Heretic

Her

etic

A Theological Thriller of Passive-Aggressive Nihilism

★★★☆☆

An intriguing diversion anchored by a delightfully creepy performance from Hugh Grant.

Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, Heretic is a theological thriller that uses the popular horror device of characters being trapped by their own politeness. Two Mormon missionaries find themselves in a cat-and-mouse game with the mysterious Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant). While the tension ratchets up effectively using classic suspense tropes, the film's core is a debate on the merits of religion and belief—a discussion that proves to be as elaborate as it is ultimately dismissive.

"Heretic is not scary enough to be a great horror film and it's not cerebral enough to be a great think piece. So what we are stuck with is an intriguing diversion."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Production Brief

• Directors: Scott Beck & Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place writers)
• Starring: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East
• Studio: A24
• Themes: Religious skepticism, Societal compliance, Nihilism

The Performance Anchor

The primary draw of the film is Hugh Grant, who delivers a masterclass in passive-aggressive threat. He excellently alternates between being a thought-provoking philosopher and a formidable physical danger. Alongside Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East, the trio maintains a high-quality production feel. However, the film stumbles in its philosophical payoff, bringing up half-hearted arguments that dissolve into a "glossy, yet frivolous admonition of uncertainty" rather than a meaningful conclusion.

💡 Cinephile Fun Facts

• The Monopoly Connection: The film's elaborate debate includes a lengthy, fascinating analogy involving the history of board games and religious iteration.
• Blueberry Pie: The scent of a blueberry pie plays a pivotal, sensory role in the film's exploration of "evidence" and belief.
• A24 Style: This marks another collaboration between the Quiet Place writers and A24, leaning into their "elevated horror" aesthetic.

✅ Pros

• Surprisingly strong and dynamic lead performances.
• Top-notch production value and atmospheric tension.
• A fun, twisty "cat and mouse" structure.

❌ Cons

• Philosophical arguments lack a meaningful or strong payoff.
• Not terrifying enough for horror purists.
• Premise dissolves into a somewhat frivolous ending.

🏆 Final Verdict

Recommended strictly for the performances, particularly Grant’s creepy turn. While it doesn't quite succeed as a deep philosophical discussion or a visceral horror masterpiece, it remains an intriguing diversion for those who enjoy a well-crafted thriller.

View original review on Letterboxd

The Apprentice 2024

The Apprentice

A Razor-Sharp Satire of Greed and Ambition

★★★★☆

A powerfully invigorating, thought-provoking ride through the formative years of a polarizing icon.

Directed by Ali Abbasi, The Apprentice offers a gleefully one-sided and unflattering look at the business origins of Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan) under the notorious tutelage of Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong). Eschewing the shallow caricatures of late-night comedy, Abbasi delivers a biting satire with an urgent, independent vision. It is a cautionary tale of ambition run amok, painting a disturbing view of a mindset being sharpened into a tool of ruthless self-service.

"The assignment feels like it's supposed to ultimately be a cautionary tale of greed and ambition run amok and the film accomplishes that."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Production Brief

• Director: Ali Abbasi (Holy Spider)
• Starring: Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova
• Genre: Biopic / Dark Comedy / Drama
• Aesthetic: High-budget sheen meets gritty, urgent handheld vision

A Masterclass in Transformation

The film is anchored by powerhouse black comedy performances. Sebastian Stan manages a grounded, almost tragically sympathetic portrayal of Trump, while Jeremy Strong is formidable as the mentor who peels away the layers of a "hopelessly rotten" apple. While the film undeniably carries an agenda in its depiction of the 45th and 47th President, it stands primarily as a very amusing and invigorating piece of cinema that earned its place in the awards season conversation.

💡 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Cannes Premiere: The film received an 8-minute standing ovation at its world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
• Legal Hurdles: The production famously faced legal threats and "cease and desist" letters from the Trump campaign during its release cycle.
• Stan's Method: Sebastian Stan reportedly gained weight and studied hundreds of hours of 1970s and 80s footage to capture the specific cadence and mannerisms of the era.

✅ Pros

• Masterful acting from Stan and Strong that avoids SNL-style parody.
• Razor-sharp, painfully biting satirical script.
• Invigorating, high-energy direction from Ali Abbasi.

❌ Cons

• Maria Bakalova’s feisty Ivana Trump feels somewhat underused.
• The overtly polarizing agenda may alienate specific audiences.
• Disturbingly dark third act may be jarring for some.

🏆 Final Verdict

A good movie is a good movie, and The Apprentice is a really good one. It is a powerful, amuse-bouche of historical friction that proves no portrait of a polarizing figure can truly be neutral—but it can certainly be brilliant.

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Emilia Pérez 2024

Emilia Pérez

An Innovative and Operatic Musical Drama

★★★☆☆

A highly stylized affair that boldly challenges conventions and breaks new ground in the genre.

Directed by Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez is an operatic journey that navigates the unlikely intersection of Mexican drug cartels and gender affirmation. Zoe Saldaña delivers a standout performance as an ambitious lawyer caught in the orbit of a cartel leader seeking a new life. This is a film that demands a high degree of "buy-in" from the audience, leaning heavily into its heightened, stylized reality and Spanish-language musical numbers.

"The film should be viewed as a cinematic opera... the performances and situations are bigger than life, and shouldn't be viewed as dramatically realistic."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Production Brief

• Director: Jacques Audiard
• Starring: Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez
• Language: Spanish
• Genre: Musical / Crime Drama / Comedy

Visceral Style Over Melodic Hook

Audiard deserves appreciation for the visceral energy and distinctive style displayed throughout the runtime. The film features eccentric musical numbers with undeniable visual flair, though the songs themselves lack melodic catchiness and the singing voices are not particularly memorable. While it avoids being an authentic representation of Mexican culture, it succeeds as a storybook backdrop for over-the-top drama and surprising comedic moments.

💡 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Cannes History: The entire female ensemble (Gascón, Saldaña, Gomez, and Adriana Paz) collectively won the Best Actress award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
• Historic Lead: Karla Sofía Gascón became the first openly trans actor to win a major award at Cannes for her portrayal of the title character.
• French Connection: Despite the setting and language, the film was largely shot on soundstages in Paris, emphasizing its "operatic" and artificial nature.

✅ Pros

• Strong, award-winning ensemble performances led by Zoe Saldaña.
• Innovative, genre-defying premise that breaks new ground.
• Distinctive visual flair and high visceral energy.

❌ Cons

• Musical numbers lack melodic "hooks" and are not very memorable.
• Cultural representation is arguably superficial or "storybook."
• Highly stylized tone may alienate viewers seeking realism.

🏆 Final Verdict

A notable and unique curio of 2024. While I stop short of calling it a "great" movie, Emilia Pérez is an undeniable cinematic experiment that earns kudos for its bravery and style. Only time will tell if it becomes a classic or a forgotten novelty.

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Nosferatu 2025

Nosferatu

A Dreary, Deathly, and Methodical Reimagining

★★★½☆

A handsome, visually striking production that feels refreshingly modern yet deathly faithful.

Directed by the visionary Robert Eggers, Nosferatu is the latest adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic tale. Decades removed from the versions by Coppola, Herzog, and Murnau, Eggers offers an energetic take that drains the lush gothic opera of the past in favor of a morbid, joyless, and deathly palette. It is a production that favors the chaos of a period plague—rampant rats, black blood, and decaying bodies lining the cobblestone streets.

"Eggers drains the film of most of the color palette, creating a dreary, morbid, joyless, deathly affair... it hearkens back to Isabelle Adjani's disturbing performance in Possession."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Vampire Chronicles

• Director: Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Northman)
• Count Orlok: Bill Skarsgård
• Ellen Hutter: Lily-Rose Depp
• Thomas Hutter: Nicholas Hoult
• Cinematography: Jarin Blaschke

Modernized Gender Politics

While the film is faithful to the original material almost to a fault, it distinguishes itself by leaning into the gender politics and sexual dynamics of the period setting. Lily-Rose Depp turns in an unhinged, standout performance, while Bill Skarsgård provides a creepy and disturbing title character. The result is a film that feels vital and urgent, adding a strong, eerie atmosphere to the long canon of Dracula adaptations.

💡 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Skarsgård's Transformation: Bill Skarsgård reportedly spent six hours in the makeup chair daily and worked with an opera singer to lower his voice by an octave.
• Eggers' Obsession: Robert Eggers has called Nosferatu his dream project, having directed a stage play of the story in his senior year of high school.
• The Herzog Link: Eggers utilized several filming locations in the Czech Republic that echoed the atmosphere of Werner Herzog's 1979 version.

✅ Pros

• Breathtakingly eerie atmosphere and morbid production design.
• Powerful, "unhinged" performances from Depp and Skarsgård.
• Refreshing focus on the sexual dynamics and gender politics of the era.

❌ Cons

• Faithful to the original beats almost to a fault.
• Dreary and joyless tone may be too oppressive for some.

🏆 Final Verdict

A strong and visually striking addition to the vampire canon. While the tale is familiar, the unique variances and disturbing visuals make Nosferatu feel like a vital piece of modern horror cinema.

View original review on Letterboxd

The Return

The Return

A Somber, Slow-Burn Deconstruction of Homeric Myth

★★★☆☆

An intellectually earnest wringer that trades mythic poetry for gritty PTSD.

Directed by Uberto Pasolini, The Return is a grounded, psychological retelling of Odysseus’s homecoming. Stripping away the gods and monsters of The Odyssey, the film functions as a serious drama focused on the trauma of war. While it boasts powerhouse performances from Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, its deliberate pace and lack of humor make it a challenging watch for those seeking a traditional epic.

"The Return can be a frustrating watch as it builds at its deliberate pace... It's so dark that some audiences might feel the movie feels pretentious, especially in the first half which is mostly about setting the scene."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Uberto Pasolini
• Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche
• Source Material: Homer's The Odyssey
• Atmosphere: Stark, bleak, and theater-esque

The Vision

There is a palpable earnestness toward the material which is admirable, especially for fans of classic theatre. However, the movie sorely lacks any humor or joy in its exceedingly bleak story. By focusing heavily on the post-war depression and PTSD of Odysseus, Pasolini risks alienating viewers who expect the "colorful poetry" of the original Bard. It is a film that demands patience, as things only begin to ramp up in the second half.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Iconic Reunion: This marks the first time Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche have shared the screen since The English Patient (1996).
• Grounded Myth: Director Pasolini intentionally removed all supernatural elements (gods, sirens, witches) to focus on the human cost of the Trojan War.
• Filming Locations: The production utilized stunning, stark landscapes in Greece to mirror the emotional isolation of the characters.

✅ Pros

• Masterclass acting from Fiennes and Binoche.
• Sincere, respectful approach to classic literature.
• Strong emotional catharsis during the action ramp-up.

❌ Cons

• Frustratingly slow, "deliberate" pacing.
• Lacks narrative balance or any sense of joy.
• Can feel pretentious during the scene-setting first half.

🏆 Final Verdict

A slow burn best suited for literature classrooms rather than a fun night in with friends. Watch it for the performances, but be prepared for the gloom.

View original review on Letterboxd

Terrifier 3

Terrifier 3

A Bold, Biblical Evolution of the Splatter Slasher

★★★☆☆

Arguably the best entry yet, balancing industrial-scale gore with a surprising theological depth.

Director Damien Leone (often mistakenly cited as Damien Lewis) has upped the ante in Terrifier 3, evolving Art the Clown from a mere serial killer into a demonic force of nature. The film marks a significant step forward for the franchise, injecting a clearer, "meaty" narrative that transforms Sienna Shaw into a legitimate hero. While the trademark "blood and guts" remain, Leone uses the Christmas setting to frame a classic morality tale of pure good versus ultimate evil, complete with bold religious imagery.

"Damien Leone could have just been content with masked-killer-slayer-film-tributes. But he clearly has something worthwhile to say now about enduring the trials of evil and the benefits of redemptive suffering."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director/Writer: Damien Leone
• Starring: Lauren LaVera (Sienna), David Howard Thornton (Art the Clown)
• Key Supporting: Samantha Scaffidi (Victoria), Daniel Roebuck (Santa)
• Budget: $2 Million (independently financed)

The Vision

The film is a fascinating development that incorporates "comic book elements" and explicit religious allegories, such as Sienna wearing a crown of thorns while battling Art. Leone's decision to keep the production independent allowed him to maintain an uncompromising vision that a major studio would likely have censored. It is a high-stakes gamble that risks turning off pure slasher fans by instilling a clear morality, yet it paves the way for a potentially special conclusion to the franchise.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Legendary Help: Makeup icon John Caglione Jr. (The Joker in The Dark Knight) worked on this film after being a fan of the first two.
• Box Office History: It became the highest-grossing unrated film of all time, earning over $90 million worldwide.
• Physical Reaction: The UK premiere reportedly had staff handing out barf bags, with multiple reports of audience members fainting or walking out.
• Literary Nod: A character is seen reading a book titled "The 9th Circle," a reference to Art’s first appearance in Leone's short film of the same name.

✅ Pros

• Sienna Shaw's development into a powerful, deep hero.
• Masterclass in creative practical special effects.
• Compelling introduction of supernatural and religious lore.

❌ Cons

• Extreme "gross out" violence can be grueling.
• Story beats remain incremental and "to be continued".
• Religious messaging might alienate some core slasher fans.

🏆 Final Verdict

A relentless, industrial-strength slasher that successfully pivots into mythic territory. Terrifier 3 proves that mayhem and murder can actually mean something when backed by an ambitious vision.

View original review on Letterboxd

A Different Man

A Different Man

A Darkly Comic Exploration of Identity and the "Cure"

★★★½☆

An unconventional morality tale that finds the sweet spot between black comedy and dramatic realism.

Directed by Aaron Schimberg, A Different Man is a thought-provoking deconstruction of the "be careful what you wish for" trope. The plot follows Edward (Sebastian Stan), a man with neurofibromatosis who undergoes an experimental procedure to transform his appearance. While the film shares thematic DNA with the body-horror of The Substance, it avoids grotesque extremes in favor of an ironic, surreal look at how our insecurities often run deeper than the skin. The addition of the charismatic Oswald (Adam Pearson) creates a fascinating contrast that hammers home the idea that happiness is truly in the eye of the beholder.

"Of course life doesn't really give a happily-ever-after like it does in fairy tales. And the so called cure reveals the real underlying issues in his life as well as creating new challenges."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director/Writer: Aaron Schimberg
• Starring: Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, Adam Pearson
• Studio: A24
• Runtime: 112 minutes

The Vision

Director Aaron Schimberg, who was born with a cleft palate, brings a deeply personal perspective to this exploration of facial difference and representation. By casting Adam Pearson, who has neurofibromatosis in real life, alongside Sebastian Stan in prosthetics, Schimberg interrogates the optics of disability in cinema. The film masterfully balances its "dark comedy" roots with a "dramatic realism" that keeps the plot from going entirely off the rails, even during its more surreal and ironic developments.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Award-Winning Performance: Sebastian Stan won the **Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance** at the Berlin International Film Festival for this role.
• Personal Touch: A photo seen in Edward's apartment is actually a real-life picture of Sebastian Stan and his mother.
• Fast Filming: Despite its complex themes, the movie was shot in just **22 days** in New York City.
• Critical Darling: The film won **Best Feature** at the 2024 Gotham Awards, pulling an upset over the highly favored *Anora*.

✅ Pros

• Powerhouse, award-winning lead from Sebastian Stan.
• Adam Pearson's magnetic and charismatic presence.
• Smart, unconventional script that avoids clichés.

❌ Cons

• Final act developments may feel jarringly surreal for some.
• Tends toward "dark and cynical" tones that aren't for everyone.
• Shares some "unsettling" territory with body-horror peers.

🏆 Final Verdict

A brilliantly acted, wickedly funny look at self-perception. It proves that changing your face is easy, but escaping yourself is the real challenge.

View original review on Letterboxd

Alien Romulus

Alien: Romulus

A Visceral, Nostalgic Interquel That Honors the Roots

★★★☆☆

A game attempt at re-invigoration that succeeds in craft but stumbles on franchise tropes.

Directed by horror maestro Fede Álvarez, Alien: Romulus attempts to bridge the gap between the original 1979 masterpiece and its action-heavy 1986 sequel. The film is aesthetically handsome, utilizing physical sets and practical effects to capture the "oil rig in space" grit of the first entry. While Cailee Spaeny delivers a charismatic performance as Rain Carradine, the film struggles to make us care for the rest of the "dead meat" crew. It hits high notes with innovative set pieces, but occasionally feels weighed down by the "tired and worn out" tropes of a 45-year-old franchise.

"Alvarez really succeeds by elevating the material with his new concepts... Stand out moments include a zero gravity action sequence and a truly disturbing third act nemesis that will legitimately give some viewers nightmares."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Fede Álvarez
• Starring: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux
• Cinematography: Galo Olivares
• Production Design: Naaman Marshall

The Vision

Álvarez leans heavily into "technological production design" and practical craftsmanship, even seeking out crew members from the original Aliens to ground the VFX. The film’s "zero-g" blood-combat sequence and the introduction of a new cross-species abomination prove there is still "mileage left in these monsters." However, the reliance on familiar chest-bursting shocks and "classic lines" keeps the film from reaching a "truly special" status, serving more as a high-quality tribute than a total reinvention.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Practical Nightmares: The terrifying "Offspring" in the final act was played by 7'7" Romanian basketball player **Robert Bobroczkyi** in a suit.
• Gaming Influence: Álvarez included "Emergency" save phones as an Easter egg to the 2014 game *Alien: Isolation*, which he used as a tonal reference point.
• Legacy Consult: Both **Ridley Scott** and **James Cameron** were consulted during production and gave the film their approval.
• Timeline Fix: The film is an "interquel," taking place in 2142—exactly 20 years after the original *Alien* and 37 years before *Aliens*.

✅ Pros

• Innovative Zero-G action choreography.
• Stunning, practical creature and production design.
• A "truly disturbing" and memorable third-act climax.

❌ Cons

• "Tired and worn out" franchise tropes.
• Supporting characters feel like "collective dead meat."
• Lacks the "shock value" of earlier entries.

🏆 Final Verdict

A handsomely crafted return to form that serves as a visceral bridge for the franchise. It’s an effective horror experience that just needs a bit more soul in its secondary characters.

View original review on Letterboxd

Terrifier 2

Terrifier 2

An Overstuffed, Brutal Marathon of Practical Gore

★★½☆☆

A grueling endurance test of realistic effects that struggles under a massive runtime.

Art the Clown returns in a sequel that leans heavily into supernatural lore, involving mystical swords and a demonic "Little Pale Girl." While director Damien Leone (again, often cited as Lewis) attempts to inject narrative prestige with a massive 138-minute runtime, the film mostly serves as a canvas for "top-notch" morbid and brutal special effects. The introduction of Lauren LaVera as Sienna provides an intriguing anchor to the carnage, but the experience ultimately feels like it’s missing the energy of a "midnight movie" crowd to truly land its grotesque appeal.

"The truth is most horror fans probably just want to fast forward all the story stuff just to get to the gory parts to analyze and dissect the special effects. As for my excuse, I wanted to complete part 2 to get to the viral much buzzed about part 3."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director/Writer/Editor: Damien Leone
• Starring: Lauren LaVera, David Howard Thornton, Elliott Fullam
• Runtime: 2h 18m
• Genre: Supernatural Slasher / Splatter

The Vision

Leone expands the Terrifier universe by transitioning Art from a human killer to a demonic entity with "unique torture porn" sequences that push the boundaries of the genre. By centering the story on Sienna, Leone creates a "franchise heroine" who can match Art's visceral presence. However, the film's "ridiculous" length risks alienating those who aren't specifically there to analyze the technical artistry of the "grotesque dismantling" of the human form.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Crowdfunded Success: The film's $250,000 budget was largely raised via Indiegogo, proving the massive underground following of the franchise.
• Sienna's Design: The protagonist's iconic "Valkyrie" costume was designed by Damien Leone himself and hand-crafted by Lauren LaVera.
• Viral Phenomenon: The film became a sleeper hit after reports of audience members vomiting and fainting in theaters went viral.
• The Bedroom Scene: The film's most infamous sequence reportedly took over a week to film due to the complexity of the practical effects.

✅ Pros

• Lauren LaVera's breakout performance as Sienna.
• Industry-leading practical gore and special effects.
• Elevates the "Art the Clown" mythos into something bigger.

❌ Cons

• Exceedingly long "ridiculous" runtime.
• Story beats can feel like filler between kills.
• Tough to recommend for anyone but hardcore gore-hounds.

🏆 Final Verdict

A technical triumph for practical effects fans that overstays its welcome narrative-wise. It is a mandatory, if exhausting, bridge to the superior third chapter.

View original review on Letterboxd