Tag: Margaret Qualley

Spoiler-Free Review of “How to Make a Killing” in Theaters: A Charming Dark Comedy

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

“I should warn you…it’s a tragedy.”

How to Make a Killing is a dark comedy thriller film that released on February 20th 2026. The film stars Glen Powell, Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Topher Grace, and Ed Harris. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

Becket Redfellow is down on his luck and makes the rash decision to change his circumstances, leading him to contemplate murdering his relatives one by one to finally get what he has been entitled to for all these years.

Here is the trailer:

How to Make a Killing is a fun dark comedy featuring a terrific performance by Glen Powell. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of A24

Glen Powell is brilliant!

I’ve been a fan of his since the Scream Queens days and while he has certainly gotten a lot of terrific roles lately, I’ve been waiting to see him in something a little more suited to his talents and I think we got that with this film.

He was the BEST part of this movie and had twisted charisma that worked perfectly with this character. I’d love to see him take on more roles like this in the future, embracing his dark side a little bit.

Margaret Qualley is always a joy to watch and I hope to see Jessica Henwick in more too. We definitely got a great cast here!

Images courtesy of A24

Doesn’t take itself too seriously.

The dark humor really worked well in this film. This could have easily felt very boring and dragged out, but instead there was such an entertaining quality to it. I never looked at the time even once. When films embrace what they should be and just go with it effortlessly, that’s when we often get magic on screen and I thought this film captured the vibe it was going for in a delightful way without trying to do too much.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of A24

Mixed feelings on the ending.

It wasn’t bad by any means, but I guess I was expecting something different at the end of this film. Overall, I really enjoyed everything so I wouldn’t say this was a major con, but I was anticipating something a little bit more cheeky at the very end.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of A24

I’m in!

How to Make a Killing is absolutely delightful and a pleasant surprise!

Glen Powell showed off his diabolical charm with style.

I enjoyed this one a lot more than I thought I would and definitely recommend it if you’re in the mood for something American Psycho-lite.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts on How to Make a Killing 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!

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Substance” on Demand: Be Careful What You Wish For…

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

“Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?”

The Substance premiered in theaters on September 20th 2024 and is now available to stream on demand (and on MUBI) as of October 31st 2024. The sci-fi body horror film (written and directed by Coralie Fargeat) stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid. It runs for approximately two hours and twenty minutes.

After turning 50, a celebrity fitness instructor is devastated after her boss fires her. Opportunity knocks when a laboratory offers her a new drug that will transform her into a more vibrant version of herself, but it leads to unexpected side effects.

Here is the trailer:

The Substance is a shocking and gruesome watch elevated by a brilliant performance by Demi Moore. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of MUBI

Demi Moore goes all out in the best way possible!

I heard that she was spectacular in this and she did not disappoint. I was blown away by her performance. This was a very different role for her, but she knocked it out of the park. I think people will be talking about this performance for a long time.

Margaret Qualley did a great job too and is really making a name for herself in the horror genre. 

Images courtesy of MUBI

Intriguing satire.

The message behind the film about vanity and the unfair standards women are held to really resonated with me. I thought this was all presented in a clever and unique way. I credit that to the wonderful Coralie Fargeat, who wrote and directed one of my favorite “good for her” films, Revenge, back in 2017. Her risks keep paying off and I can’t wait to see what she creates next.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of MUBI

Extreme body horror.

If that’s your jam, then you will LOVE this film. It was probably the grossest film I’ve ever watched. For me personally, I’m not into this level of body horror. It was uncomfortable and disgusting, but I’m not going to fault this film for going all out here. It just wasn’t for me.

I also thought the film was a touch too long.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of MUBI

I’m in!!!

The Substance is a bold and stomach-turning watch that demands and deserves attention.

This film was unlike anything else I’ve seen before, making this an interesting viewing experience overall.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Substance 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 “Drive-Away Dolls” in Theaters: Saucy & Sex-Crazed Crime Comedy

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

“Love is a sleigh ride to Hell…”

Drive-Away Dolls released in theaters on February 23rd 2024. The crime thriller-comedy film stars Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Colman Domingo, Matt Damon, and Pedro Pascal. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-four minutes.

Two friends decide to take a road trip to Tallahassee, but when they are given the wrong vehicle in error, they discover a mysterious case in the trunk that puts them in danger with a group of criminals.

Here is the trailer:

Drive-Away Dolls features a fun concept with two likable leads, but does all the buildup lead to anything worthwhile? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Focus Features

Two worthy leads.

I really like Margaret Qualley as an actress and she lit up the screen in this one with her over-the-top accent and carefree portrayal. There were some fun cameos in this as well, but our two main leads stole the show. I thought the friendship and chemistry between them was believable and even though there were some ridiculous and trippy parts to this movie, this bond was grounded in something real.

Images courtesy of Focus Features

Fun concept.

I really liked the vibe of this film. The bright colors popped in an aesthetically pleasing way and for a time, this kind of felt like a mix of Pulp Fiction, Thelma & Louise, and Bottoms. This may seem like a crazy mash-up, but it kind of worked at some points as long as you don’t take it too seriously.

I also liked that this movie was on the shorter side. It could have dragged certain story-lines out more, but I think that would have taken away from the film.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Focus Features

Needed some more violence thrown in…

This film was filled to the brim with sex galore, but I think it could have benefited from some more blood and violence. The opening sequence hinted at unlocking this film’s true potential and I was hoping we would get a lot more of this throughout the rest of the film, but we never really got there.

I also thought that the ending needed a bit more of a bang to really sell me on this.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Focus Features

I’m 50/50 on this one…

I think that people will either love or hate this film. I’m somewhere in the middle of that. It had some entertaining moments, but the trailer was a lot more convincing than the actual result.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Drive-Away Dolls 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 “Sanctuary” on Demand: Margaret Qualley is Flawless

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

“I know everything about you…”

Sanctuary released in limited theaters on May 19th 2023 and is now currently available to stream on demand as of June 20th 2023. The erotic-psychological thriller film stars Margaret Qualley and Christopher Abbott. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-seven minutes.

After taking over his father’s business, Hal attempts to end his relationship with a dominatrix named Rebecca, but an argument between them escalates into a battle for true control.

Here is the trailer:

Sanctuary is unique and dangerous in an unconventional way featuring an exceptionally brilliant performance by its leading lady. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Neon

Margaret Qualley shines!

Wow she was absolutely breathtaking in this film! Her performance was unhinged and electric in all the right ways. She stole the film and then some. I loved the different take on the cat-and-mouse formula. This is one of those films that could fail miserably without strong performances and she made sure that wouldn’t happen. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She was that good!

Images courtesy of Neon

A unique concept.

At one point Hal talks about how this isn’t the 90’s and in a lot of ways, this film reminded me of those dark and steamy guilty pleasure thrillers from that decade. I actually love those erotic thrillers and I thought this film did a great job of honoring that genre while still carving its way into the new generation with provocative and sometimes extreme content that wasn’t afraid to reach new limits.

I’m all for a film trying something new and different and I applaud the effort and execution.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Neon

Trippy camera effects.

I liked the overall visual feel of the film and I think it complimented the subject matter well, but some of the chaotic camera movements felt unnatural and slightly distracting. I was very focused on what was transpiring between these two characters so these camera enhancements seemed unnecessary, but I think that comes down to preference.

There were some pacing issues throughout the film and I had mixed thoughts on the ending. It was perfectly fine, but I guess I was looking for something a slight more shocking since there was so much built up before this. I’m sure viewers will have mixed views on this, however.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Neon

I’m in about 75 percent…

I’m in for Margaret Qualley and I appreciate that this film tried to do something different and edgy, but the pacing needed some work and I guess I wanted a little bit more of an explosive ending to really seal the deal.

Keep in mind that this is not your average thriller. It takes a different approach that may seem like a simple conversation at times between two parties, but it does branch out into some moments of pure brilliance worth experiencing.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Sanctuary 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 “Stars at Noon” on Hulu: A Powerful Performance

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

“Things aren’t as simple here as you want to think…”

Stars at Noon premiered on Hulu on October 28th 2022. The romantic drama-thriller stars Margaret Qualley, Joe Alwyn, Benny Safdie, and John C. Reilly. It runs for approximately two hours and seventeen minutes.

When a young American journalist is stranded in Nicaragua, she meets a handsome stranger who could help her escape, but she soon learns that their affair may have put them in even more danger.

Here is the trailer:

Stars at Noon tells a powerful story with a strong lead at its core, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Incredible performance by Qualley.

I was completely drawn in by her portrayal of Trish. She was stuck in a horrible situation and yet she still was able to find glimmers of hope and beauty, revealing different emotions along her journey. Her journey felt very real and scary at times, but she still managed to stay strong and driven, which made her such an interesting and layered character to watch on screen.

Images courtesy of Hulu

Beautifully shot.

There was something very simple about the way this film was shot. The setting was dark and hopeless at times, but it was also incredibly beautiful and peaceful. I really felt like I was transported to another part of the world. Even the simple moments of Trish walking down the street were just so well done. The overall tone just worked really well.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Not what I was expecting…

I thought I was going to witness some kind of erotic thriller and there was plenty of flesh shown, but I wanted some more thrills to hold my attention. This movie was way too long and things didn’t really start to get interesting until well over an hour. I couldn’t finish this film in one sitting.

I appreciate that the film was going for a more realistic feel, but I wanted something with a little more edge because this film had the potential to be truly spectacular.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Hulu

I’m in about 75 percent…

A strong performance and moments of true brilliance, but this film could have eliminated a lot of its unnecessary moments to shorten its overall runtime.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Stars at Noon 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…

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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!

**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!