Tag: reviews

Review: Reminders of Him ★★★

There’s something quietly charming about Reminders of Him, but it never fully settles into something unforgettable.

The film carries a tender premise—one rooted in redemption, grief, and the fragile hope of second chances. And while those emotional beats are present, they don’t always land with the depth you expect. A big part of that comes down to the chemistry (or lack thereof) between the leads. On paper, their connection should feel intense and transformative, but on screen, it feels a bit distant—like you’re watching the idea of a love story rather than actually feeling it.

Visually and tonally, the movie leans heavily into that familiar, made-for-TV warmth. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does give the film a slightly predictable, almost Lifetime movie quality that keeps it from reaching its full cinematic potential. The emotional moments are there, but they feel softened, like the story is holding back when it should be diving deeper.

It also doesn’t help that, coming off the wave of It Ends with Us, expectations for this kind of emotionally driven adaptation are naturally higher. That film, despite its own surrounding drama, set a certain standard for intensity and connection that Reminders of Him struggles to match.

That said, the true heart of the movie comes from the children. They bring a natural warmth, authenticity, and personality that often outshines the main storyline. Their presence adds levity and sincerity, grounding the film in a way that feels genuine and emotionally resonant. In many ways, they’re what make the story feel alive.

Overall, it’s a movie you can enjoy in the moment—soft, emotional, and easy to watch—but it doesn’t quite linger after the credits roll. Not something you’d necessarily revisit, but still worth a one-time watch if you’re drawn to heartfelt, character-driven stories.

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Review: The Bride ★★★

We all know the story of Frankenstein. The misunderstood monster, the mad scientist, the lightning and electricity that bring something unnatural to life. But what many people—including myself—don’t always know is the deeper story behind his bride. The Bride, starring Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley, takes that familiar mythology and spins it into something darker, stranger, and surprisingly emotional.

At its core, The Bride isn’t just a gothic horror story—it’s a twisted love story about loneliness and the human need to belong somewhere in the world. That emotional thread runs through the entire film, giving the story a layer of vulnerability beneath all the eerie atmosphere and chaos. There’s a constant feeling that these characters are searching for connection, even if the world around them sees them as monsters.

One of the first things that stands out is the music score, which is incredible throughout the film. The soundtrack builds tension in a way that keeps your nerves slightly on edge the whole time. It never overwhelms the scenes but instead works like a pulse underneath them, heightening both the suspense and the emotional moments.

The performances are also a huge highlight. Christian Bale brings a grounded intensity that pulls you into the story, while Jessie Buckley delivers a performance that feels both haunting and deeply human. The chemistry between them adds a lot of emotional weight to the film, especially as their connection grows in such an unusual and unsettling world.

What makes The Bride particularly interesting is how it blends influences from several different storytelling styles. There are clear echoes of Frankenstein, of course, but the film also carries the dramatic elegance of The Great Gatsby, while occasionally leaning into the offbeat humor and absurdity reminiscent of Young Frankenstein. It’s a strange mix—but somehow it works.

That said, the film does have a lot going on. There are multiple tones, themes, and visual styles layered throughout the story. For some viewers, that might make the film feel a bit overwhelming or even distracting at times. It’s the kind of movie where you occasionally wonder if it’s juggling too many ideas at once. But at the same time, that ambition is also part of what makes the film feel unique.

Overall, The Bride is a bold and visually interesting take on a classic story. It mixes suspense, romance, and gothic horror into something that feels familiar yet refreshingly different. Between the strong performances, the haunting score, and the emotional core about love and belonging, it’s a film that stays with you long after the credits roll—even if it occasionally feels like it’s trying to do a little too much.

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Review: Primate ★★★★★

There’s something inherently unsettling about horror films that turn something familiar—something loved—into the very thing you should fear. Primate taps into that discomfort beautifully by centering its terror around a beloved family pet. What begins as a seemingly normal family dynamic slowly spirals into a primal nightmare once the chimpanzee Ben becomes violent after contracting rabies.

What really makes Primate work is the constant sense of tension simmering beneath every scene. The film wastes very little time getting to the chaos, but it never feels rushed. Instead, it slowly tightens the screws, letting the audience feel that creeping dread as things begin to go horribly wrong. It’s the kind of suspense where you’re gripping the edge of your seat, waiting for the inevitable moment when everything collapses.

One of the standout elements of the film is its music score. The soundtrack does an incredible job of amplifying the anxiety throughout the movie, building an atmosphere that feels almost suffocating at times. The score has a haunting, retro horror energy that perfectly matches the film’s escalating tension and brutal moments. Critics have also highlighted how the music contributes to the film’s relentless suspense and overall intensity.

The performances are another strong point. The actors deliver convincing reactions to the escalating horror, grounding the story in a way that keeps the film from becoming too over-the-top. Even when the premise leans into classic creature-feature territory, the cast manages to keep the emotional stakes believable.

What makes Primate particularly effective is the emotional layer behind the horror. This isn’t just a monster movie—it’s about the terrifying moment when something you once loved and trusted becomes something you no longer recognize. That dynamic adds an extra layer of discomfort that many creature features never quite reach.

Overall, Primate is a tense, entertaining horror film that leans into suspense, strong performances, and a fantastic score to keep viewers on edge. It’s brutal, anxiety-inducing, and surprisingly emotional at times—exactly the kind of horror ride that fans of creature features will appreciate.

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REVIEW: HIM ★★★★★

If you’re seeking a film that cleverly blends genre, mood and unexpectedly deep heart, then look no further than HIM by Jordan Peele—a triumph of smart scares, meaningful emotion and richly layered storytelling.

From the opening frames, HIM establishes an atmosphere that’s quietly unsettling, then gradually builds into something unforgettable. Peele’s command of tone is impeccable: he balances the uncanny and the everyday, delivering moments of tension and surprise without ever losing sight of the characters at the centre.

The lead performance is nothing short of riveting. We meet a protagonist whose fears and desires feel startlingly real, making each supernatural or thriller beat feel grounded in genuine emotional stakes. The relationships onscreen crackle with authenticity, and when the story pivots into high-intensity territory you’re already invested—so the payoff lands hard.

Visually, HIM is striking. The cinematography captures ordinary spaces—homes, hallways, familiar rooms—then transforms them into places of dread and wonder. The sound design supports this metamorphosis beautifully: subtle creaks, long silences, and then the sudden jolt. It’s never gratuitous; the film builds its scares the way a master craftsman sculpts, patiently, deliberately.

What elevates HIM beyond a typical genre entry is how it engages with deeper themes. Identity, legacy, memory—these ideas quietly inform the narrative, giving it weight beyond the thrills. You’ll find yourself thinking about the film long after the credits roll, and maybe noticing things you missed on first viewing.

Peele stands confidently at the intersection of horror, psychological drama and social commentary, and HIM feels like a mature evolution of his voice. It doesn’t rely on cheap jump-scares or gratuitous shocks; instead, the tension is rooted in the characters’ vulnerability and the ever-present sense that something is off.

In short: HIM is smart, stylish and emotionally resonant. It’s rare to find a film that satisfies on both the visceral level (yes, you’ll jump) and the reflective one (yes, you’ll think). Highly recommended for anyone who wants more than just a scare-ride—this is one of those movies that earns its place in the conversation.

Don’t miss it.

Genre: Horror

Cast: Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies

Director: Justin Tipping

Screenplay by: Zack Akers & Skip Bronkie and Justin Tipping

Producers: Ian Cooper, Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, Jamal M. Watson

Executive Producers: David Kern, Kate Oh 

Rated R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, sexual material, nudity and some drug use.

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