Rabbit Trap’s captivating, eerie atmosphere and thematic emphasis on sound mask a frustratingly vague narrative and distant characters. … read more
Cover Your Ears, Not Your Eyes for Welsh Folk Horror Rabbit Trap
A Journalist’s Nightmare: Opus Is a Punchy but Predictable Cult Horror
It’s Midsommar (murderous cult in the countryside) meets Ingrid Goes West (the dark side of celebrity worship) meets Get Out (I wanted to scream “Get out!” the whole time). … read more
Didn’t Die: Those Tormented Groans Are Coming From The Audience
I give director Meera Menon some credit for providing a unique perspective on the end of the world, but Didn’t Die would’ve had to tear me limb from limb to get my attention. … read more
Train Dreams: A Gentle and Meandering Exploration of American Existentialism
Despite its heavy subject matter, Train Dreams is a surprisingly gentle and contemplative film. … read more
The Thing With Feathers: Benedict Cumberbatch Anchors a Muddled Fable on Grief
Even with its rough edges and blatant symbolism, The Thing with Feathers is deeply earnest. You’d have to be heartless not to feel it, and that’s because the themes are very universal. … read more
No Man Is An Island in Lyrical Comedy The Ballad of Wallis Island
The Ballad of Wallis Island is destined to be embraced as a sentimental favorite by anyone lucky enough to fall under its sweet spell. … read more
God Never Spoke, Only Beast: The Biblical Desperation of Beast Games
Join me as I sit down in a crowded theatre of disqualified contestants as we boggle at the multi-fixed dangling-key spectacle that is Beast Games. … read more
Justin Lin Puts His Audience in the Missionary’s Position in Last Days
Last Days is more successful in its mission than its tragically misguided protagonist was, though it still doesn’t quite live up to its divine calling. … read more
Kiss of The Spider Woman Spins a Tale, Sings a Song
Kiss of The Spider Woman is a grand and powerful musical extravaganza that will be remembered both as the glossy, star-spangled spectacle of the festival. … read more
John Lithgow Gives a Career-Defining Performance in Jimpa
Jimpa is a truly unique and wonderful film that couldn’t be coming at a better time for coming in the worst of times. … read more
Mr. Nobody Against Putin: The Bittersweet Bravery of Dissent
Mr. Nobody Against Putin defies the stereotype that all Russians are cold, ruthless killers, showing that most Russian citizens are similar to American citizens … read more
The Things You Kill: A Mind-Bending Investigation of Generational Trauma
The Things You Kill is a revenge film, family drama, psychological horror and existential commentary all rolled into one. Somehow, director Alireza Khatami pulls it off. … read more
