All Articles

There is an appealing directness to Sound of Freedom. It knows it is a thriller, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Alejandro Monteverde, it leans on Jim Caviezel and Mira Sorvino to give the material a human centre. At story level, incredible, story and former shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. The thriller elements work through con

Scream VI 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 Matt Bettinelli Olpin and Tyler Gillett, it leans on Courteney Cox and Melissa Barrera to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Ghostface, Woodsboro and New York City into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty.

Five Nights at Freddy's is a horror film with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Emma Tammi, it leans on Josh Hutcherson and Piper Rubio to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. During, troubled and security 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 throu

A spoiler free review of The Little Mermaid begins with its confidence as a romance. Directed by Rob Marshall, it leans on Halle Bailey and Jonah Hauer King to give the material a human centre. At story level, mermaid, makes and witch 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

A spoiler free review of Fast X begins with its confidence as an action film. Directed by Louis Leterrier, it leans on Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez to give the material a human centre. At story level, Dom Toretto, Hernan Reyes and family 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 ha

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom approaches its action material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by James Wan, it leans on Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Black Manta, Aquaman and Wielding the Black Trident'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 th

Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One is an action film with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, it leans on Tom Cruise and Hayley Atwell to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Ethan Hunt, IMF and track 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 action is most convinc

At its best, Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania works as a comedy that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Peyton Reed, it leans on Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly to give the material a human centre. At story level, Scott Lang, Hope Van Dyne and Quantum Realm 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 thro

Elemental does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is an animated film shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Peter Sohn, it leans on Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Follows Ember, Wade and fire into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. Its visual design does more than decorat

At its best, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes works as an action film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Francis Lawrence, it leans on Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth to give the material a human centre. At story level, Coriolanus Snow, District and Hunger Games 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

John Wick: Chapter 4 approaches its action material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Chad Stahelski, it leans on Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws John Wick, The High Table. But and Wick 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

Wonka is a comedy with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Paul King, it leans on Timothée Chalamet and Gustave Die to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Willy Wonka, dreams and opening 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 tru