Spoiler-Free Review of “Red Rose” on Netflix: YA Horror Series Delivers with Chilling Moments and a Chase Scene to Die For!

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

“Welcome to the new you…”

Red Rose originally aired on BBC Three back in August 2022, but has now released in the US on Netflix as of February 15th 2023. The series features eight episodes in total that are all currently available to stream. The British YA horror series stars Amelia Clarkson, Isis Hainsworth, Ashna Rabheru, Harry Redding, and Ellis Howard. Each episode runs for approximately 42-48 minutes.

A dangerous app threatens a group of friends and targets them one by one, as they try to uncover the mystery surrounding it before it’s too late.

Here is the trailer:

Red Rose channels films like The Ring and Unfriended in an effective way, creating a consuming mystery while presenting us with some solid YA horror content. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Not afraid to take big risks…

At first, I thought I was watching your average YA horror series, but I was pleasantly surprised by the time I got to the end of episode two. This series was not afraid to kill off main characters. It presented us with some truly twisted reveals that I absolutely loved and it did a good job of providing us with some genuinely disturbing content. 

After all, this is a horror series…

While I wouldn’t necessarily say that anything was really that terrifying, it made the YA horror genre proud and created an addicting mystery that will keep you coming back for more. 

That chase scene though…

Truly exceptional!!!!

Images courtesy of Netflix

Fun group of Scoobies to root for!

It took me a few episodes to warm up to them, but I really liked this group of friends and it was very easy to cheer for them. There were enough layers presented for each of the main characters and some heartwarming connections as well.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

A plot I’ve seen before…

This series was far from original, but it was definitely aware of that and it even made a joke later on talking about The Ring, so I can’t fault it too much here. That being said, I’ve seen plenty of films involving killer apps/technology, but I think the series did a good job trying to branch things out past this theme.

The music soundtrack was really odd for me. I personally LOVED it because those are my jams, but it seemed ill-fitting for a show set during the current time. There were also some moments that dragged a little. I wanted things to happen and loved when they did, but maybe we only really needed six episodes here…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!!!

A solid entry to the YA horror genre with a disturbing mystery at its core.

This series wasn’t perfect, but I really enjoyed it and found it very easy to binge-watch. If you’re looking for a new horror/mystery to indulge in, you’ve found it!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Red Rose 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 “My Best Friend’s Exorcism” on Prime Video: YA Friendly “Jennifer’s Body” has some Potential

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

“We’ll always be friends…”

My Best Friend’s Exorcism released on Prime Video on September 30th 2022. Based on the novel of the same name, the teen horror comedy stars Elsie Fisher, Amiah Miller, Chris Lowell, and Rachel Ogechi Kanu.

Set in the 1980’s, the friendship between Abby and Gretchen is tested when one of them gets possessed by a demon.

Here is the trailer:

My Best Friend’s Exorcism has a cute premise with a killer soundtrack, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Fun idea with a great soundtrack!

This film was pretty much a mashup of Jennifer’s Body and Saved! If you enjoy those films, you’ll find some decent content here, but the scares are really watered down. I am a big fan of the author, Grady Hendrix, and I had high hopes for this one. It did have plenty of entertaining moments to enjoy even though the plot went off course as the film continued…

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Believable performances and a friendship to root for.

The friendship between Abby and Gretchen kept me around until the end. I thought both actresses did a really great job and Chris Lowell was a scene-stealer! Some of the issues seemed heavily based in tropes and you’ll get your typical high school drama in this one, but the friendship made it feel more authentic at times.

The Cons:

My Best Friend's Exorcism no spoilers 3

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Watered down scares…

I wouldn’t have minded the watered down scares so much since this was more of a YA film, but there were a few scenes that had the potential to be really incredible if they had gone a little bit darker with them. Don’t expect to see too much horror in this one, although there are some glimmers here and there.

The plot also went off the rails, which was disappointing, especially since it started off really strong and with a lot of potential. I think it still found its way in the end, but I’m not sure it really honored the novel as well as I wanted it to.

So am I in or out?

My Best Friend's Excorcism no spoilers 4

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m in about 75 percent…

A fun idea with a believable friendship, but it needed a little more edge at times. Overall, this was a decent watch, but I just wanted a lot more.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on My Best Friend’s Exorcism 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!