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A spoiler free review of The School for Good and Evil begins with its confidence as a comedy. Directed by Paul Feig, it leans on Sophia Anne Caruso and Sofia Wylie to give the material a human centre. At story level, Best, Sophie and Agatha 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. ⁠ Its funniest

Samaritan does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is an action film shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Julius Avery, it leans on Sylvester Stallone and Javon 'Wanna' Walton to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws learns, superhero and thought into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Momentum is the film's m

There is an appealing directness to Rogue Agent. It knows it is an action film, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, it leans on James Norton and Matthew Douglas to give the material a human centre. At story level, Robert Freegard, MI5 and extraordinary shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The action is m

Through My Window approaches its comedy material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Marçal Forés, it leans on Clara Galle and Julio Peña to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Raquel's, longtime and crush 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. ⁠ Its

At its best, Persuasion works as a romance that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Carrie Cracknell, it leans on Richard E. Grant and Henry Golding to give the material a human centre. At story level, Eight, Anne Elliot and Will 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 allow affection to develop through conve

The Pale Blue Eye is a horror film with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Scott Cooper, it leans on Christian Bale and Harry Melling to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws West Point, Stymied and Edgar Allan Poe 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. ⁠ The horror works best through atmosphere ra

A spoiler free review of Speak No Evil begins with its confidence as a horror film. Directed by Christian Tafdrup, it leans on Morten Burian and Sidsel Siem Koch to give the material a human centre. At story level, A Danish, Dutch and What 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 strongest

The Coffee Table 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 Caye Casas, it leans on David Pareja and Estefanía de los Santos to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Jesus, Maria and Nevertheless into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Its most effective weap

There is an appealing directness to Luck. It knows it is an animated film, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Peggy Holmes and Javier Abad, it leans on Eva Noblezada and Simon Pegg to give the material a human centre. At story level, curtain, pulled and millennia old shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The animation gives the film it

Enola Holmes 2 approaches its action material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Harry Bradbeer, it leans on Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Now, Enola Holmes and Sherlock 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 efficien

At its best, Matilda: The Musical works as a comedy that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Matthew Warchus, it leans on Alisha Weir and Emma Thompson to give the material a human centre. At story level, Tony, Olivier and Matilda 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 character chemistry. Th

Good Boy is a horror film with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Viljar Bøe, it leans on Gard Løkke and Katrine Lovise Øpstad Fredriksen to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Christian, Sigrid and Frank 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. ⁠ The horror works best through atmosphere rather tha