Spoiler-Free Review of “The Burbs” on Peacock: Keke Palmer Shines in this Quirky Mystery Reboot

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

“These people are CRAZY…”

The Burbs premiered on Peacock on February 8th 2026 with all eight episodes available to stream now. The mystery comedy series (based on the 1989 film, The Burbs) stars Keke Palmer, Jack Whitehall, Kapil Talwalkar, and Julia Duffy. Each episode runs for approximately 40 to 42 minutes.

Newlyweds, Rob and Samira relocate to his childhood home in the suburbs with their baby, but Samira begins to suspect that her new neighbor across the street may be hiding deadly secrets connected to her husband’s past.

Here is the trailer:

The Burbs has a solid cast and some fun moments sprinkled in, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Peacock

Keke Palmer steals the show!

She is the BEST part of the series by far and the main reason I tuned into this one. I thought she was absolutely fantastic and I loved her character. Some of the other neighbors were fun as well, but without her, a lot of things probably wouldn’t have landed.

Images courtesy of Peacock

Solid second half.

In a lot of ways, this show reminded me of a mash-up of Desperate Housewives and Only Murders in the Building with a few Easter eggs and cameos thrown into the mix for fans of the original film starring Tom Hanks.

It took a while to find its way, but I thought the second half of the series was a lot of fun and a few of the twists caught me by surprise.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Peacock

Longer than it needed to be.

There were definitely some pacing issues with this one. I thought the first half of the series was very slow and I almost tuned out a few times. Keke Palmer kept me invested, but there was a lot of fluff and extra stuff that slowed down everything surrounding the main mystery.

A lot of the humor didn’t land for me either, but I think this improved in the second half of the series. The first half just felt very unsure of itself, but we eventually got there.

We’re left with a cliffhanger at the end of season 1 so I will be annoyed if this doesn’t get picked up for a second season, but we’ll have to wait and see.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Peacock

I’m in about 75 percent…

The Burbs takes a while to get going, but there is a solid mystery at its core worth digging into.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Burbs 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 “Pretty Little Liars: Summer School” on Max: Our Final Girls are Back and Better than Ever!

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

“A is out there…”

Pretty Little Liars: Summer School is the second season of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. Season two premiered on May 9th 2024 with the first two episodes on Max. The remaining six episodes will release weekly. The teen mystery drama series (based on Pretty Little Liars) stars Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Maia Reficco, Malia Pyles, and Faran Bryant. Each episode runs for approximately 50-52 minutes.

After surviving a brutal killing spree, the girls are forced to attend summer school together while now being targeted by a killer named “Bloody Rose Waters.”

Here is the trailer:

Pretty Little Liars: Summer School stays true to its slasher spin, introducing us to some new characters and some fantastic music to indulge in. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Max

Love these Final Girls!

I didn’t know if this series really needed a second season since it pretty much wrapped up everything at the end of season one, but I’m so happy that each character is getting more screen time this time around. Original Sin centered primarily on Imogen and Tabby so it’s nice to see the other characters getting a chance to shine.

I also really like the way the series is exploring the aftermath of the events from Original Sin and how it is impacting the girls and their relationships with others. In a lot of ways, it reminds me of The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix.

We are learning more about each of the characters and getting a chance to see them grow. We’ve also got a few new potential love interests as well, which will keeps things fresh.

Images courtesy of Max

Hooked already.

I’ve been watching PLL since the original series and have seen every spin-off. I’m happy to report that I am just as hooked with this new season. It may not have been needed, but so far I’m digging the “hot girl summer” with a new masked killer on the loose. I hope we get some more epic chase scenes because they were really great last season.

I can’t wait to see how this all unfolds!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Max

The sub-plots are a little boring so far…

I’m hoping this improves. PLL is known for having a balance of a solid killer mystery and juicy drama, but so far I’ve been a little bored during the fluff moments. I do like a few of the new characters and I’m sensing a spark between certain characters, but some of the transitions feel a little forced.

Episode two was a lot stronger than episode one so I’m remaining confident that we’ll get back on track with the mystery and I’d love to see some kills with a touch more gore sprinkled in to hold my attention.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Max

I’m in!

Pretty Little Liars: Summer School is just as addicting as season one, presenting us with a new mystery with lots of potential and some slasher fun for good measure.

It’s safe to say that I will be tuning in each week for this one!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Pretty Little Liars: Summer School 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!

**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 “Yellowjackets” Season 2 Premiere on Showtime: Trippy Goodness

*This is a spoiler-free review for season 2 so feel free to read on!*

“Nobody can help you…”

Yellowjackets season 2 premiered on March 24th 2023 on Showtime. This season will feature eight weekly episodes. It stars Juliette Lewis, Christina Ricci, Melanie Lynskey, Tawny Cypress, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Sammi Hanratty. Each episode runs for approximately 53-55 minutes.

After surviving a plane crash in the middle of the wilderness, a high school girls soccer team attempts to keep going with no hope of rescue. Years later, they try to cope with the horrific events that took place after the crash as new characters emerge from their past.

Here is the trailer:

Yellowjackets instantly became one of my favorite shows, providing us with two compelling timelines and characters to root for in the midst of some trippy madness that somehow just works. Does season 2 deserve a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Showtime

Dives back into darkness without holding back…

Season 2 jumps right back into things and quickly submerges us into some disturbing dark content. It’s clearly not afraid to unleash something twisted and outrageous, making the season 2 premiere such a compelling watch. I dropped my jaw at several moments and this is only the beginning!

Images courtesy of Showtime

Introduces new faces.

We already have our fair share of characters, but one of the most interesting characters of season 1 makes her first appearance in the present day timeline, which should shake things up for some of our other survivors.

We also get another timeline thrown into the mix and I hope we get to explore it more without overdoing things.

Either way, I’m intrigued!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Showtime

A lot to keep track of…

I highly recommend that you watch the recap at the beginning of the episode to stay up to speed. But you still need to pay attention to a lot of different characters and timelines, which can be slightly overwhelming.

Similar to LOST, this series is branching off into several unique stories and I just hope that each character gets enough screen time because they all deserve it!

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Showtime

I’m in 100 percent!

Season 2 starts off with a bang and is not holding back!

I can’t wait to see what happens next and it’s safe to say that Yellowjackets is still just as fantastic as ever!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Yellowjackets 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…

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

Scream Hunt 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 “You” Season 4: Part 1 on Netflix: A New Setting does wonders for Joe

*This is a spoiler-free review for season 4 (part 1) so feel free to read on!*

“It’s you…or nothing…”

You season 4 (part one) released on February 9th 2023 on Netflix with the first five episodes available to stream now. The remaining five episodes in part two will be available to stream on March 9th 2023. The thriller-drama series stars Penn Badgley, Tati Gabrielle, Charlotte Ritchie, Tilly Keeper, and Lukas Gage. Each episode runs for approximately 45-50 minutes.

Joe Goldberg attempts to make a fresh start as Jonathan Moore in London, but he winds up caught in the middle of a dangerous whodunnit mystery.

Here is the trailer:

You (season 4, part 1) is off to an entertaining start, luring us into Joe’s twisted world once again with a few new twists to liven things up. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

You season 4 part 1 no spoilers 1

Images courtesy of Netflix

Sometimes change is good!

After the explosive season three ending, Joe left the US to start over, but can he really leave his past behind? Well, probably not and it will most likely continue to haunt him, but he’s got a new gig working as a professor in London and a new identity. There are still some ghosts lingering from his past; however, and we’ll have to see what else emerges once part two releases, but I absolutely love some of the changes to the show already.

The setting works for the most part and we have a brand new bunch of characters that all have a secret or two. Joe is transforming more into an “anti-hero” this time around, playing the role of the amateur detective. I have to say that Joe’s voice-over narration has been so incredibly funny and entertaining. I used to find him a little whiny when he obsessed over someone, but change looks good on him so far and I was actually laughing out loud quite a few times.

I also absolutely LOVE that the writers decided to turn the tables on him in season four. It’s genius! It’s really allowing Joe to shine and it’s preventing things from feeling too repetitive.

Fantastic pacing!

I got through all five episodes in one day and it was a binge-watcher’s dream! I thought each episode did just enough at the end to lure us in for more. This was always such an entertaining show, but I’m loving all of the tweaks and improvements in this department. I never felt like I had to sit through too much fluff, which was great.

The Cons:

You season 4 part 1 no spoilers 2

Images courtesy of Netflix

We have to wait for the rest of the episodes!

I really don’t have many cons at all. I’m not a fan of some of the new characters, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed my watch and I can’t wait for the rest of the episodes to drop. This season is checking off all the boxes and then some!

So am I in or out?

You season 4 part 1 no spoilers 3

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!

You (season 4 part 1) is addictive in all the right ways with some clever new improvements.

I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on You (season 4, part 1) 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…

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

Scream Hunt 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 “1899” on Netflix: Eerie and Bizarre

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

“The brain is deeper than the sea…”

1899 premiered on Netflix on November 17th 2022 with all eight episodes available to stream now.  The German horror-mystery series (from the creators of Dark) stars Emily Beecham, Andreas Pietschmann, Aneurin Barnard, and Mathilde Ollivier. Each episode is approximately 50-58 minutes.

Passengers on a ship heading to New York get caught up in a mystery after finding an abandoned ship in the middle of the open sea.

Here is the trailer:

1899 is chilling and intriguing with a compelling mystery at its core, but does it jam-pack in too much? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

1899 no spoilers 1

Images courtesy of Netflix

Does enough at the end of each episode to keep you coming back for more…

At the end of each episode, there was another piece of the puzzle unlocked. Of course it created more questions, but I think the series did a good enough job hooking its audience with a unique mystery.

In a lot of ways, this series reminded me of a mashup of Ghost Ship, LOST, and The Terror. Unlocking the mystery was the best part of the series for me even though I had mixed thoughts on the ending.

Decent main character.

I had a little bit of trouble connecting to a lot of the characters, even though this series adapted a LOST style with character-centric episodes and flashbacks. However, the character of Maura had the most layers and kept me invested. I think she was a strong lead with a sympathetic story.

The Cons:

1899 no spoilers 2

Images courtesy of Netflix

This series dragged…

The pacing did not do this show any favors. The episodes were on the long side and the pacing felt so slow. I drifted off a few times because of this.

The series was able to bounce back at the end of each episode, but wow was this slow at times.

I also think there was way too much overstuffed into this show. The main mystery was interesting, but there were so many other parts and a lot of characters to focus on. This is not one of those shows you can tune in and out of. I felt like I needed to take notes the entire time to keep up and even then, I still had a lot of questions and was not thoroughly excited by the ending reveal…

So am I in or out?

1899 no spoilers 3

I’m 50/50 on this one…

This series had an interesting hook and a solid mystery, but the pacing really worked against it and I wasn’t a fan of the ending.

I have a feeling that some people will absolutely love this show because it is unique and I can see why, but it was a bit of an exhausting watch overall for me personally.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on 1899 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 rulethey 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!

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Watcher” on Netflix: A Neighborhood full of Secrets

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

“Welcome…you know I will be watching…”

The Watcher premiered on Netflix on October 13th 2022 with seven episodes available to steam now. Created by Ryan Murphy and based on a true story, the series stars Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale, Jennifer Coolidge, Isabel Gravitt, and Mia Farrow. Each episode runs for approximately 44-47 minutes.

After a family moves into their dream home, they begin to receive threatening letters.

Here is the trailer:

The Watcher has an eerie premise with a terrific cast, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Strong opening episodes…

The premise for this series was really creepy and when I know that things are based on a true story, it makes it even more terrifying. I thought the opening episodes of this series were really good and they hooked me completely. I had to know more and I immediately began to make a list of suspects. Seriously, all of those neighbors were completely crazy!

Images courtesy of Netflix

Great cast!

This was a really interesting cast. It felt very much like a season of American Horror Story in a lot of ways, bringing plenty of well-known faces into the fold. I thought Naomi Watts did a great job and it’s always fun seeing Jennifer Coolidge on screen.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Loses steam as the episodes continue…

This was really frustrating because I was completely hooked in the beginning of this series. In typical Ryan Murphy fashion, the series then goes off on several tangents and subplots that really dragged out the rest of the series. By the time I got to the reveals, I had lost a lot of interest. I really wasn’t a fan of the ending either.

I’m also not sure that there was enough content here for a seven episode series. This might have been better suited as a film. There was a film that came out in 2016 (which I haven’t watched yet), but I think that was the right approach.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in about 75 percent…

An intriguing and addicting premise with a stellar cast.

There’s enough here to enjoy, but this series started a lot stronger than it finished.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Watcher 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 “Halloween Ends” on Peacock: Laurie vs. Michael…place your bets!

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

“You started this…”

Halloween Ends released in theaters and on Peacock on October 14th 2022. The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak, Kyle Richards, and Rohan Campbell. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty minutes.

Years after Michael Myers terrorized the residents of Haddonfield, a new evil emerges in town, giving Laurie a terrorizing sense of nostalgia.

Here is the trailer:

Halloween Ends should mark the end of the latest trilogy, but does it do enough to leave fans satisfied? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Peacock

Solid beginning and ending.

I thought the beginning of this film was so unexpected and brutally fantastic. It really set the tone for the rest of the film. The ending was also really well done. The showdown we’ve been waiting for did not disappoint. There was also enough nostalgia weaved in without overdoing it. I wanted it to go on a little bit longer, but I thought it was satisfying enough for fans.

Images courtesy of Peacock

The gory kills don’t disappoint…

I was slightly worried that we wouldn’t get that many gory kills in this film since it took a different path, but the later attacks in the film were bloody and terrifying. I had a few favorites in particular, but it’s safe to say that I won’t be leaving my door unlocked…ever!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Peacock

Didn’t really feel like the ending of a trilogy…

I actually liked the different story and subplot going on. Rohan Campbell was really good in this. My only issue with it was that it didn’t feel like it was the perfect fit for this trilogy. I enjoyed this film, but it felt like a standalone movie, rather than a killer ending. Don’t get me wrong, we eventually got there and things came full circle, but things just felt odd and bizarre for the majority of the movie.

I also thought that Allyson made some decisions that seemed really out of character for her. I really liked her in the other films, but it’s like she threw all of her common sense out the window…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Peacock

I’m in about 75 percent…

Halloween fans will find plenty to enjoy in the ending to this trilogy, but I had a lot of mixed thoughts on its approach and the subplots, which may have been better suited to a film separate from this trilogy…

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

HAVE A KILLER HALLOWEEN…

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!

**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 “The Midnight Club” on Netflix: Mature version of “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” has Heart

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

“The next chapter…like it’s already been written…”

The Midnight Club released on Netflix on October 7th 2022 featuring ten episodes available to stream now. Created by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass), the horror mystery-thriller series stars Iman Benson, Annarah Cymone, Igby Rigney, Heather Langenkamp, Zach Gilford, and Samantha Sloyan. Each episode runs for approximately 53-56 minutes.

A group of terminally ill teens meet each night at midnight to share scary stories with one another at Brightcliffe Hospice, which may have its own supernatural mystery embedded in its walls.

Here is the trailer:

The Midnight Club follows a younger generation of characters, as they deal with unspeakable grief and horrors, unleashing a captivating mystery along the way. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Seamlessly transitions between the main plot and the vignettes. 

I was worried that I would feel disconnected between the main plot and the stories each character told, but there was a really nice balance here. While I enjoyed some stories better than others, I liked that they connected to each of the characters, revealing more layers in an effective way.

This was a different approach for Flanagan, but I think the style paid off. The audience became more invested in each character because of the stories, rather than just focusing on past flashbacks or key moments.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Characters to care about.

I thought the younger cast did a really phenomenal job with what they were tasked with. There was a lot of heavy and emotional content and yet they still managed to bring so much heart and soul to their characters, taking us on a roller-coaster ride of feelings.

There were also plenty of familiar faces from Flanagan’s other series to be excited about and I thought that A Nightmare on Elm Street’s Heather Langenkamp was absolutely wonderful in this!

Twist ending!

I did not see that one coming and although I have more questions now, I really liked the way this series ended. More please!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Difficult to binge-watch…

The mystery was addicting enough, but I couldn’t get through this series that quickly. The episodes were on the long side and there was just a lot of heavy and emotional content. I thoroughly enjoyed my watch, but I had to take a break at times because this series really tugged at my heart and then some.

I’m always impressed by how well Flanagan is able to bring out so many emotions while sprinkling in horror elements. This series was no exception, but I think you should pace yourself to get the most out of your watch. The scares weren’t as horrifying this time around either, but I think that’s OK since this had more of a YA feel.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!!!

Meaningful, emotional, and an intriguing watch filled with extraordinary characters and a solid mystery to lure you in with each episode.

While not my favorite Mike Flanagan series, this show still has a lot of things going for it and is well worth a watch!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Midnight Club 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…

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

Scream Hunt is available here!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Smile” in Theaters: Unsettling and Completely Terrifying!

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

“Before she died, she was smiling…”

Smile premiered in theaters on September 30th 2022. The supernatural psychological horror film stars Sosie Bacon, Kyle Gallner, Jessie T. Usher, Gillian Zinser, and Kal Penn. It runs for an hour and fifty-five minutes.

After witnessing a disturbing and traumatic event featuring one of her patients, Dr. Rose Cotter starts to think that she may be hallucinating when she sees and hears things she cannot explain, which threatens her own sanity.

Here is the trailer:

Smile delivers with atmospheric horror that will leave you completely petrified, channeling films like It Follows. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Creepy AF!

This movie freaked me out in the best way possible. Those smiles were completely chilling and even the jump scares were well done. There was this disturbing vibe that slithered through the entire film. It never really faded away, making this a startling, but enjoyable watch.

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Believable lead.

I thought that Sosie Bacon did a really good job with this. Her character was believable and she really went all in with her performance. I’m not sure that this film would have worked so well if she didn’t seem so utterly frightened and deranged all the time. She really committed to this role, making everything else flow together seamlessly, connecting to her character’s own past trauma in an effective way.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Predictable at times and a little too long…

I saw the ending of this movie coming a mile away. That being said, I still thought it was a satisfying one. I usually prefer my horror movies to run just over 90 minutes and this one lasted a little bit too long in my opinion.

Even though I thoroughly enjoyed my watch, I can’t say that this film did something that new and extraordinary because it really borrowed a lot from It Follows. That being said, I still think there’s enough to enjoy with this one, especially if you’re a horror fan.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

I’m in!!!

Smile stirs up a feeling of dread and terror that latches on to the audience with full force. It’s a worthy entry to the horror genre with plenty of terror drenched moments to make you second guess that smile from across the way for quite some time…

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Smile 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 “Vampire Academy” on Peacock: A Better Adaptation This Time Around

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

“The spark of revolution can come from anywhere…”

Vampire Academy released on Peacock on September 15th 2022. The YA vampire series (based on the novels of the same name) will have ten episodes in total. Four of them are available to stream now. It stars Daniela Nieves, Sisi Stringer, Kieron Moore, and J. August Richards.

The series follows the friendship between Rose and Lissa, who live in an elite vampire society where guardians and royals aren’t supposed to be so close with new threats emerging.

Here is the trailer:

Vampire Academy takes another stab at adapting this popular series onto the screen with the team behind The Vampire Diaries, but is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Peacock

Gets things right this time around…

I’ve read the series and while I enjoyed the film, I wanted a lot more from it. I think fans of the book series will be pleased with this version, which already feels like a much more satisfying adaptation.

There is believable chemistry and a solid friendship between Rose and Lissa, making the audience immediately want to root for them.

Plus, J. August Richards from Angel is in this series so that’s an automatic bonus!

Nails the moody/romantic TVD vibe…

This should really come as no surprise since the series is brought to us from the same team, but I felt vibes from the earlier seasons of TVD and The Originals in a positive way. If that’s your jam, you’ll find plenty to appreciate here in this stylistic series.

The Cons:

Vampire Academy Spoiler Free 2

Images courtesy of Peacock

Needs more edge…

I know this is a YA series, but I just want the fight scenes to feel believable and intense. A lot of the content feels very superficial and I think if it digs deeper, it can tap into something darker and gritty, which would be really entertaining to watch unfold on screen.

The performances so far are all pretty mediocre, but I see some potential in a few characters. I think I’m just exhausted from all of the YA/supernatural/fantasy series and I want something a little more here, but there’s still plenty to enjoy if that is your genre.

So am I in or out?

Vampire Academy Spoiler Free 3

Images courtesy of Peacock

I’m in about 75 percent…

There’s enough to enjoy with this series if you’re a fan of the book series or shows like TVD and The Originals. I just hope we tap into something a little bit darker as the episodes continue.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Vampire Academy 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 rulethey 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!

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