Spoiler-Free Review of “Midnight Mass” on Netflix: Horrifying Profound Perfection

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

“This isn’t a community anymore. It’s a ghost…”

Midnight Mass is a limited series from The Haunting of Hill House creator, Mike Flanagan. The supernatural horror series features seven episodes available to stream now on Netflix. It stars Kate Siegel, Zach Gilford, Rahul Kohli, Hamish Linklater and Samantha Sloyan. Each episode runs for approximately 60-65 minutes.

A new priest arrives at Crockett Island as several miracles begin to emerge through this small population, but something sinister is hidden as well, threatening every man, woman, and child on the island.

Here is the trailer:

Midnight Mass has the character development of The Haunting of Hill House mixed with an eerie Castle Rock vibe as it brings several disturbing themes to light while creating a powerful dialogue about humanity, faith, and life. Is this series worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A worthy entry to horror.

This series was frightening in such a chilling and disturbing way. It seamlessly blended supernatural fears with human ones, showing the inner demons associated with addiction, grief, and remorse. Having faith is empowering but misguided faith can be dangerous in the wrong hands and I thought that all of these themes were explored in such a fascinating way. The supernatural elements didn’t overpower the show, but they were extremely effective.

Incredible characters.

I have come to expect this with Mike Flanagan’s works but he really is talented at bringing these characters to life in such a compelling way. Plus, the performances were out of this world and we saw plenty of familiar faces.

I cared about what happened to them, I hated some, I loved others, and I found myself so completely drawn to them. The thought-provoking conversations and interactions really moved me and had an impact on my own life. Truly brilliant!

The Cons:

I really don’t have any. I think that there may be some controversy over some of the themes present, but I loved this series from start to finish and I think it created an interesting dialogue worth having.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

Have faith in Midnight Mass!

This may be the best show I have watched all year.

This series was visually stunning. The characters were incredible, the performances were superb, and I loved the balance of horror and heart in this. I had so many emotions through my watch and while it had a different feel from The Haunting of Hill House series, I was touched in a similar way, but I was also genuinely frightened by what I witnessed and I can’t say enough good things about this show.

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

Play 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 “Nightbooks” on Netflix: Wicked Fun with Krysten Ritter

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

“Is there anything special about you at all?”

Nightbooks released on Netflix on September 15th 2021. The dark fantasy film is based on the book by J.A. White and is co-produced by Sam Raimi. The film stars Krysten Ritter, Lidya Jewett and Winslow Fegley. It runs for approximately an hour and forty minutes.

Scary story enthusiast, Alex, ends up trapped in a magical apartment with a wicked witch. He must create a new scary story each night to entertain her…or die.

Here is the trailer:

Nightbooks has a kids friendly horror feel with some Evil Dead vibes thrown in for good measure. Krysten Ritter is promising as the wicked witch, but does this kids horror entry do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Krysten Ritter is fantastic!

I love a good villainess and Krysten Ritter is perfection in this movie as Natacha. She is so entertaining and she brings some humor in as well to lighten up the movie. Her wardrobe is incredible and she really dominates this film in a great way!

LOVE!

Clever use of stories and films.

In a way, this film is a modern take on Hansel & Gretel but I thought it did a really great job of referencing other stories and iconic films along the way without hitting the audience over the head. It was a real adventure and it reminded us that we can find our own adventures and stories within books and movies. They can be an escape, but they can also be a motivation, teaching us important life lessons.

Kids horror with bite.

I don’t think that kids horror gets mentioned enough but I absolutely adore films like The House with a Clock in Its Walls and the new Goosebumps. That being said, it’s difficult finding a balance for kids horror films and this one may be a little bit too scary for the younger generation, but it has plenty going on for fans of Sam Raimi and The Evil Dead franchise.

I definitely felt the vibe and LOVED every second of it.

The Cons:

Wavering with character development.

I absolutely adored Krysten Ritter as the evil witch and the kids put forth a valiant effort. We got more of a journey for Alex than we did with Yazmin, however. I wanted to know more about her backstory and I think that would have helped me connect with their characters a bit sooner, but we did eventually get there. It just took a little while…

I also think the film could have used a bit more humor sprinkled into the mix, but Krysten Ritter made up for it in a lot of ways. Having someone like Jack Black as a secondary character could have made things really fun, but I think we still witnessed plenty of entertaining moments.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

This movie was so much fun and it really gave me a sense of nostalgia. Krysten Ritter is bloody fantastic and I loved all of the references to fairy-tales, stories, and horror films. I adored this film from start to finish and I highly recommend it!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A Halloween they’ll never forget…

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 comes out October 7th 2021! 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 “Malignant” on HBO Max: Bizarre Blend of Genres

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

“It’s all in my head…”

Malignant released on September 10th 2021. The supernatural horror film is currently available to watch in theaters and on HBO Max. It stars Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, George Young and Michole Briana White. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty minutes.

After experiencing some violent and shocking visions, a young pregnant woman begins to realize that they may actually be based in reality, linking them to her past.

Here is the trailer:

Malignant is directed by Saw’s James Wan, which could be extremely promising for horror fans, but does this film ever truly find its identity? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Visually intriguing.

This entire film had so many stunning and unique visual effects. The use of perspective was also extremely well done. I thought this helped the film stand out from other supernatural horror films. The intensity was there, but in a different way. The body horror displayed was really disturbing as well…

Decent beginning and ending.

The opening of the film was really creepy and intense. I was on the edge of my seat and looking over my shoulder quite a few times. The middle part of the movie fell off in terms of pacing for me, but the ending was shocking in a way and reeled me back in. The mystery at the core of the film also keeps you invested until the end although I am sure there will be mixed reactions to the reveal.

The Cons:

Major identity crisis.

Several genres blended together during this film, which made the plot jump around so much. The middle of the film went in so many different directions and it was a little messy. I still don’t really know what this film was attempting to be and I started to really contemplate what I was actually watching, which was frustrating at times. Some of the reveals were pretty predictable as well, but I just felt like I was being tossed all over the place for the majority of the film.

Glosses over real issues.

Our main character went through quite a lot in her life and while these elements and flashbacks were introduced, they were never really developed and we are just supposed to accept that they happened and move on. I couldn’t connect that well to our main character even though Annabelle’s Annabelle Wallis presented us with a solid and chilling performance.

So am I in or out?

I’m 50/50 on this one…

The visual effects and unique use of perspective presented us with a lot of chilling moments, but the lack of a solid identity made this film go off the rails several times. There were decent performances and the mystery was interesting enough to keep you watching until the end. This movie was a really weird watch for me, but it does have some redeeming moments. It just may not be what you were hoping for from the trailer…

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Malignant 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 “Werewolves Within” on Demand: A Supernatural Murder Mystery

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

“Yeah this town is batshit…”

Werewolves Within originally released on June 25th 2021. The film is currently available to rent on demand. It stars Sam Richardson, Milana Vayntrub, Harvey Guillen, Cheyenne Jackson, Catherine Curtin and Michaela Watkins. It is approximately 90 minutes long.

When a new ranger arrives in a small town, he quickly finds himself thrown into a murder mystery when several residents are trapped together in the local inn after a snowstorm. Everyone is a suspect as they start to realize that they may actually be dealing with a ruthless werewolf.

Here is the trailer:

Werewolves Within has the potential to provide us with horror comedy gold, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

The who-dun-it style works.

It seems like a lot of recent films are following the murder mystery approach, but it works in this film. This film gave off vibes of Clue and Knives Out with its own voice as well. The characters are a lot of fun as well and Sam Richardson has great chemistry with Milana Vayntrub which made this an entertaining watch.

Fun horror comedy.

I love horror comedies and I don’t think they are talked about enough, but this film could easily fit right in with Tucker and Dale vs Evil. While I wouldn’t say that all the humor landed, a lot of it just worked effortlessly.

The Cons:

Pacing issues.

The majority of the film focuses on the set-up of everything. We spend so much time getting to know the players and watching them interact, but it almost took away from the best part of the movie when everything hits the fan. The ending was great but it took a little too long to get there.

I could have done without the political/social commentary.

While some moments were genuinely hilarious and a lot of fun, others felt really forced. The references were overdone at one point. Sometimes less is more and I think that Werewolves Within was decent, but it could have been better if it had just embraced the simple plot without overthinking things.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

I love horror comedies and I think that this film was entertaining overall and worth a watch. Sam Richardson is truly fantastic and there are some laugh out loud moments. The second half of the film is a lot stronger than the first and there are some rough edges, but there is enough going on in this film to enjoy.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

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 “Superhost” on Shudder: Bloody Campy Fun

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

“It’s going to be such a memorable stay…”

Superhost released on Shudder on September 2nd 2021. The film stars Osric Chau, Sara Canning, Gracie Gillam and Barbara Crampton. It runs for an hour and twenty-three minutes.

A couple decides to book an Airbnb to help revive their travel vlog. After several weird encounters with their host, Rebecca, they start to realize that they may be in immediate danger.

Here is the trailer:

Superhost reminds us that perhaps staying in a stranger’s house is never a good idea, but does this film do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A creepy, deranged performance worth noting.

Gracie Gillam is so fantastic in this film. She really gives this role her all and she is the best part of the movie. Rebecca is out of her mind and just from the trailer you can clearly see that she is not quite adjusted, but it just works and it provides us with some crazy bloody fun!

The rest of the cast is really great as well. We have Supernatural’s Osric Chau, TVD’s Sara Canning and the iconic Barbara Crampton, who lights up the screen whenever she’s on it. More please!

Seamlessly blends two intriguing premises.

The film has many chilling moments throughout the first half. It takes an already scary premise (staying in a stranger’s house) and reminds us that perhaps this isn’t the best idea…especially if you are being a watched. Similar to Dave Franco’s The Rental, our main characters quickly learn that something beyond disturbing is going on during their vacation stay.

I also like that the film also incorporated the Vlog aspect to make it relevant. I’ve seen this in many films before, but this film did a good job of reminding us about the danger of needing to be validated or liked online. Our two main characters struggle with the reality of their situation because they are so motivated to do something to impress their viewers, which can lead to deadly consequences.

The Cons:

Needed a bit more in the first half.

The movie is very short which kept the pacing going, but there were some initial chills in the beginning that could have been explored more. The second half of the movie is really strong and I was hooked the entire time, but I wanted a little bit more build up to really make the second half pop.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

This film is really entertaining. It had some chilling moments, a bloody campy feel, and a Superhost to die for! But don’t forget to leave her a good review…

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

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!

Play 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 “Candyman” (2021) in Theaters: A Solid Direct Sequel

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

“Say it…I dare you.”

Candyman (2021) released in theaters on August 27th 2021. The film stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Colman Domingo, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Vanessa Williams and Tony Todd. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty minutes.

In present day, Anthony and Brianna move into the now gentrified Cabrini-Green. Anthony is trying to make a name for himself as an artist when he comes across the legend of Candyman, which inspires his latest work. He encourages others around him to summon Candyman, which unleashes something sinister into the world once again.

Here is the trailer:

Candyman attempts to make itself relevant in today’s world while still recognizing the original film in the process. Is it worth a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Visually stunning.

The visual effects in this movie were really so well done. The art, the use of light, the focus on the reflections and even the body horror was done in such an interesting way. I really loved the elevator scene in particular and I thought that the visual choices really gave the film a genuine chilling quality.

A continuation of the original story that made sense!

I’ve seen so many different reboots, remakes, and re-imaginings over the years and I was wondering what we were going to get to witness with the new Candyman. Well, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it continued the original story.

The film still branched off into something new, but it kept the story going in an effective way. It truly felt like a direct sequel and it worked.

The Cons:

I wanted more from our main characters.

The acting was well done and I genuinely liked all of the performances, but I wanted a little bit more. I didn’t really believe the chemistry between Brianna and Anthony, which impacted the reveal later on.

I also thought that we could have expanded on some of the flashbacks a bit more and Colman Domingo was so fantastic, but I wanted to see him in more scenes. I also think him randomly showing up seemed a bit out of place, but I’ll just go with it…

Attempted to do A LOT.

The film was not very long and it really tried to cram so much in. I think it created several discussions worth having but I also found myself being bounced around a little bit too much. I didn’t want to lose focus in this film because there were so many things that were so well done, but this could have been tightened up a little bit in my opinion.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

This movie was a worthy direct sequel.

It was chilling, unique, and visually stunning. While it did attempt to do a lot in one film, there was still enough substance here to keep me entertained.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Candyman (2021) in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

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!

Play 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 “American Horror Story: Double Feature” Season 10 “Red Tide” on FX: The Unsettling Price of Fame

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

“You don’t understand how hard it is to be great…”

American Horror Story season 10 has finally arrived after almost two years! The new season premiered on August 25th 2021 with its first two episodes. The season will feature 10 episodes in total. The first six episodes will be devoted to the “Red Tide” part and the remaining 4 will focus on a different plot, but it will most likely be connected in some way. After all, this is the AHS universe.

Each episode runs for approximately 52-54 minutes. Season 10 part 1 stars Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, Finn Wittrock, Frances Conroy, Billie Lourd, Adina Porter and Macaulay Culkin.

A screenwriter and his family rent a house in Provincetown, Cape Cod in the off season so that he can find inspiration for a potential pilot episode, but he is greeted with threatening residents and pale blood-thirsty beings. After crossing paths with an interesting duo, he contemplates an interesting offer that could help advance his career.

Here is the trailer:

American Horror Story: Double Feature Part 1 presents us with a chilling setting that mirrors the eerie things going on in the shadows. It explores something sinister while reminding us that every choice has a consequence. Is it worth a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A chilling start.

The opening two episodes were really well done. The premise of the struggling writer worked and channeled The Shining in a lot of ways and introduced us to a Stephen King-like setting that matched the vibe perfectly. Even though there are “monsters” within this small town, there is something even more terrifying that lurks within everyone and that’s the drive to be spectacular and more than ordinary.

While drive and talent can be a blessing, it can also be a curse and I think part 1 is exploring the darker parts of this curse extremely well.

Exceptional cast.

When the opening credits began, I was thrilled to see so many familiar names with Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters leading the way. Sarah Paulson is already stealing every single scene she is in and I am in love with the duo of Evan Peters and Frances Conroy. I can’t wait to see what they do next!

The Cons:

Initial pacing.

The first episode dragged slightly for me. There were some scenes that drew me in completely and others that just seemed ordinary and filler. That being said, I thought the pacing improved drastically once we got to the second episode. AHS can sometimes go off the rails with its plot and I think having only six episodes for part 1 will work in its favor.

Already a lot has happened and I’m curious to find out more, but I also hope the reveals and outcomes are rewarding in the end.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

AHS is back and better than ever!

Disturbing, compelling, and consuming.

I really like the direction of the new season and it was so much fun to see so many familiar faces. I’m curious to find out more and completely drawn in.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! 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 “Jakob’s Wife” on Shudder: Barbara Crampton is Bloody Fantastic

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

“He who loves his wife, loves himself…”

Jakob’s Wife originally premiered in April 2021, but it released on Shudder on August 19th 2021. The film stars Barbara Crampton, Larry Fessenden, Sarah Lind, and DeVon Johnson. It runs for approximately an hour and forty minutes.

A pastor’s wife starts to change her behavior dramatically after an encounter with a dark presence in her small town, leading to a thirst for blood among other things.

Here is the trailer:

Jakob’s Wife has a horror legend and queen as its lead, telling a campy vampire story that has a message about female empowerment embedded in it. Does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Barbara Crampton shines on screen.

I am already a huge fan of the iconic and legendary Barbara Crampton, but wow did she flourish in this role. It’s hard not to root for her during the film. She gives us plenty of humor and charm while embracing the darkness that is controlling her in such a convincing way to make this an entertaining watch.

A story about female empowerment.

I’ve seen so many vampire films over the years and I thought that this particular one did a good job of presenting us with something original and unique. Even though we know we are going to be witnessing plenty of blood and gore along the way, there is a bigger message here.

Jakob’s wife, Anne, has lost her voice and identity in her marriage. People interrupt her when she talks and she barely recognizes the woman she used to be when she looks in the mirror. When she starts to transform into a vampire, she speaks up when she wants to and does things for herself. I really liked this angle and I thought it helped make the film stand out.

It still has a campy horror feel without ever becoming too heavy, but the message is there and it’s an important one.

The Cons:

The supporting characters lacked a little bit of magic…

I’m fine with just focusing on the wonderful Barbara Crampton, but I wanted a little bit more from our supporting characters. They were all just mostly filler for me and I didn’t invest any real time in them so it didn’t matter if any of them died throughout the film.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

The film is really campy and slightly outrageous at times, but it is an entertaining watch from start to finish and Barbara Crampton is absolutely wonderful in it. Seriously, she doesn’t age! As long as you don’t take the film too seriously, you will enjoy your watch and I think it has an important message at its core worth paying attention to.

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

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!

Play 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 “American Horror Stories” Game Over on FX on Hulu: Made for the Fans

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

“I just want to feel the energy of the house…”

American Horror Stories released its seventh episode, “Game Over” on August 19th 2021. The season finale is available to watch on FX on Hulu. Episode seven stars Dylan McDermott, Sierra McCormick, Kaia Gerber, Mercedes Mason, Paris Jackson and Tom Lenk. The episode runs for approximately 54 minutes.

A couple prepares to spend the night in the infamous Murder House, accepting an escape the house challenge, but they quickly learn that the horror is all too real.

American Horror Stories: Game Over returns to Murder House once again as we witness the conclusion of the first season of the spin-off anthology series. Does it do enough to keep us coming back for more? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Epic guest stars.

I’m always excited when Dylan McDermott shows up on AHS. He is from the first season and it only makes sense for someone to bump into him eventually at Murder House. It was really fun seeing a lot of familiar faces in this episode, giving us a sense of nostalgia.

Made for the fans.

I thought that this episode felt like a tribute to the fans in a lot of ways. The couple goes into the Murder House because they are American Horror fanatics. I thought this was a clever way to bring something new to the table while also giving us a chance to celebrate the anthology series we have come to know and love over the years.

The Cons:

Somewhat predictable ending…

I thought the initial reveal was a lot of fun, but as the episode continued I guessed exactly what was going to happen. The reveal was almost too obvious for me even though it was still a lot of fun. I also thought that this episode felt watered down in a lot of ways. We spent three episodes of the spin-off series devoted to Murder House and I guess I wanted something with a little more edge, but it was certainly a different take on things.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

The episode was a lot of fun and it gave me a Stay Alive vibe, which was entertaining. I didn’t think this episode was particularly scary in any way, but it allowed us to continue the story from earlier this season while introducing new elements to change things up.

I’m excited that American Horror Stories has been confirmed for a second season. While some episodes were stronger than others, this was an entertaining watch for me and I’m even more excited to watch American Horror Story: Double Feature now, which premieres on August 25th 2021!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! 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 “Don’t Breathe 2” in Theaters: A Worthy Sequel

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

“Now you’ll see what I see…”

Don’t Breathe 2 is the sequel to Sam Raimi’s Don’t Breathe, which came out in 2016. The sequel premiered in theaters on August 13th 2021. The film stars Stephen Lang, Madelyn Grace, Brendan Sexton III, and Stephanie Arcila. It runs for approximately an hour and forty minutes.

The original film was absolutely fantastic. It really nailed the suspense vibe while presenting the audience with some terrifying moments that had your heart beating right out of your chest. While the original film focused on the not so bad guys breaking in, the sequel presents us with a role reversal to switch things up.

Here is the trailer:

Don’t Breathe 2 has a lot to live up to and it’s difficult for a sequel to have the same impact with its audience since they know what to expect the second time around. Does Don’t Breathe 2 do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

The role reversal works!

If you were concerned about the role reversal in the sequel, you can rest assured that it translates very well. I had my doubts as well, but I knew it would be difficult for the sequel to capture the same suspenseful feel the second time around since we knew what Norman was capable of.

In a way, the films reminded me of the first two Purge movies. The first Purge movie worked because it was this creepy home invasion story and The Purge: Anarchy moved things out into the open to show us the chaos going on beyond the four walls of someone’s home.

Don’t Breathe 2 managed to follow this successful formula so that it didn’t become stale or overdone. The suspense is still there, but in a different way, which worked in the film’s favor.

Lots of brutal violence to go around.

This film doesn’t hold anything back. I thought that it successfully balanced moments of suspense with edge-of-your-seat action that allowed us to witness some very bloody kills and attacks along the way. It wasn’t overdone, but it was extremely effective in my opinion.

The Cons:

Mixed thoughts about our anti-hero.

I can’t ignore the fact that Norman is a murderer and a rapist, but yet we are supposed to root for him in this film. That being said, the sequel did a good job of helping us change our minds somewhat, even though it can’t really change the monster he used to be. The people he is up against are despicable human beings, he’s an animal lover, and we also have the young girl he is trying to protect, which tips the scale.

Whether you love him or hate him, you’ll find yourself rooting for him during key parts. He doesn’t hold anything back in this film and his skills are pretty extraordinary. Seriously, don’t mess with this guy!

I don’t think that the slate can be wiped clean for him, but I like a good anti-hero arc to change things up.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

This movie was intense, brutal, and filled with edge-of-your-seat moments!

It was very entertaining and a solid sequel. It changed the tone of things quite a bit, but I thought it all worked well, allowing us to experience something new to keep us on our toes.

*There will be no spoilers in this review, but I recommend sticking around until after the ending credits.*

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Don’t Breathe 2 in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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