Spoiler-Free Review of “The Long Walk” in Theaters: Executed Brilliantly!

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

“There’s one winner and no finish line…”

The Long Walk released in theaters on September 12th 2025. Based on the novel by Stephen King and adapted from the screenplay by JT Mollner (Strange Darling), the dystopian survival thriller stars David Jonsson, Cooper Hoffman, Ben Wang, Garrett Wareing, Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-eight minutes.

Teenage boys participate in a competition that could change the winner’s life forever where they must continuously walk without stopping or be shot.

Here is the trailer:

The Long Walk is a mix of Stand by Me and The Hunger Games, featuring some moving performances. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Characters to root for!

This film would not work without this key component. As the audience, when you understand the stakes of a movie like this, you have to think about whether you are invested or not in the outcome. Well, I can report that I was absolutely invested here. The characters were all exceptional and the performances were truly moving and fantastic.

David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus) was the BEST part of the film, giving us such a thought-provoking and superb performance. Wow…I’m still thinking about it!

Draws you in completely.

Honestly, I felt like I was in this movie. Time seemed to stand still and the only thing in existence was this never-ending road filled with unlikely friendships, impossible odds, and shocking moments, leading up to a jaw-dropping conclusion. This film reminded me why I fell in love with movies in the first place.

The Cons:

Really depressing at times…

I don’t really have many cons for this film because I thought it was incredible. However, it did feature some heavy, gross, and difficult content to watch at times. It’s not a film you can experience lightly. You will be sucked in and invested in what happens and it will make you think about a lot, but that’s sort of the point. Just be aware that there are some disgusting and bleak moments here.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

The Long Walk is an emotional, brutal, and consuming watch from start to finish.

This film is truly something special!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

When sisters, Nina and Gemma are vacationing in Hawaii with their friends, they get invited to an exclusive party on a private island that seems too good to be true. There’s only one rule…they can’t miss their ferry at midnight or they’ll have to wait until morning to leave the island. Only they didn’t realize that breaking this rule meant they would be hunted down on the island one by one.

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my island thriller!

Blood Rose Island is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Monkey” in Theaters: A Campy Good Time!

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

“Turn the key and see what happens…”

The Monkey released in theaters on February 21st 2025. The American horror comedy film (based on the short story by Stephen King) stars Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Colin O’Brien, Elijah Wood, Rohan Campbell, and Adam Scott. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-five minutes.

When twin brothers discover a strange wind-up toy, they soon realize that it may be causing horrific deaths around them. Twenty-five years later, a new killing spree begins, forcing them to confront the toy once again.

Here is the trailer:

The Monkey doesn’t hold anything back, presenting us with violent and shocking kills while still having some fun. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Cringe-worthy kills.

If you enjoy films like Final Destination, then this is the film for you. The kills are outrageous, extreme, and stomach-turning. You won’t be disappointed and I was pleased that the trailer didn’t ruin them all.

I also really liked the dry humor included in this. I was worried that this movie might take itself too seriously, but it went with the bonkers concept and just had fun, making this a blast to experience in theaters.

Theo James stole the show!

My new favorite genre is Theo James covered in blood! He was absolutely fantastic in this! Normally I hate voice-over narrations, but I enjoyed listening to him. The past and the present timelines were equally interesting and a lot of that has to do with the cast.

Tatiana Maslany was great as well and it was fun seeing a lot of familiar faces pop up in this one.

The Cons:

Sluggish pacing in the second half.

I think I preferred the first half of this film to the second. Don’t get me wrong…I liked the second half too and that’s where Theo James shined, but there were some pacing issues. The movie was only an hour and thirty-five minutes, but it felt like it was dragging a little bit until we got to the final act. I think we could have wrapped things up a little bit quicker.

That’s really my only con. I thought everything else came together seamlessly.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!!

The Monkey is a bonkers and bloody watch!

Theo James is a lot of fun in this one. I highly recommend it!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Monkey 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 “Salem’s Lot” (2024) on Max: Has Some Bite!

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

“It’s one of a kind…”

Salem’s Lot (2024) premiered on Max on October 3rd 2024. The supernatural horror film (based on the Stephen King novel) stars Lewis Pullman, Makenzie Leigh, Alfre Woodard, Bill Camp, and Jordan Preston Carter. It runs for an hour and fifty-four minutes.

Author, Ben Mears returns to his home town for inspiration, but soon discovers that the people there are turning into vampires.

Here is the trailer:

Salem’s Lot (2024) is the third adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, but does it do enough to set itself apart from other vampire films? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Entertaining cast and setting!

I really like Lewis Pullman and it was great to see him in another horror film. I think the cast did a decent job here. The characters were likable enough and there were a few stand-outs to root for. I always love being transported to another place and time and I loved exploring this town through a new lens.

Some eerie and unsettling scenes!

I preferred the earlier scenes in this film. There was this tense and mysterious vibe that worked very well. Once things were out in the open, it felt a little forced and predictable. The ending scene was done very well; however, and I loved the change in scenery.

The Cons:

Rushed and cheesy at times.

My biggest con for this film was that it felt super rushed. We didn’t get enough time to flesh out these characters, which was disappointing. I get that it’s difficult to jam-pack everything from a novel into two hours, but there was room for development here so that we could care more about the fate of each character. I think that Mike Flanagan did a much better job with his interpretation in Midnight Mass. Granted, that was a series, but this film needed more layers like that.

I also thought the vampire scares were a little cheesy and gimmicky. I much preferred the scenes where you didn’t see what was going on.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

Salem’s Lot (2024) is a watchable adaptation with some entertaining moments, filling in nicely as a quick “movie of the week.”

Ultimately, I don’t think it reached its full potential, but if you like vampire flicks, there’s enough here to enjoy.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Salem’s Lot 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 “The Boogeyman” in Theaters: Shut that closet door!

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

“It’s the thing that comes for your kids when you’re not paying attention…”

The Boogeyman released in theaters on June 2nd 2023. The supernatural horror film (based on the short story by Stephen King) stars Sophie Thatcher, Chris Messina, and Vivien Lyra Blair. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-eight minutes.

While trying to cope with the loss of their mother, Sadie and Sawyer begin to witness a dark presence after an unstable man wanders into their home and leaves behind something terrifying.

Here is the trailer:

The Boogeyman tackles issues of grief while presenting us with some horrifying scares along the way. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Characters to root for!

Usually when I watch a supernatural horror film featuring a frightening monster in the dark, I end up investing more in the scares and the characters are just kind of interchangeable.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the characters in this particular film. Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets) gave a gripping performance that was absolutely captivating. I really cared about what happened to her character and her sister, making this more than your average supernatural monster flick.

Well-placed scares.

There was this unsettling feeling of dread throughout the entire film that worked really well. The scares were well thought out and had me on the edge of my seat. I think I’ll be nailing my closet shut for the next few weeks…

There were also some heartwarming moments that balanced in very nicely. I was satisfied with the ending and the pacing worked for the most part, making this a very enjoyable watch from start to finish.

The Cons:

A movie I’ve seen before…

In a lot of ways, this film reminded me of Smile and Lights Out. I wouldn’t say that it presented us with anything that new or unique. That being said, it was still really enjoyable so I can’t fault it too much here.

On another note, it really bothers me when characters continue to walk around in the dark when there might be a monster in the shadows…

It just didn’t seem that practical. There were a number of times they could have just turned the lights on (at least in the beginning).

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

The Boogeyman is a creepy and unsettling horror flick that is entertaining from start to finish!

I absolutely loved Sophie Thatcher in this and I hope to see her in more horror films in the future.

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

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 “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone” on Netflix: Be Careful What You Wish For…

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

“Since that date I’ve wondered what if…and why me?”

Mr. Harrigan’s Phone premiered on Netflix on October 5th 2022. Based on the short story by Stephen King, the film stars Jaeden Martell, Donald Sutherland, Joe Tippett, and Kirby Howell-Baptiste. The film runs for an hour and forty-five minutes.

Craig befriends a billionaire named Mr. Harrigan, who hires him to read to him. After giving him a cellular phone before he dies, Craig realizes that his friend may be able to communicate with him from beyond the grave.

Here is the trailer:

Mr. Harrigan’s Phone has a talented cast and an eerie premise, but does it do enough to be worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

The opening is intriguing.

I thought Donald Sutherland and Jaeden Martell were both very good in this. The opening was actually really interesting. I liked the discussions about literature and I enjoyed watching the friendship grow between them. There was an eerie vibe present throughout the film and it had the potential to lure us in with a compelling story that was much more than your average ghost story.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Took way too long for things to happen…

The pacing was not good at all in this film, unfortunately. The magic from the opening disappeared and was replaced with a very boring tone that made this film drag and drag.

Not every story should be made into a film and I don’t think this one translated that well at all, even though I enjoyed the performances and certain elements.

Once the big moments happened, they didn’t feel that scary or meaningful. I was expecting a slow burn, but this one fizzled out and never quite reached its full potential.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m 50/50 on this one…

The film had decent performances and an interesting eerie premise, but it never quite grabbed my full attention.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Mr. Harrigan’s Phone 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 “American Horror Story: Double Feature” Season 10 “Red Tide” on FX: The Unsettling Price of Fame

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

“You don’t understand how hard it is to be great…”

American Horror Story season 10 has finally arrived after almost two years! The new season premiered on August 25th 2021 with its first two episodes. The season will feature 10 episodes in total. The first six episodes will be devoted to the “Red Tide” part and the remaining 4 will focus on a different plot, but it will most likely be connected in some way. After all, this is the AHS universe.

Each episode runs for approximately 52-54 minutes. Season 10 part 1 stars Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, Finn Wittrock, Frances Conroy, Billie Lourd, Adina Porter and Macaulay Culkin.

A screenwriter and his family rent a house in Provincetown, Cape Cod in the off season so that he can find inspiration for a potential pilot episode, but he is greeted with threatening residents and pale blood-thirsty beings. After crossing paths with an interesting duo, he contemplates an interesting offer that could help advance his career.

Here is the trailer:

American Horror Story: Double Feature Part 1 presents us with a chilling setting that mirrors the eerie things going on in the shadows. It explores something sinister while reminding us that every choice has a consequence. Is it worth a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A chilling start.

The opening two episodes were really well done. The premise of the struggling writer worked and channeled The Shining in a lot of ways and introduced us to a Stephen King-like setting that matched the vibe perfectly. Even though there are “monsters” within this small town, there is something even more terrifying that lurks within everyone and that’s the drive to be spectacular and more than ordinary.

While drive and talent can be a blessing, it can also be a curse and I think part 1 is exploring the darker parts of this curse extremely well.

Exceptional cast.

When the opening credits began, I was thrilled to see so many familiar names with Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters leading the way. Sarah Paulson is already stealing every single scene she is in and I am in love with the duo of Evan Peters and Frances Conroy. I can’t wait to see what they do next!

The Cons:

Initial pacing.

The first episode dragged slightly for me. There were some scenes that drew me in completely and others that just seemed ordinary and filler. That being said, I thought the pacing improved drastically once we got to the second episode. AHS can sometimes go off the rails with its plot and I think having only six episodes for part 1 will work in its favor.

Already a lot has happened and I’m curious to find out more, but I also hope the reveals and outcomes are rewarding in the end.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

AHS is back and better than ever!

Disturbing, compelling, and consuming.

I really like the direction of the new season and it was so much fun to see so many familiar faces. I’m curious to find out more and completely drawn in.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on American Horror Story: Double Feature 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!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Outsider” on HBO: A Glimmer of Haunting Potential

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

In the midst of this slow burn crime drama, there is this potential for chilling perfection lurking in the shadows. Combine that with an extremely talented cast, an intriguing plot, and some supernatural elements, and this could be the formula for a hypnotizing new show.

The Outsider premiered on HBO on January 12th 2020 with two full length back-to-back episodes. The mini-series will feature 10 episodes (60 minutes in length). It stars Jason Bateman, Ben Mendelsohn, Cynthia Erivo, and Julianne Nicholson.

Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, The Outsider follows the investigation behind the horrific murder of a young boy. After evidence begins to appear quite quickly, things become much more complicated with potential supernatural forces at play, causing the lead investigator to question things further.

This slow burn crime drama has the potential to hook its audience completely, but does it do enough in its first two episodes to keep us coming back for more? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

The Outsider HBO 1 — Images courtesy of HBO

An extremely talented cast.

The performances are so captivating and believable from the opening minutes of the series. Having an all star cast definitely works in the show’s favor. The characters are compelling enough and there are still a lot of secrets left to uncover, hooking us in that much more.

Some really creepy and gruesome elements.

There are some graphic images in this show, but it adds to the shock and horror behind the crime. We also get some really creepy moments that I haven’t quite figured out yet, stirring with disturbing possibility. The use of discord music to set some of these scenes is actually quite brilliant as well, really creating a world of unexplained mystery.

The Cons:

The Outsider HBO 2 — Images courtesy of HBO

The pacing is slow…extremely slow.

I watched the two opening episodes back-to-back and felt like I was sitting there for over three hours. I even almost fell asleep a few times because of that so I’m not sure that a double episode premiere was wise.

Moving forward, I will only watch one episode at a time. There is a lot to process, but I am really hoping that the show can pick up some steam because that may be its biggest downfall.

So am I in or out?

The Outsider HBO 3 — Images courtesy of HBO

I’m in…at least for now. Episode 3 will introduce us to Cynthia Erivo’s character, Holly Gibney, and I am truly hoping that she can liven things up and start to make sense of this case.

The unexplained mystery is genuinely intriguing and I want to see this unfold, but things need to pick up so that I don’t lose interest completely.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural? Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery? Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I really hope you enjoy!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Castle Rock” Season 2 on Hulu: Lizzy Caplan as Annie Wilkes gets this Slow-Burn Horror off to a Chilling Start

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

Just in time for Halloween, Hulu has released the first three episodes of Castle Rock season 2. I loved season 1 so much and it featured some of the most brilliant episodes on television that I have ever witnessed.

Seriously, if you haven’t seen season 1, episode 7 (The Queen) yet, I highly recommend it. So that being said, Castle Rock season 2 has a lot to live up to, but I am excited that they are taking the anthology approach, as we get a new story with different characters.

Castle Rock is a psychological horror series on Hulu based on the characters and setting of Stephen King. There will be 10 episodes for season 2. Similar to the format with season 1, Hulu has released the first 3 episodes as of October 23rd 2019 and it will continue to run weekly episodes on Wednesdays. Season 2 stars Lizzy Caplan, Tim Robbins, and Elsie Fisher.

Season 2 follows a nurse named Annie Wilkes, based on the character of the same name in Misery. While Castle Rock is not necessarily a prequel, it does bring us familiar elements from both Misery and Salem’s Lot.

Annie has a lot of psychological issues and she is on the run with her teenage daughter when she arrives in Castle Rock. Annie mostly keeps to herself, but when she goes through withdrawal from her medication, her hallucinations start to become all too real, as she finds herself doing some very bad things.

The plot and characters certainly have a lot of potential, but will season 2 be able to hold its own? Let’s find out!

The Pros:

Castle Rock season 2 1 — Images courtesy of Hulu

Lizzy Caplan is beyond captivating as Annie Wilkes.

Her performance will chill you to your core, disturbing you in just the right way. Caplan absolutely nails the role and is the best part of the show so far. She immerses herself completely in this role, bringing you wild eye stares and horrifying reactions that are so real and terrifying.

The perfect dose of psychological horror.

I love that this show brings you along for the ride, unfolding the mystery with its audience. While a lot of the scares are psychological, there are some edge of your seat moments that remind us just how deadly an unhinged paranoid person can be.

I think it also works to the show’s advantage not following a specific plot from Stephen King, allowing familiar characters and settings to take on a life of their own, which makes this show unique and original.

The Cons:

Castle Rock season 2 2 — Images courtesy of Hulu

A lot of setup.

There are a lot of elements to digest after watching the first three episodes of season 2. You may find yourself slightly overwhelmed by this, but I had the same issue with season 1 and it ended up paying off, as other elements were revealed later on.

Slow moving at times.

Each episode is about 50-55 minutes in length and the show does move at a slow pace from time to time. The show is more of a slow-burn psychological horror, so it’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does make it difficult to binge-watch all at once. You may want to try one episode at a time, but I thought that there were enough things going on to keep your attention.

So am I in or out?

Castle Rock season 2 3 — Images courtesy of Hulu

I am in 100 percent! Lizzy Caplan’s performance is enough to keep me invested, but I love the intertwining between the two works from Stephen King, while creating a new story that branches off into something completely different.

After watching the first three episodes, I am excited to continue watching weekly and I think this will actually make the watch that much more entertaining, as bits and pieces of the mystery are presented. If you haven’t started watching yet, I highly recommend it, especially if you are a Stephen King fan.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Spoiler-Free Review of “NOS4A2” on AMC: A Faint Spark Glimmering in the midst of all the Backstory

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

“There are people in this world with abilities.” Based on the book of the same name by Joe Hill, NOS4A2 follows Vic McQueen, who discovers an old bridge that will take her and her motorcycle anywhere in the world to find lost things. We are also introduced to the villain, Charlie Manx, who kidnaps young lonely children, promising to drive them off to Christmasland, but visions of sugarplums have been replaced with nightmares of darkness, as he attempts to essentially drain the life force of the children to maintain his own youthful appearance. While it appears that he is a vampire, there is definitely some mystery surrounding him and we have a lot left to discover.

NOS4A2 is available to watch on AMC and season one features 10 episodes. The pilot premiered on June 2nd 2019. The show stars Ashleigh Cummings, Zachary Quinto, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Virginia Kull, and Jahkara Smith. We are immediately introduced to the villain, Charlie Manx, who appears to be a creepy old man waiting in a car, but we quickly learn that he is extremely dangerous and is in the business of stealing children, luring them with promises of candy canes and Christmas forever.

The Pros:

The acting is convincing and the characters draw you in.

I’m already a huge fan of Zachary Quinto’s work and he does not disappoint in this series, fully embracing the role of the villain. Even with all the makeup, Quinto makes this creepy old man seem beyond twisted. I was also pleasantly surprised and entertained by Ashleigh Cummings, who plays our main protagonist, Vic. The performances are real and compelling and both of these characters appear to have a lot of layers for us to peel back and discover. In addition, I was intrigued by the character of Maggie, played by Jahkara Smith, who appears to be some kind of psychic librarian, using scrabble pieces to discover clues. Sounds like a pretty cool ability to me.

The first ten minutes and the last ten minutes give us a glimmer of potential.

I thought that the opening and closing of the season premiere was mysterious and creepy. I wanted this vibe to continue for the rest of the premiere, but I’m hoping that this glimmer of hope can somehow translate into the remaining episodes, as this show has the potential to be something truly dark and unique.

The Cons:

Too much backstory all at once.

While I have not yet read Joe Hill’s novel, the show gave us way too much backstory for a season premiere, which made the pilot seem heavy and boring. I understand the need to introduce us to these characters, but perhaps Vic’s backstory could have been sprinkled over all of the episodes instead, while introducing us to her interesting abilities. Also, we barely get to see the villain in the episode and I feel like the time could have been divided up a little bit better to fully capture our attention.

Slow paced premiere.

In addition to the excessive backstory, there was just a really slow paced feel after the opening minutes of the premiere, which initially drew me in. There are a lot of elements to be discovered here, but I just felt like there was way too much fluff for the majority of the episode and I found myself tuning out quite a bit, which is not a great sign for a season premiere.

So am I in or out?

As of right now, I am on my way out, but I give all shows three episodes to change my mind. There are some redeeming qualities here and the world of Joe Hill seems intriguing, introducing us to some Stephen King like elements that could be genuinely terrifying and different. However, the pace of the show needs to pick up and we need to scratch the excessive backstory and focus on the journey ahead across the mysterious bridge. I’m ready to lose myself, but I need much more in order to do so. Fingers crossed that the next episodes can capture my full attention!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on NOS4A2 in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

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5 Reasons why you should watch “Castle Rock” on Hulu: “It wasn’t me…it was this place.”

“It wasn’t me…it was this place.” If you are a devoted television fan like me, then I’m sure you have heard of the Hulu show Castle Rock, which premiered earlier this summer on July 25, 2018. While the episodes aired each week, all episodes have now officially been added for season one so this is the perfect time to binge-watch the entire season.

The season features 10 episodes and it has been confirmed that the series has already been renewed for season 2. To give you some background, the series can best be categorized as a psychological horror show with just the right amount of mystery mixed in. The series is based on the settings and characters from Stephen King and the executive producer of the show is J.J.Abrams.

The show focuses primarily on the small fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine, emerging us into a dark world filled with unexplained deaths, paranormal occurrences, and the elaborate intertwining of characters. From the moment you watch the first few minutes of episode 1, you are completely hooked and drawn in to the masterful storytelling, which will have you on the edge of your seat at all times.

While there is quite a bit of set up, the episodes are fast paced and move the plot along seamlessly. The acting and writing is so real and moving that you will find yourself contemplating the moments you see portrayed even after you are done watching. This is a must watch show and I have quickly become a big fan. Please note some spoilers are ahead, but major ones have been left out for your convenience. My top 5 reasons to check out Castle Rock season 1 are:

Stephen King & J.J. Abrams.

Stephen King is a master at creating a story that is so real and haunting that you find yourself walking along the same path as the characters you are reading about. King is wonderful at creating vivid images that you can visualize across the page, proving that words can be just as compelling as anything we see on the big or small screen.

Sold already? So am I. However, let’s combine that with executive producer, J.J. Abrams, who brought us my favorite show in the world, Lost. The world we see on television is so convincing and intricate, which really does King’s stories justice, giving us the chance to get to see these characters and setting come to life right before our eyes.

Episode 9: “Henry Deaver.”

While every episode stands out in its own way, episode 9 did the unthinkable. It completely blew my mind and immersed me into something so mysterious and compelling. While I had questions the entire time I watched this episode, I refused to pause it for even a moment. It’s that good. I don’t want to give anything away because I want you to truly enjoy the experience for yourself, but episode 9 basically takes everything you think you know about Castle Rock and throws it out the window.

You are basically left in a whirlwind of confusion that will have you glued to the television screen, unblinking. While it may seem that I am going overboard, this episode truly captured what it means to give the audience answers without every really answering anything concretely. Sure it sounds confusing, but there is something so magnetic about this episode in particular that it will have you completely mesmerized.

The twist and mystery is not completely obvious.

Even though I love a good twist or mystery, I always find myself trying to figure it out the entire time. Whether it is from a book, movie, or television series, I really enjoy playing Nancy Drew. In Castle Rock, we are presented with several mysteries and you can’t help trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. However, I never saw the twist in this show coming.

While I came close with some theories, the show does an excellent job of keeping you in the dark for just the right amount of time, while sending clues your way to keep your interest. If you are able to figure out what’s going on, I absolutely commend you because I was shocked and that much more intrigued once it was revealed. Even with the twist revealed, there are still so many questions left unanswered. I’m assuming we will get to this in season 2 so that is even more of a reason why I appreciated it so much.

The cast.

The acting on this show is so incredible. The regular cast stands out on its own with amazing performances from André Holland, Melanie Lynskey, Bill Skarsgård, Jane Levy, and Sissy Spacek. While I expected the main cast to be great, I didn’t expect for every single guest star to be unbelievably amazing as well. In particular, the performances by Terry O’Quinn, Scott Glenn, Noel Fisher, Chosen Jacobs, and Lauren Bowles were outstanding.

Every performance is so real and believable that you really think these people are the very characters they are portraying. You find yourself sympathizing with them and wanting to know everything about them. Even characters that show up later in the series still spark an interest, as you find yourself trying to figure out how they come into play. The intertwining of characters is absolutely spell-binding, bringing Stephen King’s creations to life with new vigor.

Episode 7: “The Queen.”

While I would normally focus on a season finale for my top reason to watch a show, episode 7 is something so incredibly powerful and it deserves every amount of praise possible. This episode would not have been so amazing without the talented Sissy Spacek, who gave us a performance that was so incredibly heartbreaking that you could almost feel your own heart beat out of its chest just from watching.

During the series, we learn that Sissy Spacek’s character, Ruth, suffers from dementia. The earlier episodes allowed us to see her from the perspectives of other characters, but in episode 7, everything we see is completely from Ruth’s perspective. Timelines shift around and we see Ruth combining the past and present, but the episode is executed so well that you don’t lose track of what is happening. The ending moments of this episode are so heart wrenching.

This episode in particular was probably one of the most incredible episodes I have ever seen on television. I’m ranking it up there with “The Constant” from Lost, “Salud” from Breaking Bad, and “Becoming Part II” from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If you have seen any of these episodes, then you know that I am not giving out this title lightly. “The Queen” is out of this world and it elevated Castle Rock to an entirely new level. Ready to watch? Stay tuned!

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

Stay up to date on upcoming premieres of horror TV series @ 12nightsofhorror.com/horror-series-coming-soon

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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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.

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