TROLL 2 on Netflix is the sequel to the 2022 hit movie from Norway. I’ll admit I wasn’t too hopeful it would work a second time. However, I found the plot of this one to work almost even better, so I watched it with a huge smile on my face. Well, when it wasn’t too scary or sad. Read our full review of the Troll 2 Netflix movie here!

TROLL 2 is on Netflix worldwide exactly three years after the first movie was released. In this sequel, we follow many of the same characters, so it feels very familiar right off the bat. Well, the characters that survived are still here, anyway. Of course, we have flashbacks, so most can be included that way.

Also, fair warning, don’t expect everyone to make it out alive this time around either. Yes, this movie will end in a huge fight, which usually means not everyone can survive. Still, this one was a brutal blow, I must say. For the record, my exact rating is closer to 3½, but since we don’t do halves, I’m rounding it up to 4 out of 5.

Continue reading our Troll 2 Netflix movie review below. Find it on Netflix from December 1, 2025.

None the wiser

In Troll 2, a dangerous new troll has been awakened. So, not unlike the events of the previous movie, and yet many appear to be none the wiser. They still think they can use modern technology to contain or control this ancient being made of and by nature.

As a result, this new troll will be unleashing devastation across Norway. Again!

Of course, those who did appear somewhat smarter the first time around are still ready to fight smarter in this sequel. This mostly means the adventurers Nora and Andreas, who try to understand instead of “just” fighting. Also, there’s Captain Kris (who is now a major, but that doesn’t have quite the same ring), and he is still quick to use brawn over brain.

An unexpected hero… or two?!

Don’t worry, I won’t be doing spoilers for Troll 2, but I have to highlight that I loved the unexpected heroes of the story. One is “Beautiful”, and the other is not as surprising, but plays a much bigger role than I expected.

As someone from Scandinavia, this whole troll universe isn’t new to me, and maybe that’s why I expected something else or more from the first movie. However, in this sequel, I feel like the small stuff that didn’t work too well for me comes together much better in Troll 2.

I especially loved how parts of the solution to the rampage of the troll meant looking back at the ancient history of Norway. Figuring out how trolls were treated, and what changed from when they lived in a world alongside human beings. From religion to monarchy, this fantasy universe touches on all the stuff that our countries have been built on over centuries.

In the main cast, we still have Ine Maria Wilmann as Nora Tidemann, Kim Falck as Andreas, Mads Sjøgård Pettersen as “Captain Kris” with Sara Khorami (Post Mortem) as Marion. It’s not a huge cast, but it is very good!

Watch Troll 2 on Netflix

Roar Uthaug is once again the director of the Netflix sequel, just as he was on the first movie. Also, Roar Uthaug wrote the story for Troll 2, while Espen Aukan is the script writer. Basically, this movie was made with exactly the same constellation as the first one.

With a runtime of just over 100 minutes (1 hour and 42 minutes, to be exact), it doesn’t run for too long for its storyline. As a rule, I think it’s fair to say that anyone who enjoyed the first movie will like this one.

Do not switch Troll 2 off too quickly. There is an end-credit scene, which very much teases a third movie. One I will gladly watch after this solid sequel.

Troll 2 premieres globally on Netflix on December 1, 2025.

Details

Director: Roar Uthaug
Story: Roar Uthaug
Script: Espen Aukan
Cast: Ine Maria Wilmann, Sara Khorami, Mads Sjøgård Pettersen, Kim Falck

Plot

When a dangerous new troll unleashes devastation across their homeland, Nora, Andreas and Major Kris embark on their most perilous mission yet.

PRIMITIVE WAR is a new horror movie that plays out during the Vietnam War and features dinosaurs. Lots of them. Also, this is nowhere near as kitsch as that sounds. The movie is based on a book, and the premise is surprisingly elegant. Read our full Primitive War movie review here!

PRIMITIVE WAR is a horror movie with a plot that worked surprisingly well. With a runtime of well over two hours, I was worried that it would be very slow. It isn’t. Not at all. What it is, however, is essentially three stories in one movie. And that’s not a bad thing either.

It begins as a somewhat classic Vietnam War movie following a group of soldiers. Then we move into a dinosaur plot, and then there’s the final act about how the dinosaurs came to be in Vietnam in 1968. All three are very interesting, and the storytelling works so much better than I ever expected. Even more surprising, so did the special effects.

Continue reading our Primitive War movie review here!

Vietnam 1968… with dinosaurs

Primitive War plays out in Vietnam in 1968, where we meet a search and rescue team known as the “Vulture Squad”. Having just returned from one intense mission, they are sent to the next. Of course, much of the mission is classified, so all they know is that they need to save a missing Green Beret platoon.

The Vultures hunt through the jungle, doing their best to avoid danger, so they can get to the missing Green Berets as soon as possible. Of course, avoiding the enemy doesn’t matter much when suddenly dinosaurs are roaming around in Vietnam.

Yes, dinosaurs have somehow been unleashed. In Vietnam. In 1968. And yes, we do get answers about the how and why of this wild situation. What’s important to the storyline of Primitive War is how the members of “Vulture Squad” decide to act. Very quickly, they recognize that they may have to rely more on their own savage instincts to survive this madness.

Impressive dinosaurs and a great cast

Sure, you may see Jeremy Piven in much of the PR material, but this isn’t really his movie. He’s in it, and his character is important, but he’s not the one out in the field. That would be the leader of the Vultures, and he’s portrayed by Ryan Kwanten. An actor I have adored in pretty much everything he’s done. From True Blood and Glorious to Them.

In other key roles are Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica, Lucifer) and Nick Wechsler (The Boys, The Hunting Party).

Also, we get to see Anthony Ingruber (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), Aaron Glenane (Killing Ground), Carlos Sanson Jr (Legacies), Ana Thu Nguyen (Mortal Kombat 2), Marcus Johnson (Talk to Me), and Jake Ryan (Savage), among several others.

Along with the actors, we see many different dinosaurs. Much of the action happens during nightfall, which is a smart move as it doesn’t require quite as many details. However, we do also see plenty of dinosaurs during the daytime, and they often hold up very nicely. Regardless of their budget, I feel the production quality is way higher than one could expect!

Watch Primitive War in UK cinemas or on VOD in the US

Primitive War is written and directed by Luke Sparke. We recently reviewed his 2024 movie Scurry, as it was released on digital. This dinosaur war hybrid is based on the 2017 sci-fi military novel series of the same name by Ethan Pettus. It was produced by Luke Sparke with Carmel Imrie and Carly Sparke (Occupation: Rainfall, Bring Him to Me, and Scurry).

The worldbuilding is very impressive, and I was happy to see that this wasn’t made as a kitsch B-movie. I mean, when you describe the plot, it’s too easy to think a filmmaker would go the route of Sharknado or something similar. This is not that kind of story, and the movie fortunately reflects that.

I have no problem admitting that I would love a sequel. Also, I haven’t read the novel series, but it sounds like there could be more to work on from that alone.

Primitive War is out in UK and Irish cinemas from November 28, 2025. It’s already out on digital in the US.

Details

Director: Luke Sparke
Writer: Luke Sparke
Cast: Ryan Kwanten, Jeremy Piven, Tricia Helfer, Nick Weschler, Anthony Ingruber, Aaron Glenane, Carlos Sanson Jr, Ana Thu Nguyen, Adolphus Waylee, Richard Brancatisano, Marcus Johnson, Jake Ryan

Plot

Vietnam. 1968. A search and rescue team known as “Vulture Squad” is sent to an isolated jungle valley to uncover the fate of a missing Green Beret platoon. As they hunt through the primordial depths of the valley, they discover ancient horrors that not only threaten to unravel their minds, but to end their lives as well. Dinosaurs have somehow been unleashed…

STRANGER THINGS Season 5 Volume 1 is finally out on Netflix now. That means more of the wonderful genre hybrid featuring sci-fi, horror, fantasy, mystery, thriller, and action. And yes, it does get very dark, yet again. The four new episodes in Volume 1 are all at least one hour long, so clear your calendar. Read our Stranger Things S5 Vol. 1 review here!

STRANGER THINGS Season 5 Volume 1 on Netflix offers the first four episodes of the fifth and final season of the Netflix hit series. We’ll get an additional three episodes for Christmas in Volume 2, and then “The Finale” will be out on New Year’s Eve.

Also, expect all the episodes to between around one hour in runtime, and actual feature film length. Hey, I’m not complaining. I have loved this 1980s genre-mix of a series since the very first episode. Actually, even just from the plot and the first trailer, I knew I was hooked. Now, we’re entering the final episodes to learn the fate of Hawkins.

Continue reading our Stranger Things S5 Vol 1 review below. Start watching on Netflix now.

Hawkins is under siege

We begin with a quick recap of Stranger Things Season 4, which also means you’ll need to look up recaps that cover more than just the previous season. I found one from Looper on YouTube that covered all four previous seasons, and it’s worth checking out if you want an in-depth refresher of past events. Find it here >

After the quick S4 recap, we’re ready to keep going, but Hawkins isn’t quite as before. There’s a military presence, and Hawkins is very much a city under siege. Now, it’s both from the many military personnel all over, and due to the fact that everyone in the town must remain there. Yep, a good ol’ fashioned quarantine.

The huge crack in the surface, which was described as the result of an earthquake, has been paved over with metal sheets. Other than that, soldiers continue moving in and out of the “Upside Down” through Rifts.

We’re in the Fall of 1987, and all our heroes (kids, teenagers, and adults) have a common goal of wanting to find and kill Vecna. Of course, Vecna has a plan of his own, and once that is put into action, several characters will pay the price. This is not a show for kids, and a lot of blood will be spilled.

Eleven is in hiding, but just wants to help, and knows she is probably the only hope of defeating Vecna. However, Hopper wants to protect her, and (as always) they end up fighting a lot.

Lots of familiar faces – and a few new ones

As always, the cast of Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 is led by Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers and David Harbour as Jim Hopper. They are the adults who have worked with the “kids” since the beginning.

The kids (of very varying ages by now) consist of Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair, and Noah Schnapp as Will Byers. Also, Sadie Sink is still here as Max Mayfield, who sadly ended up in a coma by the end of season 4. She’s still there as this story begins.

Among those who have been teenagers since they entered the story, we have Natalia Dyer as Mike’s older sister Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Will’s older brother Jonathan Byers, and Joe Keery as the ever-charming and brave (if sometimes not the brightest) Steve Harrington. Also, Maya Hawke is still on board as Robin Buckley.

Many other recurring characters are back, which I’m happy to report includes Priah Ferguson as Lucas’s fierce little sister, Erica Sinclair, and Cara Buono as the Wheeler matriarch, Karen Wheeler. Also returning, of course, is Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna – also known in his human form as Henry.

For me, the most interesting new addition is Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay, but we’ll also be seeing more of Alex Breaux as Lt. Akers. Overall, there are lots of people working in or for the military. Plus, Nell Fisher (Evil Dead Rise) will play a bigger role as the younger Wheeler sibling, Holly.

Watch Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 on Netflix now

As always, the Stranger Things series comes from creators The Duffer Brothers. It’s produced by Upside Down Pictures & 21 Laps Entertainment, and yes, The Duffer Brothers serve as executive producers. Of course!

Also, executive producing is Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine) of 21 Laps Entertainment and Dan Cohen (The Boogeyman, Love and Monsters, There’s Someone Inside Your House).

If you’ve been a fan of Stranger Things this far, you should be happy with how this final season is beginning. It does get very dark and violent. Sure, this has always been the case, but it is very bloody alongside the “typical” psychological warfare we’ve experienced from the Upside Down. Consider yourself warned… and enjoy the ride towards The Finale.

Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 debuts on Netflix on November 26, 2025.

Details

Creators: The Duffer Brothers
Cast: Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Brett Gelman (Murray), Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), Amybeth McNulty (Vickie), Nell Fisher (Holly Wheeler), Jake Connelly (Derek Turnbow), Alex Breaux (Lt. Akers), and Linda Hamilton (Dr. Kay).

Plot

The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time.

Director Jamie Langlands makes his feature-length debut with The Cellar, a slow-burning and atmospheric tale about a woman’s journal to escape from literal confinement and her spiritual journal to escape from her inner demons.

Meghan Adara stars as Abigail, a woman who wakes up trapped in a locked room in an underground cellar. Most of the film focuses on Abigail trying to escape from the cellar, with very little dialogue or other characters.

At times, it seems like Abigail might be being pursued by a mysterious assailant, although this was largely hinted at for the most part instead of being explicitly shown.

DO NOT CONFUSE THIS ONE WITH…

The 2024 thriller Cellar Door, which we have reviewed here >

And while some viewers might lose interest in the long sections in which Abigail prowls the underground maze of corridors due to the lack of dialogue or interactions which occur throughout these prolonged sequences, others will appreciate the way in which The Cellar presents an intimate journey into one woman’s desperate struggle to emerge victorious.

Never give up

Abigail is clearly a woman who refuses to give up, no matter how discouraging the odds stacked against her happen to be, and her largely uninterrupted journey to freedom will resonate with anyone who has ever felt trapped in a situation which they desperately want to escape from.

The way in which very little else is shown as Abigail tries to find a way out means that your attention will be laser-focused on her efforts to break free, and while some might lose interest, others will be captivated.

It also soon becomes clear that Abigail was deeply troubled prior to her ordeal in the cellar, and her dream of a better life if she manages to break free makes her seem even more admirable as a person.

And Adara delivered a compelling and persuasive performance despite her relative lack of dialogue, with Abigail’s sheer determination and desperation clearly being felt, regardless of the fact that she rarely speaks.

Impressive performances

Although there are some interludes to group therapy sessions which Abigail attended before being captured, with the attendees offering detailed accounts of why they believe they need help after their lives fell to pieces.

These scenes offer a welcome diversion from the portions of the film taking place in the maze-like cellar, and the actors all delivered impressive performances as lost souls who desperately need to be found.

Obie Dean delivered a particularly impressive performance as Darren, a former addict who describes how he overdosed during one of the group therapy sessions. Darren clearly struggles to hold back tears as he recounts his story, and you will do the same as you listen to his account of his harrowing ordeal.

Watch The Cellar (2024) on Digital now

Aside from the group therapy scenes, there are also some dream-like sequences showing Abigail seemingly experiencing visions of herself in a field, with strange events going on around her. It is unclear if these are flashbacks, dreams, or hallucinations, so you will need to make up your own mind about these scenes.

And while some will argue that these largely ambiguous sequences do not serve much of a purpose, they will still leave you pondering over the meaning for a long time after the end credits start to roll.

MORE MOVIES WITH A SIMILAR TITLE

If the title seems familiar, it may be due to this one from 2022 >

Viewers with long attention spans will no doubt be absorbed by Abigail’s quest to escape from the labyrinthine complex as they watch The Cellar, with Langlands proving that you do not need large amounts of dialogue to tell a character-focused story.

And the relatively short, eighty-four minute runtime ensures that The Cellar does not overstay its welcome, so even though there was not an awful lot going on for much of the film, your interest will not have too much time to waiver.

Although it may be too uneventful for some, The Cellar ultimately proved to be a captivating examination into the lengths that people will go to in order to find a way out of desperate situations.

THE CELLAR (2024) was released on digital on November 4, 2025.

Details

Director: Jamie Langlands
Writer: Jamie Langlands
Stars: Meghan Adara, Neil James, Charlotte Marshall, Wayne Liversidge, Obie Dean, Mickaela Sands, Sophie Flack

Plot

A young girl wakes up imprisoned underground, with amnesia. She must escape, unravel the mystery behind her captivity, and confront her personal struggles. A suspenseful tale of survival, truth, and inner turmoil unfolds.

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.

KEEPER is out in theaters, and this new horror movie from Osgood Perkins has been kept deeply under wraps. Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland star as a couple who go on a romantic anniversary trip, but end up in an absolute nightmare. Get ready for a very surreal elevated horror experience. Read our spoiler-free Keeper movie review here!

KEEPER is a new Osgood Perkins horror movie described as a surrealist horror movie. And yes, it absolutely is surrealistic and completely insane. Other than several different movie trailers, this movie has been advertised only with quotes from iconic horror authors and filmmakers. Not via any reviews.

In fact, not only were press screenings cancelled, I also know of a genre film festival screening in Denmark that was cancelled at the last minute. When press screenings and film festival screenings alike are canceled, it seems like an afterthought. Possibly to avoid spoilers, which I can absolutely understand.

Obviously, this meant I had to get tickets for the earliest public screening available, so that’s what I did, and now I have a review ready for you.

Continue reading our spoiler-free Keeper 2025 movie review below. Find it in a theater near you… If you dare.

Very romantic… until it’s a nightmare!

I will not do spoilers for Keeper (2025), so don’t worry about that when reading this review. However, it also means I can’t say very much about the movie except what has already been public knowledge ahead of its release.

We meet a couple on their romantic anniversary trip to a secluded cabin. Once they’ve been there for a little while, things turn sinister. And yes, we are talking about a paranormal or supernatural kind of evil.

It all starts turning into a nightmare when a dark presence reveals itself. A presence that will be forcing our couple to confront the property’s haunting past.

Keeper does get very surrealistic (though you could also call it “elevated horror“, but you already know that from watching the trailer. Or trailers, if you’ve watched them all, and I have not. Once a trailer came out labeled as the “final” trailer, I decided not to watch it and just let the movie overwhelm me with its craziness.

And it did. It really did.

So many questions about Keeper

When Keeper ends, you will probably have many questions about its plot and ending. That’s not to say that you won’t be given many answers. Instead, I say this to recognize that you may need to think it over or even speak with a fellow film watcher.

This is a movie that offers many familiar horror elements. Is it about ghosts, survival, revenge, folk lore, privilege, abuse, greed, or even a serial killer plot?!

Well, yes… sort of. It’s somewhere in between all these and yet somehow also outside of all of them.

The horror of Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland

Oh no, I don’t mean Tatiana Maslany (The Monkey) and Rossif Sutherland (Orphan: First Kill) are horrible or anything. I simply mean that the horror delivered by the performances of Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland is at the very heart of Keeper (2025).

To me, Tatiana Maslany is the absolute star of Keeper. Of course, I am probably biased since I have fiercely adored her ever since Orphan Black, where she portrayed a whole slew of diverse characters.

This may be a surrealist horror movie, but it is also a very character-driven horror story. As most are.

I really want to avoid spoilers, so let me talk about the vibe and feeling of this movie instead of plot details. If you’ve watched movies like Oddity, The Watchers, The Dead Thing, The Wailing, or even the Netflix series Don’t Come Home, then you have an idea of what to expect. Oh yes, we are in horror lore territory.

Again, this is not to say that the story of Keeper is the same in any way. I’m focusing on the vibe of it.

Watch Keeper in theaters

This was directed by Osgood “Oz” Perkins, who is quickly becoming quite the genre favorite. He previously directed The Monkey, which came out earlier this year, and Longlegs, which was released last year. Unlike with his two previous releases as a director, Osgood Perkins did not write the screenplay for Keeper.

The screenwriter is Nick Lepard, who also gave us Dangerous Animals. Yes, the amazing Australian serial killer thriller movie that came out earlier this year as well. Dangerous Animals was the first screenplay by Nick Lepard that was produced, and Keeper is the second.

What will come next? Well, with his current track record as a screenwriter, I’m already excited. Also, his first was directed by Sean Byrne (The Devil’s Candy) and the second was directed by Osgood Perkins, so who’s next? Jordan Peele?! After all, Osgood Perkins acted in Jordan Peele’s Nope, so there’s a link there. Just sayin’.

Final words: Keeper is classic Osgood Perkins, which is not for everyone. This is neither Longlegs nor The Monkey. If anything, it’s much closer to I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016), but with a much darker plot. This will not be for everyone, but I did like it. Even more after thinking it all through and seeing the patterns from a little distance.

Also, I loved the final scene and shot of Keeper. So powerful and pure!

Keeper is out in wide release in US theaters from November 14, 2025.

Details

In Theaters: November 14, 2025
Director: Osgood Perkins
Writer: Nick Lepard
Cast: Tatiana Maslany, Rossif Sutherland, Birkett Turton

Plot

A romantic anniversary trip to a secluded cabin turns sinister when a dark presence reveals itself, forcing a couple to confront the property’s haunting past.

THE RUNNING MAN is the new take on Stephen King’s dystopian game show sci-fi thriller. This one has a lot of dark comedy in there as well, which suits the 1980s style very well. I did, however, find it too long for its own good. Read our full The Running Man 2025 movie review here!

THE RUNNING MAN is a new movie by genre filmmaker Edgar Wright. It’s based on a novel by Stephen King, just as the first film adaptation from 1987 was. That one starred Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has a cameo in this one – sort of, he’s on the currency.

This time, Glen Powell stars as Ben Richards, and as someone susceptible to his charm (despite having more in common with Katy O’Brian), he works well for me. He has serious anger issues, but also wants to fight for what’s right. A familiar and efficient premise.

Continue reading our 2025 The Running Man movie review below. Find it in theaters from November 14, 2025.

Game Show of Death

The Running Man 2025 is a sci-fi conspiracy thriller showing a dystopian world where the richest people try to divide the poorest, so they’ll hate each other instead of them.

Sound familiar? Yeah, Stephen King stories have never been too far from the world we live in.

As someone who watched the 1987 The Running Man many times growing up, the world of this Stephen King (written as Richard Bachman, just like The Long Walk) story is nothing new. And yet, it is as relevant and current as ever.

It takes place in a near-future society, where the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. No medicine or food for the poor, while the rich want for nothing. Also, AI can make anything seem real in an instant, so you can’t tell fact from fiction.

Finally, everyone is obsessed with mind-numbing TV shows. From “The Americanos” reality show, where we follow a rich family and their drama, to various game shows that tend to have fatal outcomes for their contestants.

Anything to forget the horror of real life. All while dreaming of getting on one of these game shows, so you can be set for life. Of course, it doesn’t look like anyone really wins. Ever. But the dream of winning is being sold nonetheless.

Still made with an 1980s vibe

To me, I wasn’t sure if a 2025 version of The Running Man was necessary. However, my editor had never watched the 1987 original adaptation and loved this one, so I guess it’s still very relevant to a new generation.

What I wasn’t sure about at first was the decision to make it in a strange 1980s retro sci-fi style. Then again, I can understand that making it more contemporary (outside of the obvious Kardashian reference) would probably be too dark for many viewers.

So I was won over fairly fast by this. Somehow, things seem more innocent when shown in a retro 1980s light. Familiar, yet not too close to our current situation.

Even though it definitely is!

I can imagine plenty of people watching The Running Man in 2025 and thinking: “I’d sign up for that if I could actually win enough money to be set for life.” Just like Ben Richards rationalizes it in this story.

Running for your life

The Running Man is named after the top-rated show on television in this dystopian near-future. It’s a deadly competition where the contestants are called “Runners” because they have to survive for 30 days in order to win.

During these 30 days, they will be hunted by professional assassins, known as “Hunters”, and anyone in the public can also get rich by reporting a “Runner”. So, it’s essentially you against everyone else.

Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is desperate to save his sick daughter. Also, this working-class hero has a temper, which tends to get him fired. Sometimes for doing the right thing and helping his colleagues, but also just for getting angry and lashing out.

Sure, Ben Richards is a working-class man, but he isn’t without flaws. Then again, who isn’t?! The point in this story is simply that he is easily manipulated into being an ideal contestant. The ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), spots this immediately.

Watch the 2025 The Running Man in theaters!

Edgar Wright is the director of The Running Man in this 2025 version, and he is a director I am very fond of. Especially for Shaun of the Dead, which I can always rewatch, but also newer movies such as Baby Driver and Last Night in Soho.

Combine this with my love of Stephen King, and we’re off to an excellent start. The screenplay comes from Michael Bacall and Michael Bacall & Edgar Wright. No, I didn’t stutter; that’s how the credit goes both on screen and in press material, so there you go.

Alongside Glen Powell, Katy O’Brian, and Josh Brolin, we also get the pleasure of Colman Domingo (The Madness), Jayme Lawson, Emilia Jones (Task), Michael Cera, William H. Macy, Karl Glusman, Sean Hayes, David Zayas, and Lee Pace.

RETRO ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER REVIVAL

Last week, Predator: Badlands came out, and now it’s The Running Man. Arnold Schwarzenegger originated the lead role in both, which were movies I grew up with, but I recognize the charm of these 2025 versions. Hopefully, you will, as well.

My one big hurdle with this 2025 version of The Running Man is that the ending felt forced. I am all for the wild action sequences, the 1980s retro vibe, and even the dark comedy and charming, but flawed, hero.

However, it is too long. And especially because the ending didn’t feel very organic to me. It felt more like an afterthought or a correction of the originally intended ending.

Whatever the case, I cannot argue against its theme or entertainment value. It is wildly entertaining. And yes, this means I have to recommend watching it. Even though it made me want to rewatch the original as well – and insist my editor watches it with me.

THE RUNNING MAN IS OUT ONLY IN THEATERS, DOLBY CINEMA, 4DX, SCREENX, PREMIUM LARGE FORMATS, AND IMAX NOVEMBER 14, 2025.

Details

Director: Edgar Wright
Script: Michael Bacall, Michael Bacall & Edgar Wright
Cast: Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, Michael Cera, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin

Photos © 2025 PARAMOUNT PICTURES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Plot

In a near-future society, The Running Man is the top-rated show on television–a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public and each day bringing a greater cash reward. Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the game as a last resort. But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite–and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall.

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.

HEWELIUSZ on Netflix is a limited series about a catastrophic ferry disaster. It has five episodes and is based on a true story. It’s both heartbreaking and extremely angering to watch. Read our Heweliusz series review!

HEWELIUSZ on Netflix is a limited series about a catastrophic ferry disaster that happened in 1993. With just five episodes, it is a fairly quick watch. However, it is also a brutal story about pain, suffering, and corruption.

Also, the episodes tend to be around one hour long, with the fifth and final episode close to feature film-length at 80 minutes. If you’re curious about history and want a character-driven story to help set the stage, then this is ideal.

Continue reading our Heweliusz series review below. Find it on Netflix from November 5, 2025.

A catastrophe with many moving parts

With the Heweliusz series on Netflix, many painful elements need to be covered. Not least, how those in power were quick to blame the captain of the ferry for this terrible and fatal catastrophe.

I can’t speak to how much of what is told in this series is accurate. However, it is obvious that many elements played a part in the tragedy. The captain, as the person in charge of the ferry, played a part, but just one part, not the only.

While German port authorities warned of hurricane-level winds, it seems the Heweliusz ferry was given the all-clear to leave port. And yet, shortly after leaving port, they were in a ferocious storm that they should have been warned about.

Also, the ferry itself had clearly seen better days, as “repairs” years earlier had left it in pretty bad shape. To put it mildly.

The aftermath of a tragedy

It all began on January 13, 1993, when the ferry Heweliusz departed from Świnoujście in Poland and sailed towards Ystad in Sweden. However, in this Netflix series, we also see what happened in the hours before the ferry took off.

And we especially follow the actual tragedy and the aftermath of it all. Without giving away any wild spoilers, I can say that not many survived. It’s not unlike the situation with the Titanic, except this tragedy happened for different reasons.

We see people in a desperate fight for survival, and the rescue mission is made nearly impossible by the terrible weather conditions. Back on land, word gets out about the ferry capsizing before authorities know much.

Obviously, as the news comes out, we see devastated families trying to make sense of it all. And, of course, they are desperate to know if their loved ones are among the few survivors.

Also, those who do survive tend to struggle with feelings of guilt – or are forced to go along with explanations, they don’t necessarily believe are accurate.

Watch the Heweliusz series on Netflix now

The director of Heweliusz on Netflix is Jan Holoubek, and the writer of the series is Kasper Bajon. The two also worked together on the Netflix series The Mire and High Water.

Overall, this is powerful storytelling that breaks hearts and should anger you. Not least thanks to powerful portrayals by familiar faces. Including Borys Szyc (Detective Forst), Jacek Koman (Soulcatcher), Mirosław Zbrojewicz, Magdalena Różczka, and Konrad Eleryk.

By telling the story with flashbacks and moving back and forth in the timeline several times, it does require the full attention of its viewers. You will know when we go back in time, so that part is easy enough to follow.

However, I wasn’t crazy about the way some cliffhangers at the end of episodes were not followed up on. That’s why our rating isn’t higher. Personally, I felt stranded right alongside those family members at times.

Maybe this was the point?!

Heweliusz is out on Netflix from November 5, 2025.

Details

Director: Jan Holoubek
Writer: Kasper Bajon
Cast: Jan Englert, Borys Szyc, Magdalena Zawadzka, Jacek Koman, Mirosław Zbrojewicz, Magdalena Różczka, Andrzej Konopka, Justyna Wasilewska, Tomasz Schuchardt, Michał Żurawski, Łukasz Lewandowski, Dariusz Chojnacki, Jacek Beler, Michał Pawlik, Konrad Eleryk, Mia Goti, Marcin Jan Januszkiewicz

Plot

Shortly after leaving port, the ferry Heweliusz is drawn into the heart of a ferocious storm. As the crew and passengers fight for their lives at sea, their devastated families on land try to uncover the truth behind the disaster.

PREDATOR: BADLANDS is a new Sci-Fi Thriller in the long-running PREDATOR franchise. This time, it’s about a young Predator outcast and features Elle Fanning as a synth. This movie ties it to the ALIEN franchise yet again. Read our Predator: Badlads movie review here!

PREDATOR: BADLANDS is a new Sci-Fi Action Thriller that both continues and re-invents the franchise. I remember growing up watching Predator movies, where you never saw the creature much. After all, its strength was its camouflage.

In this movie, it’s a classic hero’s journey – but the hero is a Predator. Personally, I love this different approach. Otherwise, I could just rewatch the old movies. The runtime is 1 hour and 47 minutes, which worked much better than I expected.

Continue reading our Predator: Badlands movie review below. Find it in theaters from November 7, 2025.

A young outcast Yautja

In Predator: Badlands, the story plays out in the future on a deadly remote planet called “Genna”. Before we get that far, we first meet Dek, a young Predator outcast, who desperately wants to earn his place in this clan.

Also, we should call things by their rightful names, so I should refer to Dek as a Yautja. And Dek has decided that to earn his place in the world, he needs to kill an unkillable creature called a “Kalisk”.

WHAT IS A YAUTJA?

We may call the creatures in this franchise a “Predator”, but they’re actually called a “Yautja”. Just like the alien from the Alien franchise is a Xenomorph.

Quick note: The actual title of Predator: Badlands doesn’t come until around 20 minutes into the runtime. That’s when Dek arrives on Genna, and his journey begins. And yes, this is very much a hero’s journey, which I loved.

With Dek as the main character, we also hear a foreign language spoken a lot. Namely that of the Yautja. However, as soon as Thia, a synthetic (or just “synth”), joins him on this mission, she uses her universal language module to help us all.

A quick line explains how she can speak English, but anyone who hears her talk will hear what she says in their own language. Like a highly advanced Google Translate, if you will.

Weyland-Yutani causing problems universally

Once again, much of the struggle for our hero comes from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Just as it has been the case in many Alien movies, which once again ties the Predator and Alien franchises closer together.

So does the use of synthetics, which has always been key to Alien movies. Most recently also the Alien: Earth series. Maybe the next Predator movie will expand on this? And yes, the ending of Predator: Badlands does call for a sequel!

Elle Fanning is great as the synth in Predator: Badlands and becomes a mentor for the Yautja, Dek, who is played by body actor Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi.

Both deliver strong and organic performances in this sci-fi universe. Also, as someone who grew up on those first Predator movies, I feel it has some of the tongue-in-cheek humor they did. But often with a more contemporary twist.

What is true strength?

Obviously, a Yautja is a top predator who would never recognize that a synth (or anyone else) could teach them something. However, survival is about adapting, and sometimes strength comes from learning and working together, instead of fighting everyone.

Yes, I will gladly admit that I loved the message of Predator: Badlands, which focuses on the many ways to show strength. Particularly, the choice to protect and lead, rather than control and abuse.

Something many will see as very woke, I’m sure. Then again, The Golden Girls would be considered woke if it aired today, so I can’t be bothered by that.

There’s even a focus on the concept of an “Alpha”. In this movie, it comes up when speaking of leadership within a pack of wolves, but I’m sure many would do well to pay attention and actually understand this.

Watch Predator: Badlands in theaters

Predator: Badlands comes from director Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane). He also directed the previous Predator movie Prey (2022) and co-directed the 2025 animated Hulu movie Predator: Killer of Killers.

This new story also comes from Dan Trachtenberg with Patrick Aison. The screenplay was written by Patrick Aison (Prey). And, of course, Jim Thomas and John Thomas also get prominent billing and credit for “based on characters by”.

They wrote the original Predator movie from 1987, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carl Weathers, which had the same runtime as this 2025 movie. The original movie was directed by John McTiernan (Die Hard).

If you’ve enjoyed any of the previous Predator movies (or even the Alien franchise), then don’t miss out on this one. Also, if you can, make sure you watch it in a movie theater for maximum impact.

PREDATOR: BADLANDS is out In Theaters on November 7, 2025.

Details

In Theaters: November 7, 2025
Genres: Thriller, Science Fiction, Action
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Screenplay: Patrick Aison
Story: Patrick Aison, Dan Trachtenberg
Cast: Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi

Plot

Set in the future on a deadly remote planet, Predator: Badlands follows Dek, a young Predator outcast from his clan, who finds an unlikely ally in Thia and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.