Spoiler-Free Review of “Abandoned” (2022) on Hulu: Emma Roberts moves into a house with a dark past

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

“We’ll take it…”

Abandoned (2022) originally premiered in June 2022, but released on Hulu on October 21st 2022. The psychological horror film stars Emma Roberts, John Gallagher Jr., and Michael Shannon. It runs for approximately an hour and forty minutes.

After moving into a farm house with a dark past, a mother suffering from postpartum depression begins to experience something horrifying, unlocking dark secrets while trying to figure out what’s real and what’s in her head.

Here is the trailer:

Abandoned has a stellar lead and a creepy premise, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Emma Roberts gives it her all…

She’s the main reason why I tuned into this one and I thought she really held her own. There aren’t too many characters in this, but that didn’t matter. She was very good in this and I hope to see her in more horror films in the future because she really is fantastic in them!

Unsettling premise.

The mystery behind the house was intriguing on its own, but I also really liked trying to figure out whether this was all real or not. The film kept the audience guessing right up until the end, which worked in the film’s favor.

The Cons:

Flips back and forth between genres…

I would have preferred this film to just pick a genre and stick with it. The psychological horror aspect worked, but when it tried to act like a haunted house film with silly jump scares, it lost some of its magic. The film was eerie enough on its own.

The middle dragged a lot for me and I wasn’t really a fan of the ending either. I was expecting something more and was slightly disappointed.

So am I in or out?

I’m 50/50 on this one…

An eerie premise with some potential, but things fizzled out by the time I got to the end.

I’m in for Emma Roberts, but I think this film could have been a lot better.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Abandoned 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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Spoiler-Free Review of “Matriarch” on Hulu: A Bizarre and Wild Watch…

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

“Things could be better…”

Matriarch premiered on Hulu on October 21st 2022. The British folk horror film stars Jemima Rooper, Katie Dickie, Sarah Paul, and Simon Meacock. It runs for an hour and twenty-five minutes.

An overworked alcoholic and drug addict decides to reconnect with her mother after nearly losing her life, unraveling something dark and sinister in her old village.

Here is the trailer:

Matriarch is a low budget slow burn horror film featuring two believable performances and one of the craziest reveals and endings I have seen in a while. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Well done performances.

I’m not sure that this film would have packed the same punch without the electric performances from both of its leads. Rooper had to portray a lot and I think she put forth a valiant effort. Dickie was eerie and magnetic as always.

Crazy and creepy ending I didn’t see coming…

The beginning of the film drew me in and there was a creepy and unsettling vibe that was really disturbing. I didn’t know what to expect by the time we got to the reveals and they really threw me for a loop. The ending was completely bonkers, but it went all in and I appreciate that. If you like folk horror films, you’ll enjoy this one. I’m honestly still not sure if I liked it or not, but it was definitely something different!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Slow moving at times…

The middle of the film dragged a lot. The film wasn’t long at all, but I felt like I had been watching it for a while until we got to the crazy stuff and then the film recaptured my full attention.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Hulu

I’m in about 75 percent…

Unsettling, disturbing, and bizarre!

This film had its flaws, but I think it managed to embrace the folk horror genre effectively, bringing us something truly disturbing and different.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Matriarch 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 “The School for Good and Evil” on Netflix: Jam-Packed Fantasy has its moments

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

“Some wishes are too powerful to take back…”

The School for Good and Evil released on Netflix on October 19th 2022. The fantasy drama based on the book series stars Sophia Anne Caruso, Sofia Wylie, Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, and Michelle Yeoh. It runs for approximately two hours and thirty minutes.

Best friends wind up becoming rivals when they are magically transported to a school where fairy-tale heroes and villains are trained to fulfill their true destinies.

Here is the trailer:

The School for Good and Evil is a mashup of Harry Potter and Once Upon a Time, filled with plenty of magical moments. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Cute concept and gorgeous scenery.

This film really felt like it was part of a fairy-tale storybook. The scenery and costumes were absolutely gorgeous. I think it effectively created this world for the audience, drawing us into a wickedly fun place full of imagination.

I haven’t read the book series, but I thoroughly liked the concept. I’m a fan of modernizing fairy-tales even if it may be overdone.

Great cast!

Charlize and Kerry were absolutely wonderful and the perfect choices for these roles. I also thought both of the main characters were very likable and I think they did a good job of making us believe the friendship between them, which was the core of the story.

The Cons:

Tries to do too much…

This film was way too long and I think it overstuffed it. There were some really great moments that I would have liked to have seen fleshed out more. Once we got to the big reveals, everything felt super rushed and I couldn’t sit back and appreciate it the way I’m sure I would have if I had read the book.

It’s clear that this film borrowed a lot from Harry Potter and Once Upon a Time, but I wanted it to find its own identity. There were definitely glimmers of it here and there and I think this film had a lot of potential, but it needed a little more to fully captivate me. I still enjoyed my watch, however.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

There are some magical moments and plenty for fans of the fantasy and fairy-tale genres to enjoy in this one.

I’m not sure that the film did anything that unique to stand out from some of its predecessors, but it was fun all the same.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The School for Good and Evil 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 “Rosaline” on Hulu: Charming Retelling of “Romeo & Juliet”

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

“One day we will be together forever…”

Rosaline premiered on October 14th 2022 on Hulu. The romantic comedy film stars Kaitlyn Dever, Kyle Allen, Isabela Merced, and Sean Teale. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-six minutes.

Rosaline is a comedic retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet told from Rosaline’s (Romeo’s ex) point of view.

Here is the trailer:

Rosaline is hardly the first retelling of a Shakespeare story, but it does have a witty approach with a wonderful female lead. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Kaitlyn Dever is fantastic!

I really like her as an actress. She excelled in this role and made it her own. The witty dry humor worked to her advantage and allowed her to truly shine. I was rooting for her the entire time. She brought something fresh and unique to this role and was the best part of the movie.

Super cute take on the original.

I’ve seen countless versions of Romeo and Juliet, but this one may have been my favorite. I loved the comedic approach and it was honestly so much fun to watch. The subtle humor worked perfectly and the pacing was well done. More please!

The Cons:

Predictable.

Even though I enjoyed this film, I’m not sure that it did anything that new or different. The film ends the way you think it will. Even though the witty charm works, the formula is pretty much the same as other adaptations. That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed my watch and Kaitlyn Dever elevated it in a lot of ways.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

A clever and delightful adaptation with a fantastic lead.

If you enjoy romantic comedies, you’ll find plenty to enjoy with this one.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Rosaline 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 “Grimcutty” on Hulu: A Gen Z Teen’s Nightmare

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

“You sure you don’t have a phone?”

Grimcutty released on Hulu on October 10th 2022. The supernatural horror film stars Sara Wolfkind, Shannyn Sossamon, Usman Ally, and Alona Tal. It runs for approximately an hour and forty minutes.

A teen girl is plagued by a frightening internet challenge that is manifested by the hysteria of her parents.

Here is the trailer:

Grimcutty feels very much like a cross between Slender Man and Pulse, highlighting the danger of technology and what happens when parents overreact to social media exposure. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Tries to do something different…

While this is hardly the first film I have seen about the dangers of the internet, I thought Grimcutty made a valiant effort to think outside the box with its concept. While I wouldn’t necessarily say that I was really terrified throughout my watch, I appreciated the idea behind the film and I think it executed a lot of things really well.

Some familiar faces…

Shannyn Sossamon starred in One Missed Call back in 2008 so it was nice to see her in this film. She is no stranger to a killer phone…

I thought all of the characters did a good job with what they were given. I’m not sure that anyone really stood out, but the performances were believable enough to keep me interested.

The Cons:

The Grimcutty isn’t that scary…

Sure, it’s weird looking and odd, but it didn’t frighten me the way some supernatural creatures have. Even though I preferred this film to Slender Man, the actual Slender Man is a lot scarier than this guy. If the Grimcutty was truly frightening, this film may have worked a lot better, but it was honestly laughable at times.

I also thought this film was longer than it needed to be. I didn’t need anything dragged out on this one.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

An interesting concept with some entertaining moments.

This film was actually a lot better than I thought it would be. If you enjoy films like Slender Man and pretty much any horror film involving technology, you’ll feel right at home with this one.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

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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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Watcher” on Netflix: A Neighborhood full of Secrets

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

“Welcome…you know I will be watching…”

The Watcher premiered on Netflix on October 13th 2022 with seven episodes available to steam now. Created by Ryan Murphy and based on a true story, the series stars Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale, Jennifer Coolidge, Isabel Gravitt, and Mia Farrow. Each episode runs for approximately 44-47 minutes.

After a family moves into their dream home, they begin to receive threatening letters.

Here is the trailer:

The Watcher has an eerie premise with a terrific cast, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Strong opening episodes…

The premise for this series was really creepy and when I know that things are based on a true story, it makes it even more terrifying. I thought the opening episodes of this series were really good and they hooked me completely. I had to know more and I immediately began to make a list of suspects. Seriously, all of those neighbors were completely crazy!

Great cast!

This was a really interesting cast. It felt very much like a season of American Horror Story in a lot of ways, bringing plenty of well-known faces into the fold. I thought Naomi Watts did a great job and it’s always fun seeing Jennifer Coolidge on screen.

The Cons:

Loses steam as the episodes continue…

This was really frustrating because I was completely hooked in the beginning of this series. In typical Ryan Murphy fashion, the series then goes off on several tangents and subplots that really dragged out the rest of the series. By the time I got to the reveals, I had lost a lot of interest. I really wasn’t a fan of the ending either.

I’m also not sure that there was enough content here for a seven episode series. This might have been better suited as a film. There was a film that came out in 2016 (which I haven’t watched yet), but I think that was the right approach.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

An intriguing and addicting premise with a stellar cast.

There’s enough here to enjoy, but this series started a lot stronger than it finished.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Watcher 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 Curse of Bridge Hollow” on Netflix: Spooky Family Fun!

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

“My family doesn’t do Halloween…”

The Curse of Bridge Hollow released on Netflix on October 14th 2022. The Halloween comedy stars Marlon Wayans, Kelly Rowland, Priah Ferguson, Lauren Lapkus, and Rob Riggle. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-two minutes.

After moving to a new town filled with Halloween enthusiasts, a father and daughter must team up when something causes the Halloween decorations to come to life.

Here is the trailer:

The Curse of Bridge Hollow has something for everyone in the family, creating the perfect balance of spooky Halloween fun with comedy gold. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Has all the ingredients for the perfect family Halloween film!

I went into this film hoping for the best and it did not disappoint! It nailed the Halloween vibe and then some! I would honestly rank this film right up there with Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown and it’s absolutely going to become part of my yearly Halloween lineup.

There was the perfect balance of heart and spooky fun in this. I absolutely loved the concept and all of the characters were so much fun!

Marlon Wayans is hilarious!

This should come as no surprise since he’s so funny in everything he does, but I’m not sure that I would have liked this movie as much without him. Some of these films lack in the humor department even though they make a valiant effort (Hocus Pocus 2), but this film was laugh out loud funny and that was because of him.

I loved all of the other actors and characters as well. Everyone played the perfect role, adding to the fun!

The Cons:

I don’t have any…

I love Halloween. It’s my absolute favorite holiday and I felt like this film was made for true fans of the holiday. Hopefully it even convinced a few non-believers to join in on the fun! I don’t have any cons. This movie was everything I could have hoped for and more!

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!!!

Hilarious and so much fun!!!!

The Halloween movie I’ve been waiting for!

If you love Halloween, you’ll love this movie. Trust me!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Curse of Bridge Hollow 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 “Halloween Ends” on Peacock: Laurie vs. Michael…place your bets!

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

“You started this…”

Halloween Ends released in theaters and on Peacock on October 14th 2022. The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak, Kyle Richards, and Rohan Campbell. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty minutes.

Years after Michael Myers terrorized the residents of Haddonfield, a new evil emerges in town, giving Laurie a terrorizing sense of nostalgia.

Here is the trailer:

Halloween Ends should mark the end of the latest trilogy, but does it do enough to leave fans satisfied? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Solid beginning and ending.

I thought the beginning of this film was so unexpected and brutally fantastic. It really set the tone for the rest of the film. The ending was also really well done. The showdown we’ve been waiting for did not disappoint. There was also enough nostalgia weaved in without overdoing it. I wanted it to go on a little bit longer, but I thought it was satisfying enough for fans.

The gory kills don’t disappoint…

I was slightly worried that we wouldn’t get that many gory kills in this film since it took a different path, but the later attacks in the film were bloody and terrifying. I had a few favorites in particular, but it’s safe to say that I won’t be leaving my door unlocked…ever!

The Cons:

Didn’t really feel like the ending of a trilogy…

I actually liked the different story and subplot going on. Rohan Campbell was really good in this. My only issue with it was that it didn’t feel like it was the perfect fit for this trilogy. I enjoyed this film, but it felt like a standalone movie, rather than a killer ending. Don’t get me wrong, we eventually got there and things came full circle, but things just felt odd and bizarre for the majority of the movie.

I also thought that Allyson made some decisions that seemed really out of character for her. I really liked her in the other films, but it’s like she threw all of her common sense out the window…

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

Halloween fans will find plenty to enjoy in the ending to this trilogy, but I had a lot of mixed thoughts on its approach and the subplots, which may have been better suited to a film separate from this trilogy…

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

HAVE A KILLER HALLOWEEN…

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 “Blackout” (2022) on Netflix: Josh Duhamel can’t remember who he is…

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

“Do you remember how you got here?”

Blackout premiered on October 12th 2022 on Netflix. The action-thriller film stars Josh Duhamel, Abbie Cornish, and Nick Nolte. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-two minutes.

A man wakes up in a Mexican hospital with no memory of how he got there, now hunted down by a dangerous drug cartel as he tries to piece together which side he is actually on.

Here is the trailer:

Blackout attempts to channel the films of the Bourne franchise with a familiar plot and flashy action. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Josh Duhamel is a fun lead.

He’s the main reason why I tuned into this movie and he was the best part of it. I find him captivating in everything, including the Nacho Fries commercials for Taco Bell. I thought he was bad-ass in this film and elevated a generic script as much as he could.

Plenty of action.

If you’re looking for lots of action and fight scenes, you’re in the right place. This film kind of felt like a mashup between The Bourne Identity and pretty much any Liam Neeson movie (in terms of the action at least). The film is on the shorter side and the pacing keeps things moving enough to keep you invested until the end.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

The dialogue is really really bad.

I didn’t have high expectations for this film at all, but wow was the dialogue atrocious. I started laughing several times and not in a good way. I’m all for a mindless action flick, but this film could have been so much better if it would have put in just a little bit of effort in this department.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m 50/50 on this one…

I’m in for Josh Duhamel and some of the fight scenes were decent, but this film didn’t have enough edge or substance to make it that memorable. If you’re looking for a quick watch, you’ll find enough to enjoy, but I would recommend managing your expectations.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Blackout 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 “Deadstream” on Shudder: An Absolute Blast!

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

“I will be spending one night alone in a haunted house!”

Deadstream released on Shudder on October 6th 2022. The horror-comedy film stars Joseph Winter and Melanie Stone. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-seven minutes.

A disgraced internet personality attempts to gain back his followers by livestreaming himself in an abandoned haunted house when he accidentally unleashes an evil spirit.

Here is the trailer:

Deadstream is so much fun to watch and really spot on with its depiction of the livestreaming culture. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Channels The Evil Dead and nails the horror comedy angle!

You basically get a crazy mashup of Paranormal Activity, Ghost Hunters, and The Evil Dead with this clever and hilarious found-footage horror film and it somehow just works! The “Wrath of Shawn” may seem ridiculous and silly, but it’s actually really spot on with a lot of the livestreamers I have watched and I think it nailed the vibe it was going for.

Joseph Winter and Melanie Stone killed it!

The film pretty much centers around these two main characters and I was worried that I would grow tired of them, but they were so amazing! The dynamic between them was so entertaining and even though Shawn was really extreme, he was playing the part to perfection and it sold this film in the best way possible. I think it’s really cool that he’s actually the director of the movie as well!

More please!

The Cons:

Not super scary…

This didn’t matter to me at all because I embraced this as a true horror comedy, but if you’re looking for some actual serious scares, you won’t find too many here. As long as you just go with the Raimi tone, you’ll find plenty to enjoy as a horror fan, however.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

The most fun I have had watching a horror comedy in quite a while!

I don’t need to “fansplain” how much I enjoyed this film. Just watch it. Trust me! You’ll love it!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

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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