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A spoiler free review of The Disappearance of Shere Hite begins with its confidence as a documentary. Directed by Nicole Newnham, it leans on Dakota Johnson and Shere Hite to give the material a human centre. At story level, Shere Hite's, The Hite Report and Her 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 mo

MR 9: Do or Die 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 Asif Akbar, it leans on Frank Grillo and Michael Jai White to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Bangladeshi, CIA and elite 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 main adva

There is an appealing directness to Banel & Adama. It knows it is a drama, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Ramata Toulaye Sy, it leans on Khady Mane and Mamadou Diallo to give the material a human centre. At story level, Senegal, couple and contend shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The drama is most convincing in its quieter mom

Lonesome Soldier approaches its thriller material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Nino Aldi, it leans on John Ashton and Allison McAtee to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws True American Story, Lonesome Soldier and Jackson Harlow 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 neces

At its best, Flipside works as a documentary that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Christopher Wilcha, it leans on Judd Apatow and Monica Bill Barnes to give the material a human centre. At story level, New Jersey, comical and attempt 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 best passages come from clear access and patient organi

All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt is a drama with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Raven Jackson, it leans on Kaylee Nicole Johnson and Chris Chalk to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Mississippi, decades spanning and exploration 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 drama is most convinci

A spoiler free review of Summoning Sylvia begins with its confidence as a horror film. Directed by Wesley Taylor and Alex Wyse, it leans on Travis Coles and Frankie Grande to give the material a human centre. At story level, bachelor, party and turns 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. ⁠ Th

King Coal does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is a documentary shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Elaine McMillion Sheldon, it is shaped by a clear authorial point of view. The spoiler light setup draws Appalachia, cultural and roots into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Its best passages come from clear access and patient org

There is an appealing directness to Riddle of Fire. 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 Weston Razooli, it leans on Lio Tipton and Charles Halford to give the material a human centre. At story level, Three, mischievous and children shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ Comedy lives or dies on rhythm, and the fil

Cat Person approaches its comedy material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Susanna Fogel, it leans on Emilia Jones and Nicholas Braun to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws When Margot, Robert and college 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. ⁠ I

At its best, The Cowboy and the Queen works as a documentary that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Andrea Blaugrund Nevins, it leans on Queen Elizabeth II and Monty Roberts to give the material a human centre. At story level, Renegade, Monty Roberts and Queen Elizabeth II 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 best passages com

The Stones and Brian Jones is a documentary with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Nick Broomfield, it leans on Nick Broomfield and Brian Jones to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws The Stones, Brian Jones and Jones 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 obse