Tag: Daniel Zovatto

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 “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels” on Showtime: Evil Looks Good on Natalie Dormer

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

“Until not a soul is left…are you ready?”

The sequel spin-off of Penny Dreadful may not be connected to the original show, but it does present us with a different kind of evil in a brand new time and setting with Natalie Dormer’s Magda at the very center of it.

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels premiered on Showtime on April 26th 2020. It will feature weekly episodes (55 minutes in length). It stars Natalie Dormer, Daniel Zovatto, Nathan Lane, and Lorenza Izzo.

While the show has been long awaited by fans of the beloved Gothic horror series, Penny Dreadful, there will be no crossovers or Easter Eggs to the original series, even though it seems like this could have been done.

The show takes place in Los Angeles, 1938 and follows several groups of characters as the demon, Magda and Santa Muerte clash on their involvement in mortal affairs.

The show certainly has a lot of possibility, but can it live up to its predecessor? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Penny Dreadful COA Showtime 1
Images courtesy of Showtime

Natalie Dormer ignites the screen.

I am already a fan of the Game of Thrones alum, but I have to say that Natalie Dormer was born for a role like this. While it will certainly not be easy to live up to the breathtakingly magnetic, Eva Green in the original series, Dormer is taking on a new character and is embracing her dark side with style.

The opening scene leaves you wanting so much more and reveals just how manipulative and powerful Dormer’s character can be.

Penny Dreadful COA Showtime 2
Images courtesy of Showtime

Exceptional cast and gorgeous setting.

The sequel is set in pre World War II L.A. The setting is absolutely gorgeous and I appreciated some of these smaller moments where we got to witness dancing in the street, beautiful outfits, and serene backdrops of the bluffs, transporting us back to a different time and place seamlessly.

The rest of the cast is talented as well, which should work in their favor, as they have the potential to really light up the screen with character dynamics and relationships.

The Cons:

Penny Dreadful COA Showtime 5
Images courtesy of Showtime

A storyboard of ideas can get confusing…

After watching the premiere episode, there are already so many characters and sub-plots, which makes it difficult to keep up. I’m all for a slow burn type of reveal, but I think that some of these plots are going to get lost in the void. The premiere episode acted like a storyboard of ideas rather than a full developed plot, which could be problematic.

Penny Dreaful COA Showtime 4
Images courtesy of Showtime

Don’t bench your best player…

Natalie Dormer is the best part of this series right now and yet she is taking a back seat in the premiere episode. While I understand that the show is focusing more on her whispering in the ears of men to convince them to do evil, she honestly deserves more than this.

I love seeing her take on different characters as she hides her true identity as the demon, Magda, but it seems like we are stifling a major asset on this series and I just honestly want to see more of her. Let her shine!

Not enough supernatural elements.

The original series did a fantastic job of transporting us into a world of Gothic horror as we met familiar characters from literature with a unique and dark spin. While I understand that the show is going in a new direction, I don’t want it to lose that supernatural spark. There are a lot of elements in history to explore during this time, but let’s tell a new story filled with legend and magical possibility.

So am I in or out?

Penny Dreadful COA Showtime 3
Images courtesy of Showtime

Right now, I’m honestly about 50/50. The show has the potential to be something extraordinary. We get this interesting clash between the demon, Magda and the legend, Santa Muerte, which could really help the show find its own entertaining path, but I have a feeling that a lot of things will get lost in the midst of an over-complicated plot.

I’m going to give the show a few more episodes because Natalie Dormer honestly deserves it, but I really hope that this slow burn mystery can just start lighting things on fire already.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Penny Dreadful: City of Angels 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 comes out April 28th!

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!

Do you love horror series? Of course you do! Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon. It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals!