Spoiler-Free Review of “Wrong Turn” 2021: Chilling Redemption for the Franchise

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

“Strangers don’t get to leave…”

Wrong Turn 2021 was originally released back in January 2021. The film is currently available to stream on Showtime. The reboot is the seventh entry to the franchise.

Wrong Turn (2021) stars Charlotte Vega, Adain Bradley, Matthew Modine, Emma Dupont and Bill Sage. The film runs for approximately an hour and fifty minutes.

A group of friends set off to hike the Appalachian Trail in unfamiliar territory as they quickly learn the dangers of straying off the path.

Here is the trailer:

Wrong Turn 2021 could have easily gotten lost in the shuffle of the six prior movies, but it does attempt to present us with something new and different. Does the reboot deserve a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Characters worth your time.

While some of the characters left a lot to be desired, others really stood out and proved their worth as we approached the second half of the film. As the audience, you genuinely feel sympathy for the characters and root for certain ones against all odds.

It’s difficult to achieve this in these types of movies so I was impressed with the believable performances and layered characters. This was a nice touch and helped elevate the film above the other entries…although the original film will always be iconic for me.

Unsettling and disturbing reveals…

I thought I knew what I was going to get with this film and it really did surprise me in a good way. The film took several unexpected turns and attempted to channel some folk horror as well, which I thought was a bold choice.

While the original film really captured the thrilling run for your life premise, the other films fell flat and just tried to repeat what we had already seen before. This film is completely aware of that and knows the audience is as well, so I thought it was a smart choice for it to go off in a different direction for the reboot, creating a new kind of fear along the way.

Brutal kills.

Like, really brutal! I had to turn away a few times because the kills were extremely violent in this film. If you are here for lots of gore, you will not be disappointed. The horror we witness is terrifying on a whole new level.

The Cons:

Attempts to do a lot…

This film jams a lot into two hours. While some of it translated really well and completely shocked me, other moments didn’t really add up for me. The writers were stretching a lot and creating a dialogue, which is a good thing, but sometimes less is more and this film was slightly short of pure perfection for me because it attempted to do a little too much.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

While the original film of the franchise is still my favorite, the reboot really made a valiant effort to provide us with a terrifying entry that truly shocked me and kept me on the edge of my seat. I was completely invested from start to finish and I think this film successfully created something unique for the audience. It felt like more of a standalone film and I didn’t see many connections with the other movies, but I still enjoyed it just the same.

I honestly loved this movie and I highly recommend for horror fans to give it a chance.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Wrong Turn (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!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Aftermath” on Netflix: Maybe now is not the best time to move…

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

“Give yourselves the gift of a new environment…”

Aftermath was released on August 4th 2021 on Netflix. The film stars Ashley Greene, Shawn Ashmore, Britt Baron and Freddie Basnight. It runs for approximately 1 hour and 54 minutes.

A young couple moves into a house with a bad history to give their marriage a chance, but a lot of disturbing things begin to happen once they move in.

Here is the trailer:

Aftermath is inspired by a true story, which makes this story even more terrifying. Netflix has been presenting us with a lot of horror entries lately, but is this one worth a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Unsettling and disturbing moments.

I thought this film did a great job of building up suspense during its creepy moments. There were some scenes that had me clenching my nails into my palms. This is one of those films that will have you looking over your shoulder, which is a good thing if you like haunted house/home invasion horror films.

Let’s just say I won’t be changing my address any time soon…

Horrifying reveal.

Sometimes reality can be even more frightening than the supernatural and I thought this film had a seamless balance that made you question everything you were seeing. The reveal was well done and just as terrifying as the rest of the movie. The pay-off is worth it in my opinion so stick around if you aren’t completely convinced during your watch.

The Cons:

Dragged out drama.

This movie was almost two hours long, which is way too long for a horror film in my opinion. I think that if the film had cut out a lot of the unnecessary drama in-between, it would have been a lot better. There was just too much of it and it weighed down the overall pace of the film.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

The creepy and terrifying moments are worth it in this film. I really was on the edge of my seat and if you are looking for a new haunted house/home invasion type of film, this one fits the bill. You just have to get through a lot of the tedious drama in-between to get to it.

Overall, this was a genuinely scary film and a decent watch if you enjoy horror films.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Aftermath 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” BA’AL on FX on Hulu: All Hail Billie Lourd!

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

“I guess a little magic couldn’t hurt…”

American Horror Stories released its fifth episode, “BA’AL” on August 5th 2021. The episode is available to watch on FX on Hulu. Episode five stars Billie Lourd, Ronen Rubinstein, Virginia Gardner and Vanessa Williams. The episode runs for approximately 50 minutes.

After Liv and her husband try multiple times to get pregnant to no avail, a young woman at a fertility clinic presents Liv with a magical fertility totem. One year later, Liv has a newborn baby, but things start to go horribly wrong when she suspects that a demon may be after her child.

Here is the trailer:

American Horror Stories: BA’AL channels classics like Rosemary’s Baby while taking things to a new extreme. Is it worth a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Billie Lourd is magnetic on screen!

The cast is really great in this episode, but I have to give it up for our AHS queen, Billie Lourd. She is so convincing in her roles and she really went all out in this entry. The premise was creepy enough, but her believable reactions really had me on the edge of my seat.

Twists you won’t see coming.

I thought I knew what I was going to get from this episode and then it shattered all of that completely and presented us with something even more horrifying. I am still going through everything in my head because it was that good.

More please!

The Cons:

I don’t have any…

I’ve enjoyed all of the entries to American Horror Stories, but this episode was the strongest by far. It created a different kind of fear and really kept me guessing. I guess my only con is that I want to see Billie Lourd in more AHS episodes because she really is fantastic!

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

This episode may be the one of the best I have ever witnessed from the entire franchise. It basically could have been a standalone movie. The cast was great, the creepy fear weaving its way through the plot was fantastic, and I still can’t get over those twists! I highly recommend this one!

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…

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 “Fear of Rain” on Hulu: Disturbia meets Unsane

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

“There was a man chasing me…”

Fear of Rain originally released back in February 2021 but it is now available to stream on Hulu. The psychological thriller film stars Madison Iseman, Katherine Heigl, Israel Broussard, and Harry Connick Jr. It is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes long.

A young girl named Rain is dealing with schizophrenia, which causes her to have violent and vivid hallucinations. After returning home from the hospital, she meets a boy named Caleb and teams up with him to spy on her neighbor, who she suspects may have kidnapped a young girl. Rain struggles with what is real as everyone around her begins to doubt her, but she refuses to stop until she uncovers the truth.

Here is the trailer:

Fear of Rain has a very familiar plot, but it does have a great cast and some edge-of-your-seat moments to keep you guessing. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Solid performances.

Madison Iseman was wonderful in the new Jumanji movies and I am really excited that she is going to be starring in the I Know What You Did Last Summer series coming out in October. This was my opportunity to witness her test out her horror/thriller skills and she did a great job and was very believable.

I also loved seeing Happy Death Day’s Israel Broussard in this film. I think he may get typecast for being the charming nerd who takes care of erratic blonde girls, but if it works, it works.

Decent twists and reveals.

I was genuinely surprised by some of the twists and reveals. This is one of those movies where you almost have to take the gamble to see if the pay-off is worth it in the end. For me, it was and while some things were predictable, others threw me off guard completely which is a good thing.

The Cons:

Campy special effects…

This film decided to tackle mental illnesses and while some of the hallucinations and dreams worked, others did not translate well. I thought they were cheesy and over-the-top and it took away some of the edge of this film, which was thrilling without all of this thrown in.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

I’ve seen this type of movie before but I genuinely like psychological thrillers with creepy neighbors. The formula just works somehow. I thought that the cast did enough to keep me invested and there were some reveals sprinkled in that threw me for a loop. If you enjoy films like Unsane and Disturbia, you will enjoy this one.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Fear of Rain 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 “Escape Room: Tournament of Champions” in Theaters: Welcome Back to the Game

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

“Whatever you do, don’t let them win…”

Escape Room: Tournament of Champions is the sequel to 2019’s Escape Room. The film premiered in theaters on July 16th 2021. It stars Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Holland Roden, and Indya Moore, and runs for approximately an hour and thirty minutes.

After winning and surviving the escape room the first time around, Zoey and Ben are determined to take down the mastermind behind the game, bringing them to a set of coordinates in New York City. However, they quickly discover that they are back in the dangerous game along with a previous group of winners.

Here is the trailer:

Escape Room: Tournament of Champions is filled with new games and challenges to keep us on our toes, but does the second film have enough of an edge to measure up to the original film? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Exciting new setting.

Getting around New York City is basically like one big puzzle so I thought it was brilliant to have it as the new setting for the Escape Room sequel. I thought the games were really intense and I loved that we just jumped right into things. We got a little bit of set-up and some flashbacks to remind us about where we left off at the end of the first film, but once the games started back up again, it was a fast-paced roller-coaster ride of adrenaline.

Impressive twists and reveals.

I am a big fan of the first film even though I thought it went a little bit off course with the ending. However, it did set things up for a second film so I guess there’s that. I was a little bit worried that the second film would feel slightly routine since we already knew what was going on, but we were thrown several curve balls along the way and there was one major reveal that had me almost screaming in my seat.

Well played!

The Cons:

Annoying use of flashbacks.

I understood the point of the recap/flashback in the beginning of the film. It reminded us about what happened and it also helped fill in the blanks for a new audience. However, the film continued to use the flashbacks later on to remind us how certain characters felt about one another. I thought this was slightly insulting to the audience (we can figure this out on our own) and unnecessary, but it didn’t take up too much time so I’m over it.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

This film was intense from start to finish. It was really entertaining and a lot of fun. I thought it was just as strong as the first film and I think fans will be happy with it. I still can’t get over that major reveal!!!!!!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Escape Room: Tournament of Champions 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 “Fear Street Part 3: 1666” on Netflix: A Chilling Conclusion Worth Waiting For

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

“The full moon rises before nightfall…”

Fear Street Part 3: 1666 is a supernatural slasher film that premiered on July 16th 2021 on Netflix. It is the third and final entry to the trilogy. The film stars Kiana Madiera, Olivia Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr., Gillian Jacobs, and Sadie Sink. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty-four minutes.

Inspired by the R.L. Stine book series, the third film brings us back to 1666 as we learn the truth about the deadly curse and the backstory behind Sarah Fier.

Here is the trailer:

Fear Street Part 3: 1666 channels The Witch in a serious way and may be the most disturbing and terrifying entry of the franchise. Does the finale measure up with the rest of the films? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Disturbing on a whole new level.

I wouldn’t say that the other entries were really scary. These are meant to be teen horror films but there has been plenty of gore and slasher fun to keep us entertained. However the third film took the cake. It was so disturbing and chilling.

I think part of what made it so frightening was that it explored the darkest parts of humanity and showed how truly awful people can be, which is more terrifying in a lot of ways because it’s something that we witness every single day.

I was glued to the screen the entire time and several parts really made my skin crawl. I think that this was definitely the scariest film by far.

Familiar faces return and supporting characters get to shine.

I thought it was genius to allow the audience to witness the events of 1666 with the characters we have come to know over the past two films. It really helped elevate the major time jump and it allowed us to see things with brand new eyes.

I also really loved seeing certain supporting characters shine even more in the final film. We got glimpses of their potential over the past two films, but everyone truly got their moment in the spotlight in the final film and there were a few surprises mixed in as well.

Reveals well worth the wait.

The third film honestly shocked me with some of its reveals. I was really satisfied with the major twist and I thought that the film did a good job of answering all of my questions while seamlessly presenting us with a worthy final battle. It’s not always easy nailing an ending and I think this film did a great job of presenting us with a worthy conclusion to this fun franchise.

I really hope they decide to do more films and it would be awesome to see an anthology style with the plots from the actual books!

The Cons:

I don’t have any…

I really enjoyed this franchise. I thought that the first film was trying to find its way a little bit, but when I look at everything as a whole, it was truly entertaining and a lot of fun!

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

I absolutely loved the third and final film. It presented us with really intense moments that were absolutely terrifying and I thought it seamlessly connected back to the main plot without ever skipping a beat.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Fear Street Part 3: 1666 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 “American Horror Stories” Rubber Wo(man) on FX on Hulu: Home, Sadistic Home

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

“Ghosts aren’t real and curses aren’t real…”

American Horror Stories premiered on FX on Hulu on July 15th 2021 with the first two episodes: “Rubber Wo(m)an” parts 1 and 2. The remaining five episodes will air weekly, leading up to the premiere of American Horror Story: Double Feature (season 10). Each episode of the spin-off anthology series runs for approximately 45-48 minutes. The first two episodes star Matt Bomer, Sierra McCormick, Gavin Creel, Paris Jackson and Kaia Gerber.

The series will present us with different stories each week connecting to the original AHS universe. The first two episodes bring us back to the beginning. A new family moves into Murder House so they can flip the house and learn that they may be in over their heads.

Here is the trailer:

American Horror Stories has the opportunity to bring us back to welcomed settings with familiar faces, but is the anthology spin-off worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Back to the beginning…

I am a big fan of American Horror Story and I love that we encounter a new setting, story, and group of characters (with familiar faces) in each season. However, some seasons are much stronger than others and often I used to wonder about what would happen next at these infamous places of horror.

Well, American Horror Stories has managed to cure my curiosity by bringing us right back to the beginning with Murder House. American Horror Story: Apocalypse managed to sprinkle in a lot from the other seasons and this is basically a snapshot version of that, as we branch off into a new story with a new set of characters in a very familiar setting.

The “Amityville Horror on Crystal Meth” is back and so is the infamous rubber suit. Scarlett moves into the house with her two dads, who are determined to fix up the house and flip it.

I absolutely loved this return to the beginning. We get to see Murder House through a new set of eyes with a new darkness emerging through its walls.

Familiar faces.

Many AHS alum have signed on for the anthology series and I was excited to see Matt Bomer star in this one. I think this helps us remember that even though this is a spin-off, it’s still a part of the AHS universe ultimately and that wouldn’t feel the same if we didn’t see some familiar cast members along the way for our journey.

I’m excited to see who else is coming back! *No spoilers here.*

A plot that draws you in.

I actually really adored the plot right from the beginning. Even though there were familiar concepts, it felt new and fresh. Scarlett was great and I loved the love story emerging in the walls, giving me some Violet and Tate nostalgia.

The Cons:

Goes off the deep end a little…

In true AHS fashion, the plot does go a little bit bonkers when we get into the second episode. I thought that the first episode was stronger than the second, but things did get a little bit silly toward the end. That being said, that’s part of AHS’s campy horror charm and as a fan of the series, I have come to expect that.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

As a fan of the series, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this spin-off. I didn’t really know what to expect at first, but I absolutely loved it. It was really fun seeing the Easter eggs and nostalgia weaved into the plot while still managing to do something unique and different with the new story.

AHS always brings us a great balance of twisted horror and humor. It somehow just works even though it may seem slightly ridiculous at times. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my watch of the first two episodes and I’m really excited to see the stories continue!

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 “Fear Street Part 2: 1978” on Netflix: Groovy Gory Perfection

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

“It’s happening again…”

Fear Street Part 2: 1978 is a supernatural slasher film that premiered on July 9th 2021 on Netflix. It is the second entry to the trilogy which will take place over the next three weeks. The film stars Sadie Sink, Emily Rudd, Ted Sutherland, Ryan Simpkins, Gillian Jacobs and Kiana Madeira. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty minutes.

Inspired by the R.L. Stine book series, the second film brings us back to 1978 as a dangerous killer makes their presence known at Camp Nightwing in Shadyside.

Here is the trailer:

Fear Street Part 2: 1978 takes a stab at a different decade as Deena and the remaining survivors attempt to learn more about what happened back in 1978 when a similar curse terrorized the town. We are introduced to new characters and a new setting, but does it do enough to keep the story going? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Nails the setting.

While Fear Street Part 1: 1994 channeled Scream and 90’s slashers, Fear Street Part 2: 1978 brings us back to the world of Friday the 13th and Sleepaway Camp. Other horror series have taken the summer camp setting and done quite well with it. The second season of Slasher and AHS: 1984 both featured summer camps and there’s just something about this setting.

I loved the music soundtrack even more in this film and it really did a great job of immersing us into this world without ever skipping a beat.

Believable chemistry between the characters.

My biggest con with the first installment was that it was lacking a little bit of chemistry between all of the characters. Well, that problem has been solved in the second film. I loved every single character and cared about their well being. It was nice to see Sadie Sink step into the spotlight and she played the role extremely well. I thought that the sister vibe really worked and there was even a little bit of humor sprinkled into the mix that translated much better in the second film.

Seamless transition into the main story.

As a standalone, this film is just pure magic. There is a lot of gore and terrorizing moments, but you find yourself rooting for all of the characters even though you know you are witnessing a past event. That being said, I thought that the seamless transition back into the main plot was really effective and I was drawn into the story that much more as we unlocked missing pieces to the puzzle.

The Cons:

We need more!

I don’t have a single con for the second film. I thought it was perfect and I loved it from start to finish. I just wanted to spend even more time at Camp Nightwing because it was that good.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

I enjoyed the first film, but this one really stepped things up a notch. There was a perfect blend of summer camp slasher nostalgia along with some really compelling moments. The performances were believable and this really elevated the overall story. I can’t wait for the final film!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Fear Street Part 2: 1978 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 “Fear Street Part 1: 1994” on Netflix: 90’s Slasher Nostalgia

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

“It began as a prank and ended in murder…”

Fear Street Part 1: 1994 is a supernatural slasher film that premiered on July 2nd 2021 on Netflix. It is the first entry to the trilogy which will take place over the next three weeks. The film stars Olivia Welch, Kiana Madeira, Benjamin Flores Jr. and Maya Hawke. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

Inspired by the R.L. Stine book series, the first film follows a group of teens in the town of Shadyside as they face off against a supernatural presence that threatens to wreak havoc on their town.

Here is the trailer:

Fear Street Part 1: 1994 turns back time and reels us in with some iconic 90’s slasher nostalgia along with a killer soundtrack, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Don’t f*** with the original.

The opening of this film was really strong. It helped having Stranger Things fan favorite, Maya Hawke lighting up the screen in a B.Dalton bookstore, which brought back so many memories. This film definitely channeled Scream and even gave me some Blair Witch vibes as well, but it did it in a clever way. It didn’t feel like a cheesy rip-off. It felt like a tribute to some iconic 90’s horror and I hope this also helps introduce a younger audience to some of these great films.

It still pains me to hear things like “oh I didn’t know the Scream show was based on a movie.” (This really happened by the way).

90’s dream.

Remember when people used to actually call one another? I thought this time jump back to the 90’s was a lot of fun. Similar to shows like Little Fire Everywhere and Cruel Summer, Fear Street is jumping on the bandwagon and they delivered in a lot of ways.

I thought the soundtrack was amazing and the throwbacks were a lot of fun, but I thought the fashion could have used some work. Other than the opening scene, I didn’t see any real iconic pieces of 90’s fashion thrown into the mix.

In a lot of ways, this time jumping theme for Fear Street is kind of reminding me of American Horror Story: 1984 and in a good way. Both of these entries understood the time period and the movies they were channeling, but they also did a good job of creating something on their own.

I’m interested to see how they will approach the next era in the second film. Bring it on!

The Cons:

Where’s the chemistry?

This film earned a R rating and stepped away from Goosebumps. I’m all for a group of kids or teens facing off against an unspeakable horror, but I need to actually care about the characters. Fear Street needed to take a lesson from Stranger Things and even the new IT film. The chemistry and humor between the characters was lacking here.

There were a lot of scenes where we witnessed some melodrama that didn’t really translate well. I won’t call it Riverdale-esque because I actually like Riverdale, but it felt empty and uninspiring.

I loved Olivia Welch in Panic and all of the actors put forth a valiant effort, but I needed more. There were some moments sprinkled in, but I think any major character layers were glossed over and as much as I appreciated the LGBTQ relationship at the core, we needed more development to truly care about these characters.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

The film had a really strong opening and ending. It did enough at the end of the movie to reel me in for more and I’m anxious to see the other two parts connect with everything. Overall, this was an entertaining watch and I think as long as you manage your expectations and power through the unnecessary teen melodrama, you will enjoy the watch. Besides, you can always just tune them out and focus on the amazing soundtrack!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Fear Street Part 1: 1994 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…

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 “Safer at Home” on Hulu: Excessive Gimmicks get in the way of True Thrills

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

“It could get worse before it gets better.”

Safer at Home is a horror thriller film that premiered on February 26th 2021. It is currently available to stream on Hulu. The film stars Jocelyn Hudon, Alisa Allapach, Dan Johnson, Adwin Brown and Emma Lahana. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-five minutes.

The film takes place during the pandemic as we learn that a mandatory quarantine is still in effect well into the year 2022. A group of friends get together on Zoom for some fun when a horrific event takes over the night.

Here is the trailer:

Safer at Home attempts to channel the horrific real world events going on while creating some isolating terror of its own. After watching Shudder’s Host, it seems like many other films are anxious to find their own groove using Zoom and technology, but is this particular film worth a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Some disturbing chills early on.

This movie follows films like Unfriended, Searching, and Host, with a found-footage technology centered approach. This may be wearing out its welcome now, but the initial shots were somewhat believable as these friends come together to catch up during the pandemic. The actors do the best they can with what they have and portray friendships and relationships worth investing in.

I thought there were actually some really intense moments when things escalated during the online party and the initial horrific event did grab my full attention.

The Cons:

Far-fetched nonsense.

This film had the potential to be really good. The initial horrific event had me on the edge of my seat and we had some moments of set-up that could have branched out into something truly extraordinary, but the movie took another route and it became far-fetched and ridiculous. It wasn’t scary anymore and it just felt sloppy.

Jam-packed with too much.

My other issue was this film was overstuffed with so much and it almost felt like they made a checklist of all of things going on in 2020 and checked them off as the film continued…

The ending was somewhat shocking, but I had almost completely tuned out by that point and it wasn’t enough to save this movie.

So am I in or out?

Unfortunately I’m out on this one…

The opening of the film had some potential, but it quickly went off track and it failed to capture my attention. If you are looking for a similar premise that is actually terrifying, check out Host on Shudder instead.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Safer at Home 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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