Spoiler-Free Review of “The Beauty” on Hulu: Nip/Tuck meets The Substance

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

“Beautiful people don’t think the rules apply to them…”

The Beauty released on FX and Hulu on January 21st 2026 with its first three episodes. There will be eleven episodes in total. The body horror series (Created by Ryan Murphy and Matt Hodgson) stars Ashton Kutcher, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Rebecca Hall, and Evan Peters. Each episode runs for approximately 40-42 minutes.

FBI agents investigate strange deaths all over the world involving a beauty transformation through a STD that has deadly side effects.

Here is the trailer:

The Beauty rips off The Substance in this chaotic, but intriguing enough series. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Stacked cast.

I’d expect nothing less in a Ryan Murphy series. There are tons of familiar faces in this one, which made it a lot more enjoyable. I am also really liking that I don’t know which characters will stick around or not. It’s keeping me guessing, which is a good thing!

Starts off with a bang.

Although it was slightly bizarre and confusing, this series started off at full speed. The pacing slowed down after that killer opening, but I’m hoping this will set the bar for what’s to come. There’s plenty of body horror in this one (although I thought it felt very watered down compared to The Substance).

That being said, I’m not a huge fan of body horror as it is, so I’m ok glossing over some of the extreme gore.

The Cons:

Seems unsure of its focus…

I actually liked this a lot more than I thought I would, but I think it’s a little all over the place. The first three episodes were jam-packed with so much and I’m unsure of what this show wants to be. I’ve seen plenty of Ryan Murphy series over the years, so I know that this can easily go off in a few different directions and change tones very quickly.

I’m liking everything so far, but it does feel a bit messy.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

The Beauty doesn’t offer the audience anything that new or innovative here, but it’s got enough gore and fun to keep me coming back for more.

I’m just not sure we need 11 episodes of this…

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Beauty 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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Spoiler-Free Review of “Tell Me Lies” Season Three on Hulu: My Obsession is Back!

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

“Getting back together with Stephen is psychotic…”

Tell Me Lies season three released on Hulu on January 13th 2026 with the first three episodes available to stream now. The remaining five episodes will air weekly. Based on the novel of the same name and produced by Emma Roberts, the romance-drama series stars Grace Van Patten, Jackson James White, Catherine Missal, and Spencer House. Each episode runs for approximately 48-52 minutes.

Lucy and Stephen are back together again, but how long will their toxic relationship last this time? Well…we’re about to find out.

Here is the trailer:

Tell Me Lies season three brings us plenty of juicy and scandalous moments worth talking about in its opening episodes. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

As if this relationship couldn’t get any more shocking and frustrating…

I have a love-hate relationship with Lucy and Stephen. On the one hand, I don’t want her to have anything to do with him because he is one of the WORST characters I have ever seen on a television series. He’s manipulative and so out of control with his behavior.

But then we wouldn’t have this amazing drama…

In a lot of ways, this show has always reminded me of a modern day Beverly Hills, 90210 and season three already feels more mature with its tone.

It’s safe to say that I am hooked once again!

Intriguing new character!

Last season, Tom Ellis stole the show, but newcomer Alex may give him a run for his money. I already like him better than all of the other characters on the show and appreciate how direct he is, recognizing how many of the characters get all worked up over things that are so trivial.

He definitely has some mysterious qualities so we’ll have to see how this unfolds, but I hope he gets some more screen time.

Once again, I appreciate that we are also spending some more time focused on our other main characters away from Lucy and Stephen’s drama. Everyone seems to have some dark secret so it’ll be interesting to see when everything collides out in the open. I’ll have my popcorn ready!

The Cons:

I have to wait weekly for new episodes…

My only con here is that I have to wait for more episodes! I need to find out what happens immediately. This is one of those shows that I love to binge-watch. I get the weekly episode approach, but I’m dying to find out what happens next!

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!!!

Tell Me Lies season three is off to a shocking and scandalous start!

I can’t wait to watch the rest of the episodes to find out what happens next!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

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

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” (2025) on Hulu: A Decent Enough Remake

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

“She’s pretending to be someone else…”

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle (2025) released on Hulu on October 22nd 2025. A remake of the 1992 film, the horror thriller film stars Maika Monroe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Martin Starr, and Raul Castillo. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-four minutes.

An overwhelmed mom agrees to hire a nanny to look after her children, but she soon discovers she’s not who she claims to be, putting the lives of her family in danger.

Here is the trailer:

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle allows two scream queens the chance to battle it out on screen. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Two powerhouse performers!

Wow, when I saw that BOTH Maika Monroe and Mary Elizabeth Winstead were starring in this, I was so excited. They are both so fantastic and I thought their performances really elevated this movie in so many ways. It was great seeing Maika Monroe play a darker character this time around, really showing off her range.

Obsessed!

A slow burn that pays off.

This film took a while to get going, but it kept building and building in such an eerie way and I loved the result. It was unhinged and unafraid to throw some surprising gore our way, making this a satisfying Lifetime-esque thriller to indulge in.

The Cons:

A touch too long.

I think this film should have been just under 90 minutes. It dragged a little bit in the beginning and I was starting to wonder if ANYTHING would happen at all. Luckily it did, but it felt like it took forever to get there. The odd music chords used almost put me to sleep a number of times.

I also just have to say that the parents here made some really questionable choices when it came to their children. This was one of the most clueless husbands I have ever seen before on screen…

The very last reveal was silly and forced, but it kind of leaned into it’s movie of the week vibe seamlessly.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle does just enough to stand out from the original film with two Scream Queens leaving their mark.

This film actually delivered for a straight to streaming remake. It wasn’t perfect, but it had its twisted moments for sure. I was pleasantly surprised.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Hand that Rocks the Cradle 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!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Paradise” on Hulu: A Twisty Thriller Worth Your Time!

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

“It’s the not knowing…”

Paradise premiered on Hulu on January 26th 2025. There are eight episodes in total that air weekly. The season finale will air on March 4th 2025. The political thriller series stars Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden, Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi, Jon Beavers, and Krys Marshall. Each episode runs for approximately 48-56 minutes.

Secret Service agent, Xavier Collins has his life turned upside down when he discovers that one of the most powerful figures has been murdered, leading him to uncover a dangerous web of lies.

Here is the trailer:

Paradise is an engrossing watch featuring a layered whodunnit mystery that will keep you guessing. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Plenty of twists and turns.

At first glance, this series didn’t really seem like it was for me. I’ve seen my fair share of political conspiracy thrillers so I didn’t initially add this to my watch-list. However, I did notice a buzz around this show and after a few recommendations from people I trust, I decided to give it a whirl.

It definitely shattered my initial impression and branched out into something truly intriguing. Each reveal and twist was executed brilliantly, leading up to some very intense episodes that kept me on the edge of my seat. There have been a lot of risks in this series so far, but I think they are paying off.

Strong cast.

Sterling K. Brown never disappoints and has done an exceptional job leading this cast. I always love seeing James Marsden and it was a pleasant surprise seeing Sarah Shahi in this from Person of Interest. Overall, there is a lot of talent in this cast and some characters worth rooting for, which made me invest that much more in my watch.

The Cons:

Takes a little while to get going…

Even with the twist in the opening episode, I thought that episodes 1-3 were a little slow. The episodes are all on the longer side and there is a lot of fluff to deal with. I was actually thinking of tuning out, but I am happy to report that episodes 4-7 were exceptional. The pacing improved and the reveals continued to build and build, leading up to a jaw-dropping episode 7, which left me with a lot more questions for the season finale. I’m really hoping that it delivers!

I’ve also seen this type of show before. The content isn’t anything new, but I have to say that the execution of it helps it stand out. Some of the twists have been a little predictable and cheesy, but it still kept things entertaining so I’m not complaining too much here.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

Paradise is a captivating watch with a fresh approach, making this a unique entry to the political thriller genre with plenty of shocking moments that will keep you guessing.

This has been an unexpected roller coaster ride so far and I’m anxious to see if it can stick the landing! I’m confident it will.

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

IN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS, HER NIGHT FROM HELL HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN…

After working the night shift, Ashley becomes entangled in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a local street gang, forcing her to come up with a plan to survive the night by turning the tables on them.

Ashley must fight for her life and take them out one by one if she wants to make it to morning…

I hope you enjoy my young adult revenge thriller!

Make it Through the Night is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Hold Your Breath” on Hulu: Sarah Paulson Inhales Too Much Dust

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

“There’s always a storm coming…”

Hold Your Breath released on October 3rd 2024 on Hulu. The psychological horror drama film stars Sarah Paulson, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Amiah Miller. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-four minutes.

Set in 1930’s Oklahoma, a woman is convinced that a sinister presence is threatening her family during a series of dust storms.

Here is the trailer:

Hold Your Breath features a solid performance by Sarah Paulson, giving us some eerie vibes to appreciate, but is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Sarah Paulson delivers.

This really should come as no surprise. Sarah Paulson is exceptional in absolutely everything. I thought she had a strong presence in this film, elevating the plot in so many ways. She could have easily gone off the rails with this character, but she remained convincing and compelling, holding my attention until the very end.

Creepy moments.

This film did a solid job with its terrifying elements. I’m always a fan of the moments that don’t reveal everything out in the open and I thought this film effectively channeled that for the most part. While I had my theories about what was going on, there were some scenes that really went for it without holding back, luring me into the bizarre madness circling this family.

The Cons:

Predictable reveal.

Be prepared for a slow burn here. There were some pacing issues to deal with, but I was hoping we would get a mind-altering reveal. The reveal was fine, but I could see it coming a mile away, which was disappointing. Sarah Paulson was really good in this so I guess I just wanted a better movie for her. This wasn’t awful by any means, but it never really ignited a spark of brilliance and I think it could have with a little more effort behind the plot.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

Hold Your Breath effectively creates some eerie and terrifying moments with Sarah Paulson front and center, but it loses steam as everything is revealed.

This film was decent enough for a watch, but I’m not sure that I would go back to it again.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

This competition is killer…

My young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Tell Me Lies” Season Two on Hulu: Still Just as Addicting!

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

“I will never forgive you for any of it…”

Tell Me Lies season two released on Hulu on September 4th 2024 with the first two episodes available to stream now. The remaining six episodes will air weekly. Based on the novel of the same name and produced by Emma Roberts, the romance-drama series stars Grace Van Patten, Jackson James White, Catherine Missal, and Spencer House. Each episode runs for approximately 48-52 minutes.

Summer is over and Lucy returns to college, hoping to leave her toxic relationship with Stephen in the past, but things become complicated when she runs into him at a party, bringing back old wounds and secrets.

Here is the trailer:

Tell Me Lies season two is already off to a fantastic start with plenty of juicy drama to indulge in and some new faces to spice things up. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Hooked once again!

Season one did a really great job of hooking me with each episode and I have to say that season two is off to an even better start. Once again, we have the mystery in the future connecting to the events in the past, but some of the newer elements introduced already have my mind buzzing with possibility.

It’s rare to find worthy college dramas. I loved Felicity when it aired, but most of the other teen dramas were initially set in high school. It’s nice to watch a show with a more mature feel to it. Sure, there’s plenty of soapy drama, but it doesn’t feel as whiny or overdone in the college environment, which makes this a refreshing watch.

Lucy is even more interesting this time around.

I really love her character because she is flawed in so many ways. It makes her more realistic and she has such an edgy vibe going for her, which is fun to watch. She makes mistakes repeatedly, but she’s still trying her best to deal with her inner turmoil. I love that she is already taking a stand in season two, refusing to play the victim. I really want her to get even more unhinged with her outbursts and I’m confident we’ll get there.

In season one, I wasn’t really a fan of a lot of the other supporting characters, but I’m liking them a lot more in season two. They’re getting more layers and having Lucifer’s Tom Ellis in the mix now is a very good thing. He’s already a scene stealer!

The Cons:

Needed a refresher!

I really should have binge-watched season one before starting season two. It’s been some time and I’m a little fuzzy on certain details. I would definitely recommend watching the recap in the beginning to get up to speed, but a full re-watch may be necessary. There’s a lot to remember!

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

Tell Me Lies season two is guilty pleasure worthy and then some!

We’re off to a fantastic start so far and I can’t wait to watch the rest of the episodes to find out what happens next!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

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

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Stranger” (2024) on Hulu: A Thriller Worth Your Time!

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

“I just want to go home…”

The Stranger originally released on Quibi as a series back in 2020, but it has now been re-cut as a feature length film, premiering on Hulu on April 15th 2024. The thriller film stars Maika Monroe, Dane DeHaan, and Avan Jogia. It runs for an hour and thirty-seven minutes.

Clare must fight to survive when she picks up a ride-share passenger from hell, who continues to stalk her through the night.

Here is the trailer:

The Stranger (2024) is fast-paced, unpredictable, and beyond intense. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Cuts right to the chase!

This film did not waste time with unnecessary fluff. It pulled the audience right in and never slowed down, making this a fast-paced and satisfying watch. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and thought this was a clever and relevant premise that still felt unique and fresh even though it originally released four years ago. I didn’t see it then and I am so happy I got to experience it now. What a rush!

Maika Monroe and Pebbles make a great team!

I’m a huge fan of Maika Monroe and thought she was beyond fantastic in this one. Even though I wanted a touch more information about her character, she was so believable and gripping in this, elevating this film that much more.

This was a small cast and everyone played their part well, but I have to say that I was absolutely loving the Yorkie named Pebbles, who was my favorite character by far!

I loved the tie-ins to The Wizard of Oz and I really appreciated that this film tried to do things a little bit differently, keeping the audience on the hook until the very end.

Keeps you guessing.

I was thoroughly impressed with the twists and turns in this entry. I would have been fine with a simple survival thriller, but the film didn’t stop there and it didn’t get too over-complicated either.

The Cons:

Far-fetched at times…

This wasn’t a major con for me and I basically just went with every plot twist and insane thing going on without question, but there were a few moments that seemed really unrealistic. That being said, there was enough substance here rooted in relevant fears to help me skip past this. This didn’t hinder my watch at all.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!!!

The Stranger features a bad-ass performance by Maika Monroe (and her little dog too) in this edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that delivers in all the right ways.

This is my kind of thriller and I absolutely loved it!

If you enjoy films like Alone (2020), No Exit, and Unseen, you’ll have a blast with this one. Trust me.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Stranger (2024) in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

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

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Cat Person” on Hulu: The Dangers of Dating…

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

“Am I going to have to take care of you already?”

Cat Person released on Hulu on February 9th 2024. It previously had a limited release on October 6th 2023. The psychological thriller film (based on the short story of the same name) stars Emilia Jones, Nicholas Braun, and Geraldine Viswanathan. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty-eight minutes.

Margot starts up a relationship with an older man she meets at a movie theater, but soon suspects that he may actually be a murderer.

Here is the trailer:

Cat Person takes a close-up look at why dating can be so volatile in today’s day and age, but does it do enough to be worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Realistic depiction of modern dating and what can go wrong…

I think that this movie nailed certain aspects of modern dating. It showed how a new relationship can progress through text messages without really knowing someone and how quickly the relationship dynamic can change when one party suddenly loses interest or realizes that maybe they don’t know that much about the other person…

Some of the doubts and fears shown in this movie were spot on. I was literally yelling at the screen at certain points because Margot was ignoring so many red flags and putting herself in bad situations. I also thought it was interesting how this film showed two sides of this story. It’s not always clear cut in relationships and this film did a good job of allowing both parties to express themselves.

Two solid performances.

I thought both actors did a good job with this one. In a way, I almost felt like I was watching a real story unfold. There were some really tense moments in the last forty minutes or so and both actors really committed to everything without holding back, but I’m not sure that they could fully redeem this one.

The Cons:

All over the place…

The pacing was really slow in this one and the vibe changed drastically with each scene. I’m not sure if this was intentional or not, but I was really confused at times while watching this. The weird narrations and hallucinations were distracting at times and I don’t feel like everything progressed the way it was meant to. It had a thrilling premise, but I felt my attention wandering a lot because of this.

I also feel like this movie tried to do a little too much and got lost along the way because of it. Sometimes less is more…

So am I in or out?

I’m 50/50 on this one…

Cat Person had some creepy potential with a Lifetime feel to it, but it never quite found its way, making this a confusing and disappointing watch overall.

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

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Death and Other Details” on Hulu: “Knives Out” Inspired Whodunnit has some Potential

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

“If you want to solve a crime….you must first learn to see through the illusion…”

Death and Other Details released on Hulu on January 16th 2024 with the first two episodes available now. There will be ten episodes in total that will air weekly. The murder mystery series stars Mandy Patinkin, Violett Beane, Angela Zhou, Pardis Saremi, and Lauren Patten. Each episode runs for approximately 44-52 minutes.

Imogene finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time on a cruise, forcing her to team up with a detective named Rufus Cotesworth to prove her innocence and solve the case.

Here is the trailer:

Death and Other Details borrows a lot from films like Death on the Nile and Knives Out, trying out the whodunnit genre on the small screen, but does it have enough originality to keep its audience coming back for more? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Aesthetically pleasing.

This is a very stylish show already with gorgeous scenery, fantastic fashion, and a color scheme that really pops, transporting the audience into a breathtaking watercolor painting for the backdrop of this particular murder mystery.

I’ve already fallen in love with several of Violett Beane’s outfits and want to look through her closet because it’s absolutely fabulous!

Images courtesy of Hulu

Two dynamic leads.

The best part about the series so far is the partnership between Beane and Patinkin’s characters. I think they make a great duo and I’m curious to see them piece this all together. I’m hoping that the series will keep me guessing and provide its audience with a satisfying reveal, but we’ll have to see how things progress.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Sometimes less is more…

My main concern with this series is that it may be taking on too much for a ten part series. It’s going to be somewhat of a chore to remember to tune in each week and also remember what happened in the previous episode so that I can stay involved in the mystery. I’m slightly worried that the pacing will suffer as a result of this.

This is also a series I have seen a million times before and I’m not sure that it’s doing anything that new or modern, but I love a good murder mystery so we’ll have to see how this unfolds.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Hulu

I’m in about 75 percent…

I love a good murder mystery and this one has lots of potential so far, but I’m hoping it can break away from similar films within the whodunnit genre.

Either way, I’ll be sticking around for a while to find out!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

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

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Self Reliance” on Hulu: Jake Johnson and Anna Kendrick are Absolutely Charming!

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

“Congrats…you’ve been selected…”

Self Reliance premiered on Hulu on January 12th 2024. The comedy-thriller film stars Jake Johnson (he also wrote and directed the film), Anna Kendrick, Natalie Morales, and Andy Samberg. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty minutes.

Tommy receives a mysterious invitation to participate in a game where he is hunted for thirty days. If he survives, he wins a million dollars, but his friends and family think that it’s all in his head, making him question his own sanity along the way as he tries to come up with loopholes to stay alive.

Here is the trailer:

Self Reliance features a quirky and fun performance by Jake Johnson, who lights up the screen with the always delightful Anna Kendrick by his side. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

An entertaining premise.

Think the comedic version of The Game and that’s kind of what you get with Self Reliance. The concept behind this film is pure genius and I think that it executed everything really well for the most part. As long as you recognize that this is more of a comedy than a thriller, you’ll enjoy your watch.

The opening was really strong and I was just as curious as Jake Johnson’s character, which motivated me to see this one through until the end.

The chemistry between Johnson and Kendrick is the best part of the film.

I thought I was all in for this killer game and yet I was more intrigued by the bond forming between Johnson and Kendrick’s characters. If you enjoy Jake Johnson’s dry humor, you’ll get plenty of that here since he also wrote and directed the film. Once Anna Kendrick joined the mix, things got a lot more entertaining and I thought they were magic together on screen.

I almost wish we got even more screen time for them together.

The Cons:

Needed some more thrills…

Since this was billed as a thriller, I expected a little bit more in this department. I still enjoyed my watch overall, but I think it would have been more enjoyable to see Jake Johnson’s character in real danger more often. The times that this did happen were kind of watered down and they lacked the suspenseful edge I was hoping for.

I also had mixed thoughts on the ending. I didn’t need anything that complicated, but I would have welcomed a clever twist to really throw the audience for a loop…

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

Self reliance is offbeat, quirky, and a lot of fun.

This film wasn’t perfect, but it was unique and the performances by Johnson and Kendrick made it worth the watch.

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

READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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