Spoiler-Free Review of “All of Us Are Dead” on Netflix: Redemption for the Zombie Series

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

“There’s no hope for survival…”

All of Us Are Dead premiered on January 28th 2022 on Netflix. The South Korean horror series consists of twelve episodes available to stream now. The show stars Park Solomon, Park Ji-hoo, Chan-Young Yoon, Cho Yi-hyun and Yoo In-soo. Each episode runs for approximately 60-70 minutes.

High school students find themselves at the center of ground zero for a zombie outbreak as they work together to survive.

Here is the trailer:

All of Us Are Dead finally gives us a zombie series worth talking about. It’s brutal, intense, and full of insane surprises that will keep you hooked until the very end. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Nails the setting.

I’ve seen one too many zombie shows or films lately and I have to say that I LOVED the high school setting for this one. It made things fresh and interesting while presenting us with plenty of compartmentalized scares and survival tactics in different classrooms. 

Focusing on the younger generation also worked to the show’s advantage. Sure, we got a lot of tropes thrown our way, but I immediately started to care about these characters, which is not always easy to do in a show like this. In a lot of ways, this was a coming-of-age story too but the drama never felt overdone or annoying. Everything just worked seamlessly and added to the overall story.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Bloody and brutal!

Even though these are high school students, we witness plenty of horrifying and bloody events that will have you squirming. The gore delivered and I loved all of the twists thrown our way, which really made this an unpredictable zombie thriller. We got bits and pieces of new reveals along the way and PLENTY of edge-of-your-seat moments. That library scene though…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

The events taking place outside the school are less interesting…

I personally loved the idea of being trapped in the high school along with the main characters, but the story also branches off into the chaos outside of the school. The adults don’t really know what they are doing (which I’m assuming is sort of the point) and some of the measures taken have been seen before in other films and shows.

That being said, I still loved some of the characters we met outside of the high school walls and there was one side plot in particular that kept me completely me hooked.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!

I almost passed on this show because I have been so exhausted from all of the zombie series that have worn out their welcome. Well, this show changed my tune and then some!

Brutal, bloody, and consuming watch from start to finish! This is what a zombie series should be!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

This competition is killer…

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 is out now! 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 “Feria: The Darkest Light” on Netflix: Moody Cult Mystery

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

“So what happened to them?”

Feria: The Darkerst Light released on Netflix on January 28th 2022 with eight episodes available to stream now. The Spanish fantasy thriller series stars Ana Tomeno, Carla Campra, Carlos Scholz, Marta Nieto and Ernest Villegas. Each episode runs for approximately 48-50 minutes.

After discovering that their parents were responsible for leading a cult that resulted in the death of twenty-three people, two sisters find themselves thrown into a dark new reality with a supernatural presence, as they try to figure out what happened to them.

Here is the trailer:

Feria: The Darkest Light creates a chilling and unnerving tone throughout the series as it draws you deeper into its twisted mystery, but does it do enough to be worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Nails the unsettling vibe…

This series really embraced its dark and moody tone. There was this lingering feeling of uneasiness throughout the series. I was genuinely disturbed by a lot of what I witnessed and I thought the use of color and camera effects really intensified this chilling vibe. There was a darkness in this town and the series did a good job of submerging its audience into it as well.

A mystery that will reel you in for more.

The opening episode didn’t hold anything back. We were immediately thrown into the mystery surrounding this creepy cult and I don’t know about you, but these mysteries freak me out the most. That being said, a lot of series seem to be highlighting this particular kind of mystery lately so maybe the timing wasn’t the best, but I thought each episode did enough to bring you back for more for the most part.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Uninspiring characters…

Some characters were stronger than others, but I had a hard time connecting to our main character. It’s really hard for me to get into a show if I’m not invested in the main character so that was a major con for me.

Slow pacing.

The series started off strong for me but the episodes that followed really slowed down in terms of pacing. I also thought a lot of what was shown was really repetitive and the series revealed too much too quickly so I had a hard time sticking around for more after that.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m 50/50 on this one…

The series had a lot of potential and the mystery was genuinely unsettling and creepy. I needed some more character development and spark to stay invested and I also thought the pacing needed a lot of work, but if you enjoy cult thrillers, you can add this one to your list. I personally think you’re better off watching Archive 81 instead, however.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Face your fear…

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 young adult horror thriller is out now! 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 “In From the Cold” on Netflix: Spy Series with lots of welcomed twists!

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

“I’m no longer that person…”

In From the Cold premiered on January 28th 2022 on Netflix with eight episodes available to stream now. The sci-fi action series stars Margarita Levieva, Cillian O’Sullivan, Charles Brice and Lydia Fleming. Each episode runs for approximately 45-52 minutes.

After starting over a new life as a mother, Jenny Franklin’s past catches up to her when she is recruited once again as a deadly secret agent.

Here is the trailer:

In From the Cold has an Alias vibe with a sci-fi edge. While the premise may seem ridiculous at times, we get plenty of bloody fight scenes and fantastic twists to keep us on our toes. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

A kick-ass female lead to root for.

I remember Margarita Levieva on Revenge and I loved her then and I loved her even more now! If you’re looking for an action series with a strong female lead, you’re in the right place. Sure, I’ve seen plenty of female spy films and series before, but I really appreciated the fact that Jenny was a mom in her forties. It just made her more relatable and I liked that she was a little rough around the edges, which gave this series a little bit more originality.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Plenty of action with lots of twists and turns.

Even at the end of the first episode, we got this crazy reveal. At first, I didn’t really know what to think about it but it actually made me like this series even more. The twists kept coming our way which really kept me invested from start to finish.

There were also plenty of action and fight scenes in each episode to indulge in. More please!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

The flashbacks took up a lot of screen time.

I didn’t mind the flashbacks and I thought they provided the audience with important information and reveals, but sometimes the transition was a little jarring. The episodes were on the long side so maybe if these were shortened slightly, it would have worked better.

Even though we got a lot of answers to our questions, there was a lot that still didn’t make any sense and was really outrageous. That being said, if you just go with the flow, you’ll enjoy the series more.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!

Kick-ass series with fantastic twists and a unique sci-fi edge!

This was such a guilty-pleasure watch for me in a lot of ways, but it just worked somehow, even though it was slightly outrageous. I highly recommend it if you are looking for something a little bit different without having to overthink things too much.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on In From the Cold 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! I hope you enjoy!

READ 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 Requin” on Demand: Alicia Silverstone puts her survival skills to the test

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

“You need this…”

The Requin released on demand on January 28th 2022. The survival horror film stars Alicia Silverstone and James Tupper. It runs for approximately 90 minutes.

A married couple seeks out a romantic getaway in Vietnam on a floating villa when a dangerous storm sweeps them out to sea, as they soon find themselves surrounded by sharks.

Here is the trailer:

The Requin brings us a premise we’ve seen before with a female lead with lots of potential, but does this film have enough bite? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Alicia Silverstone is the best part of the movie…

She is the main reason why I tuned in to this one (well that and I can’t get enough of shark movies) and she really gave this one her all. There aren’t too many layers to her character even though they try to force some down our throats, but she proves to be a worthy opponent when we get into the real heart of the film. I was rooting for her and I thought she did a solid job with what she was given.

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Decent set-up and ending.

I’ve seen this type of movie before (Open Water, The Shallows) but I have to say that the floating villa debacle was truly terrifying. You may want to think twice about where you stay on vacation…

After this, there was a lot of waiting around, but the last thirty minutes of the film turned things around and gave shark movie fans plenty to be excited about.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

It takes too long for things to happen.

The movie is only 90 minutes long and we wait around for quite a while before we see our toothy friends, which was surprising based on the title of this particular film. If you’re looking for a lot of shark action, you may be better off fast-forwarding to the end.

Dialogue that will make you wince.

The dialogue was not that great even though there were some genuine moments between our couple. My biggest complaint centers around the way they used it to tell the audience what had happened in their past, leading to Jaelyn’s breakdown and trauma. It was done so poorly and I almost felt like they were just reading a draft of notes. Show, don’t tell…

The effects were also really bad…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m in about 75 percent…

Alicia Silverstone redeemed this film in a lot of ways and there is plenty of bite toward the end. This film isn’t anywhere close to the level of The Shallows, but if you like shark films, you’ll enjoy this one for the most part.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Requin 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 “Chosen” on Netflix: Teen Sci-Fi Series with Angst

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

“What’s out there?”

Chosen premiered on January 27th 2022 on Netflix with six episodes available to stream now. The Danish sci-fi series stars Malaika Mosendane, Andrea Heick Gadeberg, Andreas Dittmer and Anders Heinrichsen. Each episode runs for approximately 40-45 minutes.

A young girl discovers a secret truth behind the meteor that hit her small town years ago, bringing her into a mystery surrounding its origin and her own destiny.

Here is the trailer:

Chosen feels very much like a teenage style Fringe as it attempts to balance out a sci-fi mystery with teen drama. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Strong main character.

I really liked the character of Emma and I thought that the actress did a great job with her portrayal. Whenever I watch a series centered around some kind of female “chosen one,” I want her to really stand out and I thought that Emma managed to do that in this series.

All of the other characters had layers as well which made it easier for me to connect to them all. We got a likable Scooby gang to give this show a Nancy Drew feel at times and I think that it worked for the most part.

Intriguing mystery at its core.

I really liked the mystery behind the show and I think that each episode did enough at the end to bring you back for more. There were a lot of secrets and reveals and I think that the show still has a lot of unanswered questions to address if it gets a season two.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Too much teen drama at times.

I appreciate that this series wanted to channel a Stranger Things vibe in a lot of ways, but it could have benefited from some more humor. The teen drama felt overwhelming at times and I tuned out at certain points because of this.

There were also some pacing issues in the beginning of the series. 

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in about 75 percent…

Perfect for fans of teen fantasy/sci-fi series. There is enough content here to keep viewers entertained. I have a lot of questions after watching the first season, but I think this show is a unique gem that a lot of fans will truly enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Chosen 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! I hope you enjoy!

READ 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 Fallout” on HBO Max: Low Key and Honest Coming-of-Age Story

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

“I feel like I’m fine…”

The Fallout released on HBO Max on January 27th 2022. The teen coming-of-age drama stars Jenna Ortega, Maddie Ziegler, Julie Bowen, Niles Fitch and Shailene Woodley. The film runs for an hour and thirty-five minutes.

After a devastating and traumatic event, Vada begins to reevaluate her life and her relationships. She bonds with new friends and attempts to find a way to cope with her grief one day at a time.

*Please note there are issues of trauma depicted in this film and the viewer advisory at the beginning of the film should be noted.*

Here is the trailer:

The Fallout manages to create an authentic approach to teen trauma as it delivers with its talented cast and emotional content. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Award-worthy performances…

I’m already a huge fan of Jenna Ortega and she is the main reason why I decided to watch this movie. This isn’t the type of film I would normally watch, but I was immediately drawn in by her believable and genuine performance. The other performances were really solid as well.

This subject matter is really delicate and one could easily over-do it, but Jenna Ortega managed to portray her character in such a real and compelling way. It almost felt like you were her friend in real life. It was that believable.

In a lot of ways, the film reminded me of a more emotional Booksmart. It had that same kind of vibe with its simplicity and it worked in the film’s favor.

Depicts real aspects of trauma, recovery, and identity without hitting you over the head.

I’ve seen a lot of coming-of-age films and while some of them have moved me, this one was on another level and the main reason behind that was because of how low-key it was. It addressed a lot of issues that the new generation is dealing with on a daily basis and yet it never seemed like it was preaching at anyone or making assumptions. It was just an honest and emotional story.

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Bold ending.

There will be no spoilers in this review, but the ending of this film really struck a chord with me. This film could have easily ended in one particular way, but instead it went down a different route which was extremely powerful. I think the writer and director absolutely took a big chance with this, but it paid off and really added to the authenticity of the film.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of HBO Max

I don’t have any…

This film was as close to perfection as it gets. Every aspect just worked and it truly touched me.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of HBO Max

I’m in 100 percent!!!!

Beautiful, genuine, and emotional.

This film really explored the aspects of trauma and recovery in such a powerful way without ever overdoing it. The performances were exceptional and I think this may have just become one of my favorite films of all time!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Face your fear…

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 young adult horror thriller is out now! 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!