Reminders of Him (2026)

Reminders of Him (2026) is directed by Vanessa Caswill and written by Colleen Hoover and Lauren Levine. The film clearly aims for an emotional romantic drama, but it struggles early on trying to manufacture relationship development and sexual tension. Much of the setup feels forced, stretching how people actually behave in relationships and leaning heavily into "fantasy" romance rather than something believable.

Maika Monroe, known for It Follows and Longlegs, gives a decent performance with the material she is given. She sells the emotional weight of the character fairly well, but the script often puts her in situations that feel more engineered for melodrama than natural storytelling.

Tyriq Withers, recognized from I Know What You Did Last Summer and Him, tries to bring sincerity to the role, but the lack of chemistry between the leads makes the central relationship difficult to buy. He does what he can, though the screenplay never gives the romance enough authenticity to land.

Overall, the film has the emotional intentions of a romantic drama but never fully convinces. Forced tension and uneven chemistry keep it from reaching the emotional impact it clearly wants. Result: C+

Comments

The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026)

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is written by Aline Brosh McKenna , known for The Devil Wears Prada and Cruella , and continues the story with a noticeably different tone. The film leans heavily into a more modern studio approach, with its themes and messaging pushed front and center. Structurally, it falls into a repetitive pattern of “problem, solution, move on,” creating a chain of predictable moments that feel more like checkpoints than a natural progression. The result is a story that lacks subtlety and rarely trusts the audience to engage without being guided at every turn. Meryl Streep , known for The Iron Lady and Kramer vs. Kramer , returns as Miranda Priestly and once again delivers a commanding performance. She slips back into the role effortlessly, bringing the same sharp presence and control that defined the original. Even when the material around her falters, she remains consistently engaging and reminds you why the character worked so well to begin with. Anne Hathaway , kno...

Michael (2026)

Michael is directed by Antoine Fuqua , known for Training Day and The Equalizer 2 , and this film clearly carries his stylistic fingerprints. It aims to capture the life and legacy of Michael Jackson through a more personal lens, balancing spectacle with intimate character moments. While Fuqua brings a strong visual identity and some powerful sequences, the film struggles with pacing. The editing feels bloated at times, with certain stretches lingering longer than they should, which disrupts the overall flow. Jaafar Jackson , making his debut and known primarily for being the nephew of Michael Jackson , takes on the monumental task of portraying his late uncle. He does an impressive job embodying both the physicality and presence, capturing the voice, movement, and charisma in a way that feels authentic rather than imitative. It is a performance that carries the film and makes it easy to stay invested even when the structure falters. Colman Domingo , known for Rustin and Euphoria...

Exit 8 (2026)

Exit 8 is directed by Genki Kawamura , who is best known as the producer of Your Name. , though his work as a director may be less familiar. The film leans into a minimalist premise, building tension through repetition and unease rather than large set pieces. It succeeds in creating an atmosphere that keeps you alert, with a structure that slowly reveals its rules and stakes. While the story ultimately comes together in a satisfying way, the journey there can feel a bit too restrained to stay consistently engaging. Kazunari Ninomiya , known for Gantz and Letters from Iwo Jima , carries much of the film on his own. His performance fits the tone well, grounded and reactive in a way that matches the film’s quiet tension. He does a solid job making small moments feel important, though the script doesn’t always give him enough variety to fully showcase his range. Still, he keeps the film watchable even when the pacing slows. Overall, Exit 8 is a well-constructed film that nails its ten...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog