Spoiler-Free Review of “AFRAID” (2024) on Demand: The Screen Time Premise is Getting Exhausting…

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

“I feel like it’s listening to us all the time…”

AFRAID released in theaters on August 30th 2024 and is now available to stream on Demand as of September 17th 2024. The sci-fi horror film stars John Cho, Katherine Waterston, Havana Rose Liu, Lukita Maxwell, and David Dastmalchian. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-five minutes.

A marketing executive is selected to take home a new digital device named AIA to organize his family’s life, but when AIA thinks she knows what’s best for his family, she begins to take control of every situation, threatening their safety in the process.

Here is the trailer:

AFRAID channels M3gan in a lot of ways, but its gimmicky plot and cheap scares do little to enhance this viewing experience. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Talented cast.

I’m always happy to see John Cho in horror films and I thought this film had a pretty recognizable cast, which was a plus. Havana Rose Liu stole the film for me. She is quickly becoming one of my new favorite actresses. I loved her in No Exit and Bottoms. She managed to be charming and eerie at the same time with her portrayal. I just wish she got a better film…

Unfortunately the pros stop here…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Uninspiring plot.

I just recently watched Subservience starring Megan Fox (which also channeled M3gan), but that film was a lot more interesting than AFRAID. I’ve seen too many movies with the AI taking over theme recently and while some have clever takes on it, this film fails to say anything new. The plot felt lazy and that ending was atrocious.

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Lack of suspense.

I would have been fine with the overdone plot if this movie was actually scary. Instead it relied on cheesy jump scares, which was beyond frustrating. There was one scene that actually had potential, but it cut away from it before showing us anything that violent or frightening. It just felt like they phoned it in with this film and didn’t really care to put in any real effort here.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Unfortunately I’m out on this one…

AFRAID fails to deliver with nothing new to say, but at least Havana Rose Liu ate up every ounce of screen time.

Still better than Night Swim though…

I hope you enjoyed the review and please feel free to share your thoughts on AFRAID in the comments section!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

IN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS, HER NIGHT FROM HELL HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN…

After working the night shift, Ashley becomes entangled in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a local street gang, forcing her to come up with a plan to survive the night by turning the tables on them.

Ashley must fight for her life and take them out one by one if she wants to make it to morning…

My young adult revenge thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Make it Through the Night is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Stranger” (2024) on Hulu: A Thriller Worth Your Time!

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

“I just want to go home…”

The Stranger  originally released on Quibi as a series back in 2020, but it has now been re-cut as a feature length film, premiering on Hulu on April 15th 2024. The thriller film stars Maika Monroe, Dane DeHaan, and Avan Jogia. It runs for an hour and thirty-seven minutes.

Clare must fight to survive when she picks up a ride-share passenger from hell, who continues to stalk her through the night.

Here is the trailer:

The Stranger (2024) is fast-paced, unpredictable, and beyond intense. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Cuts right to the chase!

This film did not waste time with unnecessary fluff. It pulled the audience right in and never slowed down, making this a fast-paced and satisfying watch. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and thought this was a clever and relevant premise that still felt unique and fresh even though it originally released four years ago. I didn’t see it then and I am so happy I got to experience it now. What a rush!

Images courtesy of Hulu

Maika Monroe and Pebbles make a great team!

I’m a huge fan of Maika Monroe and thought she was beyond fantastic in this one. Even though I wanted a touch more information about her character, she was so believable and gripping in this, elevating this film that much more.

This was a small cast and everyone played their part well, but I have to say that I was absolutely loving the Yorkie named Pebbles, who was my favorite character by far!

I loved the tie-ins to The Wizard of Oz and I really appreciated that this film tried to do things a little bit differently, keeping the audience on the hook until the very end.

Keeps you guessing.

I was thoroughly impressed with the twists and turns in this entry. I would have been fine with a simple survival thriller, but the film didn’t stop there and it didn’t get too over-complicated either.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Far-fetched at times…

This wasn’t a major con for me and I basically just went with every plot twist and insane thing going on without question, but there were a few moments that seemed really unrealistic. That being said, there was enough substance here rooted in relevant fears to help me skip past this. This didn’t hinder my watch at all.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Hulu

I’m in 100 percent!!!

The Stranger features a bad-ass performance by Maika Monroe (and her little dog too) in this edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that delivers in all the right ways.

This is my kind of thriller and I absolutely loved it!

If you enjoy films like Alone (2020), No Exit, and Unseen, you’ll have a blast with this one. Trust me.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Stranger (2024) 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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Ranking my Top 10 Films of 2022: Which Movies Made The Cut?

It’s that time of year again! As we get closer and closer to approaching 2023, I thought it would be the perfect time to count down my Top 10 Films of 2022.

There are still a lot of movies that I have not seen yet, but I wanted to highlight some of my favorites of the year so far!
My Top 10 Films of 2022 are:

10

The Fallout

Image courtesy of HBO Max

Beautiful, touching, and gripping from start to finish. Jenna Ortega was an unstoppable force in 2022 and she really showed off a different side of her in The Fallout.

9

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Image courtesy of STARZ

Hilarious, entertaining, and a blast to watch, featuring a dynamic duo worth getting excited about. This movie was really unique as well and Nicolas Cage proved once again why he is absolutely brilliant.

8

See for Me

Image courtesy of Hulu

A modern version of Wait Until Dark that was so suspenseful from start to finish. Our two main leads were incredible on screen and there were plenty of twists and turns that had my adrenaline pumping.

7

Scream (2022)

Image courtesy of Paramount+

Scream (1996) happens to be my favorite movie of all time so I had mixed expectations going into the new film. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It did a fantastic job of providing fans of the original with plenty of nostalgia while still keeping things fresh and new with lots of bloody kills and shocking reveals along the way.

6

Fresh

Image courtesy of Hulu

The date movie from hell! Twisted, deliciously dark, and bold! I loved this film from start to finish. Our two main leads were electric on screen and that ending still replays in my mind from time to time.

5

Fall

Image courtesy of Prime Video

A chilling thriller that kept me off even the smallest step ladder for quite a while. This film was meant to be watched on the big screen. It was so intense and brutal with a shocking twist I never saw coming.

4

Prey

Image courtesy of Hulu

A prequel done right with an electric female lead! Plus, I loved her furry sidekick! This film was so well done and such a pleasant surprise.

3

The Black Phone

Image courtesy of Peacock

One of the best horror films I have seen in a long time. Ethan Hawke was such a terrifying villain. There were so many elements in this one that had me completely immersed in the outcome.

2

X

Image courtesy of Showtime

Sex, drugs, and gore galore. This film pushed so many boundaries in the best possible way. It was bloody fantastic to watch on screen with characters to root for and some seriously twisted moments.

Honorable Mentions:

The Wonder

No Exit

Thirteen Lives

Barbarian

Drum roll please…

1

The Menu

Image courtesy of HBO Max

Deliciously twisted and so entertaining! Anya Taylor-Joy does it again! Last Night in Soho was my number one pick of 2021 and I have to crown this queen again in The Menu. This film had the perfect blend of horror comedy and intense thrills. I am beyond excited that it will be releasing on HBO Max in January so I can watch it again and again!

I hope to see more films from 2022 soon, but I hope you enjoyed the list!

Did you have a favorite film of 2022? If so, drop it in the comments!

I wish you all a happy and healthy new year and can’t wait to review more new films in 2023! Happy viewing!

Spoiler-Free Review of “No Exit” on Hulu: Edge-of-your-seat Thrill Ride

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

“Every day can be a fresh start if you want it…”

No Exit released on February 25th 2022 on Hulu. The horror-thriller film based on the novel of the same name stars Havana Rose Liu, Dennis Haysbert, Dale Dickey and Danny Ramirez. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-five minutes.

When Darby leaves rehab to visit her mother in the hospital, she winds up stranded at a visiting center with a group of strangers after a blizzard strikes. 

Here is the trailer:

No Exit has plenty of twists, thrills, and chills to keep you glued to the screen, but is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Beyond intense!

This is my kind of thriller. I could not stop watching this film and I think it did a really great job with its twists and reveals. My heart was racing the entire time and I was completely invested in what would happen next. This was mostly a thriller, but there were some cringe-worthy moments sprinkled in that had me freaking out in the best way possible!

Images courtesy of Hulu

A strong female lead to root for!

Havana Rose Liu was so good in this! I was rooting for her character the entire time. I thought that her performance was really believable and we also got enough character layers balanced in to make me care about what happened to her. I’d love to see her in more horror and thriller films because she was truly fantastic!

Those twists though…

If you think you have everything figured out already, there will be plenty more twists to keep you on your toes. These are the best kind of thrillers for me. The formula was straightforward and simple, but it just worked and I thought that the twists made it that much more enjoyable.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Reveals too much too early…

I really liked the vibe of this film and I thought that there was such an unsettling tension between the group of strangers. I would have liked to have seen the guessing game go on for a little bit longer because I was trying to put the pieces together myself and one of the first reveals happened very quickly.

That being said, there were plenty of other twists to be excited about.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Hulu

I’m in 100 percent!!!

No Exit doesn’t hold anything back! It’s brutal, chilling, and beyond intense. If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers, you’re in the right place!

I highly recommend this one, especially if you enjoy films like Alone and Till Death. Much like those films, No Exit has a simple formula and a strong female lead to root for. My kind of movie!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on No Exit 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! I hope you enjoy!

READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 3 episode 9: “No Exit”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 3 episode 9, we were reminded that “in unity there is strength,” but is that truly enough to handle all of the evil and corruption going on in our favorite bubble gum pop town?  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Chapter Forty-Four:  No Exit,” Archie is attacked by a bear and begins to have some vivid dreams that could be quite meaningful.  Meanwhile, Veronica plays “deal or no deal” with her father, and Betty realizes that being a queen is actually hard work.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 3 episode 9 mid-season premiere are:

5

“I’m their Griffin Queen.”

Well sure, maybe you are Betty, but are you really able to continue housing all of these girls you valiantly rescued from the Sisters of Quiet Mercy?  Betty quickly begins to realize that this is a very difficult task.  It’s one thing to swoop in for a rescue, but what comes next is always that much more challenging.  Betty looks for help from some of the more reliable parents in town and it seems like she may have a temporary solution, but it’s only a matter of time before her reign may end.  Either way, we support you, Betty!

4

“We’ll go, but we’re keeping our jackets.”

So this episode finally gave our favorite couple, Cheryl and Toni, some much needed screen time.  While Choni is told to “break it up” at school, they turn on the heat and decide to break into Hiram Lodge’s residence to leave their mark…so to speak.  The plan backfires when Jughead asks them to return the valuable egg they stole and they are asked to turn in their jackets and go.  Cheryl doesn’t go quietly; however, as she reminds Jughead that Fangs should also be punished for his actions.  While Cheryl and Toni exit begrudgingly from the Serpents, Cheryl is not about to lose her latest fashion statement and reminds Jughead that they will be keeping their jackets.  Although I’m not sure that Cheryl and Toni will stay gone for long, it makes me wonder if Jughead is truly ready to be a leader and handle all that comes with it?

3

“You are not the villain you think you are.”

Archie is still off handling his own inner demons and is brutally attacked by a bear.  While Archie calls for help, he begins hallucinating or having vivid dreams that had me wondering if I was hallucinating along with him.  While it’s clear that Archie is focusing on his enemy, Hiram Lodge, perhaps the bigger villain is his own guilt.  I have to say that I was right there with dream Fred Andrews when he told Archie to just come home already.  Although, that may be a little bit difficult for our main character right now.

2

“Has anyone ever told you, you’re a bad-ass?”

During the episode, Veronica continues to struggle to maintain power over her father, as he stirs up some more trouble.  Hiram is all about making Faustian deals, but is he able to truly tame his daughter?  Veronica ends up securing protection from the Serpents, which seems like a great solution, but it’s only a matter of time before Hiram comes up with a new plan.  Will Veronica be ready?  Perhaps, but it seems like her attention has drifted elsewhere, as Veggie fans celebrated when she and Reggie shared their first kiss.  Is Veronica truly ready to move on from Archie, however?

1

“We go to join thee.”

At the end of the episode, we are left with a lot of setup for what’s to come.  Alice sends the girls from Sisters of Quiet Mercy off to the farm and informs Betty that she only missed Edgar by “like five minutes,” but it looks like the second half of the season will finally give us some concrete answers about the farm.  Jughead also decides to send Fangs under cover, which may be more than he is able to handle, but it looks like he is up for the challenge.  The Sisters of Quiet Mercy are bailed out and leave behind the cryptic message:  “We go to join thee,” which Betty eventually figures out, as the Sisters go to join their “Gargoyle King” with their sacrifice.  Was this by choice or was someone else pulling the strings here to keep them quiet forever?  Finally, Archie is non-responsive when help arrives, which begs the question:  is Riverdale really about to kill off the main character of the show?  This is not the first time that Archie has faced a life or death situation, but something tells me that he’s going to be all right.  Overall, I was slightly disappointed with the episode, as it felt more like a filler or transition one.  It did provide us with a lot of setup for what’s to come, but I would like to see more content highlighted, especially since one of the teaser trailers suggested that Betty is going to be reunited with her father, Hal, very soon.  Stay tuned!

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

**I would love it if you would take a moment to check out my Whizbuzz Book page via the link below for everything you need to know about my new book, The Search for Alice, including my author bio page and links to my website and social media sites!  Thank you!

My Whizbuzz Book Page

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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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!

I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I hope you enjoy!

When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.

Want to read more?  You can click the link directly below for a free preview.  Thanks for your support!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Cover