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:

Images courtesy of Max

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.

Images courtesy of Max

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:

Images courtesy of Max

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?

Images courtesy of Max

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!

**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 “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:

Images courtesy of Netflix

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.

Images courtesy of Netflix

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:

Images courtesy of Netflix

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?

Images courtesy of Netflix

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…

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!

**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 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.

Images courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment

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:

Images courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment

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?

Images courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment

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…

Main promo smaller

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!

**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 “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:

Images courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

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.

Images courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

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:

Images courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

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?

Images courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

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…

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 “He Went That Way” on Demand: What did I just watch?

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

“Do you need a ride?”

He Went That Way released on demand on January 12th 2024. The crime thriller (loosely based on true events) stars Jacob Elordi and Zachary Quinto. It runs for an hour and thirty-five minutes.

Set in the 1960’s, a celebrity animal trainer and his chimpanzee, Spanky, offer a ride to a young stranger, but he quickly discovers that his passenger is actually a serial killer.

Here is the trailer:

He Went That Way is odd and uninspiring, allowing a chimpanzee to upstage the two leads of this strange thriller. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Vertical Entertainment

Beautifully shot.

The backdrop of this film was exceptionally well done and I thought the majority of it was aesthetically pleasing. My attention was drifting a lot during this film, but the cinematographer did a solid job here and I thought the road trip aspect was captured well.

Spanky steals the show…

I was honestly bored out of my mind watching this one, but who would have thought that a chimpanzee named Spanky would actually be the most entertaining? We had two well-versed leads here, but they were definitely upstaged…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Vertical Entertainment

Exhausting pacing with no real direction…

I think this goes to show that not every true crime story should be turned into a film. I actually found myself looking up these crimes during the movie, which was a lot more interesting than what I was watching. I just don’t think that it translated well at all in the film. The plot just felt really messy and choppy, never fully grabbing my attention.

The bond between our two main leads needed to be fleshed out more.

I think this would have made the movie a lot more interesting. Both characters needed to be fleshed out a lot more so that we would actually care about what happened to them. I think this film thought it accomplished that it, but it never truly did. There were a couple of worthy moments between them and more so between Spanky and them, but it never reached its level of potential.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Vertical Entertainment

Unfortunately I’m out on this one…

He Went That Way never finds its direction, making this a strange watch overall that never resonated with me until the end credits.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on He Went That Way 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 Marsh King’s Daughter” in Theaters: Daisy Ridley is Worth the Watch

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

“It’s time you finished the hunt…”

The Marsh King’s Daughter released in theaters on November 3rd 2023. The thriller-drama film (based on the novel of the same name) stars Daisy Ridley, Ben Mendelsohn, Garrett Hedlund, and Gil Birmingham. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-eight minutes.

A young mother’s happy new life is threatened when her dark past returns as her father is released from prison, targeting her daughter.

Here is the trailer:

The Marsh King’s Daughter features some gripping performances centered around an interesting story with layers and some powerful moments. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Lionsgate Films

Stellar performances.

The force is strong with Daisy Ridley! She was absolutely mesmerizing on screen and did a really great job with this role. I believed her performance and then some. Ben Mendelsohn was terrific as well and the dynamic between the two of them worked really well on screen. I’m not sure that I would have liked this one as much without these two actors. They really elevated every scene to the max, making this an intriguing watch.

Images courtesy of Lionsgate Films

Solid start and a satisfying ending.

I was pulled into this film immediately. Usually I don’t always like films that skip from the past to the present, but this one had seamless transitions and I actually found the events in the past to be really interesting.

I really thought the ending was fantastic as well. The casting was superb in this one. I’d like to read the book now because I want to explore this world a little bit more and I’m sure it went into more detail there.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Lionsgate Films

Slow-moving in the middle.

As much as I enjoyed the beginning and end of this film, the middle slowed down quite a bit. The pacing felt sluggish and things went on for a little bit too long. I also wanted some more edge and grit in this one. It had a lot of potential with a strong story and great performers, but I wanted a touch more darkness in this one to really make it come to life on the big screen.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Lionsgate Films

I’m in!

Daisy Ridley shines in this powerful and consuming thriller.

This film wasn’t perfect, but it captivated my attention and had enough going for it to make this an entertaining watch overall. If you like crime thrillers, there’s enough here to enjoy.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Marsh King’s Daughter 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 “Found” on Peacock: A Twist Worth Sticking Around For

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

“There will always be a need for what I do…”

Found premiered on NBC (next day streaming on Peacock) on October 3rd 2023 with its first episode. The series has been picked up for thirteen episodes (with the option for renewal) that will air weekly. The crime thriller series stars Shanola Hampton, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gabrielle Walsh, Brett Dalton, and Kelli Williams. Each episode runs for approximately 42-44 minutes.

A recovery specialist with a jaded past and her team work together to find missing people that the police are unable to.

Here is the trailer:

Found starts off like your standard crime drama-thriller with a recognizable cast, but its twist ending in the pilot episode has some juicy potential. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Peacock

A cast to elevate the mundane.

Shanola Hampton (Shameless) is effortlessly stepping into this role and is a force to be reckoned with so far. Her character appears to be strong on the outside, but she has some dark secrets as well that are worth exploring, giving us enough potential layers.

The rest of the cast is filled with familiar faces, but I was most excited to see Mark-Paul Gosselaar and I’m thrilled that he’s playing a character he doesn’t normally play. I’m intrigued to see where this goes…

Images courtesy of Peacock

A fantastic hook.

I’ll be honest…I wasn’t sure if I was going to stick around for more, but by the time I got to the end, I changed my tune. It wasn’t the most original twist, but it definitely livened things up and I think it could give this show the boost it needs. Fingers crossed!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Peacock

A show I’ve seen before…

This show follows a very familiar pattern…especially if you’ve seen your fair share of NBC crime dramas. The cases so far have been interesting and we have a strong enough cast to elevate things, but that could get stale fast…

Also, a lot of the dialogue felt very unbelievable. It seemed like the actors were using catch phrases rather than speaking organically, which was frustrating at times since we have a good enough cast to work with. Hopefully this will improve as the show continues.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Peacock

I’m in about 75 percent…

Found steps things up with a twist ending with loads of potential, setting up an intriguing character dynamic worth exploring.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

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 rulethey 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!

**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 “Live and Die in East LA” on Demand: A Crime Thriller with Grit

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

“How far are you willing to go?”

Live and Die in East LA released on August 4th 2023 on demand. The crime-thriller film stars Robert LaSardo, Richard Cabral, Cesar Garcia, and Corina Calderon. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-five minutes.

A doctor is pulled into a world of gangs and street violence while trying to help an injured boy.

Here is the trailer:

Live and Die in East LA features some note-worthy performances with plenty of action and violence to keep you invested until the end. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Octane Multimedia

The violent crime elements are solid.

I was actually surprised at how well this was executed. It took a while to get there, but once the film hit the thirty minute mark, I found myself drawn in a lot more. The fast-paced action worked for the most part and I thought a lot of the scenes were really intense and well done.

Images courtesy of Octane Multimedia

Decent performances with a few familiar faces!

I was impressed to see some well-known actors in this. Normally with lower budget films, we don’t always know the actors (which isn’t a bad thing), but I really enjoyed the performance by Robert LaSardo in particular. I remember him from Nip/Tuck and he stepped right into this role seamlessly. The rest of the cast did a decent job too.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Octane Multimedia

The random fable narrations were odd and distracting.

I got the point of them, but they took away from the overall vibe of the movie and had disjointed transitions. I almost felt like I started watching a different movie without realizing it. I wasn’t a huge fan of these at all.

There were also some shaky camera effects to sit through, but I expect that with lower budget films so this wasn’t a major con.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Octane Multimedia

I’m in about 75 percent…

A fast-paced and violent watch.

I’m all for supporting lesser known films and I was honestly surprised by how much this movie hooked me once it found its way through some initial rough edges. I’m looking forward to seeing more entries from this director.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Live and Die in East LA 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!

**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 “Full Circle” on Max: A Riveting Crime Thriller!

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

“It never begins…and thus it never ends…”

Full Circle premiered on Max on July 13th 2023 with the first two episodes available to stream now. There will be six episodes in total. Two episodes will release each week. The crime thriller mini-series stars Claire Danes, Timothy Olyphant, Zazie Beetz, and Dennis Quaid. Each episode runs for approximately 40-48 minutes.

A kidnapping in New York City connects several strangers, revealing long-held secrets along the way.

Here is the trailer:

Full Circle has a talented cast, an addicting premise, and plenty of layers to keep the audience coming back for more. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Max

All-star cast!

I’ve been waiting for Claire Danes to dominate the television screen again and she’s paired with Timothy Olyphant…talk about a dream come true! But that’s not all. We also have the charming Zazie Beetz and a number of other fantastic actors. There is a lot of talent here and I’m just hoping each character gets enough time to shine in six episodes. So far they are doing a great job and I’m waiting for Claire Danes to channel her inner Carrie Mathison already!

Images courtesy of Max

A solid hook.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about this series at first, but by the time I got to the end of episode one, I was completely hooked and I was immediately pressing play on the next episode. I wish I didn’t have to wait for more episodes because this series is really addicting and I already have a lot of working theories.

This series doesn’t follow your typical crime thriller formula, but it is still doing enough to captivate our attention completely and I can’t wait for the rest of the puzzle pieces to come together. This is a consuming watch already and I can’t wait to see more!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Max

A lot to keep track of…

At one point I thought I was watching two different shows. Be prepared for a lot of sub-plots. I am confident that everything will connect by the end of each episode, but you do need to pay attention to this one. This style may not be for everyone, but so far it isn’t getting in the way of the crime mystery at the center.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Max

I’m in!

Full Circle is an engrossing watch filled with plenty of secrets and thrills to keep you tuning in each week.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

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 rulethey 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!

**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 “To Catch a Killer” on Demand: Gripping Crime Thriller

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

“The only thing enough for me is a solid lead…”

To Catch a Killer premiered in limited theaters on May 9th 2023 and is now currently available to watch on demand as of June 20th 2023. The crime thriller film stars Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Jovan Adepo, and Ralph Ineson. It runs for approximately two hours.

A police officer with a traumatic past is recruited by the FBI’s chief investigator to help profile and stop a deadly killer in Baltimore.

Here is the trailer:

To Catch a Killer hooks the audience right from the start with an intense opening and a captivating case that reels you in for more. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Vertical Entertainment

Explosive opening!

This was probably one of the best openings I have seen in a while. It was intense and shocking and it did a great job of hooking the audience. The crime was horrific and eye-opening and Shailene’s character, Eleanor was thrown right into things as well, making us connect to her immediately.

The intensity didn’t stop here. I thought there were plenty of thrilling moments built into this one, making it a very entertaining watch. The case itself was intriguing and complex. I never felt bored at all even during the quiet moments.

Images courtesy of Vertical Entertainment

Strong performance by Shailene Woodley.

All of the actors did a good job, but she was absolutely incredible in this. I’ve always liked her as an actress and she proved her worth in this film. She was believable, emotional, and powerful without overdoing things. I liked her interactions with Investigator Lammark, but she was perfectly capable of commanding the screen on her own as well.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Vertical Entertainment

I needed a few more character layers…

Eleanor dealt with something traumatic during her childhood, which was part of what made her so exceptional for this case, but we never really explored what that trauma was. I didn’t need the movie to be longer than it was, but I guess I just wanted a few more layers because I really liked her character and I wanted to truly understand her. I get that it was more about the trauma in general, but we took the time to look at this from the killer’s perspective so why not focus on her as well?

In a lot of ways this film was a crime thriller by the numbers. I’m not sure that it did anything that new in the genre, but I still found the content to be captivating and entertaining so this wasn’t a major con at all for me personally.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Vertical Entertainment

I’m in!!!!

An engrossing watch!

Exceptional performances, great cinematography, and some intense moments that shouldn’t be missed.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

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 rulethey 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!

**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!