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A spoiler free review of Rite of the Shaman begins with its confidence as a drama. Directed by Alicia Oberle Farmer, it leans on Tyrell Oberle and Janice Spencer Wise to give the material a human centre. At story level, school, follow and shaman 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 fil

Before, Now & Then does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is a historical drama shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Kamila Andini, it leans on Happy Salma and Laura Basuki to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Nana, Afterwards and Sundanese into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Its historical setting c

There is an appealing directness to Baby Ruby. 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 Bess Wohl, it leans on Noémie Merlant and Kit Harington to give the material a human centre. At story level, Bess Wohl's, tightly and scripted shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The horror works best through atmosphere rat

Golden Years approaches its comedy material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Barbara Kulcsar, it leans on Esther Gemsch and Stefan Kurt to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Mediterranean. The, retired and couple 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 efficie

At its best, Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia works as an animated film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Julien Chheng and Jean Christophe Roger, it leans on Lambert Wilson and Pauline Brunner to give the material a human centre. At story level, Ernest, Célestine and Ernest'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. ⁠ It

The Cherry Bushido is a fantasy film with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Hiroshi Akabane, it leans on Fumika Shimizu and Hiroaki Tanaka to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Shizuka, Japan Salvation Conference and She 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 fantasy setting is most effec

A spoiler free review of Rodeo begins with its confidence as a drama. Directed by Lola Quivoron, it leans on Julie Ledru and Yannis Lafki to give the material a human centre. At story level, Julia, She and misfit 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 works when it trusts ordinary d

A Couple does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is a drama shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Frederick Wiseman, it leans on Nathalie Boutefeu to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Leo Tolstoy. The, Sophia and follows into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Its strongest quality is attention to characte

There is an appealing directness to Two Tickets to Greece. It knows it is a comedy, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Marc Fitoussi, it leans on Laure Calamy and Olivia Côte to give the material a human centre. At story level, Magalie, Blandine and Greece shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ Comedy lives or dies on rhythm, and the fi

2nd Chance approaches its documentary material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Ramin Bahrani, it leans on Richard Davis to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Richard Davis, exploration and inventor 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. ⁠ What w

At its best, Flux Gourmet works as a horror film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Peter Strickland, it leans on Asa Butterfield and Gwendoline Christie to give the material a human centre. At story level, institute, devoted and culinary 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 effective weapon is anticipation. The film

Sirens is a documentary with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Rita Baghdadi, it leans on Lilas Mayassi and Shery Bechara to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Lilas, Shery and Middle East's 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 documentary is strongest when observation is allowed to bre