Tag: Get Out

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Strays” on Netflix: The Past Can’t Always Be Forgotten

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

“Is it wrong to want more?”

The Strays released on Netflix on February 22nd 2023. The social horror-thriller film stars Ashley Madekwe, Justin Salinger, Bukky Bakray, and Jorden Myrie . It runs for approximately an hour and forty minutes.

A woman’s life is turned upside down when two strangers show up in her suburban town.

Here is the trailer:

The Strays has an eerie start with a fantastic lead, but does it try to do too much? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

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Images courtesy of Netflix

Ashley Madekwe puts forth a valiant effort.

I was already a fan of hers and I thought she really portrayed this character with everything she had. She elevated this film in a lot of ways and didn’t hold back. She was very convincing and I believed her performance. 

The rest of the cast did a solid job as well with what they were given.

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Images courtesy of Netflix

Eerie first half.

I was drawn in right away and wanted to know more. The first half of this movie was disturbing and uncomfortable, but it kept me intrigued. The film was clearly inspired by Get Out in a lot of ways and tried to dip into the social horror genre with its plot. It was heading in the right direction for me, but then things went off the rails once we got to the second half…

The Cons:

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Images courtesy of Netflix

Tries to do way too much…

Just when I thought I was completely hooked, the film took a step back and presented things from another perspective, which didn’t transition seamlessly in my opinion. It broke the eerie tone and took on a lot with its reveal. I was still interested in what was going on, but things continued to spiral out of control from here. This film was guilty of trying to jam-pack in elements from every genre, which made this a confusing watch for me.

I appreciate what it was trying to accomplish, but I’m not sure that it translated that well.

I also wasn’t a fan of the ending. Sure, it was shocking and out there, but it left me wondering what I had just really watched and if it was worth it…

So am I in or out?

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Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m 50/50 on this one…

I’m in for Ashley Madekwe, but this film was really confusing and left me wanting more. I was actually really disappointed by the time I got to the end because it had so much potential in the first half, but the ultimate resolution didn’t leave me completely satisfied.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Strays 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 “1BR” on Netflix: Chilling and Disturbing

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

Sometimes when something seems too good to be true…it is.

1BR is a horror thriller film that released on Netflix on August 23rd 2020. The film is just over 90 minutes. It stars Nicole Brydon Bloom, Giles Matthey, Taylor Nichols, and Celeste Sully.

Sarah arrives in L.A., ready for a fresh start and is beyond excited to be selected for an apartment that seems to good to be true. She soon realizes that the over-friendly community may be hiding something, but once you move in, you can’t always move out…

Seriously, you can keep that security deposit…

Here is the trailer:

1BR cuts right to the chase, immersing us in a cult-like setting that will have you on the edge of your seat. As pieces of the puzzle unravel, Sarah must figure out where her loyalties truly lie, but the consequences of betrayal are beyond terrifying.

1BR keeps the terrifying thrills coming throughout the film, but is it truly worth a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

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Images courtesy of Netflix

We cut right to the chase.

There is a little setup in the beginning of the film as we are introduced to Sarah. We learn that she left her father to start over in L.A. and has a dream of becoming a costume designer while working as a temp in the meantime.

Sarah is a loner without any attachments, but that’s all we really know about her. Once she moves in to her new apartment, the weird occurrences and thrills are released, maintaining a fast pace throughout the film, which worked perfectly in my opinion.

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Images courtesy of Netflix

Extremely terrifying.

I was actually really frightened throughout this entire movie. There is this fear that cuts deep to your core when some unspeakable acts involve people. There’s nothing supernatural going on in this movie, which makes the terror that much more real.

Not predictable.

I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I didn’t have everything figured out and the ending left me with even more questions, sparking up a conversation worth having. In that respect, it reminded me of films like Midsommar and Get Out. There is just a lot to talk about, which is a good thing.

The Cons:

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Images courtesy of Netflix

Not for sensitive viewers.

There is an advisory for gore and they are spot on. There were some scenes that were very difficult for me to watch. This is not necessarily a con, but I do want to put this warning out there.

So am I in or out?

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Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!

This movie was unique and disturbing without holding anything back. If you are looking for a terrifying thriller, you’re in the right place!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on 1BR in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

If you enjoyed 1BR, you may enjoy my horror thriller book, Dash and Seek. I’d love it if you would check it out in the link below! Thank you!

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

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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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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!