There is something inherently disturbing about the idea of finding a shortcut to weight loss that seems too good to be true. Saccharine, the latest horror film from writer and director Natalie Erika James, takes that concept and pushes it into some very dark territory. The film follows Hana, a medical student struggling with her body image, who discovers a mysterious weight-loss method that appears to deliver exactly the results she wants. The catch is that the method involves something far more sinister than your typical diet or supplement. Without getting into spoiler territory, Hana’s discovery eventually brings her face-to-face…
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I had the opportunity to see Evil Dead Burn during an advance screening before its theatrical release, and while it certainly delivers on the over-the-top carnage fans expect from the franchise, I left feeling that style and gore had taken precedence over compelling storytelling. Directed by Sébastien Vaniček, Evil Dead Burn serves as the latest standalone chapter in the long-running Evil Deadseries. The film follows a grieving widow who seeks comfort with her late husband’s family, only to find herself caught in another brutal Deadite nightmare. I’ve enjoyed different entries in the franchise for different reasons. I am a huge…
Sometimes you walk into a movie knowing exactly what you’re getting. Other times you go in with almost no idea what the ride will look like. They Will Kill You falls squarely into that second category. Before watching it, my understanding of the film was pretty minimal. The trailer mostly suggested that Zazie Beetz’s character was in serious trouble inside a mysterious building, and that was about it. That vague setup actually worked in the film’s favor. Going in with few expectations made the chaos that followed feel even more surprising. One of the most satisfying parts of the experience…
***WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW*** Primate sets out to deliver a pulpy creature-feature with gore, chaos, and shock value, but the final result feels confused, poorly executed, and surprisingly dull. While the premise has the bones of something fun—or at least memorably bad—the film never commits to a tone or concept strong enough to carry it. The biggest hurdle is the ape itself. The suit and makeup are hard to ignore and never feel convincing. Rather than selling the illusion of a dangerous animal, the film constantly reminds you that you’re watching someone in a costume. That disconnect makes every attack less…