Sitting down with your family to play a board game is rarely associated with horror. While a heated game of Monopoly might sour relationships, most tabletop games don’t inspire genuine fear. Yet some household items — seemingly harmless toys, tapes, or books — have become iconic sources of dread in horror cinema, tapping into a … Read more

Countdown (2019) Director: Justin Dec Screenwriter: Justin Dec Starring: Elizabeth Lail, Jordan Calloway, Talitha Bateman, Tichina Arnold Countdown is a contemporary horror-thriller built around a single high-concept idea: a smartphone app that tells you exactly when you will die. The film follows a young nurse who downloads the app and discovers a countdown to her … Read more

The Lighthouse (2019) Director: Robert Eggers Screenwriter: Robert Eggers, Max Eggers Starring: Willem Dafoe, Robert Pattinson, Valeria Karaman Few films sustain their atmosphere from the opening shot through the final frame the way this one does. Robert Eggers’s The Lighthouse is a meticulously crafted piece of psychological horror that thrives on tension, mood, and a … Read more

What would a film be without its characters? Whether they take the lead or remain in the background quietly supporting a great story, characters are the backbone of every movie. When we meet someone new in real life, we often form an impression of their personality from that first encounter—first impressions matter. The introduction to … Read more

The Cell (2000) — Review Director: Tarsem Singh Screenwriter: Mark Protosevich Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn, Vincent D’Onofrio When I browse streaming platforms, I often click on titles I don’t recognize, especially when the premise seems outrageous enough to promise an unforgettable viewing experience. That was exactly my reaction to The Cell. The thumbnail teased … Read more

Waves (2019) Director: Trey Edward Shults Screenwriter: Trey Edward Shults Starring: Taylor Russell, Sterling K. Brown, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Alexa Demie, Lucas Hedges, Bill Wise, David Garelick, Justin R. Chan A24 continues to establish a distinctive presence in contemporary independent cinema, and Trey Edward Shults’ Waves stands as one of the company’s most emotionally ambitious … Read more

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) Directors: Tyler Nilson, Mike Schwartz Screenwriters: Tyler Nilson, Mike Schwartz Starring: Zack Gottsagen, Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, Thomas Haden Church, Jake Roberts, Mick Foley, Jon Bernthal, John Hawkes The Peanut Butter Falcon is a warm-hearted road movie that centers representation and human connection. It follows Zak (Zack Gottsagen), … Read more

(Artwork by Sandara – DeviantArt) The debates around the Star Wars saga continue as fans debate the legacy of the main nonology. A recent discussion on /r/StarWarsLeaks examined George Lucas’ involvement — or lack of it — in the Sequel Trilogy and sparked a variety of thoughtful responses. One comment that attracted attention came from … Read more

A24 and the Rise of Independent Horror Cinema Independent films have become a prominent and influential segment of the American film industry, and within that realm, horror has emerged as a particularly potent and resonant genre. Independent horror often appeals to a niche audience and can develop strong, cult-like followings. Distributor and production company A24 … Read more

This article was written exclusively for The Film Magazine by thecineblog’s Sophie Butcher. Zombieland: Double Tap (2019) Director: Ruben Fleischer Screenwriter: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, David Callaham Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Zoey Deutch Around the midpoint of Zombieland: Double Tap, Jesse Eisenberg’s Columbus dryly remarks “I don’t want to toot … Read more