Tag: chilling

Spoiler-Free Review of “Backrooms” in Theaters: A Mind-Bending Trip!

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

“You’re still stuck right where you started…alone…”

Backrooms premiered in theaters on May 29th 2026. The psychological horror science fiction film (based on the popular web series) stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell, and Mark Duplass. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty minutes.

After an unhappy furniture salesman finds a secret door within the walls of the store, he discovers a space beyond reality. His curiosity leads him down a dangerous path, as he soon discovers he is not alone.

Here is the trailer:

Backrooms reels us into an Alice in Wonderland-esque world, unraveling a chilling mystery before our eyes. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of A24

An eerie concept!

I really enjoyed this world and thought it was so intriguing and complex. I wanted to go and discover all the endless rooms with the main character. Each one had me scratching my head, but I felt fully immersed in this puzzle, making this an interactive watch.

Images courtesy of A24

Enough freaky moments.

Even though this was a bit of a slow burn, there were enough freaky moments in this one. Sure, a lot of it didn’t make sense, but that was also sort of the point. They effectively used the found footage camera approach where it mattered, mirroring the overall tone of the film. While I wouldn’t necessarily say this film scared me, it did present us with some insane moments worth exploring.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of A24

The first half was stronger than the second half…

This might simply come down to preference, but I really enjoyed the first half of this film. I liked the idea of the unknown and once everything started to be revealed, it lost that chilling magic for me. I thought some things felt a little silly and outrageous, but I’m also not a huge science fiction fan so that could be why.

I also don’t enjoy shaky camera effects (even though I think they used them well) because it makes me dizzy so be prepared for that if that’s not your thing…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of A24

I’m in!

(3.5/5 stars)

Backrooms is eerie, bonkers, and packed with freaky footage.

This film did a solid job with the content, inviting us into an intriguing new world.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Backrooms 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 “Hokum” in Theaters: A Trippy and Terrifying Gem!

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

“They were doomed…”

Hokum premiered in theaters on May 1st 2026. The folk horror mystery film stars Adam Scott, David Wilmot, Peter Coonan, and Florence Ordesh. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-eight minutes.

When a novelist retreats to a remote hotel in Ireland to scatter the ashes of his parents, he learns that a witch may be haunting a suite in the hotel he is staying at, which could be connected to the disappearance of a woman who helped him during his stay.

Here is the trailer:

Hokum lures us into a compelling slow burn mystery with some chilling moments built in. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Neon

So scary!

This movie scared me on more than one occasion. The jump scares never felt cheesy or filler. Each one complimented the eerie overall tone of the film so well. I had goosebumps on my skin the entire time and felt like I was losing my mind in the best way possible.

This movie reminded me a lot of Oddity (from the same writer and director) mixed with 1408. If you enjoy hotel horror flicks, there is a lot here for you to enjoy.

It may be a while before I go down into my basement and I highly recommend investing in some chalk!

Images courtesy of Neon

A solid mystery.

Even though this was a horror movie, I really enjoyed the elements of mystery within it. It really drew me in and I found myself wanting to know more with each clue presented, which ended up turning into quite the insane ride! Wow…

I also thought Adam Scott did a great job here with a note-worthy performance.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Neon

Be prepared for a slow burn.

I wouldn’t say that this was a major con and it didn’t take away from the overall impact of the film by any means. Just keep in mind that it will take a while for things to unfold.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Neon

I’m in!!!

Hokum is a thought-provoking horror film that unleashes some frightening moments upon its audience, reeling us into an unhinged nightmare worth exploring.

This film exceeded my expectations! I’m not sure that I’ll be sleeping for a while though…

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Hokum 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 “Candyman” (2021) in Theaters: A Solid Direct Sequel

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

“Say it…I dare you.”

Candyman (2021) released in theaters on August 27th 2021. The film stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Colman Domingo, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Vanessa Williams and Tony Todd. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty minutes.

In present day, Anthony and Brianna move into the now gentrified Cabrini-Green. Anthony is trying to make a name for himself as an artist when he comes across the legend of Candyman, which inspires his latest work. He encourages others around him to summon Candyman, which unleashes something sinister into the world once again.

Here is the trailer:

Candyman attempts to make itself relevant in today’s world while still recognizing the original film in the process. Is it worth a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

Visually stunning.

The visual effects in this movie were really so well done. The art, the use of light, the focus on the reflections and even the body horror was done in such an interesting way. I really loved the elevator scene in particular and I thought that the visual choices really gave the film a genuine chilling quality.

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

A continuation of the original story that made sense!

I’ve seen so many different reboots, remakes, and re-imaginings over the years and I was wondering what we were going to get to witness with the new Candyman. Well, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it continued the original story.

The film still branched off into something new, but it kept the story going in an effective way. It truly felt like a direct sequel and it worked.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

I wanted more from our main characters.

The acting was well done and I genuinely liked all of the performances, but I wanted a little bit more. I didn’t really believe the chemistry between Brianna and Anthony, which impacted the reveal later on.

I also thought that we could have expanded on some of the flashbacks a bit more and Colman Domingo was so fantastic, but I wanted to see him in more scenes. I also think him randomly showing up seemed a bit out of place, but I’ll just go with it…

Attempted to do A LOT.

The film was not very long and it really tried to cram so much in. I think it created several discussions worth having but I also found myself being bounced around a little bit too much. I didn’t want to lose focus in this film because there were so many things that were so well done, but this could have been tightened up a little bit in my opinion.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

I’m in!

This movie was a worthy direct sequel.

It was chilling, unique, and visually stunning. While it did attempt to do a lot in one film, there was still enough substance here to keep me entertained.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Candyman (2021) in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

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!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek 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!