Spoiler-Free Review of “Stranger Things” Season 5: Part 1 on Netflix: A Solid Start to the End

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

“It was always just about me…”

Stranger Things season five (part 1) premiered on Netflix on November 26th 2025 with four new episodes available to stream now. Part two will release on December 25th and the series finale will air on December 31st. The sci-fi horror series stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, and Natalia Dyer. Each episode runs for approximately 90-140 minutes.

Our beloved group is put to the test once again as they try to stop Vecna from abducting the children of Hawkins before it’s too late.

Here is the trailer:

Stranger Things season five brings us back to the town of Hawkins after quite some time. Does it have enough steam left to finish out the series in a satisfying way? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Great pacing.

The episodes for season 5 are once again on the long side. Each one almost feels like a mini movie, but I have to say that time flew by while I was watching each one. Episode 1 took me a little bit of time to adapt, but I think that’s mostly because I was trying to remember everything that had happened previously. I strongly recommend watching the recap if you haven’t done a recent re-watch.

Episodes 2-4 were fantastic with pacing, however. I was on the edge of my seat and there were so many stand out moments. So far part 1 is delivering in terms of a final season. It really feels like it’s leading up to an exciting conclusion…don’t let me down!

Characters begin to reach their true potential…

It’s about time! There were SO many incredible moments between characters so far. There will be no spoilers in this review, but the conversation between Robin and Will is one of the most vulnerable and real moments I’ve ever witnessed on a television series. It didn’t feel forced. It just transpired in such an authentic way, which truly moved me.

I also really loved seeing some supporting characters step up and I loved the introduction of Nell Fisher (Evil Dead Rise) who took over the role of Holly Wheeler. You can just tell that she’s going to be a star!

Also, shout-out to scene stealer, Erica Sinclair once again!

The Cons:

It’s been some time…

Season 4 came out in 2022 so it’s been a huge gap for the audience. I didn’t have the time to do a re-watch so I was scratching my head quite a few times trying to put the pieces together during certain moments. Eventually things caught up for me, but I wish we didn’t have to wait so long for these episodes.

So far I really don’t have too many cons. I just hope that we have enough time to give each and every one of these characters the screen time they deserve because we’ve spent years watching them grow. I’m confident we’ll achieve it though.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!!!

Stranger Things season 5 is off to a fantastic start with plenty of heart-pounding and heartfelt moments packed in.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Stranger Things season five (part 1) in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A Halloween they’ll never forget…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

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

Scream Hunt is available here!

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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:

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.

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?

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 “Alien: Romulus” in Theaters: A Terrifying Love Letter to Fans of the Franchise!

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

“We’re never coming back…”

Alien: Romulus released in theaters on August 16th 2024. The sci-fi horror film (taking place between the events of Alien and Aliens) stars Cailee Spaeny, Archie Renaux, David Jonsson, Aileen Wu, and Isabela Merced. It runs for approximately two hours.

A group of space colonizers discover an abandoned ship, but they soon find another life-form already on board.

Here is the trailer:

Alien: Romulus gives fans of the original films something to be excited about with plenty of frightening and gruesome moments, making this an intense watch from start to finish. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Brings us plenty of moments of sheer terror!

Wow, what an intense watch! I’ve seen so many horror movies lately that rely on cheesy jump scares. The original Alien film was a masterpiece of real fear and I’m happy to report that the latest film of the franchise gets back to its roots, making this an intense and heart-pounding watch without forced gimmicks.

I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. If you came for some stomach-turning moments, you’ll get plenty of them to appreciate. This film did not hold back in that department.

Suspense to the max!

For the fans!

There were so many fun and entertaining parts sprinkled into this that were clearly meant for the fans. We got lots of welcomed nods at the original film and some clever parts that were replicated in an effective way. This film still managed to create a whole new world of terror for us to indulge in, but I appreciated that it recognized where it came from, truly understanding its intention as part of the franchise.

The Cons:

I don’t have many…

I really had to think about a “con” for this film. It delivered in so many ways and exceeded my expectations. That being said, I would say that the ending lost a little bit of the intense vibe it had managed to create so effortlessly for the majority of the film. It still was satisfying enough, but it lost a touch of edge here.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!!!

Alien: Romulus is an all-consuming watch!

A welcomed addition to the Alien franchise, giving fans something to be excited about.

One of my favorite films of the year!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

This competition is killer…

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

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “No One Will Save You” on Hulu: Riveting Sci-Fi Horror Flick

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

“I’m sorry…”

No One Will Save You released on Hulu on September 22nd 2023. The sci-fi horror-thriller film stars Kaitlyn Dever. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-three minutes.

Brynn lives alone, isolated from the rest of her town, but her world is turned upside down when alien intruders arrive one night and break into her home.

Here is the trailer:

No One Will Save You is gripping and intense, featuring an out of this world performance by Kaitlyn Dever. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Kaitlyn Dever is beyond brilliant!

I’m already a huge fan of hers and loved her in both Unbelievable and Booksmart. However, she takes things to a new level in No One Will Save You, showing off her incredible range as an actress. She was so believable in this and my heart was pounding with every expression she made and every breath she took. When an actress can make you feel like you’re right there along with them, that’s saying something.

I’m so beyond impressed and can’t wait to see her in more horror entries because she was INCREDIBLE!

Intense AF!

I’m not usually the biggest fan of the sci-fi genre. That being said, this film changed my mind and then some. The level of intensity in this film was off the charts. It captivated me the entire time and I couldn’t look away. It was that good!

I was also so impressed that all of this was accomplished with minimal dialogue. We’ve seen that done in other movies before, but this one managed to do it in such an organic way, making us truly believe that this was all happening before our eyes. The reactions and emotions portrayed were just so real, driving the thrilling moments that much more.

The Cons:

Confusing at times…

I personally like when a movie is left open for interpretation and by the time I got to the end of this one, I was confused, but it also sparked an interest within me to really think about what had just transpired and what the ending meant.

If you’re looking for something clear cut, you won’t get that here. I’m sure there will be some mixed thoughts on the ending, but this will most likely come down to preference.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

No One Will Save You is an absorbing and insane watch that will stay with you long after it’s over.

If you enjoy home invasion thrillers and sci-fi, this is the perfect mash-up for you.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on No One Will Save You 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 “Infinity Pool” in Theaters: Trippy and Bizarre

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

“I actually came here looking for inspiration…”

Infinity Pool premiered in theaters on January 27th 2023. The sci-fi horror film stars Mia Goth, Alexander Skarsgård, and Cleopatra Coleman.

A struggling writer and his wife meet a fan of his work, as she convinces them to go on a day-trip outside of the resort gates, leading to a horrifying crime that has unspeakable consequences.

Here is the trailer:

Infinity Pool is unsettling and mind bending with chilling performances and shocking moments sprinkled in. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Mia Goth can do no wrong…

After her incredible performances in both X and Pearl last year, she shows us once again why she is a force to be reckoned with in the horror genre. I thought that Alexander Skarsgård was really exceptional as well in this, but Mia Goth was a scene-stealer and then some. She was the BEST part of this film and I was truly impressed by her range. Perfection!

Aesthetically pleasing…

The setting was gorgeous and I loved the use of color in the beginning of the film. It felt like we were being transported into a watercolor painting and that ending frame was absolutely breathtaking.

A dark concept left up to interpretation…

I was personally really intrigued by the real meaning of this film. It explored interesting aspects of morality and what makes someone tick with an ambiguous ending. I think that the creative minds behind this film really put forth a valiant effort to allow this idea to manifest on screen, allowing the audience to contemplate things on their own as well, which I appreciated.

The Cons:

Missing layers…

Even though I really liked the concept of this film, it was lacking in story. We knew why our main character was at the resort, but I personally felt like this needed to be explored a little bit more.

The film also went off on several trippy tangents filled with sex galore and oozing gore that is not for the squeamish. I personally didn’t mind this (although some of it seemed slightly unnecessary), but the flashing light sequences made me dizzy and could have been toned down a little bit…

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

By the time I finished this film, I was unsure if I had actually liked it or not. It does create an interesting dialogue and I think it has a lot going for it, but I needed just a touch more.

Either way, I was pleased by the performances and if you’re looking for a film that really pushes the envelope, you’re in the right place.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Infinity Pool 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 “Nope” in Theaters: Characters to Root for!

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

“It was fast…too fast…”

NOPE released in theaters on July 22nd 2022. The sci-fi horror film (written, directed, and produced by Jordan Peele) stars Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Brandon Perea, and Michael Wincott. It runs for approximately two hours and ten minutes.

OJ and his sister, Emerald are working on their family’s horse ranch when they encounter something mysterious in the sky.

Here is the trailer:

NOPE is eerie and entertaining filled with edge-of-your-seat moments and characters that are so incredible to watch on screen. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Best characters I have seen in a while!

I adored the brother/sister bond between OJ and Emerald. Kaluuya and Palmer were electric on screen. I was completely invested in what happened to them, which made this film that much more entertaining. Even though this is a sci-fi horror film, there is a lot of heart in it as well and the performances here were absolutely incredible.

Brandon Perea was so much fun as Angel and brought in some well placed humor.

Loved him!

A mystery that draws you in…

There was an unsettling and mysterious vibe throughout this film. It took a while to fully develop, but there were plenty of nail-biting moments sprinkled in. I was thoroughly satisfied with the ultimate reveal and I think the intensity continued to build up more and more, creating something truly immersive and spectacular to experience.

The Cons:

Takes a while to get going…

The first half of the film dragged a little for me. I was fine with the slow burn approach, but I personally enjoyed the second half a lot more. The pacing was a lot stronger. That being said, there were still plenty of incredible moments in the first half to enjoy.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!

An intense and entertaining watch worth your time!

I really enjoyed this film and I think it was unique and a lot of fun. Jordan Peele created something truly magical on screen once again!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on NOPE 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 “Stranger Things” Season 4 Volume 2 on Netflix: Intense from Start to Finish

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

“Without heart we’d fall apart…”

Stranger Things season four (volume 2) premiered on Netflix on July 1st 2022 with two new episodes available to stream now. The sci-fi horror series stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, and Natalia Dyer. Each episode runs for approximately 90-140 minutes.

Our beloved group is put to the test as they face off against Vecna in an epic battle.

Here is the trailer:

Stranger Things season four started off with a bang, but does volume 2 stick the landing with the final two episodes of the season? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Doesn’t hold back…

Volume 1 was absolutely fantastic to watch, but we got a lot of set-up and flashbacks so there were some breaks from the intensity. Volume 2 takes us on a thrill ride and never stops. It really felt like more of a movie and I loved every second of it. There were so many edge-of-your-seat moments in this one, along with a lot of really heartfelt and heartbreaking ones. The music was AMAZING and there was one musical moment in particular that I will be re-watching over and over for years to come for sure. Wow! Talk about entertaining…I think it’s safe to say that this was definitely one of my favorite seasons yet.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Other characters prove their worth!

I really liked that we got enough time to explore each character in volume 1 and I am happy to report that volume 2 filled in the blanks with a few other characters that needed a little bit more time and development. Everyone proved that they were worthy to the group in different capacities and I loved watching their journeys.

That’s why I like this show so much. It’s not just about the superhero. It’s about everyone else too. The show reminds me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in that way. You have this one powerful girl who is destined to save the world, but her friends are just as capable and powerful and they all show just how special they are over the seasons.

The same thing can absolutely be said about the characters in Stranger Things. That’s why it makes it so incredibly hard whenever we lose one of these characters. There will be no spoilers in this review, but wow. I shed quite a few tears during volume 2.

A finale to be excited about!

That last shot took my breath away. We are all set up for the final fifth season of the show and I am confident that it will be out of this world. The only problem is…we have to wait for it!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Unanswered questions.

That was a lot to take in and now I have all of these unanswered questions stirring in my brain. It’s not really much of a con, but I loved this season so much and it’s really hard to come up with something I didn’t like. I am sure that everything will be resolved in the final season, but there’s a lot left to explore and I’m just hoping that this series can finish strong because these characters all deserve a satisfying ending and so do we!

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!!!

A satisfying conclusion to a fantastic season!!!!!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Stranger Things season four (volume 2) 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 is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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