Weapons (2025) - Dares to be different

Horror tends to be a genre that sometimes feels trapped in cycles of remakes, sequels and familiar tropes.  However, 'Weapons' is a refreshing reminder that horror can still surprise us. The 2025 film manages to take familiar  ingredients and assemble them in ways that feel new, unsettling and genuinely engaging.

One of the first things that stands out is how stylishly the film is shot. The cinematography has an  atmospheric quality that builds tension without constantly relying on cheap jump scares. Scenes linger just long enough to let dread creep in, creating a slow-burning sense of unease that pays off as the story unfolds.

The acting also deserves a lot of credit. The performances feel natural and grounded, which helps make the characters more than just typical horror-movie victims. Each person in the story has their own motivations and personality and the film takes its time developing them. That investment pays off because when things begin to spiral into darker territory, the audience actually cares about what happens.

Another strength is the way the story develops. Rather than following a straightforward, predictable structure, 'Weapons' reveals its narrative piece by piece. The film gradually shifts perspectives and layers information in a way that keeps viewers guessing about where things are heading. It’s a novel storytelling approach that keeps the tension alive throughout much of the runtime.

When the film finally reveals its true antagonist, the payoff is worth the wait. The character is genuinely creepy - not just because of how they look or behave, but because of the disturbing ideas surrounding them. The sense of menace builds slowly, making the eventual confrontation all the more unsettling.

That said, the film isn’t completely flawless. If you start pulling too hard at the plot near the end, a couple of holes begin to appear. Some of the explanations feel a little convenient and certain details may not fully hold up under close scrutiny. Thankfully, the film’s strong atmosphere and engaging characters help smooth over most of those issues.

Overall, 'Weapons' is a stylish, well-acted horror film that proves the genre still has room for fresh ideas. It may not be perfect, but it’s creative, creepy, and confident enough to stand out in a crowded field.

8/10

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die - I definitely had fun

'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die' is completely bonkers, but in the best, most joyful way possible.  Late one night in your average American diner, Sam Rockwell enters wearing a plastic see-through coat and a bunch of wires, declaring he's from a dystopian future and needs the patrons' help to prevent humanity's destruction.  And some of them will probably die along the way.

It’s such a relief to watch something that isn’t a reboot, a sequel, or a “cinematic universe chapter,” but a genuinely original story that just goes for it. Sam Rockwell is awesome as always, carrying the film with that perfect mix of charm and chaos only he can pull off.  And honestly? Those two hours flew by.   If it had one minor flaw, there are a few flashbacks during the first third of the film which - although kind of necessary to explain the character's in the diner's backstory, sometimes they go on a bit too long and you find yourself desperate to get back to the 'meat' of the story involving Rockwell himself.  And, if you really want to nit-pick, some of the CGI effects in the final act may look a little janky, but there's insane enough to hopefully take your mind off it.

With it's - not that subtle - dose of social commentary we definitely need more movies like this, please.

9/10

Shelter (2026) - Standard Statham

Jason Statham plays, er, well, pretty much every character he's played in the last five years. A former - insert special forces unit - who's destined to get back into the fight to take on - insert whichever gang of bad guys need his brand of justice. Here, he's forced to leave a remote, windswept Scottish island to protect a young girl who's been washed up on his shores while confronting old enemies (including a solid supporting turn from Bill Nighy as a cold agency director).

It's a pretty average Jason Statham film. If you've seen one of his recent action movies, such as 'The Beekeeper,' or 'The Wrath of Man,' you've basically seen this one. The formula is comfortingly familiar: stoic Statham, minimal dialogue, efficient brutality, a reluctant protector role and enough explosions to keep things moving.

That said, it's not the worst in his catalog. The action sequences are well-choreographed and briskly paced, the remote island setting adds a moody, atmospheric backdrop and Statham himself remains reliably charismatic. He commits fully, even if the role doesn't demand anything new from him. The dynamic with the young co-star brings a bit of heart and the film clocks in at just about a reasonable runtime almost without overstaying its welcome.

If you're a die-hard Statham fan who just wants to see him dispatch bad guys with precision, this will suit you perfectly. But it's hardly a stand-out in his career - more of a solid, disposable popcorn flick that delivers exactly what you expect and little more.

6/10

Send Help (2026) - Rami does it justice

I probably wouldn't have watched 'Send Help.' I saw the trailer before another film and wasn't that interested until I saw Sam 'Evil Dead' Rami's name attached to it.  And I'm glad I did.  The film is exactly the kind of horriffic, high‑energy romp you’d hope for from a filmmaker who’s spent decades perfecting the art of spraying fake blood at his cast. It’s great fun from the moment the plot kicks into gear, largely because of the chemistry between its two leads.

Raimi, of course, can’t resist sprinkling in a few of his signature splat‑gore flourishes. They’re brief, over the top and unmistakably him which long-time fans will spot instantly.

If there’s a stumble, it’s in the opening quarter of an hour or so. At first the characters feel a bit too cartoonish, as if the film is trying too hard to be a sit-com, before finally settling into what it actually is - a black comedy horror-thriller. Fortunately, once the story finds its rhythm, that early wobble becomes a distant memory.

By the time the credits roll, 'Send Help' has delivered a spirited, stylish and totally entertaining ride. It’s not perfect, but it’s absolutely worth the trip.

8/10

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) - That's more like it

After loving '28 Days/Weeks Later' (yes, I even loved the second one), I was left a little disappointed by '28 Years Later' as it felt a bit all over the place.  Yet, '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' is definitely a step up, largely because it finally feels like it knows what it wants to be. Where '28 Years Later' wobbled under the weight of its ideas, 'The Bone Temple' is far more focused for better and for worse. The tighter script is an improvement, but also means some narrative threads fans may have expected to continue are quietly abandoned. Most notably, this doesn’t really feel like a continuation of Spike’s story at all, which may frustrate viewers hoping for a more direct follow-up.

What truly elevates the film are the performances. Jack O’Connell and Ralph Fiennes absolutely carry 'The Bone Temple' through sheer force of charisma. Both actors bring an intensity to the script, grounding the narrative even when it veers into stranger territory.  Their presence makes the world feel real and dangerous and without them, the film would be nothing.

There’s no shortage of gore and the film deserves credit for being unpredictable as you really won't know where it’s heading from scene to scene. Oddly, for a franchise built on the infected, there aren’t actually that many zombies here, which may come as a surprise.  Instead, the horror leans more toward atmosphere, violence and unease than outright undead mayhem.  The much-talked-about click-bait ending is undeniably awesome, delivering a jolt of excitement that lingers after the credits roll, but it also makes 'The Bone Temple' feel more like a very expensive trailer for what we really want to see in 'Part 3.'

Ultimately, this is definitely better than '28 Years Later,' but it may arrive too late to fully reignite the fanbase.  Strong performances, bold choices and a killer ending can’t entirely shake the feeling that this chapter exists mainly to set the table for something bigger.  Still, it’s an entertaining, bloody and confident entry, even if it’s not quite the payoff fans have been waiting for.

7/10

Evil Dead: Rise (2023) - Okay, but kind of generic

Ever since the 80s I've been a massive 'Evil Dead' fan and love the three Bruce Campbell entries and even followed the story via later videogame entries on the PS2 and PS4.  Finally, us die-hard fan-boys were treated to the awesome 'Ash vs the Evil' dead (which was cancelled waaay too early!).  All of those felt very 'in cannon' and kept the overall original film's cheeky, crazy, gory spirit.  However, 'Evil Dead: Rise' is a decent enough, gory little horror film that clearly understands how to push splatter. The practical effects are nasty, the violence is decent enough and the film doesn’t shy away from soaking its apartment-complex setting in blood. As a straight-up possession horror movie, it works well enough, delivering a steady stream of grotesque imagery and bleak atmosphere.

Where it stumbles is in its connection to the 'Evil Dead' legacy. Without the slapstick energy and dry, charismatic humor Bruce Campbell brought to the franchise, the film feels more like a generic possession movie wearing an 'Evil Dead' name tag than a true continuation of the series. The humor is minimal, the tone relentlessly serious and while that approach isn’t inherently bad, it strips away the unique personality that once set the franchise apart from countless other demonic horror films.  And, was it just me, or did the final act have 'Aliens' vibes about it?  I felt like I was watching a reenactment of Ripley rescuing Newt from a parking garage!

That said, 'Evil Dead: Rise' is still an effective and entertaining watch for gorehounds and modern horror fans, even if it lacks the anarchic charm longtime fans may be hoping for.  The final act does use a few classic lines from the franchise, making it feel a little more part of the series.  It’s solid, bloody, and competently made, just not particularly memorable as an 'Evil Dead' entry. 

6/10

The Menu (2022) - Nearly a good cheeseburger

'The Menu' is a slow-burning psychological horror that takes its time setting up the horror aspect, preferring to rely on atmosphere and tension, allowing the unease to build rather than rush headlong into shock value.  This deliberate pacing won’t work for everyone, but it does help establish an unsettling tone.

Ralph Fiennes is the clear standout, delivering an excellently menacing performance, but Anya Taylor-Joy does well to add an emotional heart to the film as the film’s moral compass. Their dynamic is easily the strongest element of the movie and keeps things engaging even during its slower stretches.

Where 'The Menu' really shines is in its sharp satire.  The film takes some satisfying jabs at pretentious food culture and self-important critics, skewering elitism with a wicked sense of humor.  These moments are often the most entertaining, balancing the film’s darker themes with comedy.

That said, for all its ambition and clever ideas, the movie isn’t without flaws. There are several moments where suspension of disbelief is absolutely required, as certain character decisions and logistical elements don’t fully hold up under scrutiny.  A few glaring plot holes threaten to pull you out of the experience if you think about them too much.

Despite these issues, 'The Menu' remains a fun and stylish psychological horror that at least tries to do something a little different.  Strong performances, sharp satire and an unsettling mood make it worth the watch—even if it doesn’t completely stick the landing.

7/10