1st Reviews

Yorgos Lanthimos creates worlds of oddity, discomfort, and unease in most of his films, but Bugonia has the most to say about our world today. Jesse Plemons and Aidan Delbis play two extremists who kidnap the CEO of a pharmaceutical company (Emma Stone), believing her to be an alien in disguise sent to enslave humanity. Plemons and Stone are daring, unsettling, and riveting — continuing to surprise and push their characters further, even as both are returning alums of Lanthimos’ distinctive filmography and tone. Plemons’ turn is chilling, rooted in the conviction of lifelong pain, while Stone is phenomenal as a woman who’s done terrible things yet somehow holds the moral high ground. Delbis is equally convincing as a man who, beneath his darkness, possesses helplessness and strange empathy. Lanthimos’ best traits as a filmmaker lie in his ability to find both the absurd and the profound within any situation, making each story feel large-scale through his sharp edit...

A sharp, lively, and heartfelt rom-com set in the afterlife, Eternity asks questions about true love — is it forever? Can we have more than one in our lives? And how does love truly persevere over time? Miles Teller and Elizabeth Olsen stand out, offering emotionally rich performances while balancing humor and genuine shock at the situation they’ve found themselves in. After all, not everyone faces a love triangle that will determine the rest of their existence in the afterlife. Da’Vine Joy Randolph is also a magnificent standout, giving the film many of its funniest and most heartfelt moments. The production design is beautifully imaginative, blending retro technology with a vibrant, fantastical aesthetic. Exploring the corners of this dimension is fascinating, and the film tackles its themes in ways that may deeply resonate with some viewers. Eternity is a touching romantic comedy — colorful, imaginative, and full of heart — with equal parts laughter and emo...

With James Wan at the helm, the first two Conjuring movies rank among the best horror films of the 21st century. His directorial presence was sorely missed in the disappointing third installment, and although Last Rites is a notable improvement, his absence is felt here too. As the final chapter in the core Conjuring series, this does feel like a definitive ending for Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film delves deeper into their marriage and family life than prior entries, often resembling a family drama more than a straight-up horror movie. Make no mistake — there are still plenty of demons, exorcisms, and jump scares — but the greater emphasis on the Warrens’ personal lives feels fitting for their final cinematic bow. I really enjoyed this change of tone and pace, up to a point. With a runtime of over two hours, the film gives us plenty of time to simply exist in these characters’ lives while creepily setting up the main haunting. The problem is that the final case itself does...

Horror sequels rarely live up to their predecessors — half the time, none of the original cast or crew are even involved. The Black Phone 2 reunites director Scott Derrickson with his original cast and screenwriting partner to deliver a solid sequel held back by one fatal flaw. Whereas the first movie followed Mason Thames as Finny, this sequel shifts him into a major supporting role, with Madeleine McGraw’s Gwen taking over as the lead. Honestly, this is one of the best decisions Derrickson could’ve made. The story feels like a natural progression in the aftermath of the first film’s events without retreading old ground. Gwen’s dream abilities are further explored, acting as a conduit for The Grabber’s return. The sequel doesn’t hide its inspirations, drawing from iconic genre staples like Nightmare on Elm Street , The Shining , and even Derrickson’s own Sinister . It borrows heavily from the genre yet feels distinct enough to stand on its own. Where this film...