Month: September 2021

Spoiler-Free Review of “Stalker” on Hulu: Don’t Take Rides with Strangers

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Seemed like a nice enough guy…”

Stalker originally released on video on demand back in June 2021, but it is now currently available to stream on Hulu. The thriller film stars Vincent Van Horn, Christine Ko, and Michael Lee Joplin. It runs for approximately 90 minutes.

Looking for a fresh start in a new city, Andy becomes friends with an unstable ride-share driver who eventually threatens his relationship and career.

Here is the trailer:

Stalker reminds us about the danger of sharing rides with strangers even though this has become the norm with services like Uber and Lyft. It plays on very real fears and is disturbing in a lot of ways, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Plays on relevant fears.

We were always told not to talk to strangers when we were kids. We were never to accept a ride from a stranger or candy of any kind and the world we live in now has shattered those basic rules as we put our trust into strangers everyday with ride-share services.

Much like Superhost playing on the very real fears associated with an Airbnb, Stalker does a good job as well. Starting over in a new town or city can be scary especially if you don’t know anyone, which can open the door for potential threats without us even realizing it.

A solid twist I didn’t see coming!

I thought I had this movie figured out but wow did it throw me for a loop in the best way possible. The ending was so shocking and it had me on the edge of my seat. There will be no spoilers in this review but if you are on the fence throughout your watch, stick around for the ending!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Slow at times.

There was a creepy and unsettling vibe throughout the movie but I started drifting off a few times during the middle. The plot seemed somewhat generic and there was a lot of unnecessary fluff in-between.

That being said, it does pick up steam when we approach the end, but it takes a little while to get there.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Hulu

I’m in!

While this film was a little rough around the edges, it completely shocked me with its major twist and it really focused on some very real fears which may have you contemplating different forms of transportation from now on.

If you enjoy stalker-thriller movies, you will enjoy this one.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Stalker in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A Halloween they’ll never forget…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Midnight Mass” on Netflix: Horrifying Profound Perfection

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“This isn’t a community anymore. It’s a ghost…”

Midnight Mass is a limited series from The Haunting of Hill House creator, Mike Flanagan. The supernatural horror series features seven episodes available to stream now on Netflix. It stars Kate Siegel, Zach Gilford, Rahul Kohli, Hamish Linklater and Samantha Sloyan. Each episode runs for approximately 60-65 minutes.

A new priest arrives at Crockett Island as several miracles begin to emerge through this small population, but something sinister is hidden as well, threatening every man, woman, and child on the island.

Here is the trailer:

Midnight Mass has the character development of The Haunting of Hill House mixed with an eerie Castle Rock vibe as it brings several disturbing themes to light while creating a powerful dialogue about humanity, faith, and life. Is this series worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

A worthy entry to horror.

This series was frightening in such a chilling and disturbing way. It seamlessly blended supernatural fears with human ones, showing the inner demons associated with addiction, grief, and remorse. Having faith is empowering but misguided faith can be dangerous in the wrong hands and I thought that all of these themes were explored in such a fascinating way. The supernatural elements didn’t overpower the show, but they were extremely effective.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Incredible characters.

I have come to expect this with Mike Flanagan’s works but he really is talented at bringing these characters to life in such a compelling way. Plus, the performances were out of this world and we saw plenty of familiar faces.

I cared about what happened to them, I hated some, I loved others, and I found myself so completely drawn to them. The thought-provoking conversations and interactions really moved me and had an impact on my own life. Truly brilliant!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

I really don’t have any. I think that there may be some controversy over some of the themes present, but I loved this series from start to finish and I think it created an interesting dialogue worth having.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!

Have faith in Midnight Mass!

This may be the best show I have watched all year.

This series was visually stunning. The characters were incredible, the performances were superb, and I loved the balance of horror and heart in this. I had so many emotions through my watch and while it had a different feel from The Haunting of Hill House series, I was touched in a similar way, but I was also genuinely frightened by what I witnessed and I can’t say enough good things about this show.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Midnight Mass in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Intrusion” on Netflix: Not Your Average Home Invasion Movie…

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“We can get through this…”

Intrusion premiered on Netflix on September 22nd 2021. The thriller film stars Freida Pinto, Logan Marshall-Green, Robert John Burke and Megan Elisabeth Kelly. It runs for approximately 90 minutes.

Meera and Henry Parsons are traumatized after a home invasion occurs in their newly built home, shattering their trust in those around them.

Here is the trailer:

Intrusion has a chilling and unsettling impact as it takes a home invasion premise and weaves it into something even more disturbing. But does this film do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Performances with edge.

I was absolutely thrilled to see Freida Pinto in this and I thought she did an excellent job. Logan Marshall-Green was so fantastic in both Upgrade and The Invitation and he is no stranger to this type of movie. I really loved the character dynamics and I thought they both presented us with believable performances worth getting excited about.

I cared about what happened to them which made this movie come to life that much more for me.

Images courtesy of Netflix

A shocking twist.

It’s not always easy presenting the audience with an unpredictable twist and I thought that this film delivered and then some. There will be no spoilers in this review, but I was so shocked by the reveal and I could not stop watching this movie once we got toward the end. I loved every second of it!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Flickering identity in the middle.

The film quickly gets off to a chilling start but then things split off into several different directions during the middle portion. I was slightly confused and started to wonder about what kind of movie I was actually watching. That being said, once I reached the peak of the movie, I was completely hooked, but I think that some of the initial discoveries could have been done in a more seamless way to keep the audience completely invested.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!

This movie wasn’t perfect, but I thoroughly enjoyed my watch. I think that Netflix has been presenting us with some really entertaining guilty-pleasure thriller and horror films lately and this one was really enjoyable.

The performances were great and that twist still has me in complete shock! Loved it!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Intrusion in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A Halloween they’ll never forget…

Scream Hunt Promo window

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Prey” on Netflix: Don’t Go Hiking with Your Buddies in the Woods…

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“This isn’t a hunting ground…”

Prey premiered on Netflix on September 10th 2021. The German survival thriller film stars David Kross, Hanno Koffler, Robert Finster, Livia Matthes and Maria Ehrich. It runs for approximately 90 minutes.

Two brothers and their friends go hiking in the woods together and quickly discover that a mysterious shooter is trying to hunt them down one by one.

Here is the trailer:

Prey reminds us once again that it’s never a good idea to go wandering around the woods. Does this thriller film do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Creepy setting and premise.

Sometimes less is more and the woods are always a solid setting for any kind of thriller or horror movie. They can be serene and inviting, but they can also be extremely dangerous and this film reminds us that being lost in the middle of nowhere can be terrifying on its own. 

The mysterious shooter angle works as well. The characters don’t know why they are being hunted down, but the threat is real and unforgiving. 

Images courtesy of Netflix

Riveting tension between the characters.

Much like Netflix’s The Ritual, this movie is about more than surviving. This is a group of close friends and family members and a lot unravels once they realize that their lives are in danger. As past secrets and reveals come into the light, the shattering of relationships is even more compelling than the threat against their lives and I thought the performances were really believable overall.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Takes a while to get going…

The movie is only 90 minutes long but it felt like I was watching it for a really long time. The first half of the movie was slow-moving for me and the thrills just weren’t thrilling enough.

However, the second half of the movie was a lot stronger and I was genuinely invested up until the ending. I think there will be mixed reviews on the ending, but I thought that it was chilling and effective.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in about 75 percent…

The movie took a while to get going but the second half was a lot more interesting and thrilling. I thought that the performances and character dynamics were really exceptional and the simple eerie premise of this movie worked in its favor.

If you are a fan of films like The Ritual and Alone, you will enjoy this one, but just manage your expectations accordingly.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Prey in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Lost Symbol” on Peacock: Back to the Mystery

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“It’s buried out there somewhere…”

The Lost Symbol premiered on Peacock on September 16th 2021. There will be ten episodes in total airing weekly on the streaming service. The mystery thriller series stars Ashley Zukerman, Valorie Curry, Sumalee Montano and Rick Gonzalez. Each episode runs for approximately 45 minutes.

The Lost Symbol is a prequel to Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code series as we follow Professor Robert Langdon at Harvard University. He must solve a series of puzzles and mysteries to rescue his kidnapped mentor, leading to plenty of conspiracy theories along the way. 

Here is the trailer:

The Lost Symbol brings us back into this mysterious world, but this is not the first prequel series we have seen based on a popular book and movie franchise. Does The Lost Symbol do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Peacock

Jumps right into things.

Series like this can usually take a while to get going with all of the set-up and world building, but I was pleasantly surprised that we really jumped right into things with the pilot episode. The pacing was done extremely well and I was invested in the mystery at the core.

Decent characters.

So far I like the character dynamics and I think that the cast is promising as well. There are some tropes going on already, but I think that we have the opportunity to really explore a young Langdon and see how things developed in the beginning.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Peacock

Nothing truly extraordinary going on just yet.

That doesn’t mean that we won’t get there, but this show could easily lose steam and its audience if it doesn’t keep the plot exciting and fresh. The mystery is interesting but I’ve seen this type of show before and it needs to be careful about how it approaches the next episodes to keep us coming back for more.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Peacock

I’m in about 75 percent…

This show was a lot better than I thought it would be. It has a National Treasure meets The Librarians feel which could pull in a new audience separate from fans of Dan Brown’s works. That being said, it needs to keep up the pacing and throw in plenty of curve balls along the way to keep things from becoming stale.

I’m in for now and excited to see what happens next.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Lost Symbol in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Nightbooks” on Netflix: Wicked Fun with Krysten Ritter

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Is there anything special about you at all?”

Nightbooks released on Netflix on September 15th 2021. The dark fantasy film is based on the book by J.A. White and is co-produced by Sam Raimi. The film stars Krysten Ritter, Lidya Jewett and Winslow Fegley. It runs for approximately an hour and forty minutes.

Scary story enthusiast, Alex, ends up trapped in a magical apartment with a wicked witch. He must create a new scary story each night to entertain her…or die.

Here is the trailer:

Nightbooks has a kids friendly horror feel with some Evil Dead vibes thrown in for good measure. Krysten Ritter is promising as the wicked witch, but does this kids horror entry do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Krysten Ritter is fantastic!

I love a good villainess and Krysten Ritter is perfection in this movie as Natacha. She is so entertaining and she brings some humor in as well to lighten up the movie. Her wardrobe is incredible and she really dominates this film in a great way!

LOVE!

Images courtesy of Netflix

Clever use of stories and films.

In a way, this film is a modern take on Hansel & Gretel but I thought it did a really great job of referencing other stories and iconic films along the way without hitting the audience over the head. It was a real adventure and it reminded us that we can find our own adventures and stories within books and movies. They can be an escape, but they can also be a motivation, teaching us important life lessons.

Kids horror with bite.

I don’t think that kids horror gets mentioned enough but I absolutely adore films like The House with a Clock in Its Walls and the new Goosebumps. That being said, it’s difficult finding a balance for kids horror films and this one may be a little bit too scary for the younger generation, but it has plenty going on for fans of Sam Raimi and The Evil Dead franchise.

I definitely felt the vibe and LOVED every second of it.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Wavering with character development.

I absolutely adored Krysten Ritter as the evil witch and the kids put forth a valiant effort. We got more of a journey for Alex than we did with Yazmin, however. I wanted to know more about her backstory and I think that would have helped me connect with their characters a bit sooner, but we did eventually get there. It just took a little while…

I also think the film could have used a bit more humor sprinkled into the mix, but Krysten Ritter made up for it in a lot of ways. Having someone like Jack Black as a secondary character could have made things really fun, but I think we still witnessed plenty of entertaining moments.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!

This movie was so much fun and it really gave me a sense of nostalgia. Krysten Ritter is bloody fantastic and I loved all of the references to fairy-tales, stories, and horror films. I adored this film from start to finish and I highly recommend it!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Nightbooks in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A Halloween they’ll never forget…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Kate” on Netflix: Mary Elizabeth Winstead is a Bad-Ass Queen

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Take control over your own life…”

Kate premiered on Netflix on September 10th 2021. The action thriller film stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Woody Harrelson, and Miku Martineau. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

An assassin based in Japan learns that she has been poisoned and only has 24 hours left to live, as she attempts to take revenge on her enemies while protecting an innocent girl caught in the crossfire. 

Here is the trailer:

Kate follows an action formula we have seen many times before, but it does have the talented Mary Elizabeth Winstead leading the way. Does this film do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Mary Elizabeth Winstead is the best part of the movie.

I am already a huge fan of hers, but wow does she deliver in this film! She is so convincing and bad-ass. I rooted for her the entire time and she could give any other assassin a run for their money. She does not hold anything back, but she also reveals some heartfelt moments as well which made me connect to her character a lot. More please!

Images courtesy of Netflix

Plenty of flashy action to go around.

If you are looking for lots of fight scenes, you are in the right place. I loved the touch of pop music thrown in which channeled The CW’s Kung Fu in a lot of ways. The use of vibrant colors also helped make these scenes really stand out. Mary Elizabeth Winstead certainly got a workout in!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Not super original…

I’ve seen this type of movie before and much like Maggie Q’s recent The Protege, the plot is just kind of okay, which is kind of frustrating because it wastes the talent of these two actresses. Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s Kate is a great character and she is ruthless with her kills, but I’ve seen this type of movie before and it doesn’t really do anything new or unique. It lacks some of the outrageous humor from Crank, but it does have some heartwarming moments thrown in with the unlikely friendship formed.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in about 75 percent…

Mary Elizabeth Winstead is fantastic and deserves a watch. If you are looking for a quick action thriller, you will find plenty to enjoy. I just wanted a little bit more substance from the movie because the character and performance overshadowed the plot.

Overall, this was a fun watch and I would recommend it if you like revenge action thrillers.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Kate in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Lucifer” Season 6 on Netflix: I Can’t Stop Crying…

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Every act matters…”

Lucifer follows the devil himself, who decides to take a vacation on earth while teaming up with Detective Chloe Decker to solve crimes. Season 6 features the final ten episodes. It premiered on September 10th 2021 and all episodes are available to stream now. The show stars Tom Ellis, Lauren German, Kevin Alejandro, D.B. Woodside, and Lesley Ann-Brandt.

After that emotional roller-coaster ride in season 5, our favorite characters return one last time to wrap things up for good.

Here is the trailer:

Lucifer will always be one of my favorite shows and it’s never easy saying goodbye. The characters honestly feel like family and we have been there every step of the way for this incredible journey, which has been filled with laughter, drama, heartbreak, and heroism.

Does Lucifer end the way it should? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Standout episodes.

Lucifer season 6 presents us with some super entertaining standalone episodes. I love shows that don’t have to focus on the main plot the entire time. Similar to Supernatural, Lucifer knows how to just focus on the case-by-case episode approach to prevent things from becoming overdone and over-dramatic and they succeed once again with the final season. Loved this!

Images courtesy of Netflix

Every character gets the screen time they deserve.

I was worried that the final season would feel rushed and I wanted to ensure that we would get to devote enough time to all of the characters we have come to know and love over the years. Mission accomplished!

I really thought that we got a proper conclusion for each character and I’m glad that everyone got a real chance to shine in the final season. I’m really going to miss these characters!

Images courtesy of Netflix

Sticks the landing!

There will be no spoilers in this review, but wow what an ending! It is far from easy to nail a series finale and Lucifer really was pure perfection for me. Sure, I was sobbing like a baby, but this entire season had a real impact on me and I am forever changed after watching this.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

A plot I’ve seen before…

Each season features a new foe or obstacle and season 6 presents us with something that I have seen before on several other shows. That being said, I thought it was still executed extremely well and it did allow this story to continue in a beautiful way so I’m not complaining too much about it.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 1000 percent!

Beautiful, captivating, and life-changing!

Lucifer season 6 was beyond perfection for me. It transcended into something eternal. Over the years, we have witnessed these celestial beings display an emotional vulnerability. They don’t just learn from humans, they embrace their own humanity and this show mirrors so much of what we all go through in life. The good, the bad, and the memories we make with our own loved ones as we learn the importance of making every moment truly count.

I am forever grateful to this show and I loved every single second of the final season.

This season really was made for the fans and I thought it was so well done. Thank you Lucifer!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Lucifer season 6 in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Malignant” on HBO Max: Bizarre Blend of Genres

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“It’s all in my head…”

Malignant released on September 10th 2021. The supernatural horror film is currently available to watch in theaters and on HBO Max. It stars Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, George Young and Michole Briana White. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty minutes.

After experiencing some violent and shocking visions, a young pregnant woman begins to realize that they may actually be based in reality, linking them to her past.

Here is the trailer:

Malignant is directed by Saw’s James Wan, which could be extremely promising for horror fans, but does this film ever truly find its identity? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Visually intriguing.

This entire film had so many stunning and unique visual effects. The use of perspective was also extremely well done. I thought this helped the film stand out from other supernatural horror films. The intensity was there, but in a different way. The body horror displayed was really disturbing as well…

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Decent beginning and ending.

The opening of the film was really creepy and intense. I was on the edge of my seat and looking over my shoulder quite a few times. The middle part of the movie fell off in terms of pacing for me, but the ending was shocking in a way and reeled me back in. The mystery at the core of the film also keeps you invested until the end although I am sure there will be mixed reactions to the reveal.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Major identity crisis.

Several genres blended together during this film, which made the plot jump around so much. The middle of the film went in so many different directions and it was a little messy. I still don’t really know what this film was attempting to be and I started to really contemplate what I was actually watching, which was frustrating at times. Some of the reveals were pretty predictable as well, but I just felt like I was being tossed all over the place for the majority of the film.

Glosses over real issues.

Our main character went through quite a lot in her life and while these elements and flashbacks were introduced, they were never really developed and we are just supposed to accept that they happened and move on. I couldn’t connect that well to our main character even though Annabelle’s Annabelle Wallis presented us with a solid and chilling performance. 

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of HBO Max

I’m 50/50 on this one…

The visual effects and unique use of perspective presented us with a lot of chilling moments, but the lack of a solid identity made this film go off the rails several times. There were decent performances and the mystery was interesting enough to keep you watching until the end. This movie was a really weird watch for me, but it does have some redeeming moments. It just may not be what you were hoping for from the trailer…

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Malignant in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Werewolves Within” on Demand: A Supernatural Murder Mystery

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Yeah this town is batshit…”

Werewolves Within originally released on June 25th 2021. The film is currently available to rent on demand. It stars Sam Richardson, Milana Vayntrub, Harvey Guillen, Cheyenne Jackson, Catherine Curtin and Michaela Watkins. It is approximately 90 minutes long.

When a new ranger arrives in a small town, he quickly finds himself thrown into a murder mystery when several residents are trapped together in the local inn after a snowstorm. Everyone is a suspect as they start to realize that they may actually be dealing with a ruthless werewolf.

Here is the trailer:

Werewolves Within has the potential to provide us with horror comedy gold, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of IFC Films

The who-dun-it style works.

It seems like a lot of recent films are following the murder mystery approach, but it works in this film. This film gave off vibes of Clue and Knives Out with its own voice as well. The characters are a lot of fun as well and Sam Richardson has great chemistry with Milana Vayntrub which made this an entertaining watch.

Fun horror comedy.

I love horror comedies and I don’t think they are talked about enough, but this film could easily fit right in with Tucker and Dale vs Evil. While I wouldn’t say that all the humor landed, a lot of it just worked effortlessly. 

The Cons:

Images courtesy of IFC Films

Pacing issues.

The majority of the film focuses on the set-up of everything. We spend so much time getting to know the players and watching them interact, but it almost took away from the best part of the movie when everything hits the fan. The ending was great but it took a little too long to get there.

I could have done without the political/social commentary.

While some moments were genuinely hilarious and a lot of fun, others felt really forced. The references were overdone at one point. Sometimes less is more and I think that Werewolves Within was decent, but it could have been better if it had just embraced the simple plot without overthinking things.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of IFC Films

I’m in!

I love horror comedies and I think that this film was entertaining overall and worth a watch. Sam Richardson is truly fantastic and there are some laugh out loud moments. The second half of the film is a lot stronger than the first and there are some rough edges, but there is enough going on in this film to enjoy.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Werewolves Within in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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