ZODIAC KILLER PROJECT is a new true crime documentary about a documentary that was never made. Yes, this is a documentary about the making of a true crime documentary that never was. Coming out in theaters now. Read our full Zodiac Killer Project documentary review here!

ZODIAC KILLER PROJECT is a documentary about making a true crime documentary. It was supposed to be a true crime documentary feature about the Zodiac killer. However, this was to be based on a specific book, and just as the documentary filmmaker is getting ready to start shooting, the rights to the book fall through.

Instead, he made a documentary about the true crime documentary he had planned on making. The runtime is 91 minutes, which works well for this project. Overall, this is an intriguing watch, though I have to say that I found the filmmaker a little annoying at times. Then again, this works for the project, in a roundabout way.

Continue reading our review of the Zodiac Killer Project documentary below.

A documentary about true crime documentaries

With Zodiac Killer Project, we’re getting a documentary about the true crime Zodiac documentary that the filmmaker was planning to make. However, it turns into something bigger than just his own true crime production.

In fact, this ends up being equal parts about the specific Zodiac documentary that never was and the familiar formulaic approach to true crime documentary productions.

This means Zodiac Killer Project features a lot of clips from many of the most famous and successful true crime documentaries. Seeing clips from all of them makes it obvious that the typical true crime documentaries all look very similar.

This will forever change how you watch true crime

It’s so strange to recognize the very obvious patterns of true crime documentary filmmaking. From the title sequence that utilizes lots of the same ingredients, to various clips meant to evoke nostalgia or suspicion, and moving on to how interviews are made.

Watching this will forever change how you watch true crime documentaries in the future. In fact, the first true crime documentary I watched after Zodiac Killer Project was The Carman Family Deaths, and I noticed all these formulaic elements.

Also, I realized that this Netflix documentary was probably around the same quality as the Zodiac Killer Project documentary would have been, had it been made.

Watch Zodiac Killer Project in theaters

Zodiac Killer Project was made by Charlie Shackleton, and I have to admit the Zodiac documentary he was describing did not sound good. Maybe because he seemed to have an almost arrogant approach to true crime. I mean, if he wanted to just make a copy-paste average Netflix documentary production, why would anyone want this guy to have the rights to their book?!

Then again, maybe part of the reason is to be found in Charlie Shackleton being annoyed that he didn’t get to make a true crime documentary. If he couldn’t make his own, he could attack those others have made. Also, for the record, you cannot talk about true crime documentaries and suddenly point out elements from season 1 of Monster about Jeffrey Dahmer. That was not a documentary!

Maybe watching this will help you recognize why you enjoy the kind of true crime you do. For me, it certainly did. I realized that I prefer those that utilize body cam and surveillance footage. Mostly because it focuses on facts, not just setting the stage and trying to make its viewers feel something.

DO CHECK OUT…

Our review of The Perfect Neighbor which focuses on facts >

Overall, I would recommend watching Zodiac Killer Project as a study in true crime filmmaking. However, don’t expect to learn more about the Zodiac serial killer or about how to make a good or original true crime documentary. Clearly, this was never the goal of Charlie Shackleton in any case.

Zodiac Killer Project is out in N.Y. theaters on November 21, S.F. theaters on November 28, and expands to limited theaters in December 2025.

Details

Director: Charlie Shackleton

Plot

Against the backdrop of deserted spaces, a filmmaker explores his abandoned Zodiac Killer documentary, delving into the true crime genre’s inner workings at a saturation point.

DEATH BY LIGHTNING on Netflix is a new historical political thriller based on a true story. The limited series features a very strong cast and has just four strong episodes. Read our full Death by Lightning series review here!

DEATH BY LIGHTNING is a new Netflix limited series that I would expect to get many awards. Or, at the very least, quite a few nominations. It’s based on a true story of James Garfield and Charles Guiteau – and how both died.

In fact, their deaths are directly connected in the sense that neither would have died when they did if they had never met. This could be called a period drama, a historical epic, or a political thriller. In fact, it’s all three… and then some.

Continue reading our Death by Lightning series review below. Find it on Netflix from November 6, 2025.

The story of Garfield and Guiteau

Over just four episodes, Death by Lightning tells the epic story of James Garfield. It’s a stranger-than-fiction, but very true, story of how James Garfield became the 20th president of the United States. Without even going directly after it.

However, it’s also the story of Charles Guiteau. A man who would call himself the greatest admirer of Garfield – and even fought to have him elected president. Ultimately, his own pursuit of glory would lead Guiteau to shoot Garfield.

The title of this new Netflix series comes from James Garfield himself. Just two weeks after he became president of the United States of America, he wrote down: “Assassination can no more be guarded against than death by lightning.”

Strong words meant to inspire positivity and dispel fear, but which would ultimately come to define his untimely demise.

Matthew Macfadyen steals the show!

While Michael Shannon is always good, he is overshadowed in this Netflix series. Matthew Macfadyen steals the show in Death by Lightning as Charles Guiteau. A man who is tormented and clearly needed help, but insisted on “soldiering on”.

Obviously, Michael Shannon also delivers a strong, earnest, and stoic portrayal of James Garfield. I don’t know nearly enough about the man who would go on to become president for a far too short time.

However, based on Death by Lightning, he certainly set in motion some very positive changes. He’s exactly the kind of politician the world needs right now.

Matthew Macfadyen‘s portrayal of Charles Guiteau, on the other hand, highlights a lot of what is also (still!) wrong with the world today.

The desperate need to be seen

So many are obsessed with being not just the hero of their own story, but of everyone else’s story as well. When that doesn’t happen, this type of person is ready to go to extremes to achieve notoriety.

It’s the idea that being infamous is better than being anonymous.

That notion that a life only has value when you’re noticed by everyone. Even if you make a difference to no one. In other words, this didn’t come along with the rise of social media. It just made it even worse.

In other key roles, we see Nick Offerman as Vice President Chester Arthur, Bradley Whitford as Garfield’s champion, and Shea Whigham as the political strongman and bully, Roscoe Conkling.

Finally, I have to highlight Betty Gilpin‘s amazing portrayal of Garfield’s beloved and absolutely wife, Crete. She has the most powerful scene when she faces off with Guiteau towards the end of Death by Lightning. Breathtaking!

Watch the Death by Lightning series on Netflix

Creator of Death by Lightning is Mike Makowsky (Bad Education, Beef). It’s based on Candice Millard’s acclaimed book “Destiny of the Republic,” and I just may have to read that as well.

Producers on this Netflix limited series include creator Mike Makowsky, David Benioff & D.B. Weiss (3 Body Problem, Game of Thrones), Bernie Caulfield, and director of the series, Matt Ross (Captain Fantastic, Gaslit).

If you are at all interested in history or political struggles, then Death by Lightning is well worth your time. I watched it all in one sitting and was completely enthralled by this world, which isn’t as foreign as you might think.

Death by Lightning premieres on Netflix on November 6, 2025.

Details

Creator: Mike Makowsky
Director: Matt Ross
Cast: Shea Whigham, Michael Shannon, Matthew MacFadyen, Nick Offerman, Bradley Whitford, Betty Gilpin, Alistair Petrie, Archie Fisher, Barry Shabaka Henley, Ben Miles, Kyle Soller, Laura Marcus, Paula Malcomson, Shaun Parkes, Tuppence Middleton, Vondie Curtis Hall, Željko Ivanek

Plot

Death by Lightning is a limited series that brings to life the epic and stranger-than-fiction true story of James Garfield, reluctant 20th president of the United States, and his greatest admirer Charles Guiteau — the man who would come to kill him.

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.

THE VALLECAS FILES on HBO is a docuseries exploring the famous case that inspired the Netflix horror movie Verónica. With three episodes, it’s not a long documentary series, but it isn’t a great one either. Read our The Vallecas Files series review here!

THE VALLECAS FILES on HBO is a true crime documentary series. Or rather, it’s more of a supernatural or paranormal event than a crime… or is it?! That’s part of what needs to be examined and what this docuseries explores.

The case covered in this HBO Original is the very same one that inspired the Netflix horror movie Verónica. This docuseries has just three episodes. It’s off to a somewhat rocky start, I found, but it does cover the case well overall.

Continue reading our The Vallecas Files series review below. Find it on HBO Max from November 7, 2025.

This is why I don’t mess with Ouija boards

The Vallecas Files documentary series explores the most famous (and infamous) poltergeist case from Spain. A 17-year-old girl died very suddenly and with no apparent cause of death, which sparked an investigation into the cause.

This led to the belief that a paranormal phenomenon was the root of the problem. One that began after a few teenagers played around with an Ouija board.

With this HBO Documentary, it’s now 30 years later, and the family relives the events that made the lives of the Gutiérrez Lázaro family members a nightmare. 

As a horror fan, I follow the rules made famous by horror movies. I am not about to repeat the name Candyman, I wouldn’t say “Let’s split up” or “I’ll be right back” in a sticky situation, and I would never mess around with Ouija boards.

Well, apparently, other people are more adventurous than me. Unsurprisingly, teenagers are even more ready to play with danger. For the record, I didn’t mess around with this stuff as a teenager either.

I’ve always watched horror movies, so I know to be smart about this stuff.

Which horror movie is based on The Vallecas Files case?

The Netflix release from 2018, Veronica, is based on the case from The Vallecas Files. Just like The Enfield Poltergeist was the case featured in The Conjuring 2.

For me and many others, Verónica was a horror movie that hit hard. It was very efficient and became a huge success. So much so that a prequel came out in 2023 with Sister Death.

Obviously, the parts of these true stories that are used in movies can differ quite a lot from the reality of the events. Still, the facts revealed in The Vallecas Files docuseries are very brutal. Different, in some ways, but extremely scary.

Watch The Vallecas Files docuseries on HBO Max

This original documentary series was directed by Noemí Redondo and created by Irene del Cerro and Jorge Pérez Vega. Produced by Buendía Estudios for HBO Max, this is a docuseries that audiences worldwide should want to watch.

Yes, especially due to the success of the Netflix horror movie Veronica. It feels like a shame that Netflix didn’t make its own documentary, but HBO has always been good at documentaries as well.

I have to admit that the true story told in The Vallecas Files was an absolute nightmare. Of course, it was also a case where manipulation played a much bigger role than the kids in the family had a chance of recognizing back then.

This is a three-part documentary that allows the now-adult children of the family to tell the story. A story of what they experienced and how they understand, as adults, what was all very confusing as children.

The Vallecas Files docuseries is on HBO Max on November 7, 2025.

Plot

Three decades after the mysterious death of a 17-year-old girl, her family relives the traumatic events in Spain’s most infamous paranormal case.

DEVIL IN DISGUISE: JOHN WAYNE GACY on Peacock is a new True Crime series with eight episodes. It’s all about the infamous serial killer, portrayed by Michael Chernus in this Peacock Original. Read our Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy series review here!

DEVIL IN DISGUISE: JOHN WAYNE GACY is a new Peacock Original series about the infamous serial killer. This is a true crime series, but it’s made in a distinctly different way than the Netflix serial killer anthology Monster.

It’s still a very tough watch, but also an important one that highlights how John Wayne Gacy was able to evade justice for as long as he did despite his despicable and heinous actions. The series has eight episodes – as there are plenty of crimes to cover, it works well.

Continue reading our Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy review below. Find all eight episodes on Peacock now.

A very direct and honest approach

With Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, we get eight episodes that focus on the infamous serial killer, while also leaving room for his victims, and (fortunately) his ultimate downfall.

Michael Chernus is both amazing and absolutely terrifying (the two are obviously connected) as John Wayne Gacy. One second, he’s the charming man that everyone would talk nicely about, but he can never keep it up for long.

The true, and extremely dark and violent, nature of this brutal criminal wants to come out. And it does. Over and over again.

Michael Chernus (Birthrite, Severance, Dead Ringers) creates a portrait that doesn’t seek to excuse or explain, but simply show who this man was and what he did. I can certainly appreciate this more direct and honest approach.

This is almost the direct opposite of the movie Gacy: The Serial Killer Next Door, which I cannot recommend, except as a study of how not to make a movie.

Impressive casting all around

While Michael Chernus plays the all-important role as the title character and real-life serial killer, this Peacock Original series also features an impressive supporting cast. It’s full of familiar faces as well as a few newer ones.

In key roles, we get Gabriel Luna (The Last of Us, The Astronaut), Marin Ireland (Birth/Rebirth, Eileen), Chris Sullivan (Presence), Michael Angarano (Oppenheimer), James Badge Dale (The Empty Man), Greg Bryk (Saw V), and Ted Dykstra (Hell Motel).

Also in the series are Cricket Brown (The Unholy), Thom Nyhuus (Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities), Augustus Prew (Dear David), Hamish Allan-Headley (The Madness), Michael Esper (The Outsider), Jake Horowitz (Agnes), and Kristine Nielsen (Son).

The opposite of Monster

If you’re not a fan of Monster, then maybe this will be more to your liking. However, if you like the Monster anthology, then I still think you’ll enjoy this one as well.

While I do like Ryan Murphy’s take on storytelling with Monster, for what it offers, I also like that Devil in Disguise opts for a more direct and linear style. It feels almost impossible not to compare the two series when their releases are this close to one another.

While Monster: The Ed Gein Story was focused on the impact of the serial killer’s crimes on horror movies and pop culture later, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy is about the actual person, the crimes he committed, and the victims who suffered from those actions.

And by victims, I mean both the ones that died by his hands and those who lost their loved ones when John Wayne Gacy took yet another life.

Watch Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy on Peacock now!

Patrick Macmanus is the creator of the new Peacock Original series. He previously created the true crime series The Girl from Plainville (2022) and Dr. Death (2021), so creating shows based on – or inspired by – true stories is very familiar to this writer.

He also serves as showrunner on Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, just as he did on the two previous productions he created. Finally, he also directed an episode of this latest Peacock series.

Other episodes are directed by Maggie Kiley (Keep Breathing), Larysa Kondracki (The Whistleblower), Bille Woodruff (Yellowjackets), and Ashley Michel Hoban.

You can find the new true crime series on Peacock, where all eight episodes are out now. I found this Peacock Original to be a direct and dark portrait of the infamous serial killer, while also leaving room to focus on the victims, which is always important.

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy is on Peacock from October 16, 2025.

Details

Creator: Patrick Macmanus
Cast: Michael Chernus, Gabriel Luna, Marin Ireland, Greg Bryk, James Badge Dale, Michael Angarano, Chris Sullivan, Cricket Brown, Thom Nyhuus, Nina Kiri, Augustus Prew, Hamish Allan-Headley, Michael Esper, Jake Horowitz, Ted Dykstra, Chloe Avakian, Ryker Baloun, Kristine Nielsen, Jim Annan, Christian Bako, Desmond Sivan

Plot

Chicago-area contractor John Wayne Gacy leads a double-life as a serial killer, while detectives piece together clues that lead to a shocking discovery.

THE LOST BUS on Apple TV+ is a new survival thriller based on the true story of a rescue mission during the Paradise wildfire. Paul Greengrass directs with Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera starring. Read our full The Lost Bus movie review here and watch it on Apple TV+!

THE LOST BUS is a new Apple TV+ survival thriller based on a true story. Watching the crazy ride through one of the deadliest wildfires is stress-inducing and almost feels like a workout. My pulse certainly remained high throughout.

The movie premiered at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in early September. Now, one month later, it’s out in wide release on the streaming platform. The runtime is 2 hours and 9 minutes, and no, that’s not too long.

Continue reading our The Lost Bus movie review below. Find it on Apple TV+ from October 3, 2025.

Hold on tight and remember to breathe

With The Lost Bus, we’re getting a movie that shows the very real horrors of wildfires. All aspects of wildfire, really. From the struggle to evacuate to the fire department being forced to choose between fighting fire and saving lives.

Obviously, the two are ideally closely connected. However, when a wildfire gets out of control, resources can be put to better use by getting people to safety instead.

The focus in this Apple TV+ movie is, as revealed by the title, a bus. Specifically, a school bus.

We meet the wayward school bus driver, Kevin McKay (Matthew McConaughey), who has just moved back to his childhood home of Paradise in California, when a wildfire hits.

Along with the dedicated school teacher, Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera), he goes on a mission to save 22 children from the terrifying inferno. Armed with nothing but a school bus and knowledge of the area, they face extreme danger.

Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera star

Needless to say, the subject of wildfire is one that hits close to home for anyone who has ever experienced it. The wildfire in Paradise, California, happened in early November of 2018, so it’s not that long ago at all.

The deadly campfire essentially wiped the entire California town off the map, and the town is still recovering, so in that sense, it’s still an open wound.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE WILDFIRE?

Check out this tough read on npr.org about the repopulation >

Telling the story of the school bus driver and local school teacher, who risked everything to save 22 school kids, is one of the positive stories to come out of this tragedy. And it needs to be portrayed with respect and dignity.

Fortunately, Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera both deliver strong and organic portrayals of these two heroes. He is frazzled by life before the fire even begins, and she knows exactly what the kids need, but combined, they succeed.

I hope you’ll recognize this isn’t a spoiler.

After all, they wouldn’t make a movie about 22 kids dying during a rescue mission. However, be warned, it is still a brutal story to watch, and the worst of human nature also shows its ugly face.

On a more fun and positive note, I loved that Matthew McConaughey’s real-life son, Levi, and his mom, Kay, co-star in The Lost Bus in those very same capacities.

Watch The Lost Bus on Apple TV+ 

The Lost Bus comes from director Paul Greengrass and was inspired by real events that happened during the wildfires in Paradise, California. Of course, Paul Greengrass is no stranger to directing movies based on real tragedies.

He directed the 2006 movie United 93 about the plane that was crashed before arriving at its intended target on 9/11. I still remember watching that movie in a theater in New York City nearly 20 years ago. It was a very intense experience.

Also, he directed the Netflix movie 22 July about the Norwegian tragedy that cost more than 70 lives.

For this new Apple TV+ production, the screenplay was written by Greengrass in cooperation with Brad Ingelsby (Task, Echo Valley). The movie was based on “Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire” by Lizzie Johnson.

Among the producers, we find iconic horror filmmaker Jason Blum for Blumhouse Productions and Jamie Lee Curtis for Comet Pictures. Jamie Lee Curtis brought the project to Blumhouse after reading the book. The two also co-produced The Sticky on Prime Video.

Final words to remember: While I absolutely recommend watching The Lost Bus, I want to highlight that this is not an easy watch, but it is an important one!

The Lost Bus premieres globally on Apple TV+ on October 3, 2025.

Details

Director: Paul Greengrass
Writers: Brad Inglesby, Paul Greengrass
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera, Yul Vazquez, Ashlie Atkinson

Plot

From director Paul Greengrass and inspired by real events, “The Lost Bus” is a white-knuckle ride through one of America’s deadliest wildfires as a wayward school bus driver (Matthew McConaughey) and a dedicated school teacher (America Ferrera) battle to save 22 children from the terrifying inferno.

BEAST OF WAR is a new shark thriller set during WWII and inspired by real events. A powerful and entertaining survival movie. Even the scenes with the shark worked surprisingly well. Screening at Fantastic Fest. Read our full Beast of War movie review here!

BEAST OF WAR is a shark movie getting its North American premiere at Fantastic Fest. I am a sucker for shark survival stories, and this one is set during WWII. It’s even inspired by true events, though I’m not sure to what extent.

In any case, this is part war thriller and part shark horror. Combined, these two make for a very powerful story with a character-driven plot that worked better than I dared hope. The runtime is just shy of an hour and a half.

Continue reading our Beast of War movie review below.

Heading for battle, struggling to survive

With Beast of War, we begin with a war movie. A troop of Australian soldiers is getting ready to deploy, which means we get a quick introduction to key characters before the shark story ever begins.

Unfortunately for the soldiers, their boat is sunk very soon after they take off. It happens while crossing the Timor Sea during World War II, and they are left with a little makeshift raft and not much else.

If this wasn’t bad enough, soon they will realize that a shark is just waiting for them to get careless. Also, the few survivors are not the best of friends. They may be on the same side in World War II, but they don’t care much for each other.

When it comes to the shark, we see it enough, but not so much that excessive CGI is needed. I mean, special effects obviously come into play, but not in ways that go too far.

Don’t let the somewhat wild poster fool you. This shark thriller is very elegant in its portrayal of the shark overall.

Survivors versus heroes

The main issue between the characters can be found in their primary drive; For some, it’s all about survival, while others believe in fighting as a team. The latter is ready to be heroes for the greater good, while the former will sacrifice anyone.

Needless to say, but I’ll point this out in any case, you don’t want to be in the middle of a shark-infested ocean, struggling to survive on a small makeshift raft with the “me first” type.

Fortunately, every one of the surviving soldiers can see the point of working together. Yes, even the one who worries most (or solely) about his own survival.

Also, the characters are all nuanced and fleshed out enough that you can relate to them. Whether it’s the hero archetype or the soldier who will do anything to survive.

You cannot fault someone for their instinct… but you can choose not to trust them.

Beast of War is screening at Fantastic Fest 2025

Kiah Roache-Turner is the writer and director of Beast of War. The same filmmaker also wrote and directed the 2024 horror movie (with comedy and sci-fi elements) titled Sting. I highly recommend checking out that one as well.

Of course, if you can make a powerful movie about one dangerous animal (and it is dangerous in Sting), then you can make one about a much larger killer. And yet, the two are very different, as comedy is not part of this 2025 war movie.

What both movies have in common is wonderful casting. For Beast of War, I have to highlight Mark Coles Smith (Apple Cider Vinegar), Joel Nankervis, Sam Delich (Christmas Bloody Christmas), Lee Tiger Halley, Sam Parsonson (Sweet River), and Maximillian Johnson (Fear Below).

Beast of War is getting its North American premiere at Fantastic Fest. It will also be out in Theaters and On Digital from October 10, 2025.

Details

Director: Kiah Roache-Turner
Writer: Kiah Roache-Turner
Cast: Mark Coles Smith, Joel Nankervis, Sam Delich, Lee Tiger Halley, Sam Parsonson, Maximillian Johnson, Tristan McKinnon, Aswan Reid

Plot

When their boat is sunk while crossing the Timor Sea during World War II, a young troop of Australian soldiers must find a way to survive the harsh seas on a quickly shrinking life raft. Hundreds of miles from anywhere, they must confront interpersonal conflicts, enemy attacks, and the advances of one very large, very hungry great white shark. 

THE CONJURING: LAST RITES is the final chapter in James Wan’s franchise about Ed and Lorraine Warren. And it ends on a high (and quite nostalgic) note, so you’ll want to watch it. Read our full The Conjuring: Last Rites movie review here!

THE CONJURING: LAST RITES is out in movie theaters worldwide with the final chapter about Ed and Lorraine Warren. Fortunately, it offers a story that feels back on track. And it’s always good to end on a high note.

THE PREVIOUS MOVIE OF THE FRANCHISE

Check out our review of chapter 3: The Devil Made Me Do It >

In other words, even if you weren’t too crazy about the previous movie in the franchise, you’ll want to watch this fourth and final chapter. Sure, there are other movies in the franchise, but the core The Conjuring movies are ending with this one.

Continue reading our The Conjuring: Last Rites movie review below. Find it in US theaters from September 5, 2025.

Judy Warren is at the center

For their final case, Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) are in Pennsylvania. It’s the Smurl family’s home, and the year is 1986. Before we get that far, we meet Ed and Lorraine on one of their first cases in the 1960s.

And yes, the experience of The Warrens in the 1960s will tie into this latest case. It should also be said that the opening scene shows us a very pregnant Lorraine, so for The Conjuring: Last Rites, we see the birth of Judy Warren, as she is the key.

Of course, Judy Warren has already played a huge role in several movies in The Conjuring franchise. Not least stories involving Annabelle… and most stories in this franchise do ultimately involve that demon doll or a nun.

In this fourth chapter about Ed and Lorraine Warren, their daughter Judy Warren (Mia Tomlinson) is now a young adult woman. She even has a boyfriend, Tony Spera (Ben Hardy), and is very happy.

However, she has her mother’s talents and struggles with keeping visions at bay.

The final case of the Smurl Family

Getting back to the Smurl Family, this was what made The Conjuring: Last Rites work so well for me. Mostly, because it brought this core franchise back to a classic family and their house.

This was what made the very first The Conjuring such a powerful story. You feel for the family and want them to get help. Again, the same was the case with the sequel.

The third movie took a legal turn with a killer that claimed to be possessed (hence the subtitle of The Devil made Me Do It), and I much prefer the family angle. Life for the Smurl Family is very loud with eight people and Simon the dog living together.

We have the parents, their four daughters, and the patriarch’s parents, all living under the same roof. It’s a small house, where love is bountiful. And again, so is the noise level, but that is to be expected.

For the eight Smurl family members (or nine, if you include the dog, and I always do), life is about to take a violent turn as something sinister and malevolent has gotten inside their house.

Watch The Conjuring: Last Rites in theaters

This is the ninth entry to The Conjuring universe, and it’s a veteran of the franchise and its spin-offs at the helm. The director of The Conjuring: Last Rites is Michael Chaves, who previously directed The Curse of La Llorona, The Conjuring 3, and The Nun 2.

Producers on The Conjuring 4 are still James Wan and Peter Safran, who have been labeled the franchise architects. Writers of the story for this fourth chapter about the Warrens are Ian Goldberg & Richard Naing, and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick.

The story is the brainchild of David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick & James Wan, based on characters created by Chad Hayes & Carey W. Hayes.

And yes, this final story has a lot going for it. Not least thanks to the cast, which includes a few characters returning for the story. Plus, I don’t want to give away spoilers, but the final part of the movie is clearly a big goodbye to the franchise.

LOOK OUT FOR SHANNON KOOK AND STEVE COULTER

The two have been in all four movies alongside Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, portraying as Drew and Father Gordon respectively >

That’s when you need to really keep your eyes open, if you want to catch all the cameos of characters and actors from the previous installments. It’s a real trip down memory lane, and most of the key people do show up.

It’s quite nostalgic. It certainly was for me, but I was also (still am) a huge fan of that very first The Conjuring movie. As someone who is not a big fan of religion, this is no small feat. If you loved that first movie, then you’ll enjoy this one too.

For the record, it may be “Ed and Lorraine Warren”, but we all know these movies are really all about Vera Farmiga’s Lorraine. She’s the one with the gift. In the world of horror, she is, in all practical matters, a real-life Final Girl.

The Conjuring: Last Rites is out in theaters and IMAX® in North America on September 5, 2025, and internationally beginning September 3, 2025.

Details

In Theaters: September 5, 2025
Director: Michael Chaves
Writers: Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick
Cast: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Mia Tomlinson, Ben Hardy, Shannon Kook, Steve Coulter

Plot

In 1986, the Smurl family’s home in Pennsylvania is haunted. Eight family members are subjected to malevolent occurrences and fear for their lives. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine become involved in the case, only to discover that they are facing an old and sinister adversary.

NO TEARS IN HELL is a serial killer horror movie based on the true story of Russian serial killer Alexander Spesivtsev. Changes have been made, such as moving the story to the U.S. Also, there’s a lot of focus on smoking cigarettes. Read our full No Tears in Hell movie review here!

NO TEARS IN HELL is a new serial killer horror movie with a true crime angle, as it’s based on the true story of Russian serial killer Alexander Spesivtsev. You can read up on the real serial killer on Wikipedia right here, if you want more details.

When it comes to the crimes, quite a lot is close to the real story, while moving the story to the U.S., which I am not really a fan of. I know it’s to make it more accessible and not have everyone speaking English with a Russian accent, but still. Also, the runtime of 105 minutes is too long.

Continue reading our No Tears in Hell movie review below. Find it on VOD on August 12, 2025.

The Siberian Ripper story… in Alaska

No Tears in Hell is based on the true story of Russian serial killer Alexander Spesivtsev, aka “The Siberian Ripper”. Or rather, it’s inspired by his crimes and his life, while moving the actual story to Alaska. Also, some liberties (a lot, it seems) were taken, but I know that’s always the case.

Luke Baines, who played a serial killer in The Girl in the Photographs (the final movie produced by the late Wes Craven), also plays the serial killer in No Tears in Hell. He has the perfect look for this role with his prominent brow that can make him look threatening in a split second.

Seriously, see a picture of Luke Baines smiling and you’ll hardly recognize him, but damn, that brow is perfect for horror movies.

In another key role, just like it was for the real-life serial killer, we see the mother of the serial killer. She’s portrayed by the late Gwen Van Dam (Star Trek: Generations). Of course, we also see a lot of will-be-victims in this movie, but those characters are very shallow.

No shade to the actors, but they just are not written as “real” people. They’re stereotypes and superficial acquaintances at best. A real problem for a serial killer movie.

A very different kind of Alaska

Of course, having No Tears in Hell play out in Alaska (according to the official plot) comes with some challenges that are very much ignored.

For one, we see mostly white and black people (almost 50/50), despite Alaska having a very small African-American population. Including some Hispanic, Asian, or (ideally) Alaskan Native characters would’ve been a much better choice.

Also, it’s supposedly the Alaskan winter, yet people are running around in T-shirts and open jackets. Another woman is wearing a mini-skirt but is worried about spending her final money on socks while wearing summer shoes.

I mean, it’s fine that you move it from Russia to Alaska, but then commit to this choice wholeheartedly.

Finally, making every single woman someone ready to give a BJ for the smallest favor is not a good look. And we’re talking everyone from the homeless woman already working on the street to the young woman on a school break.

A school break in rural Alaska?! Yeah, sounds legit.

Watch No Tears in Hell on VOD now

Michael Cassie is the writer and director of No Tears in Hell, which left me wanting more. The story comes from Alexander Nistratov, and whether the problems began there or with the screenplay is anyone’s guess.

The runtime is 1 hour and 45 minutes, but with a swift cut of the many long shots featuring the serial killer smoking cigarettes, plus those with people just staring into space, it could easily have cut 15 minutes.

Watch this movie for Luke Baines, who is amazing (once again) in the lead as the serial killer. The actual storyline and storytelling are nowhere near as strong as I expected.

After all, the real story is powerful enough that you don’t need to add much. And what was added here did not improve anything.

NO TEARS IN HELL is out on VOD and digital on August 12, 2025.

Details

Director: Michael Caissie
Script: Michael Caissie (story by Alexander Nistratov)
Cast: Luke Baines, Gwen Van Dam, Tatjana Marjanovic, Audrey Neal, Gabriella Westwood, Erik Fellows

Plot

In the frozen darkness of an Alaskan winter, a mother and son turn their home into a house of nightmares — luring victims into a twisted web of abuse and cannibalism.

SMOKE on Apple TV+ is a new Crime Thriller series with nine episodes. It’s about two active serial arsonists and the two people trying to catch them. I expected it to be good, but it was even better than I dared hope. The story is inspired by real events. Read our full Smoke series review here!

SMOKE is a new Apple TV+ series with nine episodes. It’s a Crime Thriller inspired by true events. With Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett heading the cast, I was expecting to like this. However, it’s even better than I ever dared hope.

It’s dark and brutal in surprising ways that go beyond “just” setting fires and watching the world burn. Much to my surprise, the story manages to even make you feel for at least one of the arsonists, which shocked me. Not that you’ll excuse their actions, of course.

Continue reading our Smoke series review below. Find the first two (out of nine) episodes on Apple TV+ on June 27, 2025.

Serial Arsonists and the people who hunt them

In Smoke, we follow an arson investigator, Dave Gudsen (Taron Egerton), who has two active serial arsonists in his area. His investigation isn’t really going anywhere, so he’s forced to team up with a police detective, Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett).

While Dave Gudsen is a former firefighter himself, he is also very full of himself and seems to think he always knows best. Fortunately, his boss, Harvey Englehart (Greg Kinnear), is very aware of his weaknesses and also supports adding the police detective.

Michelle Calderone may have no experience as a firefighter, but she knows how to work a crime scene. Also, she was trapped in a fire as a young girl. This past trauma still impacts her today, but as a force that pushes her to excel and pushes rather than stops her.

Can this duo finally stop the two arsonists in the region? Well, you’ll have to watch Smoke on Apple TV+ to find out. Fortunately, it’s a damn good series, so you’ll want to do just that!

Fiction inspired by real-life tragedy

While Smoke is inspired by the very true events surrounding arsonist fires, the actual Apple TV+ series is a work of fiction. And, unfortunately, arsonists are very real. For the nine episodes in this series, we focus on two serial arsonists.

One of them sets fire to bags of potato chips in supermarkets, which burn fast and cause panic, giving the arsonist space to attack in a second location. This arsonist has gotten the moniker “D&C” for “Divide and Conquer” because he understands firefighting resources.

The other is called “Milk Jug” because of the method: Buying milk jugs, emptying them, and filling them with various flammable materials. Then the jugs are left at the door of someone’s house and set on fire. This usually targets someone who is otherwise happy.

Method and Motive

Yeah, it gets pretty damn dark, when being happy in your life puts you at the top of a serial arsonists hit list. But that’s how Milk Jug operates; If you have the happiness craved by someone else, they will make sure you experience pain as well.

What surprised and virtually shocked me was how I managed to feel sympathy for the Milk Jug arsonist. Not when he set fire to someone’s house, of course, but seeing his life in general. He is clearly very sad, depressed, and lost in life.

That’s no excuse for what he does, but Smoke works its character-driven plot so well that you can’t help but wish things would get better for him.

The D&C arsonist, however, is a real creep. If you’ve watched the trailer, you will already have been spoiled about who this arsonist is. To be fair, it’s revealed at the end of episode 2, so it’s not a huge reveal.

Smoke is a series where we know who the arsonists are, and the character-driven plot follows both the arsonists and the investigators.

Start watching Smoke on Apple TV+

The Apple Studios production was created by Dennis Lehane, who also serves as writer and executive producer on Smoke. Dennis Lehane previously created the series Black Bird on Apple TV+ (our review is here) and wrote on the Stephen King series adaptations The Outsider and Mr. Mercedes.

It was inspired by the acclaimed “Firebug” podcast hosted by Academy Award and Emmy Award winner Kary Antholis. She also executive produces Smoke for Crime Story Media, LLC. Also executive producing is star Taron Egerton alongside Richard Plepler, Bradley Thomas, Dan Friedkin, and Jane Bartelme.

Directors on the nine episodes of Smoke include Kari Skogland (The Walking Dead, Penny Dreadful), Joe Chappelle (Black Bird), and Jim McKay (Home Before Dark). The first two are also executive producers, so many are involved in multiple aspects of this production.

Also, the casting in this Apple TV+ production is absolutely stellar. From the amazing Jurnee Smollett (Lovecraft Country) and Taron Egerton (Carry-On) to Rafe Spall (The Ritual) and Hannah Emily Anderson (What Keeps You Alive).

Plus, the brilliant Adina Porter (True Blood, The Perfect Couple), John Leguizamo (The Menu), and a breakout performance from Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (Dead Ringers).

If you’ve been planning on watching Smoke, then you’ll be very happy with this series. And if you had contemplated skipping this one, then please reconsider… for your own sake. It’s shockingly wild and terrifying. Yet also somehow absolutely perfect.

Smoke is on Apple TV+ with its first two episodes on June 27, 2025. After this two-episode premiere, it’s weekly episodes with the finale airing on August 15, 2025.

Details

Creator: Dennis Lehane
Directors: Kari Skogland, Joe Chappelle, Jim McKay
Cast: Taron Egerton, Jurnee Smollett, Rafe Spall, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Hannah Emily Anderson, Anna Chlumsky, Adina Porter, Greg Kinnear, John Leguizamo

Plot

Inspired by true events, “Smoke” follows a troubled detective and an enigmatic arson investigator as they pursue the trails of two serial arsonists.