Category: Horror

Spoiler-Free Review of “Scream Therapy” on Demand: A Decent Horror Comedy

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

“We are kidnapping you for the weekend…”

Scream Therapy released on demand on June 18th 2024. The horror comedy film stars Harley Bronwyn, Claire Dellamar, Mandie Cheung, Brian Flaccus, and Skyler Bible. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty minutes.

Five friends head out on a weekend trip to the desert when they cross paths with a group of men who plan to sacrifice them before the sun comes up.

Here is the trailer:

Scream Therapy is an entertaining horror comedy that actually delivers with some of its banter and movie references, leaning more on the comedy side of the genre. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Treehouse Productions

Believable friendships.

I actually really appreciated that this film took the time to flesh this out. We didn’t get too much background on any of the characters, but you could tell that they were all close friends from their interactions. It helped me root for them that much more.

A lot of the jokes actually landed for me.

Not all of them, but I was surprised by how much I actually laughed during this one. I loved the banter and the movie references as well. It didn’t feel forced, which was really refreshing.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Treehouse Productions

Needed to lean more into the horror side of things.

I loved the cheesy comedy and the premise of this film, but I wish it dipped a little bit more into the horror side of things. Some over-the-top gore would have been a nice touch. This film clearly had a lower budget, but this would have really sold me on it.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Treehouse Productions

I’m in about 75 percent…

Scream Therapy is mindless fun!

This film was far from perfect, but it was A LOT better than I thought it would be.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Gil

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 “The Watchers” in Theaters: “The Woods are Lovely, Dark and Deep…”

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

“They say it draws in lost souls…”

The Watchers released in theaters on June 7th 2024. The supernatural horror film (written and directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan) stars Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, Oliver Finnegan, and Olwen Fouéré. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-two minutes.

A young artist gets lost in a mysterious forest in Ireland. While looking for shelter, she unknowingly traps herself with three strangers who are being stalked by mysterious creatures when the sun goes down.

Here is the trailer:

The Watchers presents the audience with a layered mystery containing lots of chilling potential, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Breathtaking scenery.

I’ve been seeing a lot of film entries lately set in Ireland and each time, I am presented with some of the most gorgeous scenery ever. Everything in this movie was visually striking. I felt like I was stepping into a watercolor painting filled with mystery and intrigue. Simply magnificent to look at on the big screen!

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

The lore and mystery were really interesting.

I thought the first half of this movie was so well done. It grabbed my attention and I really wanted to find out what was going on. Certain aspects of this movie reminded me of LOST. It was truly interesting to watch unfold and I found myself getting invested in the outcome.

Oh, and the bird was a scene-stealer and my favorite character by far…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

The first half was a lot better than the second half…

I still found it interesting enough, but I think it attempted to do a little too much. It went completely off the rails in the final act. I’m all for wild twists and reveals, but this one felt overstuffed with them, which ultimately took away from the eerie build-up in the first half of the film.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

I’m in about 75 percent…

The Watchers explores a layered mystery with chilling potential, but it loses steam with its excessive reveals.

This was a complex and intriguing watch overall, but it didn’t stick the landing.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Watchers 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 “What You Wish For” on Demand: The Perfect Thriller for Fans of The Menu

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

“Nice gig…”

What You Wish For released on demand on May 31st 2024. The horror thriller film stars Nick Stahl, Tamsin Topolski, Penelope Mitchell, and Juan Carlos Messier. It runs for approximately an hour and forty minutes.

After fleeing the country to avoid paying back his gambling debt, a chef assumes the identity of an old friend and takes on a gig as a private chef for the wealthy. However, when he finds out the agency’s true motives, he desperately tries to find a way out of his new circumstances.

Here is the trailer:

What You Wish For features an exceptional performance by Nick Stahl in this enthralling thriller that was beyond shocking. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Magnet Releasing

Visually striking.

This film was so gorgeous to look at from the scenery to the food to the lighting. It was very pleasing to the eye despite all of the horrific things that were happening, which enhanced the overall message of the film in a lot of ways.

Nick Stahl gives a worthy performance.

He felt very relatable in this role and I was drawn in by him completely. This was a smaller cast, but everyone did a great job with what they were given. I loved the performances, but Stahl was a stand-out for sure.

Images courtesy of Magnet Releasing

Hooked me right from the start!

Although the first fifteen minutes were a little slow, it quickly turned things around and hooked me with so many shocking reveals. I honestly couldn’t look away. Each shocking moment was so well placed and I really loved that ending.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Magnet Releasing

Go into it blind.

This isn’t really a con, but definitely a recommendation. It’s better if you go into this movie without knowing much about it. It will make the reveals that much more shocking. The trailer gave away a little bit too much in my opinion.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Magnet Releasing

I’m in!!!

What You Wish For is a dark and consuming thriller well worth your time.

I was so pleasantly surprised by this one and highly recommend it, especially if you enjoyed The Menu.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on What You Wish For 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 rule…they 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 new 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 “Under Paris” on Netflix: My Kind of Shark Flick!

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

“I know where it is…”

Under Paris (Sous la Seine) released on Netflix on June 5th 2024. The French horror thriller film stars Bérénice Bejo, Nassim Lyes, Léa Léviant, and Anne Marivin. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-three minutes.

When a shark finds its way into the Seine, a scientist must face her tragic past in order to stop it from feasting on swimmers in the upcoming triathlon.

Here is the trailer:

Under Paris steps up to the plate as a decent shark flick, channeling Jaws, Deep Blue Sea, and The Meg, while having some bloody, outrageous fun. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Plenty of shark screen time!

I’ve seen way too many shark films lately where the shark barely shows up. Let’s be honest…we’re watching these films for the sharks so we need them to actually appear from time to time…right? Well, have no fear…there is plenty of shark action in this one. I LOVED IT!

Sure, some of it was so absurd and ridiculous, but I didn’t care. This is what I came to see and it delivered in that aspect.

That scene in the Catacombs was BLOODY FANTASTIC!!!!!!!

Images courtesy of Netflix

A lot of fun!

OK, I loved the nods at Jaws and Deep Blue Sea here. This film understood the assignment and just went with it. It wasn’t a rip-off of either of those movies. It had its own story to tell and its own identity, but it also showed some respect to its predecessors, which I appreciated as a shark film fan.

As long as you don’t take things too seriously or try to make sense of stuff, you will enjoy this one. It’s silly and bonkers, but it’s also awesome to watch unfold. I was never bored at all.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

A little longer than it needed to be…

I think we could have accomplished the same result in just under 90 minutes. This movie dragged a little bit in certain spots, but this wasn’t a major con. The CGI is also really bad at times, but I was having so much fun that I didn’t really care about this…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!!!

Under Paris is a blast to watch with plenty of bite. Just go with it and you’ll be thoroughly entertained.

Finally, a shark movie that delivers!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts on Under Paris 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 “In a Violent Nature” in Theaters: A Lot Of Walking…

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

“Stay out of the park…”

In a Violent Nature released in limited theaters on May 31st 2024. The slasher horror film (directed by Chris Nash) stars Andrea Pavlovic, Charlotte Creaghan, Ryan Barrett, and Reece Presley. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-four minutes.

When a group of teens take a locket from an old fire tower in the woods, they unleash an undead killer who slaughters anyone he comes across.

Here is the trailer:

In a Violent Nature attempts to accomplish something different by presenting everything from the killer’s perspective. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Shudder

Tries something different…

This was an inventive concept. I really liked the idea of having everything shot from the killer’s perspective (although this wasn’t always consistent).

There was one extra gory kill in particular that grabbed my attention. This one is worth nothing, but the way it happened made me scratch my head. If they were going for shock value, they succeeded with this one scene.

The pros stop here though…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Shudder

So boring!!!!

There was so much slow walking in this movie. It drove me absolutely bonkers and not in a good way. I would have much preferred for the killer to run around and just kill everyone. That would have been a lot more interesting. I get that this set the tone of the film, but it was painful to sit through. I was bored out of my mind!

Horrendous dialogue.

When we got up to characters actually speaking I was relieved, but then I changed my mind really quickly. This was some of the worst dialogue I have ever heard and the acting was atrocious. I was anxiously waiting for the killer to just break up the party and kill them all, but instead I had to sit through all of this fluff and wait until we got more walking…

At one point a character yelled out, “what are you waiting for?” (very IKWYDLS-esque) and I said: “for this movie to end!”

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Shudder

I’m out on this one…

This film is already getting a lot of hype and glowing reviews. I’m all for supporting lower budget slasher films and if you enjoyed this, then I support that. I’m glad you got something out of the movie. This just wasn’t for me…at all.

In a Violent Nature is dull, boring, and painfully slow. It put me to sleep. I’d rank it right there with Skinamarink, which is another movie that got way too much attention.

I did like that one kill though so kudos on that…

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on In a Violent Nature 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 “Cinderella’s Revenge” on Demand: A Slasher Fairy-Tale that’s more Confusing than Campy…

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

“This girl needs to go to a ball…”

Cinderella’s Revenge is a slasher horror retelling of Cinderella. It had a limited theatrical release on April 26th 2024 and is now available to stream on demand as of May 28th 2024. It stars Natasha Henstridge, Lauren Staerck, Stephanie Lodge, Megan Purvis, and Beatrice Fletcher. It runs for an hour and twenty-five minutes.

After Cinderella is pushed too hard by her stepmother and stepsisters, she seeks out assistance from her fairy godmother on how to get bloody revenge on them all.

Here is the trailer:


Cinderella’s Revenge attempts to give us a slasher spin on the classic fairy-tale, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Quiver Distribution

Natasha Henstridge is a wicked fun fairy godmother!

OK, she was the one good part of this film. She was the only one who showed off any real acting skills and she lightened up the tone a lot, giving me a few moments of fun to relish in. I’m not sure why she signed on to this movie, but her presence certainly helped it. Just not enough…

Images courtesy of Quiver Distribution

The slasher adaptation had potential.

It took way too long to get to the slasher side of things, but we had some potential with this premise and a couple of bloody fun kills. I’m all for turning fairy-tales into horror films because they already dabble in this genre in many of the original stories. The intention was certainly there, but it just didn’t translate well as a whole.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Quiver Distribution

By the numbers for the first half.

It honestly felt like I was just watching a really bad reenactment for the first half of this movie. The story followed the fairy-tale events almost exactly. This would have been fine, but it was excruciating to sit through. The acting was horrendous and the execution was flat and boring. Things turned around at the forty-five minute mark, but it was too late at this point.

Too many random and odd choices.

This film thought it was a lot more clever than it actually was. It took itself way too seriously at times and some of the updates to the classic story were beyond ridiculous. I’m also not sure what was with the random gratuitous sex scenes. They just felt really out of place and awkward. I almost thought I started another movie without realizing it.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Quiver Distribution

Unfortunately I’m out on this one…

Cinderella’s Revenge needed to go full camp and it definitely needed more Natasha Henstridge to truly deliver on its premise.

I really wanted to like this movie and I love low-budget slasher films, but this one seemed very confused about its actual intention, making this a puzzling and frustrating watch overall.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts on Cinderella’s Revenge 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 Strangers: Chapter 1” in Theaters: What was the point?

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

“Why are you doing this to us?”

The Strangers: Chapter 1 released in theaters on May 17th 2024. The slasher horror film stars Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez. It runs for approximately 90 minutes.

After their car breaks down in a small town in Oregon, a young couple is forced to spend the night in a remote cabin. They are soon terrorized by three masked strangers with no motive, as they desperately try to survive the night.

Here is the trailer:

The Strangers: Chapter 1 continues the violent franchise with this latest reboot, but does it do enough to separate itself from the original film? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

Look out for Madelaine Petsch!

I bought my ticket for her and she served with all she had! I’m a huge fan of hers from Riverdale and I think that she is a Scream Queen in the making for sure. I hope to see her cast in more roles soon. She was the best part of this movie and gave it all she had. Plus, I loved her nail polish color!

Froy Gutierrez wasn’t bad either and I thought they were believable as a couple for the most part.

There were a few suspenseful moments sprinkled in. I liked the scenes in the woods, which had an eerie vibe.

The pros stop here though…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

Follows the original film VERBATIM!

I just did my re-watch of the 2008 film as well as The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018) and I couldn’t believe that this film followed the original one almost exactly. I’m fine with this being a reboot, but give us something new here! This was so incredibly frustrating to watch on screen and it dissolved any potential moments of suspense and tension because I already knew what was going to happen.

I’m not sure why we went in this direction and I have no idea why we need two more of these films if this is what we’re doing?

We can do a lot better here…

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

Dumb decisions!

As much as I like both of these actors, their characters made some of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen in a horror film. My favorite film of the franchise is The Strangers: Prey at Night because it’s fun and campy. But I will give The Strangers (2008) credit for creating a realistic and horrifying nightmare that still haunts me to this day. That feeling of authenticity was missing from this reboot and a lot of that came from the dumb decisions made by these characters.

There were so many opportunities to run or find a weapon and for some reason they wanted to have a precious moment together or just stare at the door willing the intruders to go away. Really? Do you think that’s going to work?

The ending felt so watered down and I could care less about the set-up at the end for the next film. I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHO TAMARA IS! Sigh…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

I’m 50/50 on this one…

Look, I’m in for Madelaine Petsch, but she deserved a MUCH better film here and so did the audience.

The Strangers: Chapter 1 wasn’t horrible, but it was a pointless remake that had very little to say, which was beyond disappointing. I really hope that the next two films do something different.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Strangers: Chapter 1 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 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 “Humane” on Demand: Enrico Colantoni is Bloody Entertaining

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

“Humanity is the opposing side…”

Humane released on demand on April 26th 2024. The horror thriller film stars Jay Baruchel, Sebastian Chacon, Emily Hampshire, Peter Gallagher, and Enrico Colantoni. It runs for approximately 93 minutes.

After the collapse of the global environment, the government resorts to extreme measures to reduce the world’s population.

Here is the trailer:

Humane has a thought-provoking and outrageous premise, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Shudder

Interesting concept.

I’ve seen a lot of “end of the world” or post-apocalyptic depictions lately in film, but I really think this one stood out as a unique gem. The idea behind it all was very intriguing and it got me thinking about a lot. I had tons of questions, which made this an engaging watch overall. I think this film will definitely create some interesting discussions and I loved the use of gore. I hope to see more from this director soon.

Images courtesy of Shudder

Enrico Colantoni is the best part of the film!

I’m a huge fan of his from the Veronica Mars days and I really loved his dark humor and quirkiness in this one. He elevated this film in so many ways and as soon as it started dragging, I was thrown right into things again because of his reactions. I absolutely loved him in this!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Shudder

I wasn’t fully invested in the rest of the characters…

For some reason, I just couldn’t connect to any of them so I didn’t care about what happened to them. I think we needed some more character development to actually root for anyone or see them interact more as a family. I didn’t need this movie to be that much longer, but there was some opportunity here for sure.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Shudder

I’m in about 75 percent…

Humane is fresh, bloody, and entertaining enough for your next watch.

It didn’t exactly stick the landing, but it did something different, which I appreciated.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Humane 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 “Something in the Water” on Demand: Sharks Crash a Girls Trip

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

“Take a deep breath…”

Something in the Water released on Demand on May 3rd 2024. The survival horror film stars Hiftu Quasem, Natalie Mitson, Lauren Lyle, Nicole Rieko Setsuko, and Ellouise Shakespeare-Hart. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-five minutes.

Five best friends must fight to survive in open water when their vacation excursion turns into a nightmare.

Here is the trailer:

Something in the Water has a few suspenseful moments sprinkled in, but it would have benefited from some more shark appearances. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

Some genuinely suspenseful moments.

There definitely needed to be a lot more of them, but there were a few well-done scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. It’s no secret that the shark aquatic horror genre is one of my favorites and I did get invested here.

The setting was aesthetically pleasing and I’m always up for any kind of trip gone horribly wrong…so this film had a lot going for it on paper.

There were a few stand-out characters to root for as well. Usually I’m rooting for the shark in these types of films, but I actually did care about the outcome for a few of the girls.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

Minimal shark action…

This was probably my biggest con with this film. I think I would have liked it a lot better if more sharks had actually shown up.

It seemed like we were spending an eternity treading water and by the time we got to the more suspenseful moments, I had lost some interest.

I came for the sharks and I expected a lot more in this department…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

I’m 50/50 on this one…

Something in the Water doesn’t offer the audience anything new here, but I’m addicted to shark films so I’ll keep coming back for more.

If you’re looking for a solid shark flick that isn’t Jaws or Deep Blue Sea, I’d recommend The Shallows, 47 Meters Down, or The Reef. For some silly fun, try Shark Bait.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Something in the Water 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 “Tarot” in Theaters: Gimmicky Version of Final Destination Feels Familiar

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

“I’ve never seen cards like this before…”

Tarot released in theaters on May 3rd 2024. The supernatural horror film stars Harriet Slater, Avantika Vandananapu, Jacob Batalon, and Adain Bradley. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty minutes.

A group of friends unknowingly unleash a curse on them when they conduct horoscope readings with a box of tarot cards they find.

Here is the trailer:

Tarot attempts to channel films like Final Destination and Stay Alive, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures

2000’s horror nostalgia.

This film brought me back to films like Final Destination, Stay Alive, and One Missed Call. I wouldn’t say that it was as good as any of those, but the premise was fun and creepy enough. There were a few stand-out characters to root for and it didn’t waste too much time with unnecessary fluff.

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures

Investigating the lore behind it all was actually interesting.

I was honestly impressed by the background provided for what was causing the curse on the deck of cards. The film was based off of a 1992 novel named Horrorscope and that probably helped with this. It enhanced the premise a lot more and I was more invested in the outcome because of it.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures

Predictable with mostly cheesy scares.

There were actually a few well done scares toward the end, but the majority of them felt really watered down…especially in the beginning. This film needed some more edge and perhaps a decent twist to make it stand out. When it leaned more on twisted fun with its villains, it worked better. The dialogue wasn’t great and everything felt very rushed. I wish they would have spent a little bit more time on the lore because that was the most interesting part.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures

I’m in about 75 percent…

Tarot has 2000’s horror energy with some creepy moments built in, but it needed to embrace some twisted fun to make it truly shine. 

I wouldn’t say that you need to rush to the theaters to see this one, but it’s worth a quick watch when it comes to streaming.

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