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A spoiler free review of Coup! begins with its confidence as a comedy. Directed by Joseph Schuman and Austin Stark, it leans on Peter Sarsgaard and Billy Magnussen to give the material a human centre. At story level, During the Spanish Flu, mischievous and leads 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

Brothers After War 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 Jake Rademacher, it leans on Jake Rademacher and Isaac Rademacher to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Jake Rademacher, Iraq and reunites into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Its best passag

There is an appealing directness to How to Have Sex. 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 Molly Manning Walker, it leans on Anna Antoniades and Mia McKenna Bruce to give the material a human centre. At story level, Three British, teenage and girls shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The drama is most convincing

The Other Zoey approaches its comedy material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Sara Zandieh, it leans on Josephine Langford and Drew Starkey to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Zoey Miller, Zack and Zoey 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. ⁠

At its best, The Wrath of Becky works as an action film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote, it leans on Lulu Wilson and Seann William Scott to give the material a human centre. At story level, escaping, violent and attack 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. ⁠ Momentum is the film's main advantage. T

I Used to Be Funny is a comedy with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Ally Pankiw, it leans on Rachel Sennott and Olga Petsa to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Sam, PTSD and stand up 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

A spoiler free review of Last Summer begins with its confidence as a thriller. Directed by Catherine Breillat, it leans on Léa Drucker and Samuel Kircher to give the material a human centre. At story level, Follows Anne, Pierre and Anne 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 shar

Close to Vermeer 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 Suzanne Raes, it leans on Jonathan Janson and Pieter Roelofs to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Much, Johannes Vermeer and The Milkmaid into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Its best passages

There is an appealing directness to Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls. 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 Andrew Bowser, it leans on Andrew Bowser and Rivkah Reyes to give the material a human centre. At story level, Fledgling, Onyx and BARTOK THE GREAT'S shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ T

Ex Husbands approaches its comedy material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Noah Pritzker, it leans on Griffin Dunne and Rosanna Arquette to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws When Peter Pearce, Tulum and Nick's 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, Femme works as a thriller that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping, it leans on George MacKay and Nathan Stewart Jarrett to give the material a human centre. At story level, Follows Jules, Some and Preston 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. ⁠ Suspense grows from the gap between what the

The Canterville Ghost is an animated film with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Kim Burdon and Robert Chandler, it leans on Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws An American, Canterville Chase and Sir Simon De Canterville 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