Skip to main content

Americana (2025)


Americana (2025) is written and directed by Tony Tost, best known for his work on Longmire. His approach here focuses more on character work than plot, with the script itself being serviceable but not remarkable. Still, it provides a strong platform for the cast to showcase their abilities.

Sydney Sweeney delivers an impressive performance as a waitress with a stutter, bringing nuance and empathy to a role that could have easily felt one-note. It’s one of her more grounded performances and a highlight of the film. You'll remember Syd from her American Eagle commercial.

Halsey is nearly unrecognizable in her role, playing with a fierceness that stands out and proves her versatility outside of music. Her presence commands attention whenever she’s on screen. I was first introduced to her from MGK's music video Forget Me Too.

Eric Dane takes on a villain role and succeeds at being thoroughly hate-able, leaning into his darker side effectively. His work gives the film much of its tension. You'll remember him from Grey's Anatomy.

While the script may only be okay, the cast elevates it with committed and memorable performances. It becomes less about the story and more about the acting showcase, which works in its favor. Result: B+

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rental Family (2025)

  Rental Family is about an American living in Japan as an actor who falls into an odd acting gig as a surrogate family member or something similar for other people to cope or find meaning in relationships.  Written and directed by Hikari, who brought us the critically acclaimed movie 37 Seconds which was sent straight to streaming back in 2020, so don't feel bad if you've never heard of it. This time around she's getting a proper release. Her direction is very artistic and the character writing is great. There are even moments of laughter in this drama.  Brendan Frasier plays the main character a "token white guy" as the movie puts it. He is on a role with these select films. I'm excited for a Mummy reunion and his return with The Whale  was great. This wasn't as well acted as The Whale, but it was still good. I'm not too sure this will get nominated for any Oscar or do well at the box office, but it was still good. Result:  B
Post a Comment
Read more

The Running Man (2025)

The Running Man (2025) is directed by Edgar Wright , known for Baby Driver and Hot Fuzz , but this remake lacks the trademark charm, rhythm, and comedic punch that define his best work. The film feels noticeably muted, almost as if Wright was creatively restrained or intentionally holding back, resulting in a tone that is far more conventional than expected from him. The visual flair is still present, but the energy is dialed down and the humor is sparse, creating an experience that feels competent yet oddly subdued. Glen Powell , known for Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You , leads the film well and brings his usual charisma to the role. He emotes effectively and fully commits to the character, but the makeup choices surrounding him occasionally distract and left me wondering what the creative team was trying to convey. Still, Powell carries the emotional beats and remains one of the film's strongest assets. Josh Brolin , from No Country for Old Men and Dune , steps comfor...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Black Phone 2 (2025)

The Black Phone 2 (2025) is written and directed by Scott Derrickson , the mind behind Sinister and the original The Black Phone . While Derrickson’s return should have elevated the sequel, the film instead leans too heavily on exposition, losing much of the dread and mystery that made the first entry so chilling. The scares feel explained rather than experienced, and the pacing suffers because of it. Mason Thames , reprising his role from the original, delivers a respectable performance. Now older, he brings maturity to the character, though much of the fear and vulnerability that made him compelling in the first film is gone. His performance is serviceable but lacks the spark of discovery the story needs. Ethan Hawke , known for Training Day and Dead Poets Society , returns as The Grabber. His presence still commands the screen, but his reduced role feels like a missed opportunity. The movie never finds a figure as haunting or magnetic as his portrayal in the original. Madelein...
Post a Comment
Read more