Last Night in Soho (2021)

Last Night in Soho is a horror movie, surprisingly. It's also directed by Edgar Wright. Is this a dream? Someone, please make sense to me how this got made.

Written and directed by Edgar Wright, Soho is about a fashion designer who without spoiling the film starts to uncover a murder mystery from the 1960s and has to make sense of it all. It has everything you want from Wright's transitions and self-references but missing the comedy of his previous films. I feel like this movie was made on a dare much in the same way American Graffiti was made.

Thomasin McKenzie has really developed as an actress both in her ability to convey emotion but also with how she loses herself in the role. The last time I saw her was in Jojo Rabbit and True History of the Kelly Gang and I look forward to The Power of the Dog later this year. She plays the main character and does a wonderful job with her accent too. I can't go into detail about what happens to her without spoiling the film but she's certainly an actress to be on the lookout for from now on and carries this film. It would not be the same without her.

Anya Taylor-Joy has been great in so many films that it's easy to see her in this role as a 1960's aspiring singer. You might know her from The Queen's Gambit, but I know her from The Witch and Split. She's been in so much and yet she's so young and people don't give her enough credit. I can't wait to see her take on the role of Furiosa.

The film has a lot of themes and in a way is a feminist movie but written and directed by a man. The character does things that fly in the face of what a man would do in the same situation which might be the help from the screenplay writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns and I'm curious how much she changed from Wright's original story. That might sound scary calling this horror film a feminist movie but it's not in your face or shaming the audience in a way that many other films have in recent history. I'm looking at you Birds of Prey. It takes a tactful approach towards handling the mistreatment of women, especially in 1960's London.

There's no other film like it to compare it to and my closest feelings on it lie somewhere between Red Sparrow (2018) and Ex Machina (2015) both of which earned an A- in my book. I can say this is a great film with only one minor flaw in the convoluted way the movie ended.

Comments

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is directed by Jon Favreau , known for Iron Man and Chef , with much of the story influence clearly coming from Dave Filoni , known for Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Ahsoka . Unfortunately, the film falls into the same “and then” style of storytelling that hurts many modern franchise films, where scenes feel stitched together without enough meaningful progression. Entire stretches of the movie, particularly long sequences involving Grogu wandering through a forest, feel padded and lacking purpose. Instead of building momentum, the film drifts from moment to moment without ever creating a compelling central narrative. Pedro Pascal , known for The Last of Us and Narcos , once again plays the Mandalorian, though his presence feels strangely limited. It is difficult not to notice how often the character appears disconnected physically and vocally, giving the impression that Pascal himself may not have been involved in large portions of the performa...

In the Grey (2026)

In the Grey is written and directed by Guy Ritchie , known for Snatch and The Gentlemen , and the film carries all the style and personality audiences expect from him. The dialogue is sharp, the pacing is confident, and the story constantly moves with a sense of swagger that keeps it entertaining throughout. Ritchie once again proves he knows how to make even familiar action setups feel fresh through his direction and character work. Eiza González , known for Baby Driver and Ambulance , plays the beautiful and manipulative lawyer role perfectly. She brings confidence and charisma to every scene, balancing charm with danger in a way that fits naturally into Ritchie’s world. Beyond just looking the part, she fully commits to the character’s aggressive personality and ends up being one of the film’s strongest presences. Henry Cavill , known for Man of Steel and The Witcher , delivers another very likable performance. His natural charm works extremely well here, especially in the fil...

Lee Cronin's The Mummy (2026)

Lee Cronin's The Mummy is directed by surprise-surprise Lee Cronin , best known for Evil Dead Rise , and his style is immediately recognizable. The film plays less like a traditional Mummy story and more like a modern possession horror with a different skin. It often feels like a “what if Evil Dead involved a mummy,” leaning heavily into familiar genre beats rather than carving out something distinct. The tone prioritizes intensity and shock, with a focus on gore over sustained dread, which keeps it engaging in moments but limits its ability to build true horror. Jack Reynor , known for Midsommar and Sing Street , plays the father figure at the center of the chaos. His performance is solid and grounded, fitting well within the expectations of the genre. He brings a level of sincerity that helps anchor the film, even as the story follows a fairly predictable path. His arc plays out in a way that will feel familiar to anyone who has seen possession films like The Exorcist , but ...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog