Spoiler-Free Review of “Agatha All Along” on Disney+: A Wickedly Delightful Spin-Off!

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

“Is this really how you see yourself?”

Agatha All Along premiered on Disney+ on September 18th 2024 with the first two episodes available to stream now. There will be nine episodes in total that will air weekly. The spin-off mini series stars Kathryn Hahn, Aubrey Plaza, and Joe Locke. Each episode runs for approximately 42-45 minutes.

Set after the events of WandaVision, Agatha Harkness recruits an unlikely coven to help her gain her powers back.

Here is the trailer:

Agatha All Along is off to a fantastic start as it puts Agatha in the spotlight, allowing her to truly shine. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Kathryn Hahn and Aubrey Plaza are fantastic!

I was so excited when I originally heard that Aubrey Plaza had signed on to this series and she is electric on screen so far. Kathryn Hahn’s dark humor is really working as well, but these two ladies have a lot of chemistry together and I can’t wait to see the rest of the episodes unfold.

The rest of the cast has a lot of potential too and it was nice seeing some familiar faces from WandaVision.

A worthy series about witches!

I haven’t been this excited about a series about witches since Chilling Adventures of Sabrina first aired. It’s one of my favorite genres and already this series is excelling in this category. It’s magically captivating and this coven looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun. I also like that the series isn’t taking itself too seriously. It’s dipping into a lot of dark, dry humor that is really making this a blast to watch.

It’s difficult for a spin-off series to excel so quickly, but Agatha All Along is managing to do so. It’s recognizing where it came from, but it’s also branching out into an intriguing story worth exploring and I can’t wait to find out happens next!

I also loved those end credits paying tribute to so many famous witches over the years!

The Cons:

I don’t have any…

Honestly, I’m loving this series so far. The only con is that I have to wait each week for a new episode. I think it will be worth the wait though!

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!!!

Agatha All Along is everything I could have hoped for and more!

It’s safe to say that I will be tuning in for the rest of the episodes!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Agatha All Along 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 “The Last of Us” on HBO Max: A Solid Start

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

“You are all that matters…”

The Last of Us released on HBO Max on January 15th 2023 with the premiere episode. There will be nine episodes in total that will air weekly. Based on the video game of the same name, the post-apocalyptic drama stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Anna Torv. Each episode runs for approximately 45-80 minutes.

Joel embarks on a dangerous journey across post-outbreak America with a girl named Ellie.

Here is the trailer:

The Last of Us is a worthy video-game adaptation filled with dangerous threats and heart-wrenching emotions. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Exceptional cast.

I’m a fan of Pedro Pascal and already he is leading this show in such a powerful way. His character has plenty of layers and trauma to deal with, making him a character to root for and then some. His bond with other characters is also effective as well, bringing us plenty of emotional moments that were actually really believable in a series premiere, which is not always easy to do when the audience hasn’t fully connected to everything yet.

I was super excited to see Fringe’s Anna Torv in this, who is no stranger to playing a complete bad-ass so I’m excited to see more.

Bold start.

I love a series that is not afraid to do something unexpected and shocking (even though fans of the video game will understand what is going on from the start). Either way, I thought this was such a strong premiere and it did plenty to keep fans of the video game franchise happy, while still providing enough content for viewers who may not be as familiar with the plot.

The Cons:

Jam-packs in a lot.

From time jumps to new characters to everything in-between, the premiere is really overstuffed with so much and felt like more of a movie at times. The series needs to be careful otherwise it may start to feel like every other post-apocalyptic show that has aired already. I think that it has enough heart and content to separate itself for now, but we’ll have to see how this develops as the episodes continue.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

It’s been a while since I saw such a strong premiere episode for a television series and it’s safe to say that The Last of Us is heading in the right direction!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Last of Us 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…

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Girl in the Mirror” on Netflix: Creepy and Unsettling

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

“It’s all over now…”

The Girl in the Mirror (Originally titled Alma) released on Netflix on August 19th 2022. All nine episodes are available to stream now. The Spanish supernatural mystery series stars Mireia Oriol, Claudia Roset, Javier Morgade, and Álex Villazán. Each episode runs for approximately 42-49 minutes.

After losing her memory in a tragic accident, Alma tries to piece together what happened that day as a supernatural presence lurks in her nightmares.

Here is the trailer:

The Girl in the Mirror is truly frightening with plenty of disturbing content and a decent mystery at its core. Does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Extremely disturbing…

This series did not shy away from extreme gore, giving me some Final Destination vibes in the beginning. Horror fans will be pleased with this. There is also this unsettling supernatural presence that chilled me to the bone and an eerie mist and lighting that complimented it well. If you’re looking for something terrifying, Alma’s nightmares and hallucinations are filled with it.

Decent mystery.

There are plenty of horror elements, but there is also a decent mystery at the very center. It takes a while for it all to unfold, but each episode did enough to lure me in for more. The characters were likable enough, but I was mostly intrigued by what was going on with Alma.

The Cons:

Pacing issues…

This series felt a little unsure of itself at times. We got plenty of teenage drama to deal with and I was ready to tune out, but the supernatural element redeemed it. I’m kind of exhausted by so much teenage drama lately even though I come to expect it in these series.

I think the pacing needed some improvements. Things took too long to happen and I had too many questions brewing in my mind and not enough answers. There was that cliffhanger ending so I’m guessing we will get a season two potentially.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

The Girl in the Mirror has a decent mystery and some genuinely terrifying moments sprinkled in, but I personally wanted this show to pick a genre and stick with it. That being said, there’s still plenty to enjoy with this one if you like supernatural horror shows.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Girl in the Mirror 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 “Inventing Anna” on Netflix: Juicy and Intriguing Premise

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

“Everyone here wants something…”

Inventing Anna premiered on Netflix on February 11th 2022 with nine episodes available to stream now. The drama series based on a true story stars Julia Garner, Anna Chlumsky, Arian Moayed, Anders Holm and Laverne Cox. Each episode runs for approximately 60-70 minutes.

A journalist looks into the case of Anna Delvey, who stole money from New York elites while pretending to be a wealthy German heiress.

Here is the trailer:

Inventing Anna takes a true story and shows the audience different angles on how Anna Delvey became a well-known name. Is it worthy of your next binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Showcases gorgeous fashion and settings.

There was so much fashion embedded in this series and I loved it! We also got to be transported to different places, focusing primarily on New York City. The series did a good job of capturing the vibe and feel of each setting, which really helped elevate this series in a lot of ways for me.

Worthy flashbacks.

Julia Garner put forth a valiant effort here and I thought the flashbacks were the strongest part of the series. It was really interesting seeing how Anna did what she did over time, connecting with different people throughout her journey. This probably could have been the main focus of the series because it was that intriguing.

The Cons:

The journalist angle didn’t work…

I just couldn’t connect to this part of the show and I think it forced each episode to run longer than needed. Vivian was not likable at all for me as a character and I think that we spent way too much time focusing on her life rather than the interesting story we actually came to see…

That accent…

I thought I might get used to it after a while, but Julia Garner’s impersonation of Anna Delvey’s accent was so strange and off-putting. I’m sure she put a lot of thought and effort into it and I don’t want to knock her because I think she’s a great actress but it was really distracting.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

This series highlights an intriguing story worth watching and the fashion pieces alone are definitely worth your time. I personally would have preferred the series to just focus on the flashbacks more because they were really interesting. The episodes are super long and it took me a little while to get through this one, but I’d recommend giving it a whirl because it does have its moments.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Inventing Anna 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 is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Squid Game” on Netflix: Crazy, Intense and a Contender for my favorite show of the year!

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

“Would you like to play a game with me?”

Squid Game premiered on Netflix on September 17th 2021. The Korean survival drama series stars Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae Soo, HoYeon Jung, Yeong-su Oh and Heo Sung-tae. There are nine episodes in season one available to stream now. Each episode runs for approximately 55-60 minutes.

After being invited to a mysterious tournament, hundreds of people in debt agree to participate in games from their childhood for a chance at a huge cash prize, but the stakes are higher than they realize.

Here is the trailer:

Squid Game is one of those shows you have to keep watching. It’s strange, addicting, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat. Is it worthy of YOUR next binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Each game is more intense than the next.

As soon as I got to the end of the first episode, I needed to hit play immediately. You may think you know what type of game you’re going to get, but once you are experiencing them first hand, you will be so invested and involved. It almost felt like I was playing right along with them.

I was so nervous about what would happen next and the show did a good job of making me care about the outcomes.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Incredible characters.

I knew that I shouldn’t get attached to the characters based on the premise of the show, but it was extremely difficult not to. Each character was so interesting and layered. There were some hilarious moments as well as some heartbreaking and heartwarming ones.

There were some characters that really shocked me with their actions and others that got their rightful revenge. The actors did a really good job with their portrayals and I connected that much more to this show because of it.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

I needed some more answers…

We got plenty of reveals and answers, but I still had a lot of questions once we got to the end. I understand that it will set up a potential for a season 2, but I guess I just wanted to know a little bit more since I became so involved in the show.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!!!!!!!

That was pretty much my face the entire time I was watching this show.

Shocking, addicting, and the definition of a perfect binge-watch!

Even with all of the crazy stuff going on, there were also a lot of important life lessons embedded in the show as well, which really made it stand out for me and it just became my favorite show of the year!

I highly recommend watching this one because you really can’t fully understand how great it is until you watch it for yourself.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Squid Game 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 is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Hit & Run” on Netflix: Engrossing Binge-Watch!

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

“Sometimes the truth just ends up causing more pain…”

Hit & Run premiered on Netflix on August 6th 2021. The Israeli-English series features nine episodes available to stream now. It stars Lior Raz, Sanaa Lathan, Kaelen Ohm, Moran Rosenblatt and Gregg Henry. Each episode runs for approximately 45-50 minutes.

After a man’s wife is killed in a hit and run accident in Tel Aviv, he suspects that her death may not have been an accident after all, leading him to New York City to discover the dangerous truth.

Here is the trailer:

Hit & Run immediately gives off a Harlan Coben-esque vibe with a touch of Taken mixed in, making it difficult to step away from the screen. Does it do enough to find its own identity? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Kick-ass action!

If you love movies like Taken, you will feel right at home with this one. Lior Raz is beyond brilliant as Segev. I was on the edge of my seat every single time he was on screen. I am also a huge fan of Sanaa Lathan and I thought she played her part extremely well.

While the show is centered around an addicting mystery of its own, the fight scenes and action really helped build up momentum at the center of the plot, which worked in the show’s favor.

The change of scenery worked.

The beginning of the series takes place in Tel Aviv. We got plenty of set-up and an initial horrific crime to hook us right from the start, but I really liked that this series decided to change things up and head to New York City. There was plenty going on in Tel Aviv, but I thought it really ramped up the mystery and brought more characters into play without ever skipping a beat.

Binge-watch friendly.

Each episode did enough to draw you in for more. Even though some episodes were longer than others, I kept finding myself pressing play immediately because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. We got bits and pieces of the puzzle with each episode and while there were some side plot-lines going on, they weren’t as confusing or as involved as some of the ones we see in the Harlan Coben mysteries.

The Cons:

Slow moving at first.

Don’t get me wrong, the first episode starts off with a bang, but some of the initial set-up in the first two episodes dragged a little bit for me. That being said, once I got to episode three, I was completely hooked and the pacing changed drastically.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

Hit & Run is beyond worthy of your next binge-watch. This show was so addicting in all the right ways. That cliffhanger left me wanting more so I hope we get to see a season two, but wow what a show!

If you enjoy Taken, The Innocent, and Who Killed Sara, you are in for a real treat! While there were some similarities, this show found its own groove and took us on a wild ride without holding back.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Hit & Run 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 “WandaVision” on Disney+: Delightfully Intriguing

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

“My wife and her flying saucers…”

WandaVision premiered on Disney+ on January 15th 2021 with the first two episodes available to stream now. There will be nine episodes in total that will air weekly. The series stars Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, and Kathryn Hahn. Each episode runs for approximately 30-35 minutes.

If you are familiar with MCU, then you know that this series may initially seem strange and misplaced based on the events that occurred in the Avenger films. Nonetheless, we are presented with a sitcom series featuring Wanda (Scarlet Witch) and her husband, Vision. Things are not as they seem as we find ourselves trapped within a television-centric nostalgia that is not without its own unique charm and mystery.

Here is the trailer:

WandaVision may be the most unique release we have seen yet in MCU, paying its respect to timeless sitcom classics while presenting us with clever Easter eggs and the promise to unfold the mystery at hand, but does it do enough to keep viewers coming back for more? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Disney+

Undeniable chemistry.

While I always noticed a spark between these two in the films, there really wasn’t enough time to devote to it with everything else going on. WandaVision gives us the chance to finally see just how charming these two can be together and I have to say that it’s even better than I could have imagined.

The love is believable and even though it’s clear that things are not as they seem, the connection between the characters keeps us invested in their well-being. Seriously, these two are adorable!

Images courtesy of Disney+

Welcomed TV nostalgia.

The show really owes a lot to series like The Dick Van Dyke Show, Bewitched, and I Love Lucy, embracing all of these classic shows effortlessly without becoming stale in the process. I especially enjoyed the second episode and was actually really laughing at several parts, allowing myself to treat this show as what it is meant to be…a sitcom.

Images courtesy of Disney+

Fantastic supporting characters and guest stars.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum, Emma Caulfield was fantastic and I always love watching Kathryn Hahn, who nailed the nosy neighbor vibe with flair. Pretty much every guest star has really added to the show and based on the cast listed, I can’t wait to see everyone else.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Disney+

Strange and confusing.

I’m all for strange and confusing and there have already been several well placed Easter eggs and hints at a bigger mystery going on, but it is really confusing at times. Perhaps we will get to everything in the later episodes, but I think that the series can take a page out of Pleasantville’s book and give the audience just a little bit more.

That being said, I am intrigued by the mystery and love the concept of being trapped inside a television sitcom (if that’s what is actually happening here), but I think some viewers may be turned off and lose interest if we aren’t given more hints soon.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Disney+

I’m in!

This show is really different and unique, but it also presents us with so much charming nostalgia. I can’t wait to watch the next episodes and I think that as long as the mystery picks up, this show will develop into something truly fantastic!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on WandaVision 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 new 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 “The Haunting of Bly Manor” on Netflix: Perfectly Splendid

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

“Everything yields to time…even the soul.”

The Haunting of Bly Manor is the second season of The Haunting of Hill House horror anthology series. Based on The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, the second season takes a fresh take on the classic ghost story. The Haunting of Bly Manor stars Victoria Pedretti, T’Nia Miller, Tahirah Sharif, Amelia Eve, Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Carla Gugino. The second season premiered on October 9th 2020 with nine episodes (approximately 55 minutes in length).

Dani is looking for a fresh start in London and comes across an ad for a live-in governess position at Bly Manor. Upon her arrival, she quickly discovers that there is a mystery surrounding the property, endangering the lives of the children as well as her own.

Here is the trailer:

The Haunting of Bly Manor has the potential to take this ghost story to the next level, but after the disappointing 2020 film, The Turning, it may need to do a lot more to keep its audience invested. Does The Haunting of Bly Manor live up to the welcomed scares of the first season? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Chilling and intense scares.

I wouldn’t say that the second season scared me as much as the first one, but it was a different kind of fear building throughout the episodes. It was more of an unrelenting chill that wedged itself deep within my bones. While it was a different approach, the fear was real and there were some genuinely scary moments sprinkled in that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Incredible characters.

You will recognize some familiar faces in season two as many of the actors from the first season returned to reprise different roles, which was a lot of fun. Some of the newcomers were absolutely brilliant as well and I have to say that the characters all had so much depth.

I think that the women really stood out for me in the second season. Each character flashback or reveal was so powerful and it really helped me connect even more to the characters.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Reveals that are worth the wait.

Each puzzle piece was threaded together with perfect execution. As soon as I thought I had something figured out, I was thrown for a loop. The slow burn build was extremely rewarding and well worth the wait. Even though the episodes were on the long side, I was completely mesmerized by every single scene.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

I really don’t have one con to list. The only thing I will mention is that this may be more of a beautiful piece of gothic romance rather than a true ghost story. However, I thought that worked perfectly. What I witnessed transcended the need to classify this show to a specific genre. The presence of a storyteller really allowed the classic words to come alive across the screen while bringing in new elements to the story.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 1000 percent!!!!!!

This may be the best show I have watched all year. I thought that everything was executed perfectly. This show struck me to my core. I laughed, I cried, and I found myself beyond connected to all of these characters. There is something to be said about a piece of work that can resonate with you that much even after it’s over.

Perfectly splendid and then some!!!!!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

If you have time, I would love it if you would check out my book, Dash and Seek in the link below. Thank you and I hope you enjoy!

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! I hope you enjoy!

READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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