Spoiler-Free Review of “School Spirits” Season 2 on Paramount+: Off to a Promising Start!

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

“I know what happened to me…”

School Spirits (season 2) released on January 30th 2025 on Paramount+ with the first three episodes available to stream now. The remaining five episodes will air weekly. The YA supernatural mystery series stars Peyton List, Kiara Pichardo, Kristian Flores, and Spencer MacPherson. Each episode runs for approximately 44-48 minutes.

After Maddie discovers the truth about what happened to her body, she works with the other ghosts to track down a potentially dangerous threat to the group.

Here is the trailer:

School Spirits season 2 branches out into a layered mystery leading to more questions about what’s really going on with Maddie. Is season 2 worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Paramount+

New and existing characters get a chance to shine.

I love that season 2 is exploring more story-lines. We have so many great characters in this one, but season 1 only had so much time to devote to them, focusing more on the core mystery surrounding Maddie.

I think that season 2 is providing us with a great balance this time around, giving us enough layers and content to work with while still focusing on this captivating mystery.

The first three episodes were really strong and I’m looking forward to finding out more as soon as possible!

Images courtesy of Paramount+

A mystery that keeps getting better and better!

That cliffhanger at the end of season 1 sold me on this show for good and I was so excited that it got picked up for a second season. I was slightly worried that the mystery would fall off after that major reveal last season, but so far I am loving the way things are unfolding.

Even though we know what’s going on now, there’s still so much left to discover and the first three episodes of season 2 already presented us with a lot to wrap our minds around.

More please!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Paramount+

Overstuffed first episode.

Don’t get me wrong…it was fantastic, but they really jam-packed in a lot and I probably needed to do a full re-watch of season 1 to feel caught up to speed.

Episodes 2 and 3 found their way seamlessly and both had better pacing, but be prepared to be thrown right back into things.

You’ll definitely need to watch the recap to keep up.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Paramount+

I’m in!!!

School Spirits season 2 hooks us once again with an addicting mystery and fantastic characters to root for.

School Spirits has quickly become one of my new favorite shows and so far it hasn’t disappointed yet! I can’t wait to watch the rest of the episodes.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

Girl Number Thirteen Lurking Promo

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 “Grafted” on Shudder: Shocking and Stomach-Turning!

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

“With a new face become the real you…”

Grafted premiered on Shudder on January 24th 2025. The body horror film (directed by Sasha Rainbow) stars Joyena Sun, Jess Hong, Jared Turner, and Eden Hart. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-five minutes.

After losing her father, a socially awkward girl named Wei goes to live with her aunt and cousin while studying on scholarship in New Zealand. After accepting a research assistant role in a lab, she begins to further her father’s research to find a way to make others beautiful, but it backfires on her with deadly consequences.

Here is the trailer:

Grafted is a gruesome mix of The Substance and It’s What’s Inside, grabbing hold of its audience with its shocking content and never letting go. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Shudder

A disturbing premise with twisted Mean Girls flair.

I was completely drawn in by this one. I loved the Mean Girls angle. This film had so many clever nods at Heathers and Jawbreaker while carving out its own dark identity.

Similar to The Substance, this film had a lot to say about the way society views beauty in others, making this a compelling watch with an important message behind it.

P.S. Bikkie the dog is a scene stealer!

Images courtesy of Shudder

Gross body horror (if that’s your thing).

It was a little too much for me personally, but if you enjoy films with extreme body horror, you’ll get plenty of that in this one. I wouldn’t recommend watching this while eating and I had second thoughts about my face mask after watching this…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Shudder

A film I’ve seen before.

Don’t get me wrong…I really enjoyed this one, but in a lot of ways it felt like a watered down version of movies I’ve seen before. However, it follows that formula well enough in a unique way so this wasn’t a major con for me.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Shudder

I’m in!!!

GRAFTED is a disturbing and jaw-dropping watch that has A LOT to say.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Grafted 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 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 “Flight Risk” in Theaters: Lacking in Genuine Thrills

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

“He’s not going anywhere…”

Flight Risk released in theaters on January 24th 2025. The action thriller film stars Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty minutes.

A US Marshal boards a flight to transport a key witness to a trial, but they soon learn that not everyone onboard is who they claim to be, risking all of their lives while flying above the Alaskan wilderness.

Here is the trailer:

Flight Risk has a recognizable cast with a decent enough premise for an adrenaline-filled thriller, but is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Lionsgate Films

Fun cast.

I was excited about this cast (even though it was a small one) and was really looking forward to the dynamic between them while tensions built. Mark Wahlberg was over-the-top and insane, but he was probably the only redeeming part of this movie.

Everyone else played their role well enough…although I didn’t really connect with Topher Grace’s awkward humor the way I usually do.

The pros stop here though…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Lionsgate Films

Not thrilling at all with terrible dialogue.

Look, I typically love most thrillers and was really hoping for an intense ride here, but this film was SEVERELY lacking in this department. The dialogue was ATROCIOUS and the plot was awful. I didn’t connect with anything in this film and I kept looking at the time, praying for it to be over.

Takes itself way too seriously.

I really thought I was watching a spoof movie of an action thriller at first…it was that absurd and silly. There were several moments that were supposed to be moving or intense and I burst out laughing. I didn’t expect this movie to be great, but I didn’t realize it would be this awful.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Lionsgate Films

I’m out on this one…

Flight Risk is neither thrilling nor entertaining with a cheesy plot and cringe-worthy dialogue.

I was really disappointed with this one.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

When sisters, Nina and Gemma are vacationing in Hawaii with their friends, they get invited to an exclusive party on a private island that seems too good to be true. There’s only one rulethey can’t miss their ferry at midnight or they’ll have to wait until morning to leave the island. Only they didn’t realize that breaking this rule meant they would be hunted down on the island one by one.

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my island thriller!

Blood Rose Island 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 “Into the Deep” (2025) on Demand: Richard Dreyfuss Stars in Another Shark Movie, but it’s no Jaws…

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

“You’re not in your kingdom…”

Into the Deep (2025) released on Demand on January 24th 2025. The action thriller film stars Scout-Taylor Compton, Callum McGowan, Jon Seda, Stuart Townsend, and Richard Dreyfuss. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty minutes.

A group of criminals hold a boat of tourists hostage and force them to dive in shark-infested waters to retrieve their drugs.

Here is the trailer:

Into the Deep has a premise I’ve seen before with enough potential, but does it have enough shark action to be worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Saban Films

A few standout performers!

I’m not sure why Richard Dreyfuss decided to appear in this movie, but his presence elevated it somewhat. It was great to see him playing another marine biologist, which gave us a touch of Jaws nostalgia. 

Scout-Taylor Compton did a solid job with what she was given, but the rest of the characters in this were pretty forgettable.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Saban Films

Weak shark action.

I love shark films even if they’re terrible and cheesy, but this one had some awful CGI. None of the shark scenes were suspenseful. They were completely ridiculous and silly, which was beyond disappointing.

Cringe-worthy dialogue.

The plot in this one was OK. I’ve seen films like this before, but I would have been fine with the overdone plot if we had gotten some more bite here. It was really difficult to listen to some of that dialogue and the over-acting didn’t help matters.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Saban Films

Unfortunately I’m out on this one…

Into the Deep fails to make a splash despite having a film legend starring in it.

I was hoping for some solid shark action, but this film did not measure up in that department.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Into the Deep (2025) 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 “The Night Agent” Season 2 on Netflix: Just as Intense as Season 1!

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

“Where are you?”

The Night Agent season 2 premiered on Netflix on January 23rd 2025 with ten episodes available to stream now. The action-thriller series stars Gabriel Basso, Luciane Buchanan, Amanda Warren, Arienne Mandi, Berto Colon, and Keon Alexander. Each episode runs for approximately 48-55 minutes.

Peter continues to work in the world of Night Action, but after being on the run, he reconnects with Rose to stop a terrorist attack.

Here is the trailer:

The Night Agent was one of my favorite shows of 2023, but does season 2 measure up to the first season? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Starts off with plenty of action once again!

Season 1 pulled me in immediately and I was worried that we may have to deal with some excessive set-up and fluff in season 2, but I was wrong. Season 2 began with just as much action and suspense, reeling me back into this world once again effortlessly. I loved the fight scenes in this one.

If you’re looking for an adrenaline-filled thrill ride with season 2, you’ll be pleased to know that it absolutely delivers in this department!

Images courtesy of Netflix

Our favorite duo is back and better than ever!

Peter and Rose were fantastic to watch in season 1 and had so much chemistry. I was worried about how much of a role Rose would play in season 2, but she stepped up to the plate and delivered! The scenes between them were great, but I also really loved how they both excelled on their own, proving their worth individually.

The new characters were great as well. We had some terrific allies and some dangerous foes in the mix. Everyone kept me guessing!

Images courtesy of Netflix

Too much time spent on time jumps and side plots.

I thought all of the side plots were interesting enough (especially Noor’s), but I think we spent too much time with other plots and flashbacks, which took away from the core story-line. This wasn’t a major con, but it slowed down the momentum slightly in certain episodes.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 1000 percent!!!!!!

The Night Agent season 2 is an addicting and adrenaline-filled watch that manages to match the intensity of season 1!

Season 2 had plenty of shocking and edge-of-your-seat moments to be excited about! Bring on season 3!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

When sisters, Nina and Gemma are vacationing in Hawaii with their friends, they get invited to an exclusive party on a private island that seems too good to be true. There’s only one rulethey can’t miss their ferry at midnight or they’ll have to wait until morning to leave the island. Only they didn’t realize that breaking this rule meant they would be hunted down on the island one by one.

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my island thriller!

Blood Rose Island 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 “Presence” in Theaters: A Slow Burn That Pays Off in the End

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

“Make yourself at home…”

Presence released in theaters on January 24th 2025. The psychological supernatural horror film stars Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, and Eddy Maday. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-five minutes.

A family moves into a suburban home, but they soon begin to suspect that they are not alone there.

Here is the trailer:

Presence creates a different kind of haunted house movie, presenting everything from the spirit’s point of view, which has its moments. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Neon

Unique gimmick.

I actually really loved the concept behind this. It was very cool seeing everything from the spirit’s perspective and I love it when films try something different. This film definitely went for it with its smaller budget, which I appreciated.

Images courtesy of Neon

Great to see Lucy Liu in this!

I’m a huge fan of hers and she’s the main reason why I went to see this in theaters. I thought she acted circles around everyone else and had one moment in particular that really struck a chord with me. It was chilling and it stirred a lot of emotions within me.

Callina Liang did a solid job as well in this. I’d like to see her in more horror films because I thought she really shined.

A final act that leaves you thinking.

This movie is definitely a slow burn so be prepared for that. I didn’t really know where it was going, but I have to say that I was very impressed with the ending. It was shocking, emotional, and so well done. I’ve been thinking about it ever since I left the theater. It really redeemed this film for me and made me change my initial thoughts on it.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Neon

Trippy camera effects that weren’t for me…

I get what they were trying to do with them, but after a while I got really dizzy. The gimmick was overdone and it took away from the plot at times. It was super distracting.

Even though this movie is on the shorter side, the majority of it drags. It’s a slow burn, but it moves excruciatingly slow at times so be warned about that.

Not scary at all…

Look, when I see a trailer that says this will be “one of the scariest films you’ll see this year,” I have high expectations. This film was not scary at all. In fact, the scares were laughable and ridiculous.

I think the issue here is that this film really wasn’t a horror film. It had elements of it, but the emotional components and family drama were the focus and I’m fine with that, but I’m not sure why it’s being advertised as a super scary ghost story because it’s not that.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Neon

I’m in about 75 percent…

Presence has a disturbing final act worth sticking around for with a solid twist I’m still thinking about.

This was a unique film, but there are a lot of slower moments to sit through so be prepared for that.

I think people will either love or hate this film. I have to admit that I was leaning toward hating it, but the ending changed my mind, making my overall watch worthwhile.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Presence 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…

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 “The Couple Next Door” on Starz: A Guilty Pleasure Thriller with Potential!

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

“What do you think of the new neighbors?”

The Couple Next Door is a British drama-thriller series that premiered in the US on January 17th 2025. There will be six episodes in total that will release weekly on Starz. The series (based on the book of the same name) stars Eleanor Tomlinson, Alfred Enoch, Jessica De Gouw, and Sam Heughan. Each episode is approximately 50-52 minutes.

A young couple becomes friends with their neighbors after trying to cope with a tragic event, but their friendship takes an unexpected and sinister turn.

Here is the trailer:

The Couple Next Door is a soapy thriller with nods at Desperate Housewives and The Affair, but does it have enough dangerous and juicy secrets to keep us coming back for more? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Starz

Gorgeous cast.

Everything about this show is aesthetically pleasing so far. The suburban setting is picturesque and every member of the cast is breathtakingly beautiful. I think this works well because they are all clearly hiding something beneath the seemingly perfect surface. I’m curious to see it all unfold. I did read the book, but it’s been some time so I feel like I’m going into this one with fresh eyes.

Images courtesy of Starz

Enough secretive and seductive moments to keep you coming back for more.

The premiere episode had enough of a hook for me. Personally, I wish they would release all of the episodes at once because I think this would be fun to binge-watch, but I’m intrigued enough to stick around. There’s already some dangerous secrets lurking between our characters and that opening suggests it’s going to continue to get even more chaotic and destructive. I can’t wait!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Starz

Needs to dig a little deeper.

Television series based on books always seem to struggle with this. I thought the premiere episode jam-packed in a lot, but it also glossed over certain moments that needed to be fleshed out more so that the audience could truly understand what’s at stake here.

There were also some ridiculously silly moments of intense staring going on. Honestly, I laughed out loud at the end of the first episode, but this is a guilty pleasure soapy series and I understand that.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Starz

I’m in!!!

The Couple Next Door is my latest addiction!

It has everything I could possibly want in a guilty pleasure thriller and more. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Couple Next Door 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 “Wolf Man” in Theaters: Needed More Bite

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

“You can survive if you know exactly what to do…”

Wolf Man released in theaters on January 17th 2025. A reboot of the 1941 film, Wolf Man is an American horror film starring Julia Garner, Christopher Abbott, Matilda Firth, and Sam Jaeger. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-three minutes.

Blake and his family are attacked by an unseen animal when they go to visit his father’s farmhouse. After they barricade themselves inside, Blake begins to act strangely, transforming into something unrecognizable that threatens the safety of his family.

Here is the trailer:

Wolf Man has some stomach-turning and suspenseful moments throughout the film, but is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

Some edge-of-your-seat moments.

Most of them appeared in the trailer, but there were some super intense parts of this film that I really enjoyed. I thought the Oregon wilderness worked well as the backdrop here, enhancing the dire situation for our main characters who are literally stranded in the middle of nowhere.

That sense of dread continued to build and build, leading to a satisfying enough conclusion.

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

Cool gory effects!

I was thoroughly impressed with the effects in this one. The transformation scenes were brutal and gory. There was one scene in particular that had my stomach turning. There could have been a little more gore in this overall, but I was pleased with this aspect of the film.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

Stupid decisions made over and over again!

I really hate it when characters make the worst decisions possible. It’s very irritating to watch unfold. There were so many moments that had me practically yelling at the screen. As much as I like Julia Garner, I thought her character lacked edge. We needed her to channel Ruth Langmore a little more to show she meant business!

I didn’t believe the chemistry between her and her husband at all, which made me invest less in the overall outcome. I’ve seen some terrible couples in horror films before (The Strangers: Chapter 1 most recently), but these two may have topped them…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

I’m in about 75 percent…

Wolf Man is a decent enough watch with some stomach-turning effects, but it needed to dig a little deeper.  

This is a movie I’ve seen a million times before and it didn’t offer anything that new or exciting. It wasn’t a terrible start for Blumhouse for 2025, but I had higher expectations.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Wolf Man 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 “Get Away” on Shudder: A Bloody & Bizarre Horror Comedy

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

“You’ll be stranded…”

Get Away released on Shudder on January 10th 2025. The horror comedy film stars Nick Frost, Aisling Bea, Maisie Ayres, and Sebastian Croft. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-five minutes.

A remote vacation in Sweden takes a twisted turn when a family discovers that there may be a serial killer on the island threatening them all.

Here is the trailer:

Get Away starts out like your standard vacation gone wrong film, but it takes a risky and unexpected turn with its bloody final act. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Shudder

Creepy and unsettling vibe.

I love vacation gone wrong films and this one definitely had an extra creepy tone. I’m not sure who would want to go on a vacation in a place like this, but there were plenty of unsettling moments sprinkled throughout the film, making me question booking an Airbnb ever again.

Images courtesy of Shudder

Insane final act!

I mean…really insane! It was batshit crazy in the best way possible. I kind of saw the twist coming, but it was still a lot of fun, making this a much more entertaining watch overall. If you’re thinking of tuning out, I highly recommend sticking around until the end.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Shudder

Sluggish pacing at times.

The overall runtime was on the shorter side, but the middle of the film felt a little slower for me personally. I felt like we were waiting around for something extreme to happen. Don’t worry…we get there, but you have to sit through some slow fluff before that.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Shudder

I’m in!

Get Away is a bonkers watch with a bloody fun twist.

Nick Frost is a lot of fun in this unexpected horror comedy gem.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Get Away 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 “The Man in the White Van” on Demand: Eerie Thriller Has Its Moments

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

“I think it was following me…”

The Man in the White Van originally released in limited theaters on December 13th 2024 and is now available to watch on Demand as of January 7th 2025. The horror-thriller film stars Madison Wolfe, Ali Larter, Sean Astin, and Brec Bassinger. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

Inspired by true events in 1970’s Florida, a driver begins to follow a young girl everywhere she goes, but her family dismisses her concerns, assuming that she is making things up for attention.

Here is the trailer:

The Man in the White Van is a tense thriller with a strong female lead to root for. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Relativity Media

A terrifying premise that leads up to an intense final act!

The entire film had such a creepy tone, but the last thirty minutes were insane. I was on the edge of my seat. It was jam-packed with adrenaline-filled moments. I was so happy this film turned itself around. I was concerned initially, but my watch paid off. The very end fell off a little for me, but I thought this film did a great job creating suspense with a lower budget.

Images courtesy of Relativity Media

A resourceful female lead to cheer on.

I thought the lead did a fantastic job in this. I was rooting for her the entire time. It was fun seeing Ali Larter as well (who hasn’t aged a day). Some of the other characters fit too neatly into tropes, but I was impressed with the performances in this overall.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Relativity Media

The vignettes were distracting.

This film took a similar approach to Anna Kendrick’s Woman of the Hour, but I thought that film executed things in a more effective way. The time jumps in this one didn’t do it any favors. They really didn’t add to the film and they took away from the core plot.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the excessively loud sound effects to enhance the cheesy jump scares. The premise was already terrifying enough so this seemed a little excessive to me. I also thought the film had a weak opening and some pacing issues in the middle. It did redeem itself in the final act, however.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Relativity Media

I’m in!

The Man in the White Van is a solid low budget thriller with some genuine moments of intensity.

This wasn’t the best thriller I’ve seen, but the last thirty minutes were worth the watch.

If you’re a fan of cat-and-mouse thrillers with a simple approach, there’s enough here to enjoy.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Man in the White Van 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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