Spoiler-Free Review of “The Long Walk” in Theaters: Executed Brilliantly!

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

“There’s one winner and no finish line…”

The Long Walk released in theaters on September 12th 2025. Based on the novel by Stephen King and adapted from the screenplay by JT Mollner (Strange Darling), the dystopian survival thriller stars David Jonsson, Cooper Hoffman, Ben Wang, Garrett Wareing, Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-eight minutes.

Teenage boys participate in a competition that could change the winner’s life forever where they must continuously walk without stopping or be shot.

Here is the trailer:

The Long Walk is a mix of Stand by Me and The Hunger Games, featuring some moving performances. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Characters to root for!

This film would not work without this key component. As the audience, when you understand the stakes of a movie like this, you have to think about whether you are invested or not in the outcome. Well, I can report that I was absolutely invested here. The characters were all exceptional and the performances were truly moving and fantastic.

David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus) was the BEST part of the film, giving us such a thought-provoking and superb performance. Wow…I’m still thinking about it!

Draws you in completely.

Honestly, I felt like I was in this movie. Time seemed to stand still and the only thing in existence was this never-ending road filled with unlikely friendships, impossible odds, and shocking moments, leading up to a jaw-dropping conclusion. This film reminded me why I fell in love with movies in the first place.

The Cons:

Really depressing at times…

I don’t really have many cons for this film because I thought it was incredible. However, it did feature some heavy, gross, and difficult content to watch at times. It’s not a film you can experience lightly. You will be sucked in and invested in what happens and it will make you think about a lot, but that’s sort of the point. Just be aware that there are some disgusting and bleak moments here.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

The Long Walk is an emotional, brutal, and consuming watch from start to finish.

This film is truly something special!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Long Walk 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 island thriller!

Blood Rose Island is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “DROP” in Theaters: My Kind of Thriller!

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

“It’s just a date…”

DROP released in theaters on April 11th 2025. The horror-thriller film stars Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Gabrielle Ryan, Ed Weeks, and Violett Beane. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-five minutes.

A widowed mother named Violet agrees to a first date at an upscale restaurant with the charming Henry, but things take an unexpected turn when she begins to receive threatening drops on her phone from a stranger.

Here is the trailer:

DROP is completely captivating with an intense premise and two likable leads. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Keeps you guessing.

Honestly, I am usually pretty good at figuring out who is behind everything in films like these, but this one stumped me. I was floored by the reveal and I loved the mystery angle. It really kept the audience on the hook, demanding our complete attention.

The setting worked really well here, keeping the focus on everyone surrounding Violet and Henry. In a lot of ways, this film reminded me of Red Eye in the best way possible. That’s one of my favorite thrillers of all time so this one is definitely in good company!

Characters to root for!

Meghann Fahy has been on my radar for a little while now. She was fantastic in this one and very believable. I was rooting for her the entire time.

The supporting characters in this were a blast as well. The server is a SCENE STEALER! He had me laughing until my sides hurt. This was so appreciated because the film did cover some heavy material at times so it still kept things light and entertaining enough.

The Cons:

I don’t have any…

I LOVED every part of this movie. I really don’t have anything negative to say about it. While it may not be for everyone, it definitely checked off every single box for me. I adore clever and intense thrillers like this and I also really liked the character layers and elements. They didn’t feel forced or gimmicky. They just worked effortlessly, helping me connect to our main girl that much more.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!!!

DROP is a heart-pounding and clever thriller from start to finish!

My favorite film of the year so far!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

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

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

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Boogeyman” in Theaters: Shut that closet door!

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

“It’s the thing that comes for your kids when you’re not paying attention…”

The Boogeyman released in theaters on June 2nd 2023. The supernatural horror film (based on the short story by Stephen King) stars Sophie Thatcher, Chris Messina, and Vivien Lyra Blair. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-eight minutes.

While trying to cope with the loss of their mother, Sadie and Sawyer begin to witness a dark presence after an unstable man wanders into their home and leaves behind something terrifying.

Here is the trailer:

The Boogeyman tackles issues of grief while presenting us with some horrifying scares along the way. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Characters to root for!

Usually when I watch a supernatural horror film featuring a frightening monster in the dark, I end up investing more in the scares and the characters are just kind of interchangeable.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the characters in this particular film. Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets) gave a gripping performance that was absolutely captivating. I really cared about what happened to her character and her sister, making this more than your average supernatural monster flick.

Well-placed scares.

There was this unsettling feeling of dread throughout the entire film that worked really well. The scares were well thought out and had me on the edge of my seat. I think I’ll be nailing my closet shut for the next few weeks…

There were also some heartwarming moments that balanced in very nicely. I was satisfied with the ending and the pacing worked for the most part, making this a very enjoyable watch from start to finish.

The Cons:

A movie I’ve seen before…

In a lot of ways, this film reminded me of Smile and Lights Out. I wouldn’t say that it presented us with anything that new or unique. That being said, it was still really enjoyable so I can’t fault it too much here.

On another note, it really bothers me when characters continue to walk around in the dark when there might be a monster in the shadows…

It just didn’t seem that practical. There were a number of times they could have just turned the lights on (at least in the beginning).

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

The Boogeyman is a creepy and unsettling horror flick that is entertaining from start to finish!

I absolutely loved Sophie Thatcher in this and I hope to see her in more horror films in the future.

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

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 “Nope” in Theaters: Characters to Root for!

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

“It was fast…too fast…”

NOPE released in theaters on July 22nd 2022. The sci-fi horror film (written, directed, and produced by Jordan Peele) stars Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Brandon Perea, and Michael Wincott. It runs for approximately two hours and ten minutes.

OJ and his sister, Emerald are working on their family’s horse ranch when they encounter something mysterious in the sky.

Here is the trailer:

NOPE is eerie and entertaining filled with edge-of-your-seat moments and characters that are so incredible to watch on screen. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Best characters I have seen in a while!

I adored the brother/sister bond between OJ and Emerald. Kaluuya and Palmer were electric on screen. I was completely invested in what happened to them, which made this film that much more entertaining. Even though this is a sci-fi horror film, there is a lot of heart in it as well and the performances here were absolutely incredible.

Brandon Perea was so much fun as Angel and brought in some well placed humor.

Loved him!

A mystery that draws you in…

There was an unsettling and mysterious vibe throughout this film. It took a while to fully develop, but there were plenty of nail-biting moments sprinkled in. I was thoroughly satisfied with the ultimate reveal and I think the intensity continued to build up more and more, creating something truly immersive and spectacular to experience.

The Cons:

Takes a while to get going…

The first half of the film dragged a little for me. I was fine with the slow burn approach, but I personally enjoyed the second half a lot more. The pacing was a lot stronger. That being said, there were still plenty of incredible moments in the first half to enjoy.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!

An intense and entertaining watch worth your time!

I really enjoyed this film and I think it was unique and a lot of fun. Jordan Peele created something truly magical on screen once again!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on NOPE 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 Black Phone” in Theaters: A Horror Movie Worth Your Time

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

“You don’t have to be scared…”

The Black Phone released in theaters on June 24th 2022. The horror film stars Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, and James Ransone. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-two minutes.

Set in the late 1970’s, a young boy is abducted by the neighborhood “grabber” and held in a soundproof basement when he begins to receive calls from the killer’s past victims on a disconnected phone.

Here is the trailer:

The Black Phone features a villain who is beyond terrifying, along with exceptional characters to root for against all odds. Is it worth a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Blumhouse Productions

Terrifying in a very real way…

I don’t know about you, but this is the type of film that scares me the most. Sure, there are supernatural/paranormal elements in this one, but this isn’t your typical gore fest or jump scare horror film. There is this unsettling and creepy vibe present throughout the film. It crawls under your skin, festering into something beyond scary. There are so many real and cruel moments in this film that make this way more than your average horror film.

Ethan Hawke truly immersed himself into this role with sadistic perfection and I think I’ll be having nightmares about his character for quite a long time…

Characters to root for.

Finney and Gwen were fantastic characters. Gwen was my favorite and I think that Madeleine McGraw was truly wonderful. I was very invested in what happened to them, which made this movie even more absorbing. I think they nailed the brother-sister relationship and really helped the audience connect with them on a deeper level.

Even though this is a horror movie, it was also a movie about self-discovery and growing up as well.

The Cons:

Unanswered questions and some fuzzy details…

By the time I got to the end of the film, I was satisfied, but I also had a lot of unanswered questions. There were details that didn’t add up from some of the flashbacks, which had me scratching my head. Since this was such an engaging watch, I wanted to know more and perhaps I will invest my time in reading the short story by Joe Hill to fill in some of the blanks.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!!!!!

A terrifying and captivating watch from start to finish!

This movie was so well done and I was so impressed with the performances all around, making this a must see watch for horror fans!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Black Phone 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 “Panic” on Prime Video: Let the Game Begin

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

“Every small town has a secret…ours has a game.”

Panic premiered on Amazon Prime Video on May 28th 2021 with ten episodes available to stream now. The series stars Olivia Welch, Ray Nicholson, Jessica Sula, Mike Faist, and Camron Jones. Each episode runs for approximately 40-45 minutes.

After graduating from high school in a small Texas town, the seniors compete in a secret dangerous game to score a chance at a competitive cash prize that will grant them an escape from their boring lives. The series is based on the book of the same name by Lauren Oliver.

Here is the trailer:

Panic may initially appear to be a standard YA series filled with tropes and drama, but the show manages to hook its audience with the very first episode, reeling us in for more and more as the clever plot reveals the secrets and mysteries behind the game. Is Panic worthy of your next binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Draws you in with adrenaline filled episodes.

This show was very effective at maintaining a fast pace even with some of the drama and set-up sprinkled in. I was invested from the start and by the time we got to the explosive end of the first episode, I needed to know what happened next and this continued to happen with the remaining episodes.

The episodes are only about 45 minutes in length but I often felt like I was only watching for five minutes because I was so drawn in.

Addicting premise with characters to root for.

The game itself is actually really interesting and intense. I found myself playing along with the characters, but it also helped to have really interesting characters to root for. I thought that each character had a lot to offer, but Heather, Ray, and Natalie were my favorites and I wanted each of them to succeed for different reasons.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Predictable teenage drama.

This is a YA series and we do get quite a lot of teen drama sprinkled into the mix. There is the obvious love triangle, the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, the girl who is trying to do right by her family, and the supportive best friend. There was nothing truly unique or extraordinary here, but I kind of dug some of the drama and it wasn’t enough to overshadow everything else going on.

Also, it seemed like the cops were just really dumb in this show. It’s a small town so it shouldn’t be this hard to crack the case, but as long as you go into this show expecting to see some tropes and unrealistic moments, you will still be highly entertained.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m in 100 percent!

I went into this show thinking I was going to get a watered down version of The Hunger Games and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I became obsessed with this show. This show is absolutely worthy of your next binge-watch and I think that Prime Video is really stepping up its game with YA thrillers. After the success of The Wilds, I am hoping that people will enjoy Panic also because I would love to see a second season…especially after that ending!

This show was so entertaining and really addicting. If you’re looking for a fast paced show with lots of twists and reveals, you are in the right place.

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