Spoiler-Free Review of “The Wonder” on Netflix: Florence Pugh does it again!

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

“Believe in their stories with complete devotion…”

The Wonder released on Netflix on November 16th 2022. The psychological period drama stars Florence Pugh, Kíla Lord Cassidy, and Tom Burke. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-nine minutes.

A nurse travels to Ireland during the late 1800’s to investigate a girl who has stopped eating for four months and miraculously still lives.

Here is the trailer:

The Wonder is chilling and powerful featuring another stellar performance by Florence Pugh. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Florence Pugh is out of this world…

She is quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses and really gave a powerful and captivating performance in The Wonder. She is the main reason why I tuned into this one and she did not disappoint. Even during the quiet moments, her presence was electric, creating a character with so many layers and dimensions.

Images courtesy of Netflix

An eerie mystery.

From the odd soundtrack to the quiet setting, this film was filled to the brim with an overall chilling quality that only amplified the mystery surrounding Anna. The story was unique and strange, but it also created an interesting conversation connecting what women faced in the past and the present. I can honestly say that I haven’t seen anything like this before and I don’t even have a film to compare it to. 

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Pacing issues at times…

Things did move at a slower pace at times and I needed to stay alert during my watch so that I wouldn’t miss anything. That being said, Florence Pugh did enough to keep me invested from start to finish. If you’re looking for a film with a lot going on, you won’t find that here. This film had a more simplistic approach, but it was still just as effective (maybe even more so) than other films that might have handled this mystery in a different way.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!

A captivating, unique watch with a brilliant performance by Florence Pugh.

The Wonder is like nothing I have seen before and it was such an experience watching it.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Wonder 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 “Don’t Worry Darling” in Theaters: Florence Pugh is Perfection!

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

“What are we doing…changing the world…”

Don’t Worry Darling released in theaters on September 23rd 2022. Directed by Olivia Wilde, the psychological thriller film stars Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Olivia Wilde, Chris Pine, and Gemma Chan. It runs for a little over two hours.

A 1950’s housewife has a picture-perfect life with her husband in a utopian community, but soon starts to realize that there may be dark secrets lurking beneath the surface, as she begins to question everything and everyone around her.

Here is the trailer:

Don’t Worry Darling is stunning to watch on screen with a fantastic cast and intriguing mystery at its core. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Gorgeous cinematography and fashion.

This film was so bright and vibrant, creating so many beautiful images to swoon over. Florence Pugh’s wardrobe was absolutely breathtaking and I felt completely transported into another world with each new scene. 

Warner Bros. Pictures

My favorite performance by Florence Pugh!

Wow, she was so incredible in this movie. I was completely captivated by her character and I thought she portrayed everything in such a convincing way, reeling me in more and more. I was able to forgive some of the plot holes because of her stellar performance. She is on another level!

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Channels Sylvia Plath and Charlotte Perkins Gilman in a modern and effective way!

There were some obvious nods at both of these authors, bringing the theme of female hysteria to light once again with a more modern approach. I’m seeing this theme pop up again more and more with series like Shining Vale (starring Courteney Cox) and now with Don’t Worry Darling

As the major reveal unfolded, I was actually really impressed by how well this was executed.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

So many unanswered questions…

I was totally fine with a lot of elements in this film, including the ambiguous ending, but when the movie finished, I was left with way too many unanswered questions. A LOT was not explained. I appreciate that this movie was not longer than it needed to be, but I was confused by a lot and slightly frustrated that certain things were never addressed again…

That being said, this film had so many positive qualities and I still enjoyed it, but this film could have reached utter perfection if it would have taken the time to flesh everything out properly.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

I’m in!!!

Clever and intriguing with an extraordinary performance by Florence Pugh, pulling the audience into a bright, stylistic world with dark elements threatening its existence in a satisfying way.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Don’t Worry Darling 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 “Hawkeye” on Disney+: An Enjoyable Watch

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

“I need a bow and arrow…”

Hawkeye premiered on Disney+ on November 24th 2021 with its first two episodes. There will be six episodes in total and the remaining ones will air weekly. The superhero action series stars Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfeld, Vera Farmiga, Tony Dalton and Florence Pugh. Each episode runs for approximately 49-52 minutes.

Clint Barton finally gets his own story as he tries to deal with life after the Avengers, but he finds himself back in action when he crosses paths with a young woman named Kate Bishop.

Here is the trailer:

Hawkeye brings us another superhero series to binge-watch, allowing Clint a true chance to shine, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Disney+

A dynamic duo worth getting excited about!

Hailee Steinfeld is honestly strong enough to carry this show on her own. I already love the character of Kate Bishop and I think that she brings a quirky charm to the role. I think that her and Jeremy Renner make an excellent team and I loved the interaction and banter between them.

More please!

Images courtesy of Disney+

Good balance of humor and action.

It’s not always easy finding this balance and Hawkeye does it so effortlessly. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments sprinkled in, which was really entertaining and there is already a scene stealer you will absolutely adore.

So far the action sequences are good too and I think that the pacing is done extremely well. I didn’t even realize when an episode was over because I was fully immersed in my watch.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Disney+

The kids need something to do…

I get that Clint is a family man and I loved seeing his kids appear on the show so far, but they really need something to do. His daughter is only a little bit younger than Kate and I’d love to see them show off their own heroic potential but perhaps we will get to see them more in the later episodes.

There just seems to be a lot of possibility brewing here so I’d love to see it explored a little bit more.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Disney+

I’m in!

This was such an entertaining watch so far and I can’t wait to see what happens next! I love the dynamic between the characters and the plot is really interesting too. 

I highly recommend this series to Marvel fans, but even if you haven’t seen all of the films, you won’t feel lost watching this show. It’s truly a delight!

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