Tag: wilderness

Spoiler-Free Review of “Dark Nature” on Demand: Descent-Like Survival Horror Flick has its moments!

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

“He can’t hurt you out here…”

Dark Nature released in limited theaters and on demand on May 19th 2023. The Canadian survival horror film stars Hannah Emily Anderson, Madison Walsh, Roseanne Supernault, and Kyra Harper. It runs for an hour and twenty-five minutes.

After surviving an abusive relationship, Joy agrees to join her friend Carmen on a therapy trip in the wilderness where she is tasked with facing her past, but she begins to fear that something sinister may be stalking them in the woods.

Here is the trailer:

Dark Nature is bloody and brutal, featuring a strong female cast. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Dread

Gory and terrifying!

I honestly wasn’t expecting this at all. I thought this was going to be your average survival horror film out in the wilderness and it ended up being so bloody and frightening in the best possible way. The film definitely channeled The Descent and had a lot of similarities. 

I was on the edge of my seat during the second half and I could not stop watching. It was creepy, unsettling, and nightmare-inspiring for sure!

Images courtesy of Dread

Strong females to root for.

Hannah Emily Anderson (The Purge series) did an exceptional job in this and I’d love to see her in more horror films in the future. I love films centered around a group of females and I thought they really put forth a solid effort in this one.

I wanted a few more layers for some of the supporting characters, but I really enjoyed their performances.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Dread

Some unanswered questions…

By the time I got to the end of the film, I was satisfied, but I also had several unanswered questions that I wanted explored. The characters needed a few more layers and the pacing was on the slower end for the first half of the film.

Also, I personally could have done without a particular moment from the opening scene and it was emotionally triggering…so be warned.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Dread

I’m in!!!

Dark Nature may start off like your average survival horror film, but it branches out into something truly terrifying and twisted!

I really enjoyed this one!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Dark Nature 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 “Distress Signals” on Demand: Slow Burn Survival Thriller

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

“Can somebody come get me?”

Distress Signals released on Digital and Demand on May 12th 2023. The survival thriller film stars Christine Nyland and Terence Krey. They also wrote and directed the movie. It runs for an hour and twenty minutes.

After taking a nasty fall that separates her from her friends, Caroline must figure out a way to survive and escape the woods.

Here is the trailer:

Distress Signals follows a simple formula that is actually really compelling with an eerie final act that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Unquiet Films

Christine Nyland is captivating on screen.

I was extremely impressed to find out that she was also part of the writing and directing team for this film. It’s difficult to carry films that predominantly center around one character with minimal dialogue and yet she did a good job and held my interest.

I was literally cheering for her during certain moments and even though I wanted to know a little bit more about her character, she commanded the screen in an effective way.

I also enjoyed the subtle soundtrack and I thought this film was shot really well.

A final act I did not see coming!

For the most part, this film follows your standard formula for a survival thriller. In a lot of ways, it was a decent enough mix of Alone (2020) and the series, Keep Breathing (starring Melissa Barrera). Caroline has to handle overcoming an injury, finding her way out of the woods, dealing with potential predators, and finding food and water, which I’ve seen a lot in similar movies.

But things don’t stop there and they take a major shift in the last thirty minutes or so, where we get some shocking moments I did not see coming. I really enjoyed the last act and I wanted more of it! 

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Unquiet Films

Slower pacing…

If you’re looking for a jam-packed thriller filled with lots of action, you won’t get that here. This is a different kind of a thriller. I still enjoyed it, but I wanted more grit and edge at times. I also wish that the last act had been fleshed out a little bit more because it was the best part of the movie.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Unquiet Films

I’m in about 75 percent…

Distress Signals may seem like your average thriller at first glance, but its slow burn approach does pay off in the end. If you enjoy survival/wilderness thrillers, there is enough here for you to appreciate.

I wanted a touch more to make it stand out from similar films, but I enjoyed my watch overall.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Distress Signals 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 “Lou” on Netflix: “Taken” style Thriller has some Intense Moments

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

“Turns out I’m not done yet…”

Lou premiered on Netflix on September 23rd 2022. Produced by J.J. Abrams, the action thriller film stars Allison Janney, Jurnee Smollett, and Logan Marshall-Green.  It runs for an hour and forty-seven minutes.

When a young girl is kidnapped during a storm, her mother teams up with her neighbor to track her down, who has a few secrets of her own.

Here is the trailer:

Lou has plenty of intense moments built in with a believable performance from Allison Janney, but does it do enough to earn a a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

The simple moments are perfection!

This film definitely had a gender-swapping Taken feel with some sprinkles of Alone with its setting in the wilderness. The first half of this movie was so good! I was on the edge of my seat and that early fight scene was fantastic! The formula may have been used before, but it worked and was exactly what I was looking for.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Top-notch performances!

Allison Janney was seriously bad-ass in this movie! I’d now love to see a team-up with her and Liam Neeson because she might be able to give him a run for his money! Logan Marshall-Green is always fun to see as well and I thought all of the performances were well done.

The dog, Jax, was a scene stealer!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Over-complicates things with its reveal…

I didn’t hate the reveal, but I thought it took away from the gritty and simple formula that was working so well in this film. There was so much intensity early on and some of that faded away once things were out in the open. The pieces of the puzzle made sense and I was fine with the ending, but I guess I just wanted this film to embrace its early vibe and just go with it.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!!!

If you enjoy action thrillers, there’s plenty to like in this film. Allison Janney is incredible and there are enough suspenseful moments to keep you invested from start to finish.

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