Movies, Film, and Chili

Colony is written and directed by Yeon Sang-ho , the director behind the cult classic Train to Busan . While Train to Busan has become the more celebrated film, Colony shows how much Yeon has improved as both a writer and a director. The story is stronger, the filmmaking feels more confident, and the way he builds the world gives the movie more substance than I expected going in. Jun Ji-hyun is the clear standout of the cast. She does a fantastic job conveying emotion through subtle movements and expressions rather than relying on exaggerated acting. That is not surprising considering she is one of South Korea's best actresses, but she still manages to make the character feel grounded and believable. She carries much of the emotional weight of the film. I did not recognize many of the other actors, and unfortunately, none of them really stood out enough to make much of an impression. That is not necessarily a knock against the cast as much as it is a testament to how much Jun ...

Buzzkill is a slasher that suffers from overacting, cringe dialogue, and characters who are almost impossible to take seriously. The first victim is supposed to be college-aged, but the actress looks like she is clearly in her thirties, which makes the setup immediately distracting. The movie also constantly makes references that feel like even the actors have no idea what they are actually talking about. It gives the impression that the writers wanted the characters to sound clever without bothering to make their dialogue feel natural. Siena Agudong gives off obvious final girl vibes, and she has the presence to carry that role. The problem is her character is so annoying that it becomes difficult to understand why everyone around her treats her with such reverence. The movie seems determined to convince us that this character is far more likable and important than her actual personality suggests, which makes the character development feel completely backwards. The writing also ends...

Resident Evil (2026) is written and directed by Zach Cregger , who previously directed Barbarian and Weapons . Cregger brings a strong understanding of tension and horror to the film, relying heavily on jump scares, drawn-out suspense, and carefully executed moments of terror. The movie also contains so many video game easter eggs that fans of the franchise will have plenty to appreciate. While I had heard that Cregger had reduced the amount of humor, the film is still surprisingly funny. The comedy never completely disappears, even when the movie is focused on being genuinely frightening. Austin Abrams , known for Weapons  and Euphoria , carries much of the film as Bryan. The audience spends nearly the entire movie with him, and fortunately, Abrams has the charisma and delivery to make even his smaller moments entertaining. There is something about the way he performs the character that makes you smile, even when the situation around him is becoming increasingly terrifying. He g...

Buddy is written and directed by Casper Kelly , who is better known as an Adult Swim writer. That probably explains why this type of film is right up his alley. The movie tries to be funny, but it tries way too hard. At the same time, it tries to be a horror movie but doesn't try nearly hard enough. It feels like the whole premise is being pushed to its extreme primarily to create something that could go viral rather than because the story actually has anywhere meaningful to go. Cristin Milioti is the main actress in the film, and while she's definitely charismatic, her performance feels a bit overdramatic at times. The child actors are all fine with one exception, although none of them really stand out enough to make much of an impression. Topher Grace is another example of the horrible male characters we've gotten in a long line of that particular trope throughout the 2020s. I can't wait to see what comes next in that line of writing. At this point, it's almos...

Insidious: Out of the Further is written and directed by Jacob Chase , who has made some solid shorts in the past but is making the first major motion picture of his that I've seen. There is very little to criticize about his direction, particularly when it comes to setting up scares. Chase understands how to build tension and makes especially good use of the film's more claustrophobic scenes, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere without relying entirely on cheap jump scares. The direction and horror setup are the film's strongest elements, even if the overall story doesn't quite reach the level needed for a full recommendation. Amelia Eve delivers a performance that feels reminiscent of Naomi Watts in The Ring . She channels that same exhausted and increasingly desperate energy, making her character feel convincing as the supernatural events escalate around her. The performance fits the tone of the franchise well and helps ground the film's more unsettling momen...

Sleepwalker is a horror thriller written and directed by Brandon Auman , who quickly reminds us why his career has primarily been in television rather than feature films. Writing for children's television can sometimes get away with simplistic dialogue and storytelling, but those weaknesses become glaring when stretched into a feature-length horror movie. The screenplay is filled with clunky dialogue and predictable horror beats, while the jump scares rarely land. Instead of creating tension, the film repeatedly left me sighing in boredom. Hayden Panettiere delivers a strong performance despite the material she's been given. It's clear that many of her lines weren't written with much care, but she does what she can to make the character feel believable. Knowing this is her final film makes the performance bittersweet, especially because she deserved a much better script to go out on. Fortunately, her performance here doesn't diminish the work she's done in bet...

Ice Cream Man is written and directed by Eli Roth , and while there is a decent story underneath everything, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The film does have a twist ending, although it's one most viewers will probably see coming well in advance. The biggest problem is the CGI, which is frequently distracting and looks noticeably cheap. Roth has even acknowledged using ai to help "bring his vision for the film to life," and unfortunately, that decision is difficult to ignore when looking at the finished product. There are so many strange creative choices throughout the movie that I repeatedly found myself wondering what the writers were thinking. Charlie Zeltzer is tasked with carrying much of the film as one of the few children who manages to avoid being captured by the Ice Cream Man. He does a respectable job considering how much responsibility is placed on him, and he provides much of the emotional center of the story. It's not an easy role for a youn...

Leviticus is directed by  Adrian Chiarella and presents itself as a horror film, although it takes well over a third of its runtime before delivering its first genuinely scary or tense sequence. Instead, the film spends most of its time revisiting conversion therapy, particularly the kind of practices associated with the 1990s. The story treats the subject as though it remains as prevalent as it once was, while largely ignoring how much societal acceptance has changed. Perhaps the film's setting in small-town Australia is intended to explain some of that disconnect, but the screenplay never does enough to establish that context. It's also difficult to ignore the film's apparent disdain of organized religion, which might alienate certain moviegoers. There is character development throughout, but several scenes feel unnecessary and don't contribute much to the overall plot. Talk to Me  supporting actor,  Joe Bird delivers a solid performance as the film's central c...

Pinocchio: Unstrung is written and directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield , the filmmaker behind Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey and its sequel. In terms of overall quality, this lands squarely between those two films. The direction is competent enough to keep the story moving, but it never rises above the low-budget slasher formula the filmmaker has become known for. The screenplay offers a few interesting ideas by reimagining the classic fairy tale as horror, yet it never fully commits to expanding the concept beyond its premise. While there are moments of creativity, the film is ultimately held back by uneven storytelling and inconsistent execution. Richard Brake , known for 31 and Barbarian , plays a dark interpretation of Geppetto and gives the film its strongest performance. It would have been easy for the role to become overly theatrical or cartoonish, but Brake keeps his performance restrained and unsettling instead. His quiet menace makes the character feel believable within th...

They Will Kill You is written and directed by Kirill Sokolov , who attempts to put his own spin on the survival horror formula popularized by film  Ready or Not . This time there is no deadly game. Instead, the story revolves around a cult and a bizarre pig demon. Unfortunately, the concept is far stranger than it is compelling, and not in a way that benefits the film. Sokolov's direction never quite finds the right balance between horror and dark comedy, while the screenplay struggles to give the audience a reason to invest in its increasingly absurd premise. The entire production feels more like a direct-to-streaming release than a theatrical feature, and considering it reportedly earned only $10 million domestic against a $20 million budget, that impression is difficult to shake. Zazie Beetz , known for Joker and Deadpool 2 , stars as the film's protagonist. While she remains as beautiful as ever, her performance never rises above the material she's given. She neither ...

The Mortuary Assistant is directed by Jeremiah Kipp and written by Tracee Beebe and Brian Clarke , adapting Clarke's video game of the same name for the big screen. From a directing standpoint, there is nothing particularly remarkable, but there is also very little that stands out as a misstep. Kipp keeps the film moving at a steady pace and delivers the expected scares without relying too heavily on cheap tricks. The screenplay, however, wears its inspirations on its sleeve, often feeling like a retread of Evil Dead (2013), borrowing many of the same possession and demonic horror beats but adding enough of its own identity. Willa Holland , known for Legion and Arrow , plays the film's protagonist. She delivers a competent performance and handles the role professionally, but much like the direction itself, there is little that leaves a lasting impression. She carries the film well enough without elevating the material, making for a serviceable lead in a story that never fu...

Evil Dead Burn (2026) is written and directed by Sébastien Vaniček , making his first major Hollywood feature after gaining attention with his French horror work. He immediately proves to be a stronger character writer than plot writer, as the film spends much of its first half developing its cast while the overall story takes longer to find its footing. It is not until midway through the film that Vaniček's eye for visual storytelling truly takes over, delivering several memorable horror sequences with confident camera work and effective tension. By the time the credits roll, it becomes clear that he is currently a better director than screenwriter, though that is hardly a criticism considering this is an impressive Hollywood debut. Hunter Doohan , known for Wednesday and Your Honor , initially appears to be the film's central protagonist. As the story unfolds, however, it becomes apparent that Souheila Yacoub , known for Dune: Part Two and Climax , is the true lead. Yacoub...

Scary Movie is directed by Michael Tiddes , known for A Haunted House and Naked , and while he has shown a knack for broad parody comedy in the past, this film never quite finds its rhythm. Much of the blame falls on the screenplay by Rick Alvarez , which jumps rapidly from gag to gag without establishing enough momentum for many of the jokes to land. The movie constantly feels like it is searching for its next laugh rather than confidently building toward one, resulting in a scattered experience that struggles to maintain energy. Anna Faris , known for The House Bunny and the original Scary Movie series, returns as Cindy and slips back into the role with ease. Her performance feels very much in line with her previous appearances, capturing the same exaggerated innocence and comedic timing that made the character memorable in the first place. Even when the material isn't particularly strong, Faris remains committed and helps carry the film through some of its weaker stretches....

Backrooms is written and directed by Kane Parsons , with producer  Osgood Perkins , known for Longlegs and The Monkey . Parsons gained attention through the original web series, but this adaptation shifts heavily away from pure horror and toward character-focused storytelling. The problem is that much of the audience is likely coming in wanting unsettling imagery, tension, and scares rather than extended emotional exploration. The film certainly captures an eerie atmosphere and the endless liminal spaces remain creepy, but it rarely escalates into anything genuinely terrifying. Chiwetel Ejiofor , known for 12 Years a Slave and Doctor Strange , initially appears positioned as the film’s central figure. He brings his usual gravitas and instantly feels like the strongest actor in the movie. However, the story eventually pivots away from him in a bait-and-switch that leaves the film feeling less anchored once the focus changes. Renate Reinsve , known for The Worst Person in the Wo...

Passenger is directed by André Øvredal , known for The Autopsy of Jane Doe and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark , with a script by Zachary Donohue and T.W. Burgess . The film centers around a demonic presence tied closely to the title itself, and when it focuses directly on the horror elements, it works surprisingly well. Øvredal still understands how to stage tension and build effective scares, but the material between those moments struggles to stay engaging. The pacing slows considerably whenever the horror steps aside, leaving the film feeling uneven overall. Jacob Scipio , known for Bad Boys for Life and Expend4bles , takes on the boyfriend role but never fully feels like someone the audience naturally roots for. Whether intentional or not, his screen presence lacks the vulnerability or charisma needed to carry the quieter sections of the film. He handles the horror scenes competently enough, but the emotional connection never really forms. Lou Llobell , known for Foundatio...

Obsession is written and directed by Curry Barker , marking the first film of his that I have seen, and it leaves a strong impression. The film builds tension through character-driven horror rather than relying entirely on jump scares or spectacle. It understands how to create discomfort and maintain suspense, allowing scenes to breathe long enough for the unease to settle in. The horror feels confident and focused, delivering some of the strongest scares/scenes since Weapons last year . One scene in particular, the car, was so full of dread that the payoff was so very earned. Michael Johnston plays the timid central character and does an excellent job selling the vulnerability and awkwardness the role requires. His performance feels believable throughout, making it easy to invest in his fear and growing desperation as the situation escalates. Johnston carries much of the emotional side of the film and helps ground the more intense horror elements. Inde Navarrette , known for S...

Hokum is written and directed by Damian Mc Carthy , known for Oddity , and continues his focus on atmospheric, slow-building horror. The film leans heavily into unease and isolation, crafting a setting that feels both grounded and unsettling. McCarthy shows a clear confidence in tone, allowing the horror to develop naturally rather than relying on constant shocks. The result is a film that delivers on both terror and atmosphere, even if it takes its time getting there. Adam Scott , known for Parks and Recreation and Step Brothers , plays a writer who is intentionally difficult to like for much of the film. His character comes across as abrasive early on, which creates a bit of distance between him and the audience. However, as the story unfolds, the writing shifts that perception, giving him more depth and making it easier to root for him as things spiral. Scott handles that transition well, gradually pulling the audience back onto his side. David Wilmot , known for Fantastic Beast...

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 ...

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...

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come  reunites the directing duo of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett , known for Ready or Not and Scream VI . Despite releasing seven years after the original, the story picks up immediately where the first film left off, which creates a slightly odd but mostly workable sense of continuity given the visible passage of time. The film leans harder into its dark comedy and expands the twisted family game concept, raising the stakes while keeping the same chaotic energy that made the original stand out. Samara Weaving , known for Ready or Not and Babysitter , steps back into the role with ease. She still brings that frantic intensity and sharp comedic timing, but there is a noticeable shift in her presence. The character feels more hardened, less reactive, which fits the story but loses a bit of the unpredictability that made her performance so memorable the first time around. Still, she anchors the film and keeps it grounded even when things get ridic...