HERMAN is a new psychological horror-thriller set mostly in one location but with far-reaching consequences. It’s a very powerful story with a final act that starts well, but drags on for too long. Unfortunately, as this had potential for more. Read our full Herman movie review here!

HERMAN is a psychological horror-thriller about an older man trying to live with the choices he made in life. Or rather, he is often trying to run from them, and on this fateful night, there is interference. The kind that forces him to acknowledge past misdeeds.

I was completely invested in this for the longest time, but that final act was a bit of a let-down. Not that it’s a bad story, but the pacing drags out, and the tempo is almost at a standstill for a few minutes too long. Still, this is definitely worth checking out, so I’m just irritated that it didn’t stay as good until the very end.

Continue reading our review of the Herman movie below. Find it on VOD from December 2, 2025.

Haunted or hunted?

In Herman, the title character is ready to end his life when someone comes knocking on his door. Having led a life of solitude, he tends to reflect on what he had and what he lost. On this particular night, he will be forced to come to terms with his past actions.

His misdeeds, to be exact.

Having Herman come out in December is perfect, as it has a touch of The Christmas Carol to its plot. Not in detail, but being confronted by people who insist that he look back on his life and acknowledge what has led him to this point.

Herman (Colin Ward) will find himself haunted (and almost hunted) by several dark forces. Many of which originate from himself in a roundabout way.

Will he be able to come to terms with his past, or will the late-night visitors seeking shelter at his cabin be forced to go to extremes?! Well, Herman is an older white man, so I’m sure you can imagine. No matter his objections, he will be forced to fully confront his inner demons.

Watch Herman on VOD now

Herman comes from writer-director Andrew Vogel, who has created a very engaging and fascinating story. I have seen it done better in movies such as You’ll Never Find Me and Pandemonium. However, this one does come very close at several points throughout the runtime.

Also, the cast led by Colin Ward (Mank, Perry Mason) as Herman was very strong. I especially liked Suzann Toni Petrongolo (Dead Giveaway, The Dirty South) as Sister Mary. Also in a key role is Lawson Greyson (V/H/S Halloween) as Alice, while writer-director Andrew Vogel himself also plays a very important role in front of the camera.

Personally, I loved how it was shot mostly in one location, which became increasingly claustrophobic as Herman is confronted with his past. Also, for the longest time, I didn’t look at how much time had passed. This ended somewhere during the final act, which is why the rating isn’t higher, but it is still a big recommendation to watch this horror-thriller.

Herman is out on VOD on December 2, 2025, via Scatena & Rosner Films.

Details

Director: Andrew Vogel
Script: Andrew Vogel
Cast: Colin Ward, Suzann Toni Petrongolo, Lawson Greyson, Andrew Vogel, Alex James, Soni Theresa Montgomery

KOMBUCHA is a workplace horror-comedy that has a lot going for it. A very small cast, an extremely simple premise, and a character-driven story with lots of kitsch and familiar references. It is definitely worth watching – whether you love or loathe the drink. Read our full Kombucha movie review here!

KOMBUCHA may be an acquired taste, but this horror-comedy is not. It is an absolute recommendation for fans of the horror and comedy hybrid. A genre-mix, I am a huge fan of. This one specifically combines a dark workplace comedy with a sinister horror twist.

The runtime is 1 hour and 34 minutes, which works just fine for the storyline. And really, I don’t have too much to complain about, but it was missing something (an extra edge of some kind) for me to give a higher rating. However, I never considered going any lower for my rating of this movie.

Continue reading our Kombucha movie review below. Find it on Digital from December 2, 2025.

Too good to be true?

As workplace horror-comedy goes, Kombucha begins with a familiar premise: If something sounds too good to be true, there’s obviously a catch of some kind. Admittedly, no one could be expected to predict the catch in the case of this workplace.

We meet a struggling musician just as his girlfriend is getting fed up with him. To be honest, I can understand why. He’s a slob who slags off and has the audacity to diss her job while enjoying what her paycheck can provide. Chasing his dream, and offering no support to her, as she supports them both.

So, she decides it’s time for a break, just as an old musician friend comes around with a job offer. The pay starts at over 100K per year, and he doesn’t need any special skills or talent. Just a recommendation.

As he begins, it becomes obvious that he also needs to drink their product, which is kombucha. Now, you may not be a fan of kombucha, but once anyone tries this particular recipe, they are hooked. As in addicted to the stuff. Suddenly, they can do anything and be their very best self.

Well, maybe not so much themself as the ideal worker.

David Cronenberg meets The Office

Kombucha has very appropriately been described as “David Cronenberg meets The Office”. A comparison to Severance may not be too far off, either, as these employees really end up being all about the job. And the kombucha! It truly is a body horror workplace story… involving a very special kind of mother, as well.

Of course, we get to enjoy lots of workplace references, including the buzzwords and fluff words of many offices. From “circling back” to celebrating a huge contract, this is satire gold.

Kombucha stars Terrance Carey, Claire McFadden, and Paige Bourne. Sure, there are more actors in this movie, but these three are key players. Okay, also Jesse Kendall should be mentioned here. And just wait until you meet “Mother”.

Watch Kombucha on Digital & Blu-ray or DVD

Kombucha was written & directed by Jake Myers, who has managed to create a wonderful genre hybrid. One that isn’t too scary for those who will love the comedy and satire. Also, it has lots of deliciously yucky body horror elements with gorgeous practical effects, which should please horror fans.

Oh, but please don’t get me wrong. This may be kitsch and include comedy, but it is first and foremost a workplace body-horror movie. A story of all the free kombucha you can contain, paired with “workplace horror drenched in fluorescent lights and teeming with suspicious team building”. If that sounds good to you, then you must check out this one!

This Kombucha horror story in film form will be available for purchase or rental on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home, and more starting December 2nd. Also, physical editions will be available for order the same day, making it a nice little Christmas present idea for the kombucha-loving horror fan in your life.

Kombucha is available on Digital Platforms & Blu-ray/DVD December 2, 2025.

Details

Written & Directed By: Jake Myers
Starring: Terrance Carey, Claire McFadden, Paige Bourne

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

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE Season 1 & 2 is on Netflix, so if you haven’t watched it yet, now is your chance. I definitely preferred Part I to Part II, but both are worth watching. Season 3 is coming up in 2026, so you still have time to catch up. Read our review of Interview With The Vampire Part I & Part II here, and find it on Netflix now!

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE Season 1 & 2 are available to watch on Netflix now. I have been wanting to check it out for the longest time, but just never got around to it. Well, now I did, so I can be ready for season 3, which is titled The Vampire Lestat, which focuses on that character.

This series is, of course, based on the novels by iconic vampire author (as in writer of vampire stories, mind you), Anne Rice. It originally aired with weekly episodes on AMC and AMC+, but has now been released on Netflix as well. It’s not on Netflix globally, but certainly in both the US and the UK at this point in time. And yes, you should definitely watch it!

Continue reading our Interview With The Vampire Part I & Part II review below.

Part I and Part II of Interview With The Vampire

With this AMC series (now on Netflix), we follow a vampire living in Dubai. However, he is a vampire who comes from New Orleans. He was born there as a human being and became a vampire there. His name is Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson), and his maker was Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid).

As Interview With The Vampire Season 1 begins, Louis de Pointe du Lac reunites with an ailing reporter, Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian), to once again recount his life story. The two already met many decades ago in San Francisco, but Louis de Point du Lac – honestly, it feels only right to always use his full name – wasn’t quite as honest back then.

Now, in Dubai, he is older and wiser, but obviously looks exactly the same, and he is ready to finally tell the full story. A story of a life filled with bloodlust and a very toxic romance at the center. A romance with the sinister Frenchman who turned him: Lestat du Lioncourt.

A dangerous and intense romance

Unlike the 1994 movie starring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise in those iconic roles, this AMC series focuses on their romance. Forget all about subtext; the romantic (and physical) love between Louis de Pointe du Lac and Lestat du Lioncourt is the main text. And I am loving that!

Honestly, it’s the only way this entire story truly makes sense!

Both Interview With The Vampire Season 1 & Season 2 are about Louis de Pointe du Lac telling his life story to Daniel Molloy. Season 1 (or Part I) is about his life in New Orleans, while Part II is about his life in Europe, after he leaves the United States to look for more vampires. With him is the daughter he made Lestat du Lioncourt create: Claudia.

In Part I, Claudia is portrayed by Bailey Bass, while in Part II, she is replaced by Delainey Hayles. I preferred the original actor, in many ways, but Delainey Hayles definitely grew on me. A very positive development, as we will soon see her again in Mike Flanagan‘s 2026 version of Stephen King’s Carrie.

And yes, Claudia is the child vampire character Kirsten Dunst portrayed in the 1994 movie.

The final key player in The Interview With The Vampire is Armand. In the movie, Antonio Banderas played this character, while in the series, he is portrayed by Assad Zaman. Not my favorite character, but I certainly don’t feel he’s meant to be either, so Assad Zaman delivers what is necessary for the role.

Watch Interview With The Vampire Season 1 and 2 on Netflix

Anne Rice wrote the books this series is based on, and she is also an executive producer (as credit only, as she passed away before it was finished) alongside her son, Christopher Rice. The creator of the Interview With the Vampire series is Rolin Jones (Perry Mason, The Exorcist series), who is also the showrunner and executive producer.

I loved how we’re given so much more time to dive into these characters. From their history to their psyche, it’s a real treat. From the early 20th century to the very modern world of Dubai in 2022, the story of Louis de Pointe du Lac spans decades, which means there is plenty of story to tell.

And yet, with seasons 1 and 2, we’re focusing very much on New Orleans and Paris, so there is much more to delve into. This leaves room for further seasons or spin-offs.

As for this AMC Original series, it will continue to follow the book series from Anne Rice. And that means Season 3 will be “The Vampire Lestat”, which I am very happy about. Not least after having watched the teaser trailer for the upcoming season.

Not since True Blood have I been this excited about a vampire series. I think I knew I would love it, which is why I waited to start watching, so I could binge-watch seasons.

Interview With The Vampire, Part I and Part II, are on Netflix now. Season 3 will be titled The Vampire Lestat and is coming to AMC in 2026.

Details

Creator: Rolin Jones
Cast: Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, Bailey Bass, Delainey Hayles, Assad Zaman, Eric Bogosian, Bally Gill, Ben Daniels, Esme Appleton

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

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).

STAR PEOPLE is a new sci-fi thriller with a very sweet, but also twisted and dark, story featuring two siblings at the heart of the plot. Inspired by real events, this indie production won me over with its character-driven plot and the most gorgeous visuals. Read our full Star People movie review here!

STAR PEOPLE is a new indie sci-fi thriller that made me want to plan a night of stargazing somewhere with no light pollution. Honestly, if you don’t fall in love with the visuals of this movie, then I don’t know what it would take. Also, it has a character-driven story built on the aftermath of a real UFO sighting.

With a runtime of just over 100 minutes, I was worried that maybe it would be running a little too long. Fortunately, it didn’t, as there are more layers to the storyline than what you might expect. A small but fierce cast paired with a very interesting and relatable storyline made for a solid genre movie.

Continue reading our Star People movie review below. Find it on VOD now!

I want to believe

Star People is a classic “I want to believe”-plot that Fox Mulder would gladly support. We meet photographer Claire (Kat Cunning), who is convinced she has seen a UFO (or rather, several) when she was a child. Ever since this sighting, she has been waiting for them to come back.

The very specific UFO sighting in this 2025 sci-fi thriller is based on the very real 1997 UFO sighting in Arizona. It was known as the “Phoenix Lights”, and we see archive news footage of the event. Clarie’s brother, Taylor (McCabe Slye), isn’t a believer, so he would be the Dana Scully of the family – just to stay in the X Files character gallery.

Taylor, however, is a junkie and struggling in all areas of life, so Claire doesn’t care much about what he believes. Still, in a roundabout way, he ends up joining his big sister on a job. A man has spotted some lights that look similar to the 1997 Phoenix Lights, and wants Claire to take pictures of them.

Not because he thinks they’re aliens, but I won’t give away what he suspects here. Again, Claire doesn’t care what anyone else believes. She’s just eager to get out there and see the aliens again.

There is much more to this story, but Star People is the kind of movie that you should experience without too much prior knowledge.

Wonderful cast and an important story

Don’t worry, I’m not about to go back on the above and give away key elements of the story in Star People. I just want to highlight that I loved how it incorporated very current issues and dealt with them in a very straightforward manner. Being able to do this in a believable way means a cast has to sell the idea to us, the audience, and Star People has a wonderful cast.

With Kat Cunning (The Deuce, Trinkets) at the heart of the story, we have an actor who breathes life into Claire. She’s a woman who is conflicted and deals with past trauma as best she can. Sure, she handles it better than her brother, who is a junkie, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t struggling as well.

Also, McCabe Slye (Fear Street trilogy) is wonderful as her little brother, Taylor, with all the issues and baggage he comes with. As a boyfriend (well, sort of) to Claire, we see Connor Paolo (A Creature Was Stirring) as Justin. Honestly, Justin isn’t a very stellar man, but Connor Paolo manages to give him nuance in his portrayal. Really, he just isn’t a hero… at all!

Rounding out the cast of Star People are Eddie Martinez, Adriana Aluna Martinez, Chris Altice, and Bradley Fisher. All play important parts in the story, and all deserve to be complimented for their performances.

Watch Star People on VOD

Star People comes from writer-director Adam Finberg, and I am very impressed with this indie sci-fi thriller. A strong character-driven plot that isn’t afraid to include a few key elements of very current importance. And also, those visuals truly did take my breath away.

If Arizona wants to attract more tourists, just get Adam Finberg to make the commercial.

However, I do also have to highlight the audio. Not least the score by Reza Safinia, and the soundtrack. The end credit song “Constellation” by Reza Safinia, featuring vocals by the star of the movie, Kat Cunning, was amazing. I immediately wanted to hear that song again. And again!

If you love a solid sci-fi thriller and want to believe, then do check out Star People. Not only does it offer a UFO story, but it also deals with more grounded everyday “alien” issues that many will recognize. A strong combination that works elegantly here.

Star People is out on VOD now.

Details

Director: Adam Finberg
Writer: Adam Finberg
Cast: Kat Cunning, McCabe Slye, Connor Paolo, Eddie Martinez, Bradley Fisher, Adriana Aluna Martinez

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

THE FORBIDDEN LANDS is an Italian folk horror movie (org. title: Le Terre Incolte). I was surprised that it was more fantasy-laced than I expected, so that threw me off a little. However, I absolutely respected the choices and the use of practical effects. Read our The Forbidden Lands movie review here!

THE FORBIDDEN LANDS is a folk horror movie from Italy (org. title: Le Terre Incolte), which threw me for quite a loop. There were elements of it that worked really well, and then other parts that did not work for me at all.

As a result, I’m probably at around a 2½ out of 5, but I am ending on a 2 because I just wasn’t happy with the plot. Specifically, the storytelling needed a stronger sense of direction for me to be satisfied. That’s a personal preference, I recognize that, but here we are.

Continue reading our The Forbidden Lands movie review below.

Superstition in a village

The Forbidden Lands plays out in a small Italian town. When exactly is very difficult to say. The people in the village look like they could be living in two different centuries, if you go by their clothes or the tools they use for their work. Honestly, I never did feel certain whether this was an intentional choice or just the props that were available and/or looked good.

To me, this breaks the illusion very early on, and that is never to the advantage of the movie or story.

Very quickly, it becomes a story of superstition in the Italian village, and I can relate to that. Fear spreads like wildfire after several mysterious deaths in the nearby forest. The villagers are quick to label a young woman as a witch and blame her. Then two strange men arrive, claiming to be messengers of the Lord, and the townspeople see them as saviors.

Classic, right? Blame the strange woman, believe the unknown men.

Fantasy Folk Horror from Italy

Of course, not everyone trusts the men, and women will end up being the saviors in many ways. It begins with one woman, who joins forces with a free-spirited girl and an outcast accused of witchcraft (yep, the “witch”), and together they focus on finding answers instead of making strange offerings to strangers claiming to be sent by God.

Admittedly, The Forbidden Lands was challenged by the previous Italian genre movie I watched. It was called The Holy Boy, and I absolutely loved it. While I recognize this one is very different, I was hoping it would surprise me in positive ways too, and it could not live up to that great expectation.

Mostly, the fantasy elements, which included numerous gorgeous practical effects (always points for that), were not my favorite.

The core plot was very intriguing, but the storytelling itself did not work for me. From the acting to the pacing of it all, I was not a happy camper, so I struggled with that from the end of the first act.

The Forbidden Lands is screening at Film Festivals

Mattia De Pascali is the writer and director of The Forbidden Lands (org. title: Le Terre Incolte), and as an Italian independent filmmaker, he is working with a limited budget. I feel he gets a lot out of what he has to work with. For me, the quality of the production is impressive. The story itself, however, is not so much.

Having said that, I truly believe there’s a type of genre film fan that will adore its vibe. I mean, this could be a little cult picture for some genre fans, while others will end up like me: Strangely confused by the plot and not entirely sold on the acting or the choices in directing.

This genre hybrid of a movie recently premiered in the U.S. during the Los Angeles Fantasia Fest (on November 20, 2025). It was also nominated as one of the ten nominees for Best Horror / Thriller Feature Film. Also, it received an Honorable Mention from the Washington Underground Film Festival, so it’s just getting started.

The Forbidden Lands is screening at film festivals now, but it will be out on VOD (and physical media) later.

Details

Director: Mattia De Pascali
Writer: Mattia De Pascali
Stars: Andrea Cananiello, Denise Cimino, Fabrizio La Monica, Paola Medici, Ivan Raganato, Donatella Reverchon, Alessandro Stajano, Giorgio Recchia, Gianni Rizzo

MISSING: DEAD OR ALIVE Season 2 on Netflix offers two new exciting missing person cases, where we follow the investigation. It’s intense and scary in its raw realism, but also proves just how important the work of these investigators is. Read our full Missing: Dead or Alive? S2 review here!

MISSING: DEAD OR ALIVE Season 2 is now on Netflix with four new episodes. These four episodes cover two missing person cases, and if you’ve watched season 1, then you know the drill. We come in right at the beginning of a person being reported as missing and follow the police officers on the case.

DO CHECK OUT…

Our review of Missing: Dead or Alive? Season 1 right here >

Fair warning, and tiny spoiler, season 2 opens with a case that is resolved within hours. Just a little “taste” to help us see that a quick reaction and tactical approach can yield quick (and happy) results. Then we move on to the first of the two cases in this second season, and it gets more complicated.

Continue reading our S2 review of Missing: Dead or Alive below – and find it on Netflix now.

The season 2 cases on Missing: Dead or Alive

With this second season of the true crime Netflix docu-series, we get two cases. Okay, three, if you count the brief opening case, which just helps set the stage.

The first full case is about a young man who vanishes right after Thanksgiving. His phone, valet, and medication are all still in his apartment, which means the detectives are off to a tough start. Next, they’ll learn of the various issues and struggles of his neighbors, who all highlight what a wonderful young man he was. This case takes up the first two episodes.

Next is a case about a young woman who seemingly disappears in the dead of night. Once again, the investigators in the missing persons unit must find puzzles in many different places to try to piece together the full picture. Both cases take place in Columbia, South Carolina.

You’d want this team on your case

As complex and tricky as these investigations are, the people working on them are relentless. They clearly work on these missing persons cases because they have an unbelievable drive to help their loved ones. And the victim themselves, of course.

For the record, the title is very literal, as you can never be certain whether the missing person will be found dead or alive. If at all?!

This is true crime, so we follow the investigation wherever it leads. This means following leads that turn out to be dead ends, those that lead to a happy reunion, or handing over the case to homicide.

Just like in season 1, we’re with the officers from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit in Columbia, South Carolina. From what I’ve seen in these two seasons, you’d want this team on your case. In this age of strange shootings, ICE, and corrupt cops, a Netflix series like Missing: Dead or Alive is great PR for the police in the US.

Watch Missing: Dead or Alive Season 2 on Netflix now

The four episodes in season 2 of Missing: Dead or Alive are directed by Alex Irvine-Cox and are absolutely worth watching. This isn’t true crime in the documentary feature sense, where you can look back and piece together the pieces to make a pretty picture. Instead, it’s happening in real-time, and so the “Dead or Alive?” element of the title is very relevant.

A happy ending to these cases is never a given!

According to the US Department of Justice’s National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), people go missing in America every single day. In fact, the number is higher than 1,500 people. A number that no doubt doesn’t include anyone unfortunate to get into contact with ICE, and that’s a whole other challenge.

With kidnappings as well as missing persons cases of any other variety, the old saying is still key: The longer a person is missing, the less likely they are to be found alive. Check out these new cases in season 2 to know the outcome this time around.

Missing: Dead or Alive Season 2 is out on Netflix from November 24, 2025.