All Articles

A spoiler free review of Jeanne du Barry begins with its confidence as a biographical drama. Directed by Maïwenn, it leans on Stanislas Stanic and Maïwenn to give the material a human centre. At story level, Jeanne Vaubernier, King Louis XV and working class 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 moment

Foe does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is a thriller shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Garth Davis, it leans on Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Hen, Junior and Junior's into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Suspense grows from the gap between what the character

There is an appealing directness to Infested. 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 Sébastien Vanicek, it leans on Théo Christine and Sofia Lesaffre to give the material a human centre. At story level, Residents of, French and rundown shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The horror works best through atmosph

The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die approaches its action material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Edward Bazalgette, it leans on Mark Rowley and Pekka Strang to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws In the, King Edward's and Uhtred of Bebbanburg 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 estab

At its best, Somebody I Used to Know works as a comedy that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Dave Franco, it leans on Alison Brie and Jay Ellis to give the material a human centre. At story level, Ally, Sean and Things 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. The script

You People is a comedy with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Kenya Barris, it leans on Jonah Hill and Lauren London to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Follows, couple and families 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 Puppy Love begins with its confidence as a comedy. Directed by Nick Fabiano and Richard Alan Reid, it leans on Lucy Hale and Grant Gustin to give the material a human centre. At story level, Nicole, Max and Hilariously 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 funni

White Men Can't Jump does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is a comedy shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Calmatic, it leans on Sinqua Walls and Jack Harlow to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws remake, basketball and hustlers into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ The humour lands most consistently t

There is an appealing directness to Mrs. 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 Arati Kadav, it leans on Sanya Malhotra and Avi Thakral to give the material a human centre. At story level, married, identity and amidst shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ Comedy lives or dies on rhythm, and the film is at its best

Reality approaches its drama material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Tina Satter, it leans on Sydney Sweeney and Josh Hamilton to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws American, Russian and United States 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. ⁠ Th

At its best, Assassin works as an action film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Jesse Atlas, it leans on Andy Allo and Nomzamo Mbatha to give the material a human centre. At story level, experimental, military and program 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. The set pieces are arranged w

Peter Pan & Wendy is a fantasy film with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by David Lowery, it leans on Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Follow the, Peter Pan and London 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 effective when its