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:

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.

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:

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?

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!

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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:

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…

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:

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?

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…

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 “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:

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.

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:

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?

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!

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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:

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!

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:

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?

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…

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 “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.

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:

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?

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…

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 “Leopard Skin” on Peacock: Messy and Confusing

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

“‘We’re not here to hurt you…”

Leopard Skin premiered on Peacock on November 17th 2022 with all eight episodes available to stream now. The crime thriller series stars Carla Gugino, Amelia Eve, Gaite Jansen, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Each episode runs for approximately 26-30 minutes.

A criminal gang seeks shelter at an island resort, holding two women captive while dangerous secrets are revealed.

Here is the trailer:

Leopard Skin has a fantastic cast to be excited about and a killer premise, but does it do enough to hold on to its audience? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Fun cast.

I’m a huge fan of both Carla Gugino and Jeffrey Dean Morgan so I thought this series would be a slam dunk. They both lit up the screen in different ways and held their own. Some of the other characters were entertaining as well, but other performances left a lot to be desired…

Gets right into things…

There was almost no set-up in this series. In less than five minutes, the plot took off and I thought this worked in the show’s favor. The episodes were super short as well, which made binge-watching this a breeze. I also loved the concept.

The love stops there unfortunately….

The Cons:

Messy, unfocused plot with absolutely no point…

I was really disappointed with this series. It had all the ingredients to be spectacular and it fizzled out really quickly. The plot felt unsure of itself and I didn’t see the point of it. The time jumps were really confusing and there were so many random scenes that didn’t add to the series at all in any way. I was hoping for a unique gem here, but I just couldn’t get into this one the way I wanted to.

So am I in or out?

Unfortunately I’m out on this one…

This series had all the right components to be a hit, but it never quite found its identity.

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

**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 “Inside Man” on Netflix: Stanley Tucci is Fantastic

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

“Everything makes sense if you think about it long enough…”

Inside Man originally aired on BBC One back in September, but released on Netflix on October 31st 2022 with all four episodes available to stream now. The crime-thriller series stars Stanley Tucci, David Tennant, Dolly Wells, and Lydia West. Each episode is approximately 58-60 minutes.

A prisoner waiting to be executed crosses paths with a woman trapped in a cellar in an unusual way.

Here is the trailer:

Inside Man has a strong cast and some solid thrills going for it. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Stanley Tucci is the best part of the show.

I thought he nailed the character and then some! I loved the dark humor, which separated this series from other crime thrillers with a similar premise. There were a few other standout performances as well, but he really sold me on this one and elevated this series.

Real moments of intensity.

The opening of this series was fantastic and I was completely hooked. I thought that the series had plenty of nail-biting moments and since there were only four episodes, it was very easy to binge-watch this. The episodes were on the long side, but I thought the pacing worked and each episode gave you enough at the end to keep you coming back for more.

The Cons:

Split focus…

While I enjoyed both plots, I also felt like I was watching two different shows at the same time. Both were really interesting on their own, but they felt disjointed when looking back at the series as a whole. I often felt disconnected because of this and even though things came together at the end, I think there could have been a more seamless connection between them.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

The Patient meets Hannibal with a compelling plot of its own.

Overall, I enjoyed my quick watch and really loved Stanley Tucci’s performance, but the sub-plots were a bit all over the place at times.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Inside Man 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 “Emily the Criminal” in Theaters: Aubrey Plaza Shines

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

“Do you want to make $200 in an hour?”

Emily the Criminal premiered in theaters on August 12th 2022. The crime drama-thriller stars Aubrey Plaza, Theo Rossi, Megalyn Echikunwoke, and Jonathan Avigdori. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-seven minutes.

Emily has been attempting to pay off her student debt, but finding a decent job becomes challenging because of her past criminal record. Desperate to make ends meet, she gets involved in a credit card scam as a dummy shopper.

Here is the trailer:

Emily the Criminal is an intriguing story filled with thrilling moments and a brilliant performance by Aubrey Plaza. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Aubrey Plaza is fantastic!

I am a huge fan of Aubrey Plaza. She typically does well in comedy films, but I much prefer her in darker movies like Ingrid Goes West. This is where she really shines in my opinion. I had high hopes for this one and I think that she delivered and then some!

She drew me in immediately with her portrayal of Emily. This was a darker role for sure, but she managed to express so many different emotions as well. I think this was probably my favorite performance by her yet and I am so happy I got to see this one on the big screen!

A thriller rooted in realness.

I was completely hooked by this story! These crimes really happen in society every single day, but it was so interesting seeing things from the criminal’s perspective. Emily could be literally anyone who is in need of cash and unable to get a fair shot at a job, which naturally made you want to root for her even when she was breaking the law. Once she got into this world of crime, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!

The Cons:

Some pacing issues here and there…

This wasn’t a major con, but there were some pacing issues throughout the film that slowed things down a little. I initially thought we were going to get more of a thrilling heist style movie and things didn’t have that fast-paced edge I was expecting, but I still think that the movie did enough to reel the audience in.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

Aubrey Plaza’s best performance yet!

A thrilling and captivating story!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Emily the Criminal 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 “Irma Vep” on HBO Max: Alicia Vikander is Mesmerizing on Screen

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

“I need a good movie…”

Irma Vep is a new limited series based on the 1996 film of the same name. The series premiered on June 6th 2022 on HBO Max with the first episode available to stream now. There will be eight episodes in total that will release weekly. Irma vep stars Alicia Vikander, Byron Bowers, Tom Sturridge, and Adria Arjona. Each episode runs for approximately 52-55 minutes.

An American actress lands a role in a modern remake of the series, “Les Vampires,” as she battles some of her own insecurities after a bad breakup.

Here is the trailer:

Irma Vep may be an unusual watch, but it is also a fascinating one with a captivating lead. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Alicia Vikander is incredible!

I already liked her as an actress, but she really pulls you in with this series. She commands the screen whenever she’s on it and this series is no exception. I think she was made for this role and the cat-suit looks phenomenal on her. I can’t wait to see what she does next. She is the best part of this series!

A unique watch.

This series is very different and I don’t even really know how to describe it. That being said, there are elements of humor blended in, along with some drama (on and off screen). The series also channels the vibe of a seductive crime thriller, which has the potential to be brilliant. The show takes a real look at movies behind the scenes and makes it relevant in the year 2022 to give this series a unique upgrade.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Confusing at times…

Even though I think there is an unusual charm to this one, I felt a bit lost at times. I am not too familiar with the 1996 film so perhaps I need to watch that first to get a better understanding, but there were a lot of moving pieces here and it was overwhelming.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of HBO Max

I’m in!

A stylish and unique series that reels you in for more and more.

Even though I was a bit lost at times, Alicia Vikander was striking on screen and there were enough interesting things happening to keep me intrigued for now.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Irma Vep 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 “Blood Sisters” on Netflix: This Crime Thriller has its moments

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

“You’re making a mistake…”

Blood Sisters premiered on May 5th 2022 on Netflix. There are four episodes in total available to stream now. The Nigerian crime thriller series stars Ini Dima-Okanlawon and Nancy Isime. Each episode runs for approximately 58 minutes.

Best friends Sarah and Kemi end up on the run after they make a fatal mistake at Sarah’s engagement party.

Here is the trailer:

Blood Sisters has plenty of thrilling moments mixed in with a story about two friends who will do anything for one another, but is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A believable friendship.

This series wouldn’t work without this friendship and I thought both actresses did a very good job with their portrayals. There were a lot of horrifying moments revealed in this series, but we also witnessed the power of love and friendship as well and I think this was the strongest part of the series thanks to these two leading ladies.

Starts off with a bang.

The opening episode really drew me in. We knew things were going to escalate quickly, but there were a lot of other layers and missing pieces thrown into the mix that grabbed my attention. The pacing wavered throughout the series, but the opening episode had a solid hook and made me want to explore things that much more.

The Cons:

Really melodramatic at times…

This series had the potential to follow in the footsteps of Ozark and other crime thrillers, but the melodrama was a bit much at times. I don’t think it ruined the show by any means, but some moments were really over-the-top and silly.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

If you’re looking for a quick binge-watch for the weekend, you’re in the right place. I got through this series very quickly even with the slow burn pacing style. The first episode was really strong and I enjoyed the series overall, but be prepared for some serious melodrama thrown into the mix.

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