Reviews

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) Review - Rian Johnson returns to the universe of 'Knives Out' for 2022 Netflix murder mystery 'Glass Onion', a funny sequel starring Daniel Craig at the head of an all-star cast. Review by Christopher Connor.
She Said (2022) Review - 'She Said' (2022), Maria Schrader's empowering take on the uncovering of the Harvey Weinstein scandal starring Carey Mulligan, Zoe Kazan, is testament to the impact of female solidarity. Review by Gala Woolley.
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) Review - Director Edward Berger and Netflix present 'All Quiet on the Western Front' (2022), an adaptation of a powerful anti-war novel that hits like a Howitzer. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Beetlejuice (1988) Review - Michael Keaton gives an iconic performance at the head of a brilliant ensemble cast in Tim Burton's macabre Halloween movie 'Beetlejuice' (1988). Review by Elisabetta Pulcini.
Bros (2022) Review - Billy Eichner co-writes and stars in 'Bros', the first gay rom-com produced by a Hollywood studio with a predominantly LGBTQ+ cast. Review by Emily Nighman.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) Review - Don Siegel's horror classic 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' (1956) is right to be revered as such, it being an important film with remarkable ideas. Review by Kieran Judge.
Rosaline (2022) Review - 'Rosaline', a 2022 Karen Maine film adaptation of "When You Were Mine" by Rebecca Searle, based on characters from "Romeo & Juliet" is a fun, easy watch. Review by Rehana Nurmahi.
Train to Busan (2016) Review - 'Train to Busan', the South Korean zombie horror film set largely on a moving train, from director Yeon Sang-ho and starring Gong Yoo, is a must-watch. Review by Kae M.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) Review - 'The Banshees of Inisherin' (2022), from 'In Bruges', 'Three Billboards' writer-director Martin McDonagh, is an operatic fable on masculinity starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson. Review by Joseph Wade.
The Curse of Bridge Hollow (2022) Review - Marlon Wayans and 'Stranger Things' star Priah Ferguson lead Netlix Halloween movie 'The Curse of Bridge Hollow' (2022), which is at times fun. Review by Kieran Judge.
Ringu (1998) Review - Hideo Nakata's iconic J-Horror 'Ringu' (1998) is the rare type of horror that creeps out of your screen and into your brain, promising frightening sights. Review by Emily Nighman.
Halloween Ends (2022) Review - Do not see 'Halloween Ends' (2022). Do not give it exposure. Save your money. Save cinema. David Gordon Green directs, Jamie Lee Curtis stars. Review by Kieran Judge.
The Orphanage (2007) Review - Directed by J.A. Bayona, and backed by Guillermo del Toro, 'The Orphanage' (2007) "might be one the most moving ghost stories ever put to film". Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Mr Harrigan’s Phone (2022) Review - 'Mr Harrigan's Phone' (2022) starring Jaeden Martell and Donald Sutherland is understanding, empathetic, and more mature than other Stephen King adaptations. Review by Kieran Judge.
Martyrs (2008) Review - Pascal Laugier's infamous New French Extreme horror film 'Martyrs' (2008) intentionally refuses us any catharsis, but holds us in a twisted and tight grip. Review by Grace Britten.
The Others (2001) Review - With a twist "so obvious you won’t see it coming", Alejandro Amenábar's 'The Others' (2001) starring Nicole Kidman is still captivating and frightening today. Review by Margaret Roarty.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) Review - Tim Curry stars as Dr Frank N. Furter in the camp classic Halloween musical 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' (1975), from the mind of Richard O'Brien. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) Review - The Sanderson Sisters return in Disney's 'Hocus Pocus 2', starring Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker. It fails to live up to the original, but has moments of magic. Review by Emi Grant.
Hocus Pocus (1993) Review - The Sanderson Sisters, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, light up 'Hocus Pocus' (1993), a cult classic for Halloween enthusiasts. Review by Emi Grant.
Suspiria (2018) Review - Luca Guadagnino's 2018 'Suspiria' film places a new focus on the story first told on screen by Dario Argento in 1977. Film stars Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Blonde (2022) Review - Ana de Armas gives the performance of a lifetime as Marilyn Monroe in Andrew Dominik's Netflix biopic 'Blonde' (2022), a film that wastes her potential. Review by Kieran Judge.
Don’t Worry Darling (2022) Review - Behind the scenes controversy surrounds the release of Olivia Wilde's 'Don't Worry Darling' (2022) starring Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, a film that squanders its potential. Review by Kieran Judge.
‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ at 10 – Review - Ten years on from its release, Stephen Chbosky's film adaptation of his own novel 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' still offers a warm embrace. Review by Kae M.
Kintsugi (2022) Short Film Review - 'Kintsugi' is "a beautiful little original animation" from Sugar Animation Studios and director Cleto Acosta-McKillop, "a wonderful creation". Short film review by Kieran Judge.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) Review - Halina Reijn makes a name for herself amongst the horror-comedy fanbase with 'Bodies Bodies Bodies' (2022), a pointed and funny Gen Z fable. Review by Morgan Barr.
‘The Master’ at 10 – Review - Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master', starring Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams in Oscar-nominated performances, is 10 years old. Review by Rachael Norris.
Pinocchio (2022) Review - Robert Zemeckis ('Back to the Future', 'Forrest Gump') reimagines classic Walt Disney Animation 'Pinocchio' in CG/live-action for Disney Plus. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
After Yang (2022) Review - Kogonada takes inspiration from Hirokazu Koreeda for his "exceptionally beautiful" 2022 film 'After Yang' starring Colin Farrell as the father of a young robot. Review by Mark Carnochan.
The Forgiven (2021) Review - John Michael McDonagh returns to form with 'The Forgiven' starring Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain, an upper class couple who accidentally kill a Moroccan boy. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Return to Seoul (2022) Review - Park Ji-min embodies someone trying to find their place in the world in Davy Chou's tale of lost identity, 'Return to Seoul' (2022). Review by Jake Gill.
Winners (2022) EIFF Review - A young boy seeks to return an Oscar statue to its rightful owner in the UK-financed, Iran-set 'Winners' (2022) from director Hassan Nazer. Mark Carnochan reviews.
Full Time (2021) EIFF Review - Eric Gravel directs Laure Calamy in 'Full Time' - picture the Safdie Brothers directing a film about a single mother. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Axiom (2022) EIFF Review - Upcoming Swedish director Jöns Jönsson proves he's a filmmaker to keep your eye on with the subtle but interesting 'Axiom' (2022) starring Moritz von Treuenfels. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Sick of Myself (2022) Review - Kristine Kujath Thorp is Signe, arguably the worst person in the world, in Kristoffer Borgli’s satire of culture's glorification of victim mentality, 'Sick of Myself' (2022). Review by Jake Gill.
Official Competition (2021) EIFF Review - Penélope Cruz, Antonio Banderas and Oscar Martínez star as three filmmakers in 'Official Competition', an hilarious satire on the film industry. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Nope (2022) Review - Jordan Peele follows 'Get Out' and 'Us' with 2022 sci-fi 'Nope', starring Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer and Steven Yeun, a film that may prove he's the next Spielberg. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Flux Gourmet (2022) EIFF Review - Infamous director Peter Strickland follows his divisive 'In Fabric' with 2022's 'Flux Gourmet' starring Asa Butterfield and Gwendoline Christie, a repetitive and messy satire. Review by Mark Carnochan.
Aftersun (2022) EIFF Review - Paul Mescal stars as a dad managing anger issues in father-daughter relationship drama 'Aftersun' (2022), from screenwriter-director Charlotte Wells. Mark Carnochan reviews from EIFF.
False Memories – A Pseudo-Documentary (2022) Review - In 'False Memories', filmmaker Jack Caffrey brings together an imagined story born from photographs he found and had developed. It's a pseudo-documentary on life and meaning. Jacob Davis reviews.
‘Black Narcissus’ at 75 – Review - Although dated in parts, Powell and Pressburger's 'Black Narcissus' remains iconic and influential even 75 years after it was released. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Bullet Train (2022) Review - Brad Pitt leads an ensemble of star names in 'Bullet Train', from 'Deadpool 2' director David Leitch, that features plenty of shiny neon-soaked fight scenes but little by way of character. Kieran Judge reviews.
Prey (2022) Review - The Predator has returned for Dan Trachtenberg's 2022 film 'Prey', "a lean, mean and completely thrilling hunter vs hunted historical action movie". Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
The Gray Man (2022) Review - Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans star in Netflix summer action film the "utterly lifeless" 'The Gray Man', from 'Avengers: Endgame' directors the Russo Brothers. Review by Joseph Wade.
Where the Crawdads Sing (2022) Review - Daisy Edgar-Jones stars in Olivia Newman's sloppily-directed feature adaptation of Delia Owens' 'Where the Crawdads Sing' (2022). Review by Kieran Judge.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) Review - Thor returns in Marvel's 'Thor: Love and Thunder' (2022), an inconsistent MCU entry that makes the most of Natalie Portman and Christian Bale but doesn't do justice to its hero. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Elvis (2022) Review - Elvis Presley biopic 'Elvis' (2022), starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks, may be famed director Baz Luhrmann's magnum opus. Fans are in for a treat. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
‘Blade Runner’ at 40 – Review - 40 years removed from the release of Ridley Scott's Philip K. Dick adaptation, starring Harrison Ford, 'Blade Runner' (1982) has lost none of its potency. Review by Kieran Judge.
Spiderhead (2022) Review - Joseph Kosinski's Netflix Original 'Spiderhead' (2022), starring Chris Hemsworth and Miles Teller, is a film with so much unrealised potential. Review by Joseph Wade.
‘Minority Report’ at 20 – Review - Twenty years on from the release of Steven Spielberg sci-fi 'Minority Report', starring Tom Cruise, it remains one of the great contemplative mysteries on film. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
‘Hercules’ at 25 – Review - The Disney Renaissance offered a number of animated feature film classics, but can 'Hercules' be considered one? Danny DeVito and company offer their voices. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Jurassic World Dominion (2022) Review - Laura Dern, Sam Neill and Jeff Golblum return in the 3rd 'Jurassic World' film 'Jurassic World Dominion', a modern tentpole blockbuster heavy on nostalgia. Review by Joseph Wade.
One Fine Morning (2022) Review - Mia Hansen-Løve's Cannes Film Festival entry 'One Fine Morning' starring Léa Seydoux as a single parent navigating Parisian life, depicts a bittersweet transitional period. Gala Woolley reviews.
Men (2022) Review - 'Men' (2022), the new film from 'Ex Machina' and 'Annihilation' director Alex Garland, is either a godsend or a void of nothingness, but never clear. Review by Kieran Judge.
Ex Machina (2014) Review - Alex Garland's directorial debut 'Ex Machina' (2014) is a film that becomes richer and more enthralling upon multiple viewings and through intense debate. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
The Bob’s Burgers Movie (2022) Review - Animated sitcom 'Bob's Burgers' transitions from television to cinema with the feel-good and family-friendly 'The Bob's Burgers Movie' (2022). Review by Jacob Davis.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022) Review - Joseph Kosinski directs Tom Cruise in 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022). "Do you remember how movies used to feel when you were a kid? This is it." Review by Joseph Wade.
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) Review - Daniels' witty and imaginative 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' (2022), starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, will leave you breathless and in tears. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
The Innocents (2022) Review - Eskil Vogt mixes Stephen King with 'Let the Right One In' for 2022 Norwegian art-house film 'The Innocents', a relatable, "quiet, creeping, and always charged" horror. Review by Kieran Judge.
Firestarter (2022) Review - Zac Efron stars in Blumhouse's 2022 Stephen King adaptation 'Firestarter', but uninspired filmmaking makes for a bland and derivative experience. Review by Kieran Judge.
Dobermann (1997) Review - Jan Kounen's 'Dobermann' (1997), starring Vincent Cassel, marks 25 years on the big screen. It is 'enjoyable with vulgar stylings' worthy of the international cult spotlight. Review by Jacob Davis.
The Takedown (2022) Review - Omar Sy, Laurent Lafitte return for Netflix's 'The Takedown' (2022), a forgettable buddy cop film from 'The Incredible Hulk', 'Now You See Me' director Louis Leterrier. Review by Kieran Judge.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) Review - Sam Raimi takes the reins of 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness', a sentimental and flashy Marvel movie filled with fan service. Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen star. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Doctor Strange (2016) Review - Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Dr Stephen Strange in Scott Derrickson's Marvel Cinematic Universe offering 'Doctor Strange' (2016), an eye-popping MCU entry. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
‘Jason X’ at 20 – Review - Twenty years on from the release of the tenth 'Friday the 13th' movie, 'Jason X', this shameless space slasher should at least be saluted for playing into its tropes. Kieran Judge reviews.
The Northman (2022) Review - Robert Eggers' third feature film 'The Northman' (2022), starring Alexander Skarsgård as a prince intent on revenge for the murder of his father, might be his best yet. Review by Kieran Judge.
‘The Cabin in the Woods’ at 10 – Review - 10 years on from the UK release of 'The Cabin in the Woods' (2011/12), Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon's self-aware horror doesn't hit like it used to. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.
Sediments (2021) Review – BFI Flare - Writer-director Adrián Silvestre is a fly on the wall to document a group of trans women discussing their transitions in 'Sediments' (2022). Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) Review - Sonic returns in 'Sonic the Hedgehog 2' (2022) to offer "family filmmaking for a new generation", a funny big screen film starring Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey and Idris Elba. Review by Joseph Wade.
Cop Secret (2021) Review – BFI Flare - 'Cop Secret' (2021), from Iceland international footballer Hannes Þór Halldórsson, is an outlandish and entertaining buddy cop movie. Sam Sewell-Peterson reviews.
Long Live My Happy Head (2022) Review – BFI Flare - 'Long Live My Happy Head' (2022) is a wonderful new documentary from Will Hewitt and Austen McCowan exploring impending death through art. Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson.