other. It knows it is a horror film, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, it leans on Maika Monroe and Jake Lacy to give the material a human centre. At story level, Follows, Pacific Northwest and couple shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The horror works best

The Good Nurse approaches its thriller material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Tobias Lindholm, it leans on Eddie Redmayne and Denise Pillott to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws infamous, caregiver and implicated into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. The film's first job is to make that setup feel worth following, and it establishes the necessary stakes eff

At its best, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande works as a comedy that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Sophie Hyde, it leans on Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack to give the material a human centre. At story level, Nancy Stokes, Leo Grande and retired shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. The result has a recognisable personality from the opening stretch. ⁠ The humour lands most consistently through char

Shotgun Wedding is a comedy with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Jason Moore, it leans on Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Darcy, Tom and gather into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. That is enough context to enter the film without spoiling the turns that give it shape. ⁠ Comedy lives or dies on rhythm, and the film is at its best when it tr

A spoiler free review of Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio begins with its confidence as an animated film. Directed by Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson, it leans on Ewan McGregor and David Bradley to give the material a human centre. At story level, Italy, father's and magically shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. Those ingredients give the film a useful foundation, but the lasting impression depends on how well it balances moo

Incantation does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is a horror film shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Kevin Ko, it leans on Hsuan yen Tsai and Sin Ting Huang to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Six, Li Ronan and Now into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Its most effective weapon is anticipation. Th

There is an appealing directness to The Weekend Away. It knows it is a thriller, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Kim Farrant, it leans on Leighton Meester and Christina Wolfe to give the material a human centre. At story level, Croatia, weekend and getaway shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The thriller elements work through cont

Shattered approaches its horror material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Luis Prieto, it leans on Cameron Monaghan and Sasha Luss to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Chris, Sky and divorcee into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. The film's first job is to make that setup feel worth following, and it establishes the necessary stakes efficiently. ⁠ The stronges

At its best, 365 Days: This Day works as a romance that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Barbara Bialowas and Tomasz Mandes, it leans on Anna Maria Sieklucka and Michele Morrone to give the material a human centre. At story level, Laura, Massimo and But Massimo's shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. The result has a recognisable personality from the opening stretch. ⁠ Its most convincing scenes all

Am I OK? is a comedy with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Stephanie Allynne and Tig Notaro, it leans on Dakota Johnson and Sonoya Mizuno to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Lucy, Jane and Only into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. That is enough context to enter the film without spoiling the turns that give it shape. ⁠ Comedy lives or dies on rhythm, and the film is at its be