Tag: Strange Darling

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:

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

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!

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

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:

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

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?

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

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…

Blood Rose Island Ad

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!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Smile 2” in Theaters: A Superior Sequel!

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

“Do you believe in like weird stuff?”

Smile 2 premiered in theaters on October 18th 2024. The supernatural psychological horror film stars Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Dylan Gelula, Peter Jacobson, and Kyle Gallner. It runs for two hours and seven minutes.

A pop star named Skye Riley is trying to make her upcoming tour a success after battling substance abuse and surviving a car accident, but when she witnesses a horrifying event that she can’t explain, she begins to lose control of her life and sanity.

Here is the trailer:

Smile 2 is a chilling, terrifying, and unhinged trip that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Scream QUEEN, Naomi Scott!

Wow, she was absolutely fantastic in this! I didn’t think that anyone could top Willa Fitzgerald’s performance in Strange Darling, but Naomi Scott just gave the performance of her life and I loved EVERY SECOND OF IT! She was fierce, captivating, and willing to give this film her all. She just became one of my favorite scream queens of all time with that performance and I hope she appears in more horror films in the future.

Favorite performance of the year!

Seriously, I have chills.

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

So creepy and disturbing!

Similar to the vibe of the first film, the sequel had plenty of terrifying moments. It was fun seeing this in a packed theater. There were so many moments that had people jumping. This film descended into darkness a lot quicker than the original one, which was fantastic to experience. I loved the psychological elements and that ending was jaw-dropping in the best possible way!

OK and can we talk about that music?! I loved it!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

A few unanswered questions.

This wasn’t a major con and I actually think it will create an interesting discussion among fans, but I had a little trouble piecing together what was actually happening in this film at times (which I think was the point). I was along for the ride and willing to go with it, but I had a few questions by the time I got to the end that were never fully addressed.

Maybe we’ll get a part three?

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

I’m in 100 percent!!!

Smile 2 is a frightening and trippy experience that will leave your heart pounding. Naomi Scott just gave the best performance of the year and I truly hope she’s recognized for it!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Smile 2 in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Strange Darling” in Theaters: Love Hurts in this Captivating Cat-and-Mouse Thriller

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

“Are you a serial killer?”

Strange Darling released in theaters on August 23rd 2024. The American thriller film stars Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, and Barbara Hershey. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-six minutes.

A one night stand spirals out of control into a serial killer’s vicious murder spree.

Here is the trailer:


Strange Darling is a dangerously fun and inventive thrill ride featuring two worthy performances. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Magenta Light Studios

Willa Fitzgerald gives her best performance to date!

I’ve been a fan of hers since she starred on MTV’s Scream series, but this was something truly special. She went all out with her performance and it deserves to be talked about for a very long time. She was PERFECTION in this role.

I reserved my ticket for Kyle Gallner and he was nothing short of remarkable per usual. He’s been starring in a lot of unique horror gems lately and it was great to see him in this one. Keep them coming!

Images courtesy of Magenta Light Studios

The non-linear approach to revealing the story was refreshing and unique!

This was not your average thriller by any means. It had welcomed twists with edge that were revealed in such an effective way. You really had to pay attention during this one to fully appreciate it. The vignette style kept me invested, redefining expectations in horror and thriller films. I loved this approach and I think it really paid off, making this such a treat for viewers.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Magenta Light Studios

Predictable at times.

Don’t get me wrong…there were some wild twists in this one. You should go into the film without knowing much. I didn’t watch a single trailer for this and I was the better for it. That being said, I was able to predict the twist right away. It didn’t make it any less incredible, but you can piece together everything without that much effort.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Magenta Light Studios

I’m in!!!

Strange Darling is a mind-blowing cinematic experience for viewers, breaking away from the mold of standard serial killer thrillers with its visionary approach.

This film is truly something special!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

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 new island thriller!

Blood Rose Island is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!