Wild Horse Nine Review: Martin McDonagh Does It Again
Martin McDonagh's new CIA dark comedy sends two agents to Easter Island weeks before the 1973 Chilean coup. Malkovich is the best I've seen him, the script is full of lines that could become classics, and yes, it echoes Banshees. Spoilers are clearly marked.
Lady (VIFF 2026): Lagos, Fuel, and a Cab Between Two Worlds
A Lagos cab driver, a returning childhood friend, and a radio voice calling for revolution. A quick take on Olive Nwosu's Lady at VIFF 2026.
Paper Tiger
James Gray's Paper Tiger is a 1980s New York crime drama about two brothers caught as the mafia hands the waterfront to the Russians. Adam Driver is the reason to see it, but the film is really about being a father and a brother.
Still Night, Burning House
Seen at VIFF 2026: Carol Nguyen's feature debut follows her family to Vietnam to make peace with an uncle's death years after the fact. It's quiet, beautifully shot, and more about healing than grief.
Death Has No Master (VIFF 2026): The jungle spares no one
Asia Argento inherits a jungle estate and finds it already occupied. Our first take on Death Has No Master from VIFF 2026: a slow burn with a fantastic soundtrack and a hard left turn.
Behemoth: Every Day Is an Audition
Pedro Pascal plays a cellist who can't commit to anyone or anything, and Tony Gilroy turns that into a celebration of art and what it costs. A festival capsule review of the best Pascal performance yet and a surprising detour from the Michael Clayton director.
FATHERLAND (2026): A quiet beautiful rage
Thomas Mann comes home to a divided Germany, caught between two ideologies and unable to show vulnerability to either. Paweł Pawlikowski's Cannes-winning drama is lean, stark, and possibly the most beautiful black-and-white photography you'll see this year.
The Trial of Hein Review: A Village on Trial
A man returns to a German fishing island after fifteen years, and the village puts him on trial to prove he's really Hein. Our VIFF 2026 capsule review: a roofless, half-built set, a first-time director ten years in the making
Pocket Mirror (VIFF 2026): A Lonely Little Mystery About a Cat You Never See
A lonely retail worker becomes convinced her cat has been replaced in Adrian Murray's quiet Canadian drama, a world premiere at VIFF 2026.
Smudge the Blades Review: Cody Lightning's Heartfelt Hockey Drama
A Zamboni driver says he was drafted by the Rangers, but nobody can say who he is. Cody Lightning's second feature, a TIFF award winner now at VIFF, is a funny, heartfelt hockey drama where no one winks at the camera. Here's my capsule review.
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York
John Turturro plays a pickpocket past his prime in a city that no longer runs on cash. A quick capsule take from VIFF 2026, with a full review to follow at release.
Buzzard: Capitalism's Ugliest Little Con Man
Joel Potrykus's Buzzard follows a small-time scammer whose anti-corporate rage only ever expresses itself as more scamming. Streaming on the Criterion Channel, this micro-budget character study turns its rough edges into part of the point.
Companion (2025) Review: A Great Sci-Fi Premise That Doesn't Trust Itself
Companion just hit Netflix with a strong premise about a robot reclaiming her autonomy, and a lead performance from Sophie Thatcher that deserves a more confident movie around it. Here's why the tonal whiplash keeps it from landing, and how it stacks up against the one film in this current wave that actually commits.
Obsession Review: Curry Barker's Horror Debut Earns the Hype
Curry Barker's horror debut turns a $750,000 budget into one of the year's best genre films, anchored by a ferocious Inde Navarrette performance. Here's why it works, and where it fits alongside The Substance, Pearl, and Companion in horror's current loss-of-autonomy streak.
The Odyssey Review: Nolan's Practical-Effects Epic Is a Beautiful, Uneven Trip
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is a gorgeous, uneven swing at practical-effects filmmaking, one that buries a genuinely sharp war-guilt story under a rocky opening act. Here's what works, what doesn't, and why the pre-release casting controversy might be part of the point.
Sinners (2025) Movie Review: A Stunning Vampire Horror Set in the Jim Crow South
A gripping vampire horror set in the Jim Crow South, Sinners (2025) blends stunning cinematography, powerful performances, and profound themes of survival and temptation. Discover why this film is a modern genre classic.
One Battle After Another Review: PT Anderson’s Smart Satire of Modern America
PT Anderson’s One Battle After Another is a stunning meditation on revolution, family, and the fractured state of modern America. With Leonardo DiCaprio delivering a career-defining performance, this smart, satirical drama balances heartfelt storytelling with cutting cultural critique — and might just be 2025’s best film.
Superman 2025 Review: Does James Gunn Deliver a Super Start?
So, first things first: David Corenswet as Superman. Never thought I’d see the guy from Pearl trading lines with Lois Lane in Metropolis! Wild. The actual movie? Not mind-blowing, but I enjoyed it. It’s a good flick—a fresh start for the DCU. If you’re here for superhero vibes and some solid performances, you’ll have a good time.
Inside "Little Bites": A Claustrophobic Horror Gem on Shudder
If you’re searching for a fresh horror experience that trades jump scares for creeping dread, Little Bites—now streaming on Shudder—deserves your attention. Released in 2024, this low-budget thriller proves that you don’t need blockbuster effects to deliver genuine chills. Let’s take a closer look at why Little Bites is a horror worth watching.
A Dive into 'Anora': Best Picture Winner of 2024
Anora explores human emotion through a rich narrative and stunning visuals. It follows Anora's journey of love, loss, and self-discovery. The cinematography effectively conveys her internal struggles, immersing the audience in her experience. The lead actress delivers a relatable and poignant performance, supported by a cast that deepens the themes of solitude and connection. The screenplay is sharp and introspective, with memorable dialogues. Director Sean Baker has created a film that engages viewers on an emotional level, making Anora a must-watch in contemporary cinema.