THE OLD WOMAN WITH THE KNIFE is a South Korean Crime Thriller (org. title: Pagwa). It starts out being good, but ends as great. This is yet another example of brilliant filmmaking through a character-driven plot. Do not miss out on this one. Read our full The Old Woman with the Knife movie review here!

THE OLD WOMAN WITH THE KNIFE is a new thriller from South Korea (org. title: Pagwa). With its crime plot and thriller driver, this movie completely won me over with its ending. Sure, many South Korean movies have solid twists, but what I love about any twist in these movies is that it’s often been teased ahead of time. This one is no exception.

The runtime is two hours, and with a character-driven plot, you may be expecting a slow-burn movie. However, that really isn’t the case because this movie also has a lot of action scenes and features an assassin plot. Yeah, it’s a gorgeous genre-mix that I initially liked, but the ending was much better than I ever expected.

Continue reading our The Old Woman with the Knife movie review below. Find it on Digital from November 25, 2025.

Older but not over

The lead character is also the title character in The Old Lady with the Knife. She is an aging assassin known as Hornclaw (Hyeyeong Lee), but being an older lady has its perks. For one, nobody expects that she is an assassin. Over the years, Hornclaw has seen it all, and we also get several flashbacks to better understand her.

Now, in the twilight of her career, she is asked to mentor a reckless rookie, which she isn’t too crazy about. Not least because he doesn’t listen much and doesn’t want a mentor. His name is Bullfight (Kim Sung-cheol), and he is extremely skilled as well. In fact, Hornclaw’s employer sends Bullfight along on missions as her backup.

Something she does not like. At all.

However, as much as she doesn’t want help, she might need it. She is starting to show physical deterioration, so while she has her wits about her, it may be time to call it quits. Then again, there are still so many people who need to be eradicated. Hornclaw has always had a code – not unlike Dexter Morgan – so she needs her marks to be “human vermin”.

Young and brazen

Bullfight has been working on his own, and without any colleagues to worry about or bosses to listen to. To be honest, this is how Hornclaw has been acting for most of her career, so they do come across as similar in many ways.

Maybe this is why Bullfight and Hornclaw (and yes, these are codenames – after all, they are assassins) soon form an unlikely bond. Is it a heartfelt and deep connection, or more of a distrust that requires both to stay close? As in the “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer” adage?!

Well, yes. Both, really.

Regardless of their connection, cracks in the underworld are showing because its leaders aren’t strong enough to lead. Clearly, this is why both Hornclaw and Bullfight prefer to be on their own, even as they’re forced to work together. This escalates further as Hornclaw discovers someone wants her dead.

Now she can’t trust anyone, and she needs to stay sharper than ever to survive!

Watching Lee Hye-yeong (In Front of Your Face) as Hornclaw is brilliant. She may have gray hair, but she is fiercer than most people decades younger. Male as well as female. Seeing her work with and against Kim Sung-cheol (Hellbound) as Bullfight is a joy. They bring the best and worst out in each other, which makes this story all the better.

Watch The Old Woman with the Knife on Digital

The Old Woman with the Knife is directed by Min Kyu-dong (Memento Mori, The Prayer), who also wrote it alongside Kim Dong-wan. This movie is based on a book by Gu Byeong-mo, which I am not familiar with, so I can’t say if it follows it particularly closely.

Aside from Lee Hye-yeong (or Hyeyeong Lee) in the title role, we also have Yeon Woo-jin (The Killers, The Cursed), Kim Moo-yul (Ballerina, Sweet Home, Space Sweepers), and finally Shin Sia (The Witch: Part 2 – The Other One) as the younger version of Hornclaw.

As stated earlier, The Old Woman with the Knife was a movie that I felt started out as good. I was fine with that and figured this would be a solid 3 out of 5. Then came the third and final act, where everything comes together. Despite already anticipating the development, it was done so well that I could not help but end on a higher rating than initially expected.

Do not miss out on this South Korean genre treat!

THE OLD WOMAN WITH THE KNIFE is out On Digital from November 25, 2025. If you want a physical copy, then it will also be available on Blu-ray™ and DVD exclusively through Amazon®.

Details

Director: Kyu-dong Min
Writers: Gu Byeong-mo, Kim Dong-wan, Kyu-dong Min
Cast: Lee Hye-yeong, Kim Sung-cheol, Kim Mu-yeol, Shin Si-ah, Yeon Woo-jin

Plot

Aging hitwoman Hornclaw and young prodigy Bullfight work as assassins taking out society’s trash. They quickly bond as she mentors him in the ways of the blade, but, when Hornclaw becomes the next target for elimination, there’s no one left to trust.

STONE COLD FOX is a new action thriller set in 1986 and made completely in the vein of that era. I loved it for that. Kiernan Shipka plays the lead role with Krysten Ritter and Kiefer Sutherland in key supporting roles. Read our full Stone Cold Fox movie review here!

STONE COLD FOX is a gorgeous throwback action-thriller. This is exactly the kind of movie I grew up watching, but now the lead characters are women. Don’t worry, there are men in this movie as well. More than there were women in most 1980s action movies.

The cast is led by Kiernan Shipka, who seems to be having a blast with her character. Of course, the same goes for everyone else in this kitschy delight. Not least Krysten Ritter and Kiefer Sutherland, who play the classic bad guys, but in very different ways.

Continue reading our Stone Cold Fox movie review below. Find it in select theaters or on Digital now!

What a ride!

In this delicious ’80s revenge story, we meet the young rebel Fox (Kiernan Shipka) as she leaves home. Unfortunately, she ends up in a criminal and abusive living situation, which she also leaves behind… and takes something of value with her.

Fox is looking for her sister, and wants to start life anew with her. The one she abandoned, when she left their childhood home. However, the Queenpin (Krysten Ritter) is hunting her down due to what Fox took with her.

I should mention that the two were also in a relationship. Just not a very good one, but Fox was used to abuse from home, so she didn’t recognize this at first.

Also hunting Fox is a very crooked cop (Kiefer Sutherland), so now she is in dire need of new – and trustworthy – friends. Luckily, she comes across people who are huge fans of 1980s action movies and know what to do. The movies taught them “their code”.

A throwback with a modern twist

With Stone Cold Fox, we’re getting a movie that could just as easily have been made in the 1980s. And I mean that as a huge compliment. I felt completely at home in this 1980s action-thriller universe.

With the gloriously modern twist of allowing women to take center stage. Instead of “just” being a secretary or the wife, in Stone Cold Fox, women play all the major roles. Sure, Kiefer Sutherland also plays a key part, but not the biggest.

Joining Kiernan Shipka (Twisters), Kiefer Sutherland (24), and Krysten Ritter (Dexter: Resurrection) are Mishel Prada (Vida) and Karen Fukuhara (The Boys). among several other amazing supporting actors.

Watch Stone Cold Fox in theaters or on VOD now

Stone Cold Fox comes from first-time feature filmmaker Sophie Tabet. There is no way I would have guessed (or even assumed) that this was a debut feature film. It feels very intentional and complete at every turn.

Writing the screenplay with Sophie Tabat is Julia Roth, and it was based on an original story by Tabet, Roth, and Jonathan Craven (as in son of Wes Craven).

I can’t wait to see what Sophie Tabet does next. Especially if this is what she makes as her debut. It certainly promises lots of wonderful productions in the future. Fingers crossed, she teams up with people who will support these endeavors.

To ensure further movies from Sophie Tabet, make sure you check out Stone Cold Fox wherever you can. If you’re a fan of 1980s production or just enjoy a good kitsch action-thriller, this is your movie!

STONE COLD FOX is out in limited theaters and on digital on November 7, 2025.

Details

Director: Sophie Tabet
Writers: Jonathan Craven, Julia Roth, Sophie Tabet
Cast: Kiernan Shipka, Krysten Ritter, Kiefer Sutherland, Mishel Prada, Karen Fukuhara, Jamie Chung, Gabrielle Maiden, Spenser Granese, Rob Mars, Bluesy Burke

Plot

In 1986, the defiant Fox breaks out of an abusive commune in search of her family. But when the queenpin kidnaps her little sister and sends a crooked cop after her, Fox has no choice but to infiltrate the very place she escaped.

AS YOU STOOD BY on Netflix is a thriller series from South Korea (org. title: Dangsini Jugyeossda). With 8 hour-long episodes, it’s a character-driven plot about domestic abuse, desperate choices, and consequences thereof. Read our As You Stood By series review here!

AS YOU STOOD BY is a new Netflix series from South Korea (org. title: Dangsini Jugyeossda). Despite these often being labeled simply as “K-Drama”, this one deals with a very dark subject matter and is more of a crime-thriller production.

Season 1 has eight hour-long episodes, as we usually see from South Korean series, and there are many flashbacks in the story. These are used to show us how a character was pushed to their actions, which tend to be quite desperate.

Continue reading our As You Stood By series review below. Find season 1 on Netflix now.

How long can you stand by and do nothing?

As You Stood By has the tagline “Two desperate souls. One desperate choice,” which can almost double as a simple plot description. The subject matter is domestic abuse, and as the title indicates, it asks questions about those who see it and do nothing.

Now, I think we all know it isn’t as simple as that. There are usually many things to take into consideration, which is also something As You Stood By includes. From children in a household to being dependent on an abusive partner. To name just two.

However, As You Stood By is a crime-thriller for a reason, which becomes apparent by the end of episode 1. Actually, it’s also in the plot description and the trailer.

Break the cycle… and get revenge in the process

After being trapped in a world of abuse, two women realize that only death can set them free. But why should it be their death, when it could be that of the abuser?

Once this thought has been spoken, putting it into action comes next. And no, it isn’t as easy as it sounds, nor does it go as smoothly as they would like. Things like that never do.

However, after years of standing on the sidelines, something must happen to break the cycle. That is what As You Stood By is truly about: Taking action and hoping for the best, but realizing that there will always be struggles of some kind.

Watch As You Stood By on Netflix now

As You Stood By is based on Hideo Okuda’s novel “Naomi & Kanako”. The series comes from director Lee Jeong-lim (Revenant) with the teleplays from Kim Hyo-jeong.

The two lead roles in As You Stood By on Netflix are portrayed by Jeon So-nee (Parasyte: The Grey) and Lee Yoo-mi (All Of Us Are Dead, Squid Game). These two have to carry most of the character-driven plot, and they excel at this.

In other key roles, we see Lee Moo-saeng (The Silent Sea), Jang Seung-jo (Snowdrop), and Kim Mi-kyung (Warning: Do Not Play).

The very dark subject matter won’t be for everyone. For some, it will hit too close to home – in one way or the other – but that could be exactly why it’s important to watch it.

As You Stood By is out on Netflix globally from November 7, 2025.

Details

Director: Lee Jeong-lim
Cast: Jeon So-nee, Lee You-mi, Jang Seung-jo, Lee Mu-saeng

Plot

When two women plot to end an abusive marriage through murder, an unexpected visitor arrives — threatening to shatter everything they’ve carefully planned.

ALL HER FAULT on Peacock is a new crime thriller series about a boy who goes missing. It has eight episodes, which might seem like a lot, but the story also evolves constantly. Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning star. Read our All Her Fault series review here!

ALL HER FAULT is a new Peacock series with eight episodes and a brilliant cast. Seriously, I felt like just about every new character was played by a very familiar face. Also, it’s a dark story which may seem familiar, but it has surprises in store.

It’s a crime mystery thriller about a boy who goes missing. As per usual, the parents are scrutinized, and especially the mother. Again, this is often the case, and exactly what the title refers to.

Continue reading our review of the All Her Fault limited series here. Find it streaming on Peacock now!

Every parent’s nightmare – but mom’s fault

All Her Fault is described as a “suburban thriller with an intriguing mystery at the center of it,” which is certainly accurate. However, there is also an element of crime, as a child is kidnapped.

And this Peacock series does not start out slow. Instead, we are thrown headfirst into the worst day of Marissa Irvine’s (Sarah Snook) life. We see her arrive to pick up her young son, Milo, from his first playdate at a new friend’s house.

However, when she arrives, the woman there is a stranger, and there are no kids in the house. Not Milo nor his friend. From there, it’s a direct descent into the worst nightmare for any parent. And it won’t be long before the mom is blamed for most.

Mental load and weaponized incompetence

Many women will know the terms “mental load” and “weaponized incompetence”, and we see so many examples of just that in All Her Fault. The men who know these terms are either decent men or they have angry wives (or ex-wives).

It goes hand in hand with the term “Married Single Mom,” which refers to households where the woman is essentially a single parent, despite being married to the child’s father. More than anything, he is another “creature” in the house that she cares for.

In the case of All Her Fault, we clearly see how both parents have full-time jobs, and her job may even be the one that pays the most, but she is still expected to be the primary caregiver for their child.

WANT SOMETHING WITH A GREAT FATHER FIGURE?

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When she asks for help or asks him to do better, the line “Just tell me what to do” comes up. As if he isn’t capable of figuring out to be a parent every bit as much as her. He puts everything on her, creating an unbearable mental load.

And when the father has to be in charge of the child for once, he suddenly doesn’t know anything about anything. So, he asks her about things constantly: Weaponized incompetence. So, she gives up because it’s just as much work when he “helps”.

Please note, this obviously isn’t the case in every household, which this series also shows examples of. And it can be to the extreme or in small ways, but most women (yes, most!) will recognize this.

Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning are amazing

Yes, I said “amazing,” which is a word that will ring shallow when you watch All Her Fault. However, I assure you I mean it in the best way possible.

We see Sarah Snook (Succession, Run Rabbit Run) as Milo’s mom, Marissa, while Dakota Fanning (The Watchers, Vicious) plays Jenny, the mom of Milo’s play date friend, Jacob.

The two women bonded just recently due to the fact that they are working moms, and yet somehow also full-time parents, practically single moms. Both have hired a nanny to make ends meet (time-wise, I mean), which is where things start to go wrong.

Still, the friendship between Marissa Irvine and Jenni Kaminski is so organic and believable that it works. Even in this terrible situation, they stick together and prefer the company of one another, because no one else understands their situation.

Obviously, things will evolve and escalate, but this is where we begin.

In other key roles, you can look forward to seeing Jake Lacy (Apples Never Fall), Michael Peña (Extinction), Sophia Lillis (I Am Not Okay With This), Abby Elliott (The Bear), Daniel Monks (Sissy), Jay Ellis (Freaky Tales), and Kartiah Vergara (Bear Country).

Watch the All Her Fault series on Peacock now

Megan Gallagher is the creator of All Her Fault, which is based on a novel by Andrea Mara. The eight episodes in the mini-series are directed by Kate Dennis (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Minkie Spiro (3 Body Problem), each directs four episodes.

Most recently, Megan Gallagher also wrote an episode of the Prime Video series Lazarus, based on a Harlan Coben story. To me, All Her Fault is much stronger in virtually all aspects.

The limited series has eight episodes, and all are available on Peacock now. Fair warning, this series is very binge-worthy. It’s also bound to anger and upset many viewers – probably because many will recognize themselves in at least one character.

All Her Fault is streaming on Peacock from November 6, 2025. In the UK, it is released on Sky Atlantic and NOW.

Details

Creator: Megan Gallagher (based on a novel by Andrea Mara)
Cast: Sarak Snook, Dakota Fanning, Jake Lacy, Sophia Lillis, Duke McCloud, Abby Elliott, Rowan Witt, Jay Ellis, Johnny Carr, Kartiah Vergara, Michael Peña

Plot

Marissa Irvine arrives to pick up her son Milo from a play date, but the woman who answers doesn’t have Milo, sparking a parent’s nightmare.

DOWN CEMETERY ROAD on Apple TV+ is a new thriller series with eight episodes and starring Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson. Honestly, these two should be enough for you to give it a chance. And once you start watching, you should be hooked. Read our Down Cemetery Road series review here!

DOWN CEMETERY ROAD is a new Apple TV+ series. The main genre is thriller, but we also deal with crime and conspiracy. As in a real conspiracy. The kind where the government needs to remove all evidence of their own mess. And will stop at nothing.

For the record, this series is based in the United Kingdom, so we’re in the London area. Also, Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson star in this Apple TV+ series, and they are magnificent. Truly, watching these two (both apart and together) was brilliant.

Continue reading our Down Cemetery Road series review below. Find the first two episodes on Apple TV+ from October 29, 2025.

When conspiracy is no longer a wild theory

In Down Cemetery Road, we know from very early on that an actual conspiracy is happening. Or rather, something has already happened earlier that needs to be hidden. Effectively, anyone involved with this secret must be eliminated.

Unfortunately for the British government, the people on this job are not very efficient. Sure, they may manage to “get rid of” key witnesses, but never in any elegant way. That’s why our two main protagonists suddenly find themselves caught up in said conspiracy.

WANT ANOTHER POLITICALLY DRIVEN THRILLER?

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When we meet Sarah Tucker (Ruth Wilson), she isn’t particularly happy in her life. Maybe that’s why she finds herself getting obsessed with the idea of finding a girl from her neighborhood. The girl was in a presumed gas explosion and now seems to be missing.

Something about the whole ordeal just does not sit right with Sarah. In her very strange and unorthodox approach, she soon finds herself aided by PI Zoë Boehm (Emma Thompson).

Yes, it is political… but not simple

If the government wasn’t happy with one nosey lady, these two are the last two they’d want on their tail. Sarah discovers things by accident, while Zoë is simply brilliant! It doesn’t take them long to uncover a conspiracy involving a presumed dead person still living.

While the core plot of Down Cemetery Road is political, in the sense that the government is trying to cover up its own misdeeds, it’s not simple. It also does not specify which political parties have done what. In fact, those cleaning up the mess are not the same who made it.

And isn’t that always the case? Or often, anyway?!

Also, it’s worth noting that this is a British production and the story plays out in the London area. Maybe that’s why Apple TV+ isn’t shying away from releasing it, while we are still waiting for The Savant (starring Jessica Chastain) to be released.

Start watching the Down Cemetery Road series on Apple TV now

Down Cemetery Road is based on a book by Mick Herron (Slow Horses), and was adapted for television by Morwenna Banks, who also wrote it alongside Rose Heiney. The eight episodes are directed by Samuel Donovan (Severance), Börkur Sigþórsson (Katla), and Natalie Bailey(Joe vs Carole).

Starring in Down Cemetery Road alongside Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson, who truly make this series an amazing watching experience, is a wonderful supporting cast. This includes Adeel Akhtar (Sweet Tooth), Adam Godley, Ken Nwosu (Black Doves), Tom Goodman-Hill (Baby Reindeer), Darren Boyd, Fehinti Balogun, Tom Riley, and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett.

This new British Apple TV series premieres with its first two episodes, and following this, you’ll be getting weekly episodes. Fair warning, they do tend to end on some pretty wild cliffhangers, so to avoid spoilers, I would tune in weekly, if I were you.

Down Cemetery Road debuts on Apple TV+ on October 29, 2025.

Details

Creator: Morwenna Banks (based on a book by Mick Herron)
Cast: Emma Thompson, Ruth Wilson, Adeel Akhtar, Adam Godley, Ken Nwosu, Tom Goodman-Hill, Darren Boyd, Fehinti Balogun, Tom Riley, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett

Plot

Sarah Tucker obsessively searches for a missing neighbor girl after an explosion. Aided by PI Zoë Boehm, they uncover a conspiracy involving presumed dead still living and living dying, embroiling them in a complex web.

THE RESURRECTED on Netflix is a new thriller, crime, mystery series from Taiwan (org. title: Hui hun ji). It has nine episodes and a very impressive production quality. Read our The Resurrected series review here and watch on Netflix now!

THE RESURRECTED is a new Netflix series from Taiwan (org. title: Hui hun ji). This is a true genre hybrid of a series with crime, thriller, mystery, and drama as the main genres. With nine episodes, it has plenty of time to cover the character-driven storylines.

The production quality of this Taiwanese series is very impressive. Of course, if you’ve watched some of the other genre productions from Taiwan, this won’t surprise you. The struggle can, however, come from the actual plot and pace. Fortunately, not this one!

Continue reading our The Resurrected series review below. Find it on Netflix now.

United by hatred

In The Resurrected, we follow two mothers on a mission. They are united by hatred and on a path for revenge. Their one mission in life is seeking revenge for their daughters, who have been caught in a fraud and kidnapping case.

As this is a genre series, I expect you’ll keep an open mind about this next part. The mothers are getting help from a mysterious goddess, who helps them revive the deceased ringleader of the fraud scheme.

They get seven days with him resurrected.

Why?

Well, to punish him, of course!

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work. Even after having brought immense and relentless pain upon this criminal, they have a thirst for more. It’s the old “if you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you” ideology.

Mothers avenging their daughters

The Resurrected is a very brutal story in many aspects. Just watch the trailer to get a feeling of just how sinister it gets. Of course, it’s also quite violent as we see mothers avenging their daughters.

If you’ve watched the South Korean modern cult classic Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005) by Park Chan-wook, you’ll already have an idea of what to expect.

For this story, we’re in the fictional city of Benkha. However, much of the plot is based on elements you’ll recognize if you’ve watched a few true crime documentaries about cults in Asia.

If not, you may want to check out In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal. It’s from South Korea and scarier than any horror movie. Well, to me, anyway.

In any case, avenging their daughters doesn’t have the desired effect. Soon, their alliance is tested, and they will have to confront their own morality.

The Resurrected features amazing performances, but I can’t claim I was familiar with the actors. You’ll get to enjoy Shu Qi, Sinje Lee, and Alyssa Chia, with Fu Meng-po’s chilling portrayal as a resurrected villain. Also, rising stars Caitlin Fang, Lin Ting-yi, and Vivi Chen.

Watch The Resurrected series on Netflix now

This new Netflix genre-mix series comes from screenwriters Shen Yang, Yi Shuai-jie, and Luo Hsiao-rui. The directors of the episodes in this season are Leste Chen and Hsu Chao-jen.

The Resurrected premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in the On-Screen category. That alone speaks volumes, as some of the best genre movies tend to screen at this particular film festival in South Korea.

If you’re interested in watching something a little different and don’t mind “reading” a series, then check out this one from Taiwan. Obviously, you can also opt for the dubbed version, but I have to admit I never feel this does it justice.

Then again, I’m used to subtitles.

The Resurrected premieres exclusively on Netflix on October 9, 2025.

Details

Directors: Leste Chen, Hsu Chao-jen
Screenwriters: Shen Yang, Yi Shuai-jie, Luo Hsiao-rui
Cast: Shu Qi, Sinje Lee, Fu Meng-po, Chung Hsin-ling, Caitlin Fang, Lin Ting-yi, Liu Chu-ping, Vivi Chen, Rexen Cheng, Patrick Nattawat Finkler, Alyssa Chia, Sukollawat Kanaros (Weir)

Plot

Two grieving mothers resurrect a scam ringleader to avenge their daughters — but as painful truths emerge, justice slips from their reach.

COYOTES is a horror-comedy from genre filmmaker Colin Minihan. It features a survival plot that involves coyotes, which did make me nervous. Fortunately, this movie is crazy fun in all the right ways, so I want to watch it again. Screening at Fantastic Fest, but coming to theaters very soon. Read our full Coyotes horror-comedy review here!

COYOTES is a survival horror-comedy screening at Fantastic Fest 2025, but it’s coming to movie theaters in early October, so you’ll get to check it out soon. Admittedly, as an animal lover, I was nervous about this premise.

Of course, with Colin Minihan (and Britanny Allen) at the helm, plus Justin Long and Kate Bosworth, I should have known better. This movie has exactly the craziness that made Shaun of the Dead work. Oh yeah, I went there!

Also, the runtime is 92 minutes, and I didn’t want it to end.

Continue reading our Coyotes movie review below. Find it in US theaters from October 3, 2025.

When Nature Bites Back…

In Coyotes, we meet the Stewarts. A family consisting of Scott (Justin Long), Liv (Kate Bosworth), and their cool and smart daughter, Chloe (a wonderful Mila Harris). They are about to be stranded in their home, surrounded by coyotes.

Now, usually, you can scare them off, but these are different. Not only are they bigger and more aggressive, but they also don’t fear humans. In fact, they appear to want to eat us.

Well, and any small animal they may come across.

To make matters much worse, a Santa Ana windstorm has knocked out the power in their gorgeous Hollywood Hills home. The tree that Scott had neglected to cut down crushed their SUV, and a fire has erupted.

Basically, they are well and truly trapped.

The struggle to survive without power

Without electricity, some manage better than others. While Scott is quick to whip out the “Tin Meat” to survive, Liv and Chloe are more rational. Well, until their sweet dog Charlie runs away.

All bets are obviously off when the dog goes missing in this mess. Don’t worry, this isn’t John Wick… or, well, only if we’re talking the sequels.

There’s also the neighbor, who delivers his own brand of weirdness. His name is Trip (Bloodline‘s Norbert Leo Butz), and that’s exactly what he is. However, he does have a generator, so he has redeeming qualities.

We first become familiar with the existence of the neighbor when his “date” (Brittany Allen) shows up at the Stewarts by mistake. Her character is a brilliant addition to the quirky world.

Perfect horror comedy casting

Whenever Justin Long is in a genre movie, it immediately goes on my “Must Watch” movie list. From Jeepers Creepers (before we knew about the director) to Sam Raimi‘s Drag Me to Hell, Kevin Smith’s Tusk, and Zach Cregger‘s Barbarian, I just adore him.

Also, I am so happy to see Kate Bosworth (The Immaculate Room) again, and I truly hope she and Justin will continue to make movies together. It just works. And please, do team up with Colin Minihan and Brittany Allen again as well.

See, this is what happens when talent and passion for filmmaking come together, and the focus is on making good movies, not making oneself look good.

Speaking of… If you’ve watched previous Colin Minihan movies, you will have seen Britanny Allen before as well. However, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her quite as funny as in Coyote.

Sure, she’s played fun and quirky characters before, and a movie like It Stains the Sands Red certainly has some elements of dark comedy, despite being first and foremost a horror movie with a zombie apocalypse plot (do check it out!).

Watch Coyotes as soon as you can

As already covered earlier, this movie comes from director Colin Minihan. He previously directed genre movies such as What Keeps You Alive (2018) and the iconic Grave Encounters (2011) as part of The Vicious Brothers.

The screenplay comes from Tad Daggerheart (Black Lotus) and Nick Simon (Truth or Dare), based on the story from the two, along with Daniel Meersand (The Pyramid). Honestly, none of these writers has excelled for me in the past.

Still, with this 2025 movie, Colin Minihan has managed to hit my horror-comedy sweet spot and make all my worries about animals being the villains disappear. Also, it helps that the coyotes are clearly CGI, so thank you for that.

Again, it’s clearly intentional and part of the whole comedic focus of the story. Finally, I have to give a shout-out to the composer as well: Britanny Allen. Alongside acting, she has done quite a few scores. I have enjoyed them all!

Coyotes will open in theaters across the U.S. on October 3, 2025.

Details

Director: Colin Minihan
Script: Tad Daggerhart, Nick Simon
Cast: Justin Long, Kate Bosworth, Katherine McNamara, Brittany Allen, Mila Harris, Norbert Leo Butz

Plot

Trapped in their Hollywood Hills home, a family must fight for survival as a pack of savage coyotes closes in.

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is the latest movie from filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson. This one is a true genre hybrid, utilizing everything from crime, thriller, action, and mystery to dark comedy. It’s as brilliant as the casting is stellar. Read our full One Battle After Another movie review here!

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is a new crime thriller that isn’t afraid to try its hand at dark comedy and action as the story evolves. This movie shines a spotlight on everything wrong with not only the U.S. but the world as a whole.

The runtime is 2 hours and 41 minutes, which works perfectly for this story. Think the best South Korean genre movies, where characters are nuanced and both the “good” and “bad” guys will have (at least somewhat) relatable moments.

Continue reading our One Battle After Another movie review below. Find it in theaters from September 26, 2025.

So many battles to be fought

With One Battle After Another, the main story is about the washed-up revolutionary Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio), but when the movie opens, he is a very active revolutionary.

The kind that operates with a group, speaks in codes, and does not shy away from using explosives or violence to fight their battles. All this changes when he becomes a father.

Of course, those who have been chasing him do not see it that way.

In the present, he has managed to fry his brain with the use of various drugs and alcohol, and has forgotten most of what used to keep him alive. This will soon become a problem as his past returns with a vengeance.

His tough and smart daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti), goes missing, and his hiding spot of more than a decade has been compromised. His evil nemesis, Lockjaw (Sean Penn), is hot on his trail after 16 years of a “normal” life.

Such brilliant casting makes it all work

Despite having grown up with Leonardo DiCaprio as the heartthrob of Titanic and Romeo + Juliet, I love seeing him in roles where he is a complete mess. It just suits him somehow.

In One Battle After Another, he is a huge mess. A classic “good guy” who has lost his way, so while his heart is in the right place, he’s a little confused. Or rather, he’s stoned out of his mind, but trying to get clear again.

Chase Infiniti is brilliant as his daughter, Charlene, and clearly channels the wild nature of her mom, Perfidia, who in turn is portrayed with fierce fire by Teyana Taylor.

Sean Penn as the sadistic soldier, Lockjaw, is perfectly cast. He goes all-in on this portrayal (as he always does), and it makes this very flawed man come across so eerily familiar. He becomes an iconic kind of character. A true villain!

In other key roles, we get the pleasure of watching Benicio Del Toro and Regina Hall. There are many other amazing actors in this cast, but I want to highlight these two.

Both have a fairly short screentime (though all is relative in a movie this long), but leave their clear marks.

Benicio Del Toro is almost underplayed in his portrayal. And Regina Hall, whom I adore in comedy, yet again proves to be a highly gifted dramatic actor as well.

You’ll want to watch this in a movie theater

Seriously, One Battle After Another is the kind of movie you will want to watch on the big screen. Not only due to the amazing use of sound and imagery, but also due to the intense and stress-inducing evolution of this story.

I mean, there’s a car chase scene in this movie that both threatened to give me motion sickness and felt like the most amazing rollercoaster ride. No wonder Steven Spielberg has supposedly already watched the movie three times.

Also, there’s this vibe of a story full of “call to arms” moments that just feels like it should be experienced with other people. For the record, this plays out over nearly two decades and shows how we keep fighting the same battles.

Will the next generation be part of the revolution? And if yes, what kind of revolution are we talking about?! In this movie, we see multiple points of view. We also see people going against their beliefs when it serves an egotistical purpose.

Watch One Battle After Another in theaters!

Paul Thomas Anderson is the writer and director of One Battle After Another, which is his second movie inspired by a novel by Thomas Pynchon. The first was Inherent Vice (2014). This movie was inspired by the novel “Vineland”.

I can’t wait to watch it again either, and trust me, watching One Battle After Another feels like a workout of both your heart and mind. And I do mean “heart” in both the emotional and cardiovascular sense. It’s one wild ride!

Even the jazz score in the background adds to its relentless pressure on the characters as well as us, the audience.

I don’t know that I can claim I had any idea what to expect from this Paul Thomas Anderson movie. However, I can definitely say that it overdelivered, and various scenes have been haunting me ever since.

One Battle After Another will be in theaters on VistaVision, 70mm film, and IMAX®. I watched it in the latter format, which definitely did make me feel that I was “part of” the movie at times. Particularly those car chase scenes.

One Battle After Another is out in theaters on September 26, 2025.

Details

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Script: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti.

Images © 2025 WBEI

Plot

Washed-up revolutionary Bob (DiCaprio) exists in a state of stoned paranoia, surviving off-grid with his spirited, self-reliant daughter, Willa (Infiniti). When his evil nemesis (Penn) resurfaces after 16 years and she goes missing, the former radical scrambles to find her, father and daughter both battling the consequences of his past.

NIGHT OF THE REAPER on Shudder is a new horror slasher with a retro vibe, a battle for survival, and even a delicious revenge plot. In other words, this one is a true slasher gem. Read our full Night of the Reaper movie review here!

NIGHT OF THE REAPER is a new Shudder horror movie made in the classic slasher vein. Even the title almost gives as much away. Fortunately, the content of the movie also lives up to the title.

Before I get any further, I want to highlight that it has already won the Popcorn Frights Film Festival 2025 “Scariest Feature Film” award. Also, this is a Shudder Original. They know horror fans, so expect plenty of fan service… done right.

Continue reading our Night of the Reaper movie review below. Find it on Shudder from September 19, 2025.

The Golden Age of Slasher

To get the slasher vibe just right, Night of the Reaper is set in a 1980s suburb. You know the kind: Everyone knows their neighbor and the sheriff, and a girl home from college is taking on a last-minute babysitting job.

However, the movie actually starts before this event as another murder sets things into motion. It results in everyone being a little more on edge, and with this being Halloween season, there are echoes of the iconic Halloween franchise.

In any case, Deena (Jessica Clement) is the college student who has returned home and is now spending her night babysitting the sheriff’s cute son. Before long, someone keeps calling the house, and something goes bump in the night.

Oh yes, the iconic horror movie When a Stranger Calls (1979) is another good reference for this Shudder Original.

A mystery of survival and revenge

I don’t want to do spoilers for Night of the Reaper in any way, so I won’t. However, I will say that you may guess a few twists and turns along the way. I know I did, and this Shudder slasher was still a fun watch.

The horror slasher plays out as a mystery, which begins when the local sheriff (Ryan Robbins) receives a cryptic package. This turns out to be just the first package of the night, which will turn into a sick form of scavenger hunt.

Ultimately, this is a deliciously retro-styled slasher, where a mystery unravels as survival and revenge merge. It’s a lot of fun and should please most genre fans!

Also, having Jessica Clement (amazing in season 2 of Gen V) in the lead as Deena is absolutely perfect. Also in Night of the Reaper are Max Christensen, Ben Cockell, Matty Finochio, Keegan Connor Tracy, and Summer H. Howell.

You’ll want to remember the name Summer H. Howell. She will be playing Carrie White in Mike Flanagan‘s upcoming Prime Video horror series. Yes, as in the one based on Stephen King‘s iconic horror novel Carrie.

Watch Night of the Reaper on Shudder now

The director of Night of the Reaper is horror director Brandon Christensen. Full disclosure: I have yet to watch anything by Brandon Christensen (Superhost, Still/Born) that I didn’t at least enjoy to some degree.

Actually, sorry, that’s selling this horror director short. I am always happy to watch and review movies made by him. They are always made with a passion for the genre and an honest desire to make entertaining horror movies.

For this movie, Brandon Christensen also co-wrote the screenplay with Ryan Christensen (Shudder Original The Puppetman). The runtime is 93 minutes, which works perfectly for a retro-styled slasher movie. Enjoy!

Night of the Reaper is out on Shudder from September 19, 2025.

Details

Director: Brandon Christensen
Written by: Brandon Christensen and Ryan Christensen
Cast: Jessica Clement, Ryan Robbins, Summer H. Howell, Keegan Connor Tracy, Matty Finochio, Max Christensen, Ben Cockell, David Feehan

Plot

In the heart of a quiet, 1980s suburb, college student Deena returns home and reluctantly takes on a last-minute babysitting job. That same night, the local sheriff receives a cryptic package that pulls him into a sinister scavenger hunt that sets off a game of cat and mouse with a dangerous killer. As the clues unravel, Deena finds herself ensnared in a nightmarish mystery that she may not survive.

GEN V: SEASON 2 on Prime Video is finally here with eight new episodes. It still does not shy away from craziness – and I love it. Also, the sudden passing of one of the stars has been incorporated in a very respectful way. Read our full Gen V Season 2 review here!

GEN V: SEASON 2 is premiering on Prime Video with the first three episodes of the season. You can look forward to another eight episodes with this second season, so it’s the same as season 1.

We’ve watched all eight episodes for this review, and the first three episodes do set the stage nicely. Still, it gets wilder the further we get. As always! Now I cannot wait for the next season of The Boys to continue this wild story.

Continue reading our Gen V Season 2 review below. Find the first three episodes of season 2 on Prime Video on September 17, 2025.

Saying goodbye to Andre

Obviously, the first order of business for Gen V season 2 was dealing with the sudden and tragic passing of Chance Perdomo, who portrayed Andre.

Not only is the first episode dedicated to him, but the storyline also acknowledges his sudden and untimely passing. I won’t get into the specifics as that would be a spoiler, but it does have an impact on the entire season.

Also, Gen V and The Boys are closely related, so the events of the most recent season of The Boys will play into season 2 of Gen V. And vice versa, which is why you’ll be very eager to watch The Boys season 5 after this second Gen V season.

For this new season of Gen V, we’re dealing with the aftermath of The Boys season 4 ending. Particularly, the fact that Homelander is now essentially running the United States with an iron fist.

A new day has indeed dawned…

When season 1 of Gen V ended, it was with quite a cliffhanger. Also, most of the (surviving!) core cast was in a very dire situation. As season 2 begins, it’s business as usual for Godolkin University (or just “God U”) as a new semester begins.

Meanwhile, America is still trying to adjust to Homelander’s iron fist being the de facto leader of the country. Not least thanks to Vought using all kinds of “Supes” to keep everyone not in agreement in check.

Oh yes, it is very much coded to fit the current political climate. As it has always been the case with The Boys and Gen V. I love it!

Anyway, back at Godolkin University, a new Dean is in charge. He goes by “Cipher” and wants to ensure that the students of God U evolve and develop their powers.

After all, they are a “struggling minority”, so they must be ready to fight back against those who hate supes.

Welcome back to God U

While Cate and Sam enjoy being celebrated as heroes, Marie, Jordan, and Emma start off where they ended in season 1: Locked up! However, with a focus on evolving powerful supes, they are soon released.

Rather reluctantly (not least due to what happened with Andre), but months of being locked up with trauma and grief as your cellmates warrant a welcome change.

But why is this new Dean Chipher (Hamish Linklater) so interested in Marie (Jaz Sinclair) and wants to work directly with her in one-on-one sessions?! You’ll have to watch season 2 to find out.

And yes, you will get answers in this season. Also concerning Marie’s past and her family, most importantly, her sister, whom she has been searching for all along.

Watch season 2 of Gen V on Prime Video

Michele Fazekas is the showrunner and executive producer of season 2, just as she was on season 1. Overall, those who created this spin-off show are still on board in their respective roles. Read up on them here >

The core cast of season 1 (again, those who survived) also return, so you can look forward to seeing Jaz Sinclair, Lizze Broadway, Maddie Phillips, London Thor, Derek Luh, and Asa Germann once again. Also, Sean Patrick Thomas is back!

Obviously, Hamish Linklater (Mike Flanagan’s Midnight Mass) as Dean Cipher will also play a huge role in the season 2 storyline.

I have been a big fan of The Boys and the spin-off series Gen V since the beginning, so I was very pleased with the eight episodes in this season as well. If you’re a fan, I can’t imagine you won’t love these new episodes as well.

Gen V season 2 debuts with three episodes on September 17, 2025.

Details

Showrunner: Michele Fazekas
Cast: Jaz Sinclair, Lizze Broadway, Maddie Phillips, London Thor, Derek Luh, Asa Germann, Sean Patrick Thomas, Hamish Linklater

Plot

School is back in session. As the rest of America adjusts to Homelander’s iron fist, back at Godolkin University, the mysterious new Dean preaches a curriculum that promises to make students more powerful than ever. Cate and Sam are celebrated heroes, while Marie, Jordan, and Emma reluctantly return to college, burdened by months of trauma and loss. But parties and classes are hard to care about with war brewing between Humans and Supes, both on and off campus. The gang learns of a secret program that goes back to the founding of Godolkin University that may have larger implications than they realize. And, somehow, Marie is a part of it.