Spoiler-Free Review of “Duster” Premiere on Max: Josh Holloway is Back and as Charming as Ever!

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

“This is an unusual situation…”

Duster premiered on May 15th 2025 on Max with the premiere episode available to stream now. There will be eight episodes in total that will air weekly. The thriller crime series stars Josh Holloway, Rachel Hilson, Greg Grunberg, Camille Guaty, and Keith David. Each episode runs for approximately 50-52 minutes.

Set in the 1970’s, a getaway driver reluctantly agrees to work with a female FBI agent who is targeting the crime family he works for.

Here is the trailer:

Duster is a stylish and entertaining crime thriller with lots of potential. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Fans of J.J. Abrams and Josh Holloway are in for a treat!

LOST fans, get excited! J.J. Abrams is the c0-creator and writer of this series and he pairs up with LOST alum, Josh Holloway, who brings the charisma and then some in this role!

Honestly, it felt like I was watching a LOST spin-off where “Jim Lafleur” goes back to the real world and becomes a getaway driver. Oh wait…and his character in this series is also named Jim!

I’ve missed seeing Josh in a starring role and already he is dominating the screen. I like the partnership with him and Rachel Hilson’s character and I’m excited to see more.

Cool vibe.

The 1970’s timeline is working so far for this particular series. I love the overall vibe and the music is great too. Everything just feels very smooth and stylish, mirroring Josh Holloway’s energy.

The Cons:

Some pacing concerns.

There were a lot of moving pieces set up in the opening episode, which was fine, but I’m not really sure where this show is going just yet. It has enough things happening to keep me coming back for more, but I’m slightly concerned that this will be released each week. Sometimes I forget to tune in to the weekly shows so this could be its downfall.

That being said, I think the hook is solid enough so far.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

Duster is off to an entertaining start! It’s great to see Josh in a role well suited for him.

I’m looking forward to watching more!

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

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

“I think it was following me…”

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

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

Here is the trailer:

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

The Pros:

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

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

A resourceful female lead to cheer on.

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

The Cons:

The vignettes were distracting.

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

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

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

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

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

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

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

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

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Woman of the Hour” on Netflix: A Powerful and Unnerving Watch!

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

“What are girls for?”

Woman of the Hour released on Netflix on October 18th 2024. The crime thriller film (based on true events from the 1970’s) stars Anna Kendrick (she also directed the film), Daniel Zovatto, Autumn Best, Tony Hale, and Nicolette Robinson. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-five minutes.

An aspiring actress reluctantly agrees to appear on a televised dating game show, unknowingly crossing paths with a serial killer.

Here is the trailer:

Woman of the Hour is an unconventional thriller with an engrossing story at its center. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Anna Kendrick and Daniel Zovatto are incredible!!!

This might be my favorite performance by Anna Kendrick yet. She was FANTASTIC in this and lit up the screen. I was cheering for her during so many key moments. I am even more impressed that she also directed this film.

Daniel Zovatto nailed the vibe he was going for. He was sinister and creepy with twisted charm. I was blown away by his performance.

So intense!

There were so many moments during this film that had me holding my breath. I was on the edge of my seat and could not look away from the screen. Normally I like my thrillers filled with action and adrenaline, but this one managed to stimulate that same feeling of intensity while approaching the thriller genre in a different way. It was very effective and it really had me contemplating a lot.

There were so many important messages and themes in this one, but I never felt like the writers were hitting us over the head with them. They worked with the plot seamlessly, making us care about each one of these characters that much more.

The Cons:

The transitions were distracting at times.

This isn’t a major con because I absolutely adored this film and understood what it was going for, but it was hard jumping around to past events when I was so engaged with what was going on during our present timeline. I was just connecting to one narrative in particular so whenever we switched over, I lost that enthralling feeling momentarily.

Don’t get me wrong…I thought each one of those plot points were necessary so we understood who we were dealing with, but I think the transitions could have been tweaked slightly to connect everything in a seamless way.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

Woman of the Hour is a smart and captivating thriller that will make your heart pound!

I had a feeling that I would enjoy this one, but it exceeded my expectations and then some.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Woman of the Hour 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 “The Last Stop in Yuma County” on Demand: Captivating in All the Right Ways!

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

“We’re famous for our pie…”

The Last Stop in Yuma County released on demand on May 10th 2024. The crime thriller film stars Jocelin Donahue, Jim Cummings, Richard Brake, Nicholas Logan, Faizon Love, Connor Paolo, and Sierra McCormick. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty minutes.

A traveling knife salesman and a waitress get thrown into a hostage situation when two bank robbers show up at a diner.

Here is the trailer:

The Last Stop in Yuma County is an entertaining and rewarding experience from beginning to end with a talented cast. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment

Will keep you on the edge of your seat!

The feeling of intensity and dread that this film created was so well done. I found myself glued to the screen the entire time. In a lot of ways, The Last Stop in Yuma County had a Tarantino vibe going on, but it also successfully found its own voice and branched out into something well beyond that. My heart was pounding during so many key moments, but I also loved how realistic this felt, making this watch so much more interesting for me.

Successfully transports the audience to another time and place.

I love movies that can accomplish this and it’s no easy task. Even though it was never mentioned what time period we were in, it felt very much like the 1970’s. This film was impressively shot and I honestly felt like I was right there in the diner with everyone else.

The Cons:

With all the build-up, I wanted a touch more.

The wait definitely paid off, but I guess I just wanted a little more because it was incredible to watch unfold. The film also re-routed itself for the last twenty-five minutes or so, which wasn’t as satisfying as the rest of the movie. It was still interesting enough, however.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

The Last Stop in Yuma County brilliantly executes a straightforward premise, delivering a note-worthy cinematic experience.

We need more films like this!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Last Stop in Yuma County 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 “In the Land of Saints and Sinners” in Theaters: A Solid, Authentic Thriller

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

“There’s more to me than this…”

In the Land of Saints and Sinners released in theaters on March 29th 2024. The Irish action film stars Liam Neeson, Jack Gleeson, Kerry Condon, and Desmond Eastwood. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

Set in Ireland during the 1970’s, Finbar Murphy hopes to leave his past as an assassin behind him, but when a group of terrorists arrive in town, he must choose between revealing his secret past and protecting his friends and neighbors from harm.

Here is the trailer:

In the Land of Saints and Sinners is not your average Liam Neeson film, presenting us with a captivating crime thriller deep rooted in genuine moments, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Gorgeous scenery and solid performances.

This is the second film in the past month that I have watched set in Ireland and once again, the setting did not disappoint. It was breathtakingly beautiful and I thought that this film was really well shot.

The performances were exceptional as well, elevating this film into a crime thriller of a higher standard, which was refreshing to watch.

Not your typical Liam Neeson film…

It’s been years since Taken and The Grey have come out and I’m not sure that any film will ever come close to those, but Liam Neeson has starred in numerous action thrillers ever since that simply have not measured up. Don’t get me wrong, some of them have been very entertaining and I will continue to watch every single one, but I’ve been waiting for another worthy film and I think we came pretty close here.

While the premise was a familiar one for Neeson, this film felt very different and unique. It didn’t rely on a gimmick or flashy concept to reel the audience in. Rather, it presented us with something more organic and real, which actually really resonated with me.

The second half of the film was really intense and brilliant. Sure, it didn’t quite pack the same punch as some of his other films, but I’m not sure that it needed that. It transcended past those films, making this a thoughtful and more layered watch, which I really appreciated.

The Cons:

Takes a while to get going…

The first half was pretty sluggish even though there were some key moments sprinkled in. If you’re looking for a fast-paced action flick, you won’t get that here. We do eventually get to some action worth the wait, but be prepared for a slower paced film overall.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

In the Land of Saints and Sinners is a smart and well-crafted crime thriller worth your time.

This film was not what I expected, but it delivered and allowed Liam Neeson to truly shine.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on In the Land of Saints and Sinners 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 “Fear Street Part 2: 1978” on Netflix: Groovy Gory Perfection

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

“It’s happening again…”

Fear Street Part 2: 1978 is a supernatural slasher film that premiered on July 9th 2021 on Netflix. It is the second entry to the trilogy which will take place over the next three weeks. The film stars Sadie Sink, Emily Rudd, Ted Sutherland, Ryan Simpkins, Gillian Jacobs and Kiana Madeira. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty minutes.

Inspired by the R.L. Stine book series, the second film brings us back to 1978 as a dangerous killer makes their presence known at Camp Nightwing in Shadyside.

Here is the trailer:

Fear Street Part 2: 1978 takes a stab at a different decade as Deena and the remaining survivors attempt to learn more about what happened back in 1978 when a similar curse terrorized the town. We are introduced to new characters and a new setting, but does it do enough to keep the story going? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Nails the setting.

While Fear Street Part 1: 1994 channeled Scream and 90’s slashers, Fear Street Part 2: 1978 brings us back to the world of Friday the 13th and Sleepaway Camp. Other horror series have taken the summer camp setting and done quite well with it. The second season of Slasher and AHS: 1984 both featured summer camps and there’s just something about this setting.

I loved the music soundtrack even more in this film and it really did a great job of immersing us into this world without ever skipping a beat.

Believable chemistry between the characters.

My biggest con with the first installment was that it was lacking a little bit of chemistry between all of the characters. Well, that problem has been solved in the second film. I loved every single character and cared about their well being. It was nice to see Sadie Sink step into the spotlight and she played the role extremely well. I thought that the sister vibe really worked and there was even a little bit of humor sprinkled into the mix that translated much better in the second film.

Seamless transition into the main story.

As a standalone, this film is just pure magic. There is a lot of gore and terrorizing moments, but you find yourself rooting for all of the characters even though you know you are witnessing a past event. That being said, I thought that the seamless transition back into the main plot was really effective and I was drawn into the story that much more as we unlocked missing pieces to the puzzle.

The Cons:

We need more!

I don’t have a single con for the second film. I thought it was perfect and I loved it from start to finish. I just wanted to spend even more time at Camp Nightwing because it was that good.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

I enjoyed the first film, but this one really stepped things up a notch. There was a perfect blend of summer camp slasher nostalgia along with some really compelling moments. The performances were believable and this really elevated the overall story. I can’t wait for the final film!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Fear Street Part 2: 1978 in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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