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…

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 “A Murder at the End of the World” on Hulu: Your Next Whodunnit Obsession Has Arrived!

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

“I spent a lot of time around dead bodies…”

A Murder at the End of the World premiered on FX on Hulu on November 14th 2023 with its first two episodes. There will be seven episodes in total that will air weekly. The mystery limited series stars Emma Corrin, Clive Owen, Brit Marling, Harris Dickinson, and Alice Braga. Each episode runs for approximately 60-62 minutes.

A tech savvy amateur sleuth and true crime author, Darby Hart, gets invited to an exclusive retreat in a dazzling remote location by a billionaire, but things go horribly wrong for the invited guests when one of them ends up dead.

Here is the trailer:

A Murder at the End of the World is engrossing with a solid whodunnit mystery at its core. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Meet your new favorite amateur sleuth!

Darby reminds me of Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in a lot of ways. She’s a little offbeat and has some hacker skills, but she still has a sizzling charm to her that lights up the screen. We’re getting a lot of character layers right off the bat and I’m confident that she’ll continue to show off her sleuth skills as the episodes continue.

The rest of the cast is fun as well and it’s always great seeing Clive Owen.

A fantastic location with lots of potential!

I’m not sure that I would sign up for a remote retreat in the middle of nowhere, but the hotel the guests are staying at is absolutely breathtaking and filled with unique technological advances. This modernizes the whodunnit approach in a clever way.

So far I’m really enjoying the mystery involved in both the past and the present and I can’t wait to unlock more.

I really love the whodunnit genre because it allows viewers to become active participants. With this series, I already have plenty of suspects and theories, but I can’t wait to see what Darby discovers next.

The Cons:

The episodes are on the long side…

This isn’t a major con at all, but you need to be prepared to devote a lot of time to this one. This is one of those shows where a minor detail can come into play later so be prepared to pay attention. There’s some excess fluff to sift through, but it’s not disrupting the pacing at all for me just yet.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!!!

A modern whodunnit mystery with a captivating lead and a spectacular setting!

This series is everything I hoped for so far and I’m excited to continue my watch. If you enjoy whodunnit mysteries, I highly recommend checking this one out.

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…

My young adult revenge thriller comes out November 30th 2023! I hope you enjoy!

Make it Through the Night is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Goosebumps” (2023) on Disney+ and Hulu: Justin Long Does His Best…

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

“Have you seen anything strange happening there?”

Goosebumps premiered on Disney+ and Hulu on October 13th 2023 with the first five episodes available now. The remaining five episodes will air weekly. Based on the popular book series, the series stars Justin Long, Rachael Harris, Zack Morris, Isa Briones, and Miles McKenna. Each episode is approximately 38-45 minutes.

A group of high school students stumble across a mystery involving the death of Harold Biddle, which may connect directly to a secret involving several parents in town.

Here is the trailer:

Goosebumps (2023) leaves the comedy of the films behind and attempts to deliver more teen drama instead, but does this get in the way of R.L. Stine’s classic stories? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Justin Long is the best part of the series…

He’s what got me to tune in and he delivered with his role so far. I think that he always elevates whatever he’s in and he’s definitely one of our kings of horror so I was happy to see him in this.

There are plenty of other familiar faces as well and some newcomers with potential.

Does draw inspiration from some of the original books.

After a 1990’s television series and the films starring Jack Black (2015, 2018), I didn’t know what to really expect with this show, but I was excited to see a few familiar titles surface within the episodes, giving fans of the book series something to be excited about. The actual depictions of those stories were done in a solid way, but unfortunately some unnecessary fluff took over the majority of the episodes.

The Cons:

Too focused on trying to be relevant for its teen audience.

This was really disappointing because I actually liked the horror/story aspect of this series. I didn’t need it to be an anthology because it is different from the 1990’s series, but there is too much unnecessary teen drama. It took up way too much time, making this a bland and exhausting watch.

The acting really wasn’t great (except for a few stand-out performances) and the characters were based off of tropes, leaving little room for actual layers and development.

I also think that this series is very unsure of who its audience is supposed to be. Is it trying to bring in a new audience or is it attempting to reel in fans of the original book series? Either way, it’s failing on both accounts and its uncertainty is overpowering the glimmers of potential.

This series isn’t bad, but it will very easily get lost in the shuffle, which is frustrating.

I think that the new Are You Afraid of the Dark? reboot did a much better job with this type of material…

So am I in or out?

I’m 50/50 on this one…

Goosebumps (2023) focuses too much on the wrong things instead of allowing the stories to speak for themselves, but if it changes its direction a little bit, there may be some creepy potential here.

I’m hopeful we’ll get there!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Goosebumps 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 “No One Will Save You” on Hulu: Riveting Sci-Fi Horror Flick

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

“I’m sorry…”

No One Will Save You released on Hulu on September 22nd 2023. The sci-fi horror-thriller film stars Kaitlyn Dever. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-three minutes.

Brynn lives alone, isolated from the rest of her town, but her world is turned upside down when alien intruders arrive one night and break into her home.

Here is the trailer:

No One Will Save You is gripping and intense, featuring an out of this world performance by Kaitlyn Dever. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Kaitlyn Dever is beyond brilliant!

I’m already a huge fan of hers and loved her in both Unbelievable and Booksmart. However, she takes things to a new level in No One Will Save You, showing off her incredible range as an actress. She was so believable in this and my heart was pounding with every expression she made and every breath she took. When an actress can make you feel like you’re right there along with them, that’s saying something.

I’m so beyond impressed and can’t wait to see her in more horror entries because she was INCREDIBLE!

Intense AF!

I’m not usually the biggest fan of the sci-fi genre. That being said, this film changed my mind and then some. The level of intensity in this film was off the charts. It captivated me the entire time and I couldn’t look away. It was that good!

I was also so impressed that all of this was accomplished with minimal dialogue. We’ve seen that done in other movies before, but this one managed to do it in such an organic way, making us truly believe that this was all happening before our eyes. The reactions and emotions portrayed were just so real, driving the thrilling moments that much more.

The Cons:

Confusing at times…

I personally like when a movie is left open for interpretation and by the time I got to the end of this one, I was confused, but it also sparked an interest within me to really think about what had just transpired and what the ending meant.

If you’re looking for something clear cut, you won’t get that here. I’m sure there will be some mixed thoughts on the ending, but this will most likely come down to preference.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

No One Will Save You is an absorbing and insane watch that will stay with you long after it’s over.

If you enjoy home invasion thrillers and sci-fi, this is the perfect mash-up for you.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on No One Will Save You 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 “Justified: City Primeval” on FX: Raylan Givens Returns!

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

“You’re just the man for this…”

Justified: City Primeval premiered on July 18th 2023 with the first two episodes available to watch now on FX (next day on Hulu). There will be eight episodes in total that will air weekly. The sequel series stars Timothy Olyphant, Vivian Olyphant, Boyd Holbrook, Adelaide Clemens, and Aunjanue Ellis. Each episode runs for approximately 50-52 minutes.

While on a road trip with his daughter, Raylan Givens encounters a couple of criminals that set him on a new path and case in Detroit, Michigan.

Here is the trailer:

Justified City Primeval gives fans another chance to connect with their favorite Deputy U.S. Marshal in a brand new setting with new dangerous foes. Is the sequel series worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

He’s still got it…

As if there was any doubt! Timothy Olyphant steps seamlessly back into his role of Raylan Givens. He looks like he hasn’t aged a day and sports his gray hair with style. He’s as bad-ass and charismatic as ever and I’m loving the dynamic between him and his daughter. I think it’s really cool that his daughter in real life is playing her.

We have some other interesting new players in town and so far I think that Boyd Holbrook is really lighting up the screen as well in the best way possible. I can’t wait to see the scenes between him and Olyphant continue because I think we’re in for an entertaining showdown for sure…

Solid opening!

I wasn’t sure if I’d like this sequel series or not but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the opening episodes. I was pulled right back into things and I think that this case has a lot of potential so far. We’ve got a worthy villain and a lot of other details that need to be explored.

The Cons:

The setting feels off…

I get that the series had to move away from Kentucky, but that felt like home for Justified and so far I’m not really feeling the urban setting so much. Maybe I need to get used to it or maybe it’s just that feeling of nostalgia that’s missing, but I think the modern Western vibe worked better in the original setting.

We’re also missing a few fan-favorite characters (mostly Boyd Crowder). I knew they wouldn’t be appearing in the series and their story-lines were wrapped up at the end of Justified, but it feels a little empty without them.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

I have been anxiously waiting for this series to arrive and so far I am completely invested. It’s so great to see Timothy Olyphant playing this character again and I think we have enough potential here to keep us coming back each week.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Justified: City Primeval 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 “Jagged Mind” on Hulu: Trippy & Triggering LGBTQ Horror Flick

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

“Just try to remember…”

Jagged Mind premiered on Hulu on June 15th 2023. The LGBTQ supernatural horror film stars Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Shannon Woodward, Rosaline Elbay, Shein Mompremier, and Jimmy Jean-Louis. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-seven minutes.

A woman begins experiencing blackouts and strange visions when she discovers that she may be stuck in a time loop involving her new girlfriend.

Here is the trailer:

Jagged Mind is trippy and disturbing, tackling real issues that are way more horrifying. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Two strong performances.

The film centers on a LGBTQ couple and both women give believable and compelling performances. In particular, Maisie Richardson-Sellers stood out as Billie. She really pulled me into this film and did a good job of holding the audience’s attention…even during the sluggish moments.

Unique concept used to tackle real issues.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about this movie at first, but once I got to the last forty minutes or so, I was completely hooked. The concept wasn’t completely new, but I thought it was a different approach and it took a magnifying glass to the real horrors that can lurk beneath the surface of a seemingly “happy couple.” I was satisfied with the ending for the most part and I think it will create a necessary dialogue between viewers, which is not always easy to do.

The Cons:

Confusing at times…

We start off almost immediately with Billie’s weird visions and blackouts. Even though she talks about experiencing deja vu, we have to piece that together ourselves because it isn’t super apparent like it is with other time loops films. These honestly gave me a headache at first, but once Billie started to piece things together, the film improved drastically.

The pacing was also really slow for the first half of the film. Luckily things picked up, but I think that the film could have devoted a little bit more time to Billie and Alex’s initial relationship to add in some tangible layers.

Please also keep in mind that there is some sensitive content in this one and that it may be triggering for some viewers.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

Jagged Mind is an unnerving and thought-provoking watch.

This film wasn’t perfect, but it was interesting and I think it exposed some horrifying truths in a compelling way without hitting the audience over the head with what it wanted to say.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Jagged Mind 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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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Clearing” on Hulu: Teresa Palmer stars in a Dark and Disturbing Cult Mystery

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

“I’m not supposed to be here…”

The Clearing released on Hulu on May 24th 2023 with two episodes available to stream now. There will be eight episodes in total that will air weekly. The Australian crime drama series (loosely based on a real story) stars Teresa Palmer, Miranda Otto, and Guy Pearce. Each episode runs for approximately 47-49 minutes.

A mother must face her troubled past in order to stop a cult from kidnapping innocent children.

Here is the trailer:

The Clearing is eerie and chilling with a talented cast and a layered mystery that pulls you in. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Some solid twists already with a twisted mystery at its core.

I’ve seen my fair share of cult thrillers and mysteries, but this series is already more disturbing to me since it focuses on young children. There have already been a few twists that grabbed my full attention and I’m invested in what happens next. This is not an easy watch at all because of the content, but so far I’ve been given enough pieces of the puzzle to reel me in.

Talented cast.

With Teresa Palmer (A Discovery of Witches), Miranda Otto (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), and Guy Pearce (Memento) on the same show, it seems like a dream come true and it is for the most part.

Teresa Palmer is always so convincing with her wide eyed stares and emotional reactions. She is very believable in this role and the main reason why I tuned in. Miranda Otto is absolutely CHILLING in her role and I can’t wait to see more.

I’m hoping Guy Pearce gets more of a chance to shine as well.

Either way, this cast is bringing a lot to this series and I’m confident they will continue to do so in the remaining episodes.

The Cons:

Confusing timelines and sluggish pacing.

The transitions between the different timelines are not as seamless as I’d like them to be. Both timelines are interesting enough, but it also seems like this series is trying to stuff in quite a lot, which can be overwhelming at times.

The pacing needs some improvement, but I think that each episode has done enough to bring me in for more. I just want things to speed up a little bit…

As I mentioned earlier, some of these moments can be emotionally triggering and disturbing so please be mindful of that.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

This series has some serious potential with an unsettling cult mystery at its core, but it needs to pick up the pace and allow its stars to truly shine. I’m intrigued to find out more; however, and I’m willing to stick around for the remaining episodes.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Face your fear…

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 “Alone at Night” on Hulu: Ashley Benson Stars in the Latest Pandemic Slasher

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

“How much will it take to make you mine?”

Alone at Night originally had a limited release in January 2023, but is now available to stream on Hulu as of May 5th 2023. The slasher-horror film stars Ashley Benson, Jake Weary, Paris Hilton, Luis Guzman, and Pamela Anderson. It runs for 90 minutes.

After a bad breakup, Vicky heads off to a remote cabin in the woods to continue her Cam modeling when she is soon stalked by an unknown killer.

Here is the trailer:

Alone at Night is a mix of Sick and Cam with a fun cast and some twisted moments. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Fun cast!

Pretty Little Liars fans should be proud of Ashley Benson, who really gave it her all in this film. She showed off quite a lot with her Cam modeling, but it’s all in good fun and adds to the overall tone of the film. I thought she did a great job with what she was given.

The rest of the cast was really random, but they all added something to the film. Luis Guzman was the standout performance for sure, but even Pamela Anderson rocked her role with flair.

Twisted killer!

There will be no spoilers in this review (even though you’ll probably be able to figure out the killer pretty easily), but once they were revealed, we got some creepy and disturbing moments that were worth the wait. This slasher wasn’t perfect, but it provided me with enough entertaining moments.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Random reality show nonsense…

I’m all for having Paris Hilton in another horror flick, but we got this random reality series called “Trap House” within the movie. Vicky was watching the show, which was fine, but then we actually cut to several scenes involving them, which was bizarre. They tried to tie things in, but it didn’t work and it took away from the overall vibe of the movie.

I’m not sure if they were just trying to fill time or what, but I could have done without these scenes all together…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Hulu

I’m in about 75 percent…

I’m all for more slasher films and Ashley Benson did a decent enough job here, but I wish the film would have trusted its content instead of trying to cram in some other fluff to try and make it more relevant.

Either way, I enjoyed my watch overall!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Clock” on Hulu: A Relevant and Disturbing Psychological Horror Flick

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

“It will all be worth it…”

Clock released on April 28th 2023 on Hulu. The psychological horror film stars Dianna Agron, Jay Ali, Melora Hardin, and Saul Rubinek. It runs for an hour and thirty minutes.

Ella agrees to enroll in a clinical trial to fix her “broken” biological clock after she receives pressure from her friends and family to have a baby.

Here is the trailer:

Clock is a twisted film that will stick with you long after it’s over, making you contemplate the real horror embedded in societal pressure. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Deeply disturbing…

It seems like the pressure is everywhere, right? You need to go to school and have a job and get married and have kids all before a certain age or you’ll be forced to answer endless questions from your family, friends, and even strangers about why you’re not trying to be like everyone else? Only sometimes our lives take us down a different path, but trying to justify that to yourself and to others can be exhausting and this film really takes a magnifying glass to these issues, making the premise extremely believable and compelling.

This film has a lot of dark and twisted moments that will have you cringing in your seat. I felt extremely uncomfortable during certain scenes, but I think that was sort of the point. I actually really loved the concept of this film and I think it was executed really well. It tackled so many issues without overdoing things.

Dianna Agron is breathtakingly captivating.

This is probably my favorite role by her yet and she really showed off her range in this film. I loved her character and felt myself drawn to her in so many ways. She didn’t hold back at all in this one, making the psychological and physical descent into darkness that much more riveting.

The Cons:

Extreme body horror and some triggering moments…

If body horror isn’t for you, be warned. There were some moments that were tough to watch. Also, if this film’s premise seems to hit too close to home for you, you may want to hold off on this one.

I also had a few unanswered questions by the time I got to the end of the film, but this wasn’t a major con.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

A disturbing and eye-opening watch!

This film was so unique and thought-provoking. I think it also had a really important life-lesson embedded within it, which I don’t see everyday in horror films so this was a welcomed addition.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Clock 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 “Saint X” on Hulu: Alycia Debnam-Carey Stars in a Layered Murder Mystery

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

“Sometimes it feels like the whole world knows more than I do…”

Saint X premiered on Hulu on April 26th 2023 with the first three episodes available to stream now. There will be eight episodes in total. The mystery-drama series stars Alycia Debnam-Carey, West Duchovny, Josh Bonzie, and Betsy Brandt. Each episode is approximately 44-48 minutes.

Emily searches for answers about her sister’s death years later when she comes face-to-face with a person of interest from the crime.

Here is the trailer:

Saint X has an intriguing premise told through different perspectives and timelines, but does it do enough to hold our attention? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Alycia Debnam-Carey gives it her all.

Alycia Debnam-Carey stepped into this role after Victoria Pedretti left the project, but I have to admit that she is the main reason why I am watching this series. I am a big fan of hers and I think she is really putting forth a lot of emotions, but I’m hoping her character gets a chance to grow with more screen time in the remainder of the episodes. She’s very talented and has elevated a lot of flat moments so far.

A solid mystery at its core.

This is one of those series where we’ll have to wait until the end to understand what truly happened to Emily’s sister and I’m hoping it pays off. I love the resort setting and I appreciate that this series is trying to step away from the typical murder mystery formula to focus on aspects of class, race, and relationships. It may be taking on a bit too much, but the effort is there.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Slow and exhausting at times…

The premise is so interesting to me, but I haven’t been hooked just yet and I’ve already watched three episodes, which is usually my limit. I’m going to give the series a chance because I’m hopeful that the payoff will be rewarding enough, but the pacing needs a lot of improvement. The constant jumps between timelines are really confusing at times and the transitions are choppy.

Doing way too much.

I know that this series is trying to step away from the typical mystery-crime series we see airing nearly every week, but I personally feel that it needs to take a step back and just focus on the main story, which is interesting enough. I’m all for developing characters and learning more about them, but it’s not translating well yet and a lot of the content has been dull and uninspiring, which is disappointing.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Hulu

I’m 50/50 on this one…

I’m going to give it a few more episodes for Alycia, but the pacing really needs to pick up drastically to keep me invested.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

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!

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