LURKER is a new psychological thriller that you do not want to miss out on. It has an eerie, almost sinister, vibe that is always lurking. Also, it has an ending as unpredictable as it is perfect. Read our full Lurker (2025) movie review here!

LURKER is a psychological thriller about fame, social media, and the natural desire to belong. Not to be confused with fitting in, necessarily, but simply finding “your people”. Of course, in the age of viral memes, it can sometimes be a very fleeting fame that leaves you empty.

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Am I making sense yet? Maybe not, but once you’ve watched this indie genre gem (and you really ought to), it will make perfect sense. As I was watching this, I kept thinking it could only end very badly. And it does. However, it also doesn’t… and in a way I did not see coming. I loved that!

Continue reading our Lurker (2025) movie review below. Find it on MUBI now.

A different kind of stalker story

Lurker is essentially the story about a twenty-something L.A. retail clerk, Matthew (Théodore Pellerin), who sees a chance to hitch his proverbial wagon to that of rising pop star Oliver (Saltburn‘s Archie Madekwe), and jumps at it.

Matthew is essentially a loner who hasn’t found “his people” yet. This is certainly one reason why he jumps at this opportunity. You could call him a Catfish or a stalker, but then you’d have to label anyone going on a first date the same way.

Of course, getting your foot in the door is one thing. And getting invited to all the fun and being seen on social media with a pop star is a shortcut to immediate fame these days. However, staying there is another thing entirely.

When Oliver shines his spotlight of affection on someone, it has an immediate effect. Whether emotionally for the object of his attention or in the form of sudden social media fame.

Unfortunately, this also means everyone is vying to take over your place. And Oliver is always ready for new adoring people to join his entourage. That’s why Matthew is eerily quick to take extreme measures to make sure he stays at the very center of Oliver’s life and entourage.

Archie Madekwe and Théodore Pellerin sell it!

Admittedly, calling Lurker a “stalker story” is grossly oversimplifying the plot. Then again, I could call it a new take on the Entourage posse syndrome or say that it’s about an alternative starf*cker story, but neither of those would do the trick either.

Lurker is very much its own kind of beast, and I loved it.

The entire cast of this movie works hard and delivers strong character portrayals. Yes, even for those with limited screen time, every single one has a purpose and plays into the overall plot development.

Still, Lurker ultimately fails or succeeds based on how well the two main characters work. Fortunately, we have Théodore Pellerin (There’s Someone Inside Your House) as Matthew and Archie Madekwe (Midsommar, Saltburn) as Oliver.

With those two taking center stage, we are in the best hands, and that’s why this movie works so well. The rest of the cast and characters are what make it all come together in an organic and eerily believable way.

Not least thanks to those in Oliver’s entourage, including characters played by Havana Rose Liu (Afraid, No Exit), Zack Fox (Abbott Elementary), Daniel Zolghadri (Tales from the Loop, Y2K), and Sunny Suljic (mid90s, The Killing of a Sacred Deer).

Watch Lurker on MUBI now!

Written & Directed by Alex Russell (The Bear, Beef), Lurker was a movie I recognized had immense qualities early on. However, I never expected to love it this much.

I mean, from seeing the poster, which reminded me of Barbarian (for obvious reasons), I was ready for something dark. What Lurker ultimately offers is more than just a dark and sinister story.

It’s an honest look at how online fixation can result in real-life consequences that are impossible to predict. The line between friend and fan can be confusing when everyone seeks validation from anyone. Something social media offers, but can it be trusted?

That’s why Lurker is also a look at the dangers of surrounding yourself with “yes people” if you want to improve. Sure, being adored is nice, but so is having people who are honest. Those two can only co-exist in a society (or a friendship) if you accept and nurture constructive criticism.

The runtime of Lurker is 100 minutes, and I was virtually spellbound for every second of it.

WATCH LURKER IF YOU ENJOYED…

The British thriller Magpie starring Daisy Ridley >

Until now, Lurker has been playing at various film festivals worldwide. From Sundance in the US to film festivals in Berlin, Istanbul, Melbourne, and Fantasia in Canada. It’s been getting overwhelmingly positive reviews, and I can easily see why.

Also, MUBI is releasing this in US theaters now, and they gave us The Substance.

Enough said, really!

Lurker is the kind of movie that stays with you for a myriad of reasons. Some scary, some sad, and a few strangely inspiring and positive. I did not see that coming. Especially the last part. Also, I want the soundtrack to Lurker.

Truly, everything in this movie came together wonderfully, and with this as a feature film debut, I cannot wait to see what Alex Russell does next. I just know I will definitely be watching it!

LURKER is streaming on MUBI from October 10, 2025.

Details

Written & Directed by: Alex Russell
Starring: Théodore Pellerin, Archie Madekwe, Sunny Suljic, Havana Rose Liu, Zack Fox, Daniel Zolghadri

Plot

When a twenty-something retail clerk encounters a rising pop star, he takes the opportunity to edge his way into the in-crowd. But as the line between friend and fan blurs beyond recognition, access and proximity become a matter of life and death.

THE WAILING (2024) is a new Supernatural Horror movie that stays with you long after the end credits. The story is universal and haunting in terrifying ways. Screening at Fantasia 2025. Read our full The Wailing (org. title: El llanto) movie review here!

THE WAILING (2024) is a new horror movie screening at Fantasia 2025. It screened at Sitges 2024 and continues to win over audiences worldwide. This supernatural horror movie feels very real and relatable in ways you may not expect.

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH

The amazing South Korean movie The Wailing from 2016 >

The story spans both decades and continents, as the same entity appears to be targeting young women. However, don’t think men can be safe either. A vibe of both It Follows and Terrified without being too similar to either.

Continue reading our The Wailing movie review below.

Across time and countries

The Wailing begins in modern-day Madrid, where Andrea is dealing with a lot of huge changes to her life. Not only does she discover the truth of her own origin, but she also witnesses a loved one being murdered, and no one believes her.

She is being haunted by a strange and terrifying entity that she can’t even see. But she can feel him. Trying to explain something you don’t understand yourself, or even see, makes you come across as being crazy.

We soon find out that someone else had a very similar experience twenty years ago. This happened both decades ago and thousands of miles away, in La Plata in Argentina. In this instance, it was Marie being tormented by the very same presence.

From bad to worse to deadly

There’s also a third woman, Camila, who knows what is going on. However, nobody will believe her. In other words, we’re dealing with women being attacked and assaulted, but not believed.

Without any good description of the perpetrator or any proof of the events, it’s impossible to get any help. Outside of suggestions of medication or a stint in a psychiatric ward.

What all these women have in common is also that they will hear the same, terrible sound. The sound of a ghostly wailing (from a woman) will overwhelm their senses. And it appears to come from an empty apartment.

The stars of The Wailing should be familiar to many genre fans of Spanish-language productions. We have Ester Expósito (Someone Has to Die), Mathilde Ollivier (Overlord, 1899), and Malena Villa (El angel).

The Wailing screened at Fantasia 2025

This is a feature debut from director/co-writer Pedro Martín-Calero, and I am extremely impressed. He started as a cinematographer and then directed a string of popular shorts and commercials. Also, he directed music videos, including for The Weeknd.

For me, expectations were fairly high due to the screenplay being co-scripted by Isabel Peña. She is a brilliant screenwriter who previously wrote on projects like The Beasts, May God Save Us, and The Chalk Line. To name just a few!

The Wailing was, in part, inspired by the writing of Mariana Enríquez, which I am not familiar with. Though now I think I should. I adored just about everything about this movie and even the ending, which I’m sure will baffle (maybe even annoy) some viewers.

The Wailing (org. title: El llanto) is reviewed as part of our Fantasia 2025 coverage. It will be out on digital on December 5, 2025.

Details

Director: Pedro Martín-Calero
Writers: Pedro Martín-Calero, Isabel Peña
Cast: Ester Expósito, Mathilde Ollivier, Malena Villa

Plot

In modern-day Madrid, Andrea’s world is being turned violently upside-down, haunted by a terrifying entity that she can neither see, understand, or explain. Twenty years ago, thousands of miles away, in La Plata, Marie is being tormented by the very same presence. A third woman, Camila, has a gut-wrenching understanding of what’s happening, but nobody will believe her. In their darkest moments, each will hear the same, terrible sound. A ghostly wailing will overwhelm their senses.

BAD INFLUENCE on Netflix is a Spanish Thriller (org. title: Mala influencia) of the semi-spicy teen romance kind. It’s a story about revenge, but that particular element is second to the romance, I’d say. Read our full Bad Influence movie review here!

BAD INFLUENCE is a new Netflix movie from Spain (org. title: Mala influencia). It’s exactly the kind of Netflix production that you just know will end up on their Top 10. Not because it’s good, but because it speaks to a large demographic.

Who exactly is in that demographic? I can’t say for sure. It plays out like a 50 Shades of Grey for teens. Okay, not really, as the spicy scenes take up very little runtime, but the romance takes up plenty of screen time.

Ultimately, it’s a revenge tale, but that part of the movie could’ve been a short film.

Continue reading our Bad Influence movie review below. Find it on Netflix now.

Who is the bad influence?

In the Spanish thriller Bad Influence, we meet the ex-con, Eros (Alberto Olmo), as the wealthy Bruce (Enrique Arce) offers him a fresh start. He’s hired to protect a wealthy heiress from a stalker.

By taking on this job, he’s able to get out of prison three months ahead of time. Of course, this isn’t the only reason he takes the job (or is offered it, in the first place), but you’ll see that for yourself.

Of course, the young heiress, Reese (Eléa Rochera), is a beautiful young woman, just like Eros is a handsome young man, which means their chemistry comes into play. Obviously, the two can’t resist this as they grow closer.

Is this Netflix movie for you?

Is Bad Influence an interesting or a good movie? Well, for love-starved and dreamy teenagers, who see themselves as bad boys or those who will redeem a bad boy, I’m sure it’s a fun watch. For the rest of us? Not so much.

The final part of the movie, which does focus on the whole vengeance element, is interesting enough. Still, no need to watch 1 hour and 45 minutes to tell that very simple and short story.

Overall, I can’t say the actors aren’t doing a good job, as they are delivering exactly what’s expected of them. It’s just a very predictable and trope-filled movie, so if you’re in the mood for that, then Bad Influence will deliver. If not, then you’ll want to skip this one.

Even if the production is gorgeous. And it is!

Watch Bad Influence on Netflix now

Bad Influence (org. title: Mala influencia) was directed by Chloé Wallace, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Diana Muro. I want to mention that Chloé Wallace directed the 2023 Netflix mini-series A Perfect Story (org. title: Un Cuento Perfecto) with an IMDb rating of 7.4.

Also, Chloé Wallace previously directed music videos for Shura and Katy Perry. And yes, I do feel that you can tell this movie was made by two women.

The female gaze does come into play as it was made more for teens (or dreamy young female adults and gay young men) than men, who want to lust after the young female lead. If anything, it’s the young male lead we’re supposed to be lusting after.

Or their romance, rather.

That’s not for me, however, I want to recognize that while I am not the intended demographic for this movie, it doesn’t make it a bad movie. I still maintain that it isn’t a good movie overall, either, but it does deliver on what some viewers want.

And kudos to the filmmakers for delivering on that. Just skip it if you can tell it isn’t your thing.

Bad Influence premiered on Netflix on May 9, 2025.

Details

Director: Chloé Wallace
Writers: Chloé Wallace, Diana Muro
Cast: Alberto Olmo, Eléa Rochera, Enrique Arce, Mirela Balić, Farid Bechara, Sara Ariño, Fer Fraga, Mar Isern, Selam Ortega, Clara Chaín, María José Mariscal, Arnaud Préchac

Plot

An ex-con bodyguard. A teen heiress. A mysterious stalker. When Eros is hired to protect Reese, their worlds collide in a whirlwind of danger and desire.

YOU Season 5 on Netflix will be the final season of the extremely successful series about Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley). I’ve enjoyed all the seasons for various reasons and was very happy with this one as well. Read our full You S5 review here!

YOU Season 5 is now on Netflix, and this fifth season truly does offer an epic finale. Not only are we (yet again!) treated to a largely new cast of stellar actors, we’re also back where it all began: New York.

ALSO READ

YOU Season 5 Ending & Answers

Joe is back to being Joe Goldberg after spending most of season 4 in London as Jonathan Moore. After season 4, it seemed like everything was finally going Joe’s way and that he was truly ready to settle down. Of course, Joe is still Joe, so you just know he’ll find a way to mess it up.

Continue reading our You S5 review below. Find all 10 episodes on Netflix from April 24, 2025.

Joe Goldberg is back in New York

In this final season of You, there’s a time jump, so we pick up three years after Joe and his new wife Kate (Charlotte Ritchie) left London for New York City. Thanks to her immense wealth and what that buys, Kate managed to make all Joe’s previous issues disappear.

She even got him his son, Henry, back from where he left him at the end of season 3.

In New York, Kate is CEO of the Lockwood Corporation, taking over from her father, who died in season 4. Joe is her loyal husband and has even been dubbed Prince Charming in the media. As always, it didn’t take more than him standing by his wife to be adored as the perfect gentleman.

When we meet then, they’ve both been living up to the pact they made at the end of season 4; To stick together and always help each other do good. For three years, Joe Goldberg has done well.

Married into wealth and power

Of course, anyone who has watched You will know that Joe Goldberg finds misadventure everywhere. Usually by his own doing, though he never sees it that way. Hearing his inner voice (exactly like horror fans know from Dexter Morgan), we are acutely aware of his struggle.

In You Season 5, Joe Goldberg starts spending more time in his beloved bookstore, Mooney’s, in New York City. Yes, still with his glass cage in the basement. However, he is no longer the anonymous working-class man he was when he last lived in New York.

Instead, Joe Goldberg is part of the Lockwood family. His wife is an actual billionaire, and while he is a devoted husband and upstanding (if often absent and absent-minded) father, something is missing for the fatally romantic Joe.

Joe will be Joe

It’s not that he’s bored. With the power-hungry relatives of his wife, there is always drama brewing. Especially thanks to the identical twins, Reagan and Maddie Lockwood (both played by Anna Camp), who are also part of the family business.

In fact, casting Anna Camp (Hysteria!, From Black) as these twins was a total scoop and super power move. She is perfect in this role. Anyone who remembers her from True Blood will know that she is perfect for campy, kitsch, and powerful roles and stories.

And then there’s the free-spirit Bronte portrayed by Madeline Brewer. From the casting of Madeline Brewer (Cam, Braid) alone, you just know that she will be a key player. In the vein of Joe’s previous romantic misadventures, it seems obvious that she will be his new “You”.

Watch Season 5 of You on Netflix now!

With this final season of You, we’re getting back to the “bookstore Joe Goldberg”, but with the wealth of his wife, he feels freer. Should he? Well, with his track record, you know he’s bound to do something messed up.

You know, like falling for someone and killing people. All while being convinced it’s the “right thing” to do. It’s fascinating, and the tongue-in-cheek comments about women loving the fantasy of “He’s a 10, but he kills people” type are perfect.

Also, it feels like art imitating life as Penn Badgley (who continues to be perfect in this role) has always said that you’re not supposed to root for Joe Goldberg. Sure, he’s charming, but he is also a literal serial killer. The kind who tends to end up killing the women he claims to love.

While I was very happy to see Madeline Brewer in a key role, I have to admit that Anna Camp was the runaway hit for me. Obviously, both are great, but with Anna Camp playing very different twins, she has so much to work with. It was so damn delicious in all the best and craziest ways.

Once again, we’re getting 10 episodes in a season of You, and as always, you will want to binge-watch the entire season. Each episode tends to end on a cliffhanger, and episode 6 is from someone else’s point of view.

You Season 5 is on Netflix from April 24, 2025.

Plot

In the epic fifth and final season, Joe Goldberg returns to New York to enjoy his happily ever after… until his perfect life is threatened by the ghosts of his past and his own dark desires.

REVELATIONS on Netflix is a new thriller from South Korea (org. title: Gyesirok). This comes from the director of Train to Busan and the Hellbound Netflix series, which should be enough to intrigue most. Read our full Revelations movie review here!

REVELATIONS is a new Netflix thriller from South Korea (org. title: Gyesirok), and it’s as dark and brutal as we’ve come to expect from South Korean genre movies. This one is another character-driven story with a runtime of right around two hours, but it’s not slow-burn.

Also, the fact that this Netflix movie was made by the director of the zombie mega-hit Train to Busan and the successful Netflix series Hellbound, should tell you a lot. The production quality is gorgeous and the story is as gut-wrenching as it is heartbreaking.

Continue reading our Revelations movie review below. Find it on Netflix from March 21, 2025.

Messages from God or just madness?

In Revelations, we’re following a pastor and a police detective who become part of the same case. The case revolves around a recently released convicted criminal, who seems to be back to his old sadistic ways. Who will stop him and what lengths will they go to do it?!

For the Pastor, the case becomes a personal mission as he believes God is sending him messages to act on. He takes it upon himself to save the world from this terrible human being who does nothing but harm.

But is God actually sending him messages or is it a well-known mental illness where you see messages and conspiracies everywhere? Like the condition where someone can see faces in all sorts of objects [Pareidolia], is the pastor using his faith to allow him to act as he desires?

The police detective, on the other hand, knows firsthand how this criminal has ruined lives. He kidnapped, assaulted, and tortured her sister, which is how he ended up in jail in the first place. However, his sentence was remarkably short.

Brilliantly character-driven thriller

As always with these South Korean movies, Revelation also excels in having characters that are never entirely good or bad. Everyone is some shade of gray as they act on personal desires or convictions.

Is a loving and caring pastor, who also believes in punishing the criminal himself, really as good as he likes to see himself? And can the detective, who needs to self-medicate because she’s haunted by visions of her dead sister, really be objective and do her job on this case?

Finally, we have a criminal, who is clearly a sadistic and evil person, but is there more to him? Nothing that excuses his actions, obviously, but is he acting on his own accord or is he himself a victim?

Nothing is cut and dry in Revelations, so you’ll be faced with many dilemmas. As always with South Korean genre movies, to me anyway, the ending of Revelations does not disappoint.

Familiar faces are front and center in Revelations

The stars of the South Korean Netflix thriller should be familiar to anyone who has watched South Korean productions – including on Netflix. As Pastor Min-chan, we have Ryu Jun-yeol, who previously starred in the Netflix series The 8 Show.

If you haven’t watched that Netflix series yet, you have a treat in store.

As the traumatized and haunted police detective Yeon-hee, we have Shin Hyun-been. You may recognize her from The Closet (org. title: Keullojet).

And finally, as that nightmarish criminal Kwon Yang-rae, who is on the hunt for his next victim, we have Shin Min-jae. He was in the Netflix sci-fi action movie Jung_E and the Netflix horror sci-fi series Parasyte: The Grey. In Revelations, he is an actual revelation!

Watch Revelations on Netflix

While I’ve mentioned director Yeon Sang-ho a few times, he actually wrote this movie with Choi Gyu-seok. This was the same duo that brought us the Netflix series Hellbound, which should give you an idea of just how dark Revelations also is.

Using religion as a backdrop, with a police detective who has her own ghosts as the other driver, and a brutal sadistic antagonist, is a recipe for something powerful and dark. This movie does not shy away from those difficult scenes or moments, so it hits hard.

With this Netflix movie, director Yeon Sang-ho and his co-writer Choi Gyu-seok are adapting their 2022 comic of the same name. It’s a story of faith and beliefs just as Hellbound is.

Producing this movie is Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón, who is a fan of the director and loved this story. I can easily see why as it is very universal and hits damn hard.

While this Netflix movie isn’t one of the very best South Korean thrillers, I’ve ever watched, I  still highly recommend checking it out on Netflix. It’s a brilliant movie in its own right.

Revelations (org. title: Gyesirok) is on Netflix worldwide from March 21, 2025.

Details

Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Writers: Choi Gyu-seok, Yeon Sang-ho
Cast: Ryu Jun-yeol, Shin Min-jae, Shin Hyun-been

Plot

A pastor who believes in divine revelation and a detective haunted by visions pursue a missing person case — exposing their own demons in the process.

BABY REINDEER on Netflix is a new stalker series based on a true story. It’s a genre hybrid with dark comedy, thriller, and horror. Within the first episode, you should get a Misery vibe. Read our full Baby Reindeer series review here!

BABY REINDEER is a new Netflix series with a stalker plot that is based on a true story. With seven half-hour episodes, it’s almost impossible not to binge-watch. Especially as episode 1 is good at setting the stage for the crazy escalation we’re about to experience.

ALSO READ

Our feature on the true story of BABY REINDEER >

Just as you might be thinking “Will this get darker?!” the stalker in this story, Martha, has a moment that immediately made me think of Misery‘s Annie Wilkes. Well, except for the fact that Martha is quite the “dirty bird” as she lusts for her baby reindeer, the struggling comedian Donny Dunn.

Continue reading our Baby Reindeer Netflix series review below. Premieres on Netflix on April 11, 2024.

This gets very dark, very fast

In Baby Reindeer, we follow the life of Donny Dunn as he tries to break into comedy. In the beginning, he is a bartender doing stand-up and failing miserably at it. The struggling comedian then begins a strangely warped relationship with a woman, who comes to the bar.

Her name is Martha and she very quickly becomes his stalker. We see how they first meet and the way it escalates. The whole “meet cute” is funny and sad and Martha is definitely weird. She lies about everything, but it’s so much that it’s obvious.

When things get extremely dark in this Netflix genre hybrid, it’s due to the impact Martha has on Donny. Especially as it forces him to acknowledge and face his own deeply buried trauma.

Richard Gadd stars as Donny Dunn, who is also the title character, and does a stellar job. However, just as was the case with Misery, the crazy stalker is the real star of this story. Martha is portrayed by Jessica Gunning who does an absolutely brilliant job. It’s touching and scary in all the right ways.

A different kind of Annie Wilkes

I know I might be a little stuck on the whole Annie Wilkes of Misery angle. I just found it difficult not to compare the two when you see the Martha go from bubbly and sweet to downright sinister in a split second. Just like Kathy Bates’s iconic portrayal of Stephen King’s character.

Also, I loved that this Netflix series has half-hour episodes and isn’t as straightforward as you might think. Yes, Martha is a stalker. There can be no two ways about that. However, Donny also finds ways to exploit her interest in him.

First, it’s mostly due to her compliments. And, let’s be fair, he feels sorry for her, when he can sense that he’s hurt her feelings. Later, it’s obvious that Martha is his number one fan (there’s that Annie Wilkes vibe again) and he needs her to be present during his shows. Or to get attention. Full stop!

Watch the Baby Reindeer series on Netflix now!

Richard Gadd, who stars as Donny “Baby Reindeer” Dunn, is the creator of this series. Also, the forces behind The End of the F***king World are behind this new series. The directors of the episodes are Weronika Tofilska (The Irregulars) and Josephine Bornebusch (Bad Sisters).

I don’t know that any explanation can truly do it justice as it is so crazy that you need to experience it. This new Netflix stalker series is based on the award-winning and hit Edinburgh Fringe one-man play by Richard Gadd, and it’s his own story.

While stalking is no laughing matter, dark comedy is very easily applied to any stalker story. They just tend to sound so crazy that it feels like a joke where the punchline never comes.

The entire series is just seven half-hour episodes, and it is very binge-worthy. Well, except for the fact that it’s also quite intense and gets very wild, so you might want to take a little break once in a while. I was hooked from the opening scene, and if you watch the trailer as well, you’ll see the darkness.

Baby Reindeer is out on Netflix on April 11, 2024.

Details

Creator: Richard Gadd
Cast: Richard Gadd, Jessica Gunning, Nava Mau

Plot

When a struggling comedian shows an act of kindness to a vulnerable woman, it sparks a suffocating obsession which threatens to wreck both their lives.

CAN I TELL YOU A SECRET? on Netflix is a new true crime documentary in two parts. It’s a very important case, but a terrible production. Still, you should watch it for the case. Read our Can I Tell You a Secret? docu-series review here!

CAN I TELL YOU A SECRET? is a new Netflix docu-series in the true crime subgenre. The case in this two-part documentary focuses on stalking. Specifically, it focuses on how one stalker managed to stalk a lot of women. Most of them were ignored – or received no help – when they tried to report it.

Except for helping us get a natural break, there’s no reason this documentary should be a docu-series and not simply a feature-length documentary. No matter how it’s presented, the production and style of this new British docu-series is abysmal. And it’s a damn shame as the case is important!

Continue reading our Can I Tell You a Secret? review below. Find it on Netflix from February 21, 2024.

Focus on the victims and then the stalker

Can I Tell You a Secret? is the story of the most prolific (known!) stalker in the UK. His name is Matthew Hardy – this isn’t a spoiler but the official “plot” of the documentary – and he received the longest custodial sentence in British history for online stalking.

Over two hour-long episodes, we hear from a few of the women who were his victims, the police investigation (and lack thereof, at first), and how one of the victims ended up handing the police a folder of evidence. Not unlike what happened in The Truth About Jim on Max.

Part One of Can I Tell You A Secret? sets the stage

The intense and relentless online stalking cases start with a ping. A stranger contacts a lot of women and immediately starts talking about a secret. What comes next is the stalker inserting himself into every area of the victims’ online lives.

Including the very Catfish-inspired move of creating new profiles where the stalker pretends to be their victim. Via this cloned profile, they contact friends and family members of their victim and land them in all sorts of hot water, including very compromising situations that endanger them.

The stalker is on a campaign of harassment that directly threatens the everyday lives of his victims. All of them are young women from across the UK. Before long, the women are scared to leave their homes (the “online stalker” tends to work offline as well) and are desperate for help, but the police are very slow to give it.

The Part 2 of Can I Tell You A Secret? focus

When part 2 comes around, the focus is on the stalker and the one brave officer who apparently cracks the whole case. Very much based on the work done by one of the victims, who works at a law office and knows how a case is handled when going to court.

Also, the police officer is simply doing his job and seems to be learning on the job instead of consulting experts. It results in justice moving very slowly. Officially, the plot ends with “As key evidence mounts, one police officer is determined to bring the suspect to justice”.

Well, that’s just BS because no more evidence shows up. The police simply manage to understand what the hell they’re dealing with at a very slow pace.

I dare claim that Nev and Kamie from Catfish would’ve cracked this case in an afternoon. Including a package of the so-called “mounting evidence” that the police take months or even years to accumulate.

Sympathy for the stalker?!

When part 2 of Can I Tell You A Secret? begins, it’s with a focus on the stalker. At the end of part 1, his name is revealed and so the second part naturally begins with a focus on him. Less natural is the way he’s portrayed.

He’s autistic and was lonely and bullied in High School, which seems like a plea for sympathy. Not just that they mention this, but the way this documentary suddenly becomes so focused on him. Also, a police officer gets a lot of screen time.

The kind of screen time, mind you, where he has to do some acting. Or attempt to. We get to see him look exasperated as he’s trying to “crack the case” and quite frankly, his acting comes across as if he’s having a much harder time than the actual victims.

Also, do try to pay attention to a fact that one of the victims later points out: From the first time a victim approaches law enforcement to when he is caught and faces charges, nothing has changed. There is no new evidence or new laws put in place. Instead, the police finally got around to doing their actual jobs!

Particularly acknowledging that stalking – including the kind that takes place [mostly!] online – is an actual crime. I would’ve liked an even greater focus on their previous lack of effort. There are comments from various police departments at the end of both episodes, but this feels like a cop-out.

Yes, pun very much intended!

Watch Can I Tell You A Secret? on Netflix

The series director is Liza Williams, who previously directed The Yorkshire Ripper. That true crime docu-series won a BAFTA TV Award in 2020. Very deserved, I might add, as it was a very well-produced documentary. One that covered the true crime case boldly and directly. Do watch it!

Another director on Can I Tell You A Secret? is Tash Gaunt, but I can’t claim this is what makes the difference as Liza Williams is still the series director.

We very recently reviewed Lover, Stalker, Killer (also on Netflix) which was made as a feature and worked much better. Not that having Can I Tell You A Secret? released as a documentary feature rather than a two-part docu-series would’ve helped all the other issues.

Mostly, I absolutely loathe the voice-over where someone reads the messages from the stalker out loud with a filter supposedly disguising the stalker. Weird choice, when the stalker used written messages that we see on the screen.

And far too much screen time is used showing phone lines in the air flashing to imitate messages going out. I mean, enough already. One thing was if it was supposed to show the direction of the messages or if it was part of the investigation, but it’s just wasted on-screen time that gives us nothing new.

Do better! This is an important story and the focus of the docu-series is muddled. At best.

The Can I Tell You A Secret? docu-series is on Netflix from February 21, 2024. 

Plot

Three women’s lives are changed forever when a prolific stalker infiltrates their social media accounts. And they’re only a fraction of his many victims. The real-life story of the victims of serial cyberstalker Matthew Hardy.

PREY FOR THE BRIDE on Tubi is a new horror movie with a revenge plot that plays out during a bachelorette weekend. And yes, we are talking about slasher-style revenge featuring a killer in a mask. Read our full Prey for the Bride movie review here!

PREY FOR THE BRIDE is a new Tubi horror movie. It’s a slasher movie with a revenge plot, which means it has two things going for it in terms of creating solid horror scenes. It also manages to take advantage of this even though the murders aren’t the most creative scenes.

The slasher revenge happens during a bachelorette party that is planned to take place at a gorgeous house in a secluded area of Napa. They are surrounded by mountains and trees. More a perfect set-up for the killer than anything else, but with a limo-driver as part of the plan for the bachelorette party, it makes sense to stay there.

Continue reading our Prey for the Bride movie review below. Find it on Tubi from February 16, 2024.

Drinks, games, and murder

In Prey for the Bride, we meet a group of bridesmaids as they travel to Napa for a bachelorette party. They’re staying for the weekend, and it’s all very nice as one of the bridesmaids comes from a wealthy family. It’s her parent’s house, so they can have fun and make noise, while food and drinks come from the hired help.

They just have to enjoy themselves with drinks and the classic bachelorette-themed games. Until that is, murders start happening. Of course, we see a few murders before they even discover that something is wrong. But isn’t that often the case with slasher movies?!

In any case, they do realize that they are in very real and great danger. A man wearing a wolf mask makes it obvious that he is killing to avenge the death of someone else. Someone we hear about throughout the movie before it is all revealed.

The ending of Prey for the Bride

I was shocked. Shocked, I tell you! Okay, I wasn’t even close to being shocked when the big reveal (or plot twist, if you will) finally happened in Prey for the Bride. As the story progressed and evolved, it seemed like the only logical conclusion.

Or maybe not “logical” in terms of what you and I would consider logic, but rather for a movie of this kind.

The Prey for the Bride ending isn’t good at all. In fact, it becomes trope upon trope built on a stereotype. It also comes as absolutely no surprise that the movie was written and directed by men. Having a few women onboard for a movie about women and a female friendship group could’ve been a good idea.

Still, this is essentially a slasher mystery with the killer wearing a red hoodie and a wolf mask, so the storyline isn’t at the forefront at any time. I did like the whole Red Riding Hood combined with the wolf look, but it’s hardly enough to make me enjoy the ending.

Watch Prey for the Bride on TUBI now!

Danny J. Boyle is the director of Prey for the Devil and the “J.” is very important as we know Danny Boyle from iconic movies such as 28 Days Later and Trainspotting. Danny J. Boyle has a lot of movies with fun horror titles on his resume. Whether the movies are good, I can’t say, but the titles certainly give away the plot.

There’s Killer Assistant (2016) and Killer in Law (2018) as well as Cheerleader Nightmare (2018) and Nightmare School Moms (2023) to name just a few. You get the idea, I’m sure. Also, the 2018 movie #SquadGoals is on Netflix under the title Deadly Scholars.

In any case, this new Tubi Original has a screenplay written by Bryan Dick. His two previous movies were the abovementioned Nightmare School Mom and Spring Break Nightmare (2023). Again, it’s obvious that there’s a formula to the titles and, I suspect, probably to the actual plots and movies as well.

If you’re simply in the mood for a mind-numbing slasher movie with a fun enough plot, then check it out on Tubi. Especially if you also like revenge-themed plots. Though, admittedly, this is the weaker part of the movie.

Prey for the Bride is on Tubi from February 16, 2o24.

Details

Director: Danny J. Boyle
Writer: Bryan Dick
Stars: Megan Peta Hill, Getenesh Berhe, Lina Lecompte, Jacky Lai, Brad Harder, Spencer Borgeson, Marnie Mahannah

Plot

A group of friends at a bachelorette party are stalked, tortured and murdered by a masked figure, who forces them to face a long-buried secret.

STRANGER IN THE WOODS is a new survival thriller with quirky characters and a few twists along the way. If you enjoy psychological and violent thrillers, you’ll like this one as well. Read our full Stranger in the Woods movie review here!

STRANGER IN THE WOODS is a survival thriller that offers interesting backstories and characters that surprise. You may guess a few of the twists, but when a movie is this entertaining, I’m fine with it.

Besides, the twists aren’t what stays with you; The characters are! All of them in different ways, but some leave a much bigger impression. And yes, we are talking impressions of the terrifying kind.

Continue reading our Stranger in the Woods movie review below. Find it on VOD from February 14, 2024.

A weekend getaway turns dark

Stranger In The Woods is about Olivia (Holly Kenney) and where she is in her life. She’s a woman who is trying to recover from a traumatic event. Or rather, a few traumatic events, but you’ll find out the details of those as the story evolves.

To try and get better, her friends are taking her on a weekend getaway trip to the woods. Specifically, a “cabin in the woods“-type of getaway, which sounds like a horror movie in itself. In any case, the place is fine and belongs to a friend, Sam (Brendin Brown), in the group. Or rather, his family and the person looking after the place is his brother.

The brother, Clayton (Teddy Spencer) lives in the cabin next door. As right next door, so when everyone is out on their respective porches, they’re pretty much having their morning coffee together. And yes, the brother is exactly as “Cabin in the Woods”-horror movie creepy as you’d expect.

Of course, looks can be deceiving… but rarely that deceiving. And huge kudos to Teddy Spencer for breathing life into Clayton. While he is scary as hell, we also get to see other sides of the character. More vulnerable sides… though he is still scary!

In any case, Olivia’s dog vanishes, and she begins to suspect that someone is out to get her. With her fragile state of mind after the traumas she endured recently, her friends are nervous for her. However, things evolve and escalate in a way that results in a fight for survival for them all.

A thriller for Valentine’s Day

With the release date being on Valentine’s Day, Stranger in the Woods could be a movie many will watch on this day of love and romance. If you’re contemplating watching a new thriller or horror movie for Valentine’s Day, Stranger in the Woods could be a solid choice.

Mostly, however, if you’re recently single and happy to be so. This movie will remind you that not being in a relationship isn’t the worst thing. On the other hand, the story also features a very happy couple, so there’s that.

As a survival thriller, Stranger in the Woods offers both the darker side of “love” and a lot of hope for what it can be. If you’re in the mood for something truly romantic (yet still in the horror and thriller genres), I would recommend that you (also!) check out Cellphone. Ignore the stupid title and get ready for a heartbreaking love story… and horror!

Watch Stranger in the Woods on VOD

Stranger in the Woods is directed by Adam Newacheck and was produced by his brother Kyle Newacheck (via Newacheck Brothers). As a producer, Kyle Newacheck has been working on the What We Do in the Shadows series since 2020.

The screenplay for this new survival thriller comes from Holly Kenney. Yes, the very same Holly Kenney who portrays the character of Olivia, the one struggling to survive. As mentioned earlier, the mystery and twists can be guessed, but this also means that it comes across as believable and realistic.

Overall, this new thriller has a lot going for it. From the cast to the story to the overall pace and directing, I really enjoyed this movie. With a few extra surprises along the way, this could easily have been at 4 out of 5. In other words, I’m very excited to see what the filmmakers come up with next.

Stranger in the Woods is out on VOD from February 14, 2024. 

Details

Director: Adam Newacheck
Writer: Holly Kenney
Stars: Holly Kenney, Brendin Brown, T.A. Spencer, Devon Stewart, Paris Nicole, and Radek Antczak

Plot

Stranger In The Woods is about a woman who goes on a weekend getaway trip to the woods with her friends in hopes of recovering from a traumatic event. But when her dog vanishes, their sanity unravels, leading to a chilling fight for survival.

LOVER, STALKER, KILLER on Netflix is a new true crime documentary that covers a case evolving in crazy ways. You may guess the twists. However, that’s mostly due to it having been made into a documentary. Read our full Lover, Stalker, Killer documentary review here!

LOVER, STALKER, KILLER is a new Netflix true crime documentary. That case featured is pretty much described right there in the title. A lover becomes a stalker and then a killer. Well, maybe the progress and development in how it escalates overlap a bit.

In any case, it’s a documentary with a runtime of right around the 90-minute mark. This results in a tightly told story about how one unfortunate decision can land you in the path of crazy.

Continue reading our Lover, Stalker, Killer documentary review below. Find it on Netflix from February 9, 2024.

Catfish gone deadly

If you’ve watched Catfish (either the documentary or TV show), you’ll know all about the dangers of online dating. As someone who has successfully met the love of my life online, I’m not about to say online dating is all bad. However, it seems like bad online dating can evolve and escalate differently.

For Dave, who recently left a long-term relationship, it’s the perfect way to move on. He isn’t looking for anything serious and is up-front about it as he turns to online dating. This is how he meets Liz and Cari, who are both promising connections but not meant to be anything serious.

Also, they’re both single moms wanting to do their own things and have something casual. Perfect for Dave, who also has two kids and has moved to a new state to be close to them after the break-up with their mother. Unfortunately, these casual romances turn into a twisted and sinister love triangle, where a stalker damn-near ruins his entire life.

And takes the life of another!

A touch of Basic Instinct

Despite the true crime in Lover, Stalker, Killer being much more reminiscent of Fatal Attraction than another Michael Douglas-starring movie, I kept thinking of it. I’m talking about Basic Instinct and there’s a very good reason for that.

Turns out this Netflix documentary is the latest in productions opting for a score heavily inspired by Jerry Goldsmith’s iconic Basic Instinct. Just listen to the eerie score playing in the background of Lover, Stalker, Killer and tell me it doesn’t sound like this Basic Instinct score.

Admittedly, it’s perfect for setting the tone of this true crime documentary, so I can understand why.

Even if I’m not a fan of using music to evoke emotions in a documentary. I believe more in letting the story stand alone. However, as there are also reenactments – used sparingly, I’m pleased to say – I guess it makes sense.

Also, I have to admit that the true crime case in Lover, Stalker, Killer does feel like something out of a movie. In fact, had it been a movie, you’d probably be feeling like they went a bit too far with the plot. As is often the case, real life is wilder than anything you could make up.

Watch Lover, Stalker, Killer on Netflix now!

Director Sam Hobkinson (Fear City: New York vs The Mafia) has managed to craft a documentary that focuses on the key elements of this true crime case. Getting a wonderfully nerdy IT guy to explain the digital deception and fact-finding mission is a scoop. Especially as he was the one who worked on the case.

MORE FROM THE SAME DOCUMENTARY PRODUCERS

This new Netflix documentary is from Curious Films, who also made Running with the Devil

Covering the events in this true crime case that spans four years is no small feat. However, thanks to solid and relevant interviews with those involved, the story is told in a sober and direct manner. The interviews include law enforcement officers (and a great IT guy) who cracked the case.

Now, I’m not about victim blaming, so I can’t blame him for trying online dating again at a later point in time. However, I do want to point out that there’s a reason why Catfish victims usually turn to offline dating after a bad experience. And Dave has had a terrible experience with online dating, so finding connections offline might be better.

Lover, Stalker, Killer is on Netflix globally from February 9, 2024.

Plot

In this twisting documentary, a mechanic tries online dating for the first time and meets a woman who takes romantic obsession to a deadly extreme.