Horror

Haunted Heist (2025): Lil Rel Howrey’s Middle of the Road Directorial Debut Has Good Ideas, Funny Jokes, But an Underwhelming Climax

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Haunted Heist” is directed by Lil Rel Howrey (Uncle Drew, Judas and the Black Messiah), who also stars in the film alongside Tiffany Haddish (Night School, Girls Trip). This is also Lil Rel Howrey’s directorial debut. The film is about four estranged friends who reunite at a strange house. As one of these friends plans to rob an antique from the house, its ghosts force the friends to overcome their differences to survive.

We need more comedies in theaters. This is an imperative you are likely going to hear on this blog for who knows how long. It is not to say that there are no funny movies at all, it is just that most of the comedy found in today’s films come from projects that are not necessarily comedies. While “Haunted Heist” is not a pure comedy, it is still more of a comedy than most of the movies hitting cinemas. In fact, “Haunted Heist” features several people known for their comedic talents, including Lil Rel Howrey, who also serves as the film’s director.

This is not the first time in recent years we have seen people known for comedy diving into horror. Jordan Peele took a dive into the genre with “Get Out” in 2017, which won him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. That said, “Haunted Heist” is no “Get Out.” And I am certain the people making this movie acknowledge that. They know that this is not going to win any Academy Awards, but it does not mean the film is not entertaining. It contains a likable cast of characters who play off each other fairly well. The film is simple in premise, characterization, and for the most part, is all killer, no filler. It is not overly gory, but it can deliver on creeps and laughs at the same time.

This is a good, but not fantastic movie. It is one that I felt never once wasted a second of my time. It would have been shocking for me to feel that this movie wasted my time, especially considering the film’s runtime clocks in just under an hour and a half. This is a quick, easy, fairly mindless, fun watch. It does not insult anyone’s intelligence, but it also never breaks new ground. The scares are not exactly revolutionary, but they work from time to time. In fact, despite this movie having “haunted” in the title, I think the film’s comedy elements are slightly better than its horror elements. Whether or not this is a sign that you should see the movie is up to you. As previously highlighted, the cast contains a lot of people who are primarily known for comedy. Lil Rel Howrey…  Tiffany Haddish…  Andrew Bachelor… By the way, if you have never seen Bachelor do standup, do yourself a favor and find out if you can catch him at a show near you. I saw Jo Koy do standup in Portland, Maine, and Bachelor, or “King Bach” as he’s known on stage, opened for him. I split my sides from laughing so hard. Is he as hilarious on screen as he was on stage? Not quite, but he was still pretty funny. If anything, it is more of a matter of the material given to him as opposed to his presence. King Bach has a likable presence in this film, as do the other cast members, including the villains, who are undoubtedly two of the most racist characters in any movie I will probably end up watching this year. I am not complaining, these are the antagonists. If anything, as far as “bad guys” go, these characters were a perfect fit.

Despite what I just said, the film manages to deliver plenty of laughs, and I am not going to pretend I remember each and every one, but if I had to name a favorite joke in the movie, it is one involving a white person defending themselves for using the n-word. Although technically it is not so much the white person’s defense that’s funny, but rather a black person’s reaction to their use of the word. Between the timing of the dialogue, the shot selection, and the way everything was edited together, it was perfect. No notes. I am not going to spoil the whole joke. In fact, it is more complicated than it sounds.

The movie does have some problems, including the lighting. I get that much of this movie is set in a haunted house at night, and as a result, the movie is going to look a bit dark. There are some scenes that were a little too dark to the point where certain details felt underemphasized.

I also am not the biggest fan of the climax. Not that I thought the climax was the worst thing I had ever seen, but it felt a bit underwhelming, as if it were promising something bigger that we never got. The story did not conclude on the most satisfying of notes. While this film is well-paced, partially because of its quick and easy runtime, part of me is willing to argue that this film is a smidge too fast. If anything, it would have probably benefited from a slightly longer runtime just so the climax could aim a bit higher. You know how some people watch certain comic book movies and think the climax looks messy due to its sheer scale? This feels like the exact opposite. This is too small.

Another unique thing about this movie’s storytelling is that there does not appear to be a standout character. The film does in a sense put Ron (Howrey) and Shari (Haddish) at the forefront to the point where their characters are more fleshed out than the others, but the screenplay appears to give a nearly equal amount of time to each of the four friends so they can all have their moment. It balances out the cast to a degree, which is good, but it also keeps the characters from being a favorite or a least favorite of mine, which depending on how you look at the situation, could be a good thing or bad thing.

That may as well be a perfect excuse to segway into the fact that this movie kisses the line between good and bad. There are quite a few things I like about the movie, but also a nearly equal amount of things that I do not. But I am not going to pretend that at any point that this movie made me jump for joy or make me want to jab out my eyeballs. “Haunted Heist” is… Fine… Let’s go with that.

In the end, “Haunted Heist” is fun and energetic, but only to a certain degree. To my lack of surprise, the movie comes with some funny moments. But even though it has “haunted” in the title, I very rarely felt any sense of genuine terror or fear throughout the film. There are no scares that come to mind that I despise. Some tend to work. But I would be lying if I said the film made my skin crawl. Once again, this film is the directorial debut of Lil Rel Howrey. This is not the best debut, but I would not mind seeing another comedy done from his point of view. In a world where comedy and horror tend to be all about timing, the comedy was better-timed than the horror. This movie could have been better, but it nevertheless gets a thumbs up from me overall. I am going to give “Haunted Heist” a 6/10.

“Haunted Heist” is now available to rent or buy on VOD.

Thanks for reading this review! As a reminder, the next episode of the Scene Before original series, Movie Requests, is dropping on Sunday, August 23rd, and it is going to feature Amy Sedaris! You may know Sedaris from many projects including “Strangers with Candy,” “The Mandalorian,” “Elf,” and “At Home with Amy Sedaris,” the last of which is a show I highly recommend if you are able to watch it. It is one of the funniest things ever. The episode will be available to watch on Flicknerd.com and on my YouTube channel. Also, please subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell so you can see the episode as soon as it drops!

My next review is going to be for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “I Want Your Sex,” “The Invite,” and “Cookie Queens.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Haunted Heist?” What did you think about it? Or, what is a movie you enjoy that you find to be scary and funny? For me, this is easy. “Ready or Not” and “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” are two bonkers, spectacularly written horror-comedies. Go check them out if you ever get a chance. Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Her Private Hell (2026): The Most Pretentious Science Fiction Schlock of the 2020s

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Her Private Hell” is directed by Nicolas Winding-Refn (Drive, The Neon Demon) and stars Sophie Thatcher (Heretic, Companion), Charles Melton (Riverdale, Beef), Havana Rose Liu (Bottoms, Tuner), Kristine Froseth (How to Blow Up a Pipeline, Oh, Canada), Shioli Kutsuna (Deadpool 2, Invasion), Aoi Yamada (First Love, Perfect Days), Dougray Scott (Mission: Impossible 2, Taken 3), Diego Calva (Babylon, Bird Box Barcelona), and Hidetoshi Nishijima (Drive My Car, Shin Ultraman). This film is set in a futuristic, neon-lit, mist-covered metropolis. At this time, an entity referred to as the Leather Man is taking the lives of the women he comes across.

Courtesy of NEON – © Courtesy of NEON

Nicolas Winding-Refn is not my favorite filmmaker. In fact, I do not think his films are particularly my taste. But I do have a soft spot for his handling on visuals. He knows how to put together a good-looking project. I have seen “Drive” and “The Neon Demon” and even if I do not think the stories of those films are perfect, I do remember the projects for their vibes and visual splendor. When I saw Winding-Refn’s name attached to this project, I was intrigued. I was under the impression that he could deliver something worth my time.

If you were to ask me to describe “Her Private Hell” to you on a whim, I would probably stand before you in awkward silence. I say this despite watching the entire movie in a cinema and somehow not managing to fall asleep. I kind of wish I did however, because this movie was a nightmare to sit through. Part of me is struggling to describe what exactly “Her Private Hell” is in essence, but Hell is certainly what I found watching this.

Anybody remember “Megalopolis?” If you thought that film reeked of pretentiousness, then you are clearly not ready for “Her Private Hell.” This movie essentially uses its, admittedly, sometimes pleasing visual stimuli, to compensate for its lack of an engaging narrative. There are some decent action shots and well-lit scenes that stand out. Note that I said the visual stimuli is sometimes pleasing. There are quite a few moments in this movie in which I wanted to nearly avert my eyes altogether. I am by no means epileptic, but there was a point during this film where I am shocked I did not have a seizure. I do have sensitive ears however, and there is a moment where the music is cranked so loud that I was convinced that I was dragged into one of those modern bowling alleys that thinks it is more important to deck out the place in colorful lighting as opposed to, well, provide a good bowling experience. Safe to say, I nearly left this film with a headache.

Watching this movie evokes the feeling of entering a trendy art museum with tons of colorful lighting, neon, special effects. But as soon as I leave said art museum, those are the parts of the experience I will remember the most as opposed to the exhibits within. When it comes to anything in this movie involving story or characterization, there is nothing that sparks my interest until act 3. This film strikes a remarkable first impression with its grand score, heaping production value, and concept of a mind-bending future. I even thought I would end up listening to Pino Donaggio’s music in spare time. But part of me is apprehensive with that idea as it will most likely remind me of the complete and utter boredom I had to endure during this film’s slog of a runtime. The movie is not even two hours. Yet it certainly feels like it is just a bit longer than that.

This is one of the slowest movies I had to sit through all year. I do not mind a slow movie as long as the content within it keeps me engaged. “Her Private Hell” tries to do that on every level. The film evokes the cyberpunk feel of “Blade Runner,” a movie which is also pretty slow itself. But unlike that 1982 classic, “Her Private Hell” does not present a cohesive story or series of events that kept my eyes and ears onboard. Does the dialogue make up for it at least? Heck no! In fact, it only makes things ten times worse! I understand that this movie is not in our reality per se, but I was not able to immerse myself in this film’s reality that showcases some of the cheesiest sounding lines I remember hearing in a sci-fi flick. There’s nails on a chalkboard, and then there’s the incredibly sluggish delivery given by some of this film’s cast.

I would love to sit here and suggest that this movie makes up in its style for what it lacks in substance. Thankfully, it does in certain ways. Yet as I look back on my experience, I remember not being able to buy one or two sets in particular. There is one set in this movie that has tons of crystals in the background. It is almost as if someone on the crew looked at the Meta Crystal stage from “Super Smash Bros.” and decided to make a more colorful, three-dimensional space out of it. I was expecting Metal Mario to show up at some point to show everyone who’s boss. There is a particular polish to this set that reeks of artificiality. It gave me high school play or “Saturday Night Live” vibes.

Story-wise, the only time I found myself somewhat engaged is whenever the movie enters a relationship drama between two women and one man. I will not spoil much about it, but when it comes to both women in particular, I was intrigued as to what was going to happen to them in relation to this matter. I wish I could have felt this way through the rest of the film’s content, but this is proof that we cannot have nice things.

There is an antagonist in this film referred to as the Leather Man. The film convinces me its characters fear this individual, but it somehow lacks the ability to make me fear him in the same way, or feel for the characters as they are fearing him. It is the difference between watching something and experiencing something if that makes any sense. Never once did I look at the Leather Man and tremble or get a bad vibe. Even when the movie showcases him doing immoral or terrible things, I sat in my seat as still as can be, desperately waiting for the credits to roll.

If I were to watch this movie on mute, maybe I would have a higher opinion of it. “Her Private Hell” is, again, in certain ways, visually pleasing. But whenever I had to dredge through the film’s cringeworthy dialogue, ostentatious nature, and snoozefest of a story, it only drags that opinion off a cliff.

In the end, “Her Private Hell” is one of the worst movies of the year. It is pretentious crap to the tenth degree. The best films can make you feel all kinds of emotions. But “Her Private Hell” simply made me feel frustrated and tired. While I have respect for Nicolas Winding-Refn’s visual approach, this movie makes me wonder if his work is actually for me. Part of me thinks it is not. Does the cast do a good job with the material given to them? One could argue they do. For all I know, everything I watched was as the director intended. But it does not mean the material was worth my time. I am going to give “Her Private Hell” a 2/10.

“Her Private Hell” is now playing in select theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! I am happy to announce that the ninth episode of MOVIE REQUESTS is in the works and it is going to feature the funny and charismatic Amy Sedaris! You may know Sedaris from projects like “The Mandalorian,” “Strangers with Candy,” and “Elf!” For the first time in the series, I will be reviewing two movies from the same person! What do you think they are? Leave your predictions in the comments! The episode will be posted here on Flicknerd.com and on my YouTube channel, which by the way, please subscribe to my YouTube channel if you have not done so already! Stay for the episode coming SUNDAY, AUGUST 23RD!

My next review is going to be for “Haunted Heist!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” “I Want Your Sex,” “The Invite,” and “Cookie Queens.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Her Private Hell?” What did you think about it? Or, what is the most pretentious movie you recall seeing recently? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Obsession (2025): Partner Problems Ensue in This Terrifying Film

Posted on by Jack Drees

© 2026 – Focus Features

“Obsession” is directed by Curry Barker (Milk & Serial, The Chair) and stars Michael Johnston (Teen Wolf, Slash), Inde Navarette (Superman & Lois, 13 Reasons Why), Cooper Tomlinson (Roommates, Milk & Serial), Megan Lawless (The Hate U Give, The Girl from Plainville), and Andy Richter (Conan, Madagascar). This film is about Baron “Bear” Bailey, who has a crush on his friend and co-worker Nikki. When he uses a One-Wish Willow to get his crush to love him, Bear soon realizes that Nikki becomes a bit a more clingy than he anticipated.

So, I finally saw it. This is the movie that I said I would watch week after week after week after week. Even when it dropped on VOD, I said to myself, no, I am going to check this out in a theatre. I essentially have a self-imposed rule that I will only review movies as long as I see them in theaters. Therefore, “Obsession” is getting my two cents.“Obsession” is one of several films recently that has caught my eye, not just because of the content, but because of who was making it. This film is the product of Curry Barker, who prior to this film, was known for his YouTube background. Barker is just the latest YouTuber to take their talents and translate them to feature filmmaking for the cinema. I am glad to see more of these people getting their foot in the door, especially if they make a good movie. In the case of “Obsession,” I would say this is a good movie.

Is “Obsession” groundbreaking? No. It is very simple in terms of its concept and structure. But it does not mean it lacks cleverness. The concept of the film is that Bear wishes that his crush, Nikki, would love him more than anything in the world. The good news for him is that the wish comes true! The bad news is the wish comes with various consequences. And this should not come as a huge surprise based on the exact wording Bear uses to declare his wish. He wishes that Nikki would love him more than anything in the world, and boy does she. There is love, and then there’s whatever kind of attachment Nikki has for Bear. It is a kind of love that is so deep that you would think she would never leave Bear’s side. It results in some eerie scenes and concepts that kind of makes me glad I am still single at the age of 26. I will not spoil what happens in this movie, and while I recommend it to a lot of audiences, I may steer clear of recommending it to cat people given one or two of the horrific concepts that this movie handles.

Despite being single, I have had a crush or two throughout my life. As a single man who wonders where things could have gone with those crushes had I made the right move at the right time, I adored this movie. And I think many other people are going to find something to appreciate about it too. Relationships are hard, I will not deny that. But arguably just as hard, at least in today’s world, is initiating a relationship. We see this play out between Bear and Nikki, who are good friends at the start of the film. As the story progresses, Bear increasingly gives Nikki the idea that he has feelings for her. When Bear fails to confess those feelings, he uses a Wish Willow to make Nikki fall in love with him. If only it were that easy. Not all relationships are created equal, but one of my biggest fears is if I had a good friend, and I wanted to be more than friends with said person. Asking for that to become a reality is daunting, considering what we have is supposedly great.

As highlighted earlier, “Obsession” is good, but not groundbreaking. Part of that is highlighted by some of the choices in the screenplay. The first two acts of the film to me are clear highlights. I found them relatable, sometimes fun, and they kept me hooked. As soon as this movie dived into act three, I found just about everything that happened next to be quite predictable. I do not mind predictable movies, but there was a level of predictability in this one that sort of lessened the experience. There is also a moment where two people are talking on the phone, only for one person to say to meet them at “x location,” suggesting “it’s important.” If you are familiar with this frankly, beyond insufferable cliche, I think you can probably imagine what happens next.

The screenplay is not entirely flawed. Not even close. The dialogue, even from some extremely minor characters like Carter Harper (Andy Richter) is brilliantly executed. The film’s standout star, Inde Navarette, is given a goldmine of material to work with as Nikki. She nails each scene. I did not know her name before this movie, but I am ecstatic to know it now, because I think her killer performance is likely an indicator of how bright her career is going to be.

I also like how this film handles the character of Bear (Michael Johnston). Because the moments leading up to that big wish of his, I was rooting for him, and I did not envy being out of his shoes. This is a character that in very little time, I found myself attached to based on his one fantasy. Some say there are plenty of fish in the sea, but he seemed so dedicated to his future with his crush that I could not help but admire his efforts to make that happen. If anything, Bear’s journey felt like it could have belonged in an excellent short film. But to my pleasant surprise, the film expands its simple concept and fleshes out its main character nicely. Though it should be noted that “Obsession” just so happens to be inspired by Curry Barker’s own short. Regardless of the length, this project made me a Curry Barker fan. I am curious to see what he does next, whether it is another small budget horror movie, or a super-sized epic. Even though this movie is yet another spin on “The Monkey’s Paw” or any other “be careful what you wish for” tale, I think Barker did a good job at bringing it to life and I would like to see him continue making quality cinema.

In the end, “Obsession” is a solid horror flick, even if it is fairly familiar. In fact, Curry Barker himself says he based this movie partially on an episode of “The Simpsons.” Even so, I thought this was a lot of fun. It showcases some pure chemistry between Bear and Nikki, from the moments where the two are simply friends to the point where they become something else entirely. The entire cast does a good job, but Inde Navarette in particular is given quite a bit to do and she kills her role. This is a role with awards potential written all over it. The third act of the film is the weakest point, but it does not mean it is necessarily awful. It is just the most inferior part of what is ultimately an enjoyable flick. If you are into horror, this is worth checking out at least once. I am going to give “Obsession” a 7/10.

“Obsession” is now available to watch in theaters, on VOD, and on Peacock for all subscribers.

Thanks for reading this review! As a reminder, THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 2ND, I will be sharing my latest episode of Movie Requests, featuring special guest Elijah Wood! If you want to see the promo for the episode featuring my interaction with him, click the video above! I had a chance to meet Wood in Philadelphia earlier this year. On Movie Requests, one does not simply walk in and do a film review, they must go find the one guest to rule them all! If you want to see this episode as soon as it drops, please subscribe to my YouTube channel! It will also be available here on Flicknerd.com in a dedicated post.

My next review is going to be for “Maddie’s Secret!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass,” “The Odyssey,” “Her Private Hell,” “Haunted Heist,” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Obsession?” What did you think about it? Or, given the recent stream of online content creators transitioning to feature filmmaking, what is a movie you enjoyed recently made by someone famous for creating online content? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Backrooms (2026): Kane Parsons Has Something Here, But Maybe Not for Me

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Backrooms” is directed by Kane Parsons, who also created a science fiction web series of the same name. This film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor (Doctor Strange, The Lion King), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value, The Worst Person in the World), Mark Duplass (Creep, Safety Not Guaranteed), Finn Bennett (Warfare, Hope Gap), and Lukita Maxwell (Afraid, Shrinking). This film is about a man who discovers an alternate dimension, as well as his therapist’s mission to save him.

“Backrooms” is a movie that I found out about through a friend of a friend. I spend a lot of time on the Internet. Where do you think I posted this review? But despite dedicating portions of my life to the web, I was never once familiar with the story behind “Backrooms.” Apparently, director Kane Parsons is, as this film is not only inspired by the 2019 Internet story, but this is not the first time he made a project linked to it. He turned the idea into a web series on his YouTube channel, and now, he is getting to bring his creativity to the big screen with the same concept.

I love seeing YouTubers get their shot at making theatrical releases. One of my favorite YouTubers, Chris Stuckmann, released “Shelby Oaks” last year, which I quite enjoyed. While I have yet to check out the movie, I heard some decent things about Markiplier’s “Iron Lung.” “Backrooms” looked like another great example of someone possibly transitioning from YouTuber to filmmaker. I am unfamiliar with Parsons’ background as a filmmaker, but I have to say I am thoroughly impressed with his efforts here.

Kane Parsons not only released a feature film through A24, which is an extraordinary bragging right at any age, but he did so at the age of 20. On top of that, he topped the domestic box office on the film’s opening weekend with $81.5 million. He is officially the youngest filmmaker to reach the number one spot.

This film definitely looks like it has less money put into it than some of its competition like “Star Wars: Mandalorian and Grogu,” which funny enough, looks cheap by “Star Wars” movie standards. But just because the film is made with a smaller budget does not mean that it is lacking in style. The film switches aspect ratios from time to time and even features some blurry 4:3 footage, sometimes enhancing the scares. The film reminds me a bit of “Weapons” in the sense that my skin never tended to crawl while watching it, but there was still a sense of consistent creepiness from start to finish. Parsons nails the atmosphere of his picture. It feels intimate, but packs a glorious punch while doing so.

In addition to reminding me of other movies, this film also reminded me of a couple video games including “The Stanley Parable” and “Portal.” The latter in particular, according to Parsons, served as a massive piece of inspiration for the film. It is easy to see why. Not only does this movie see its characters constantly going in and out of separate dimensions, but the score constantly lingers in the background. This takes me back to times where I played the first “Portal” game in particular. The music is by no means obnoxious. In fact, it is sometimes surprisingly calming, but does occasionally offer a chill. Speaking of the score, not only is this film helmed by Kane Parsons, one of the industry’s youngest directors, but he also collaborated on the making of its music alongside Edo Van Breeman.

In fact, despite a couple video game-based movies coming out this year like “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” and “Mortal Kombat II,” one could argue that “Backrooms” is the most video game-like title released in 2026 yet. As our characters explore the titular alternate dimension, there is a sense that I was there with them, learning about the space in the same way they did. I have no idea if I would have felt any different if I had more familiarity with this material beforehand, but this film immersed me in the sense that I was someplace I had not been before and constantly trying to learn the way of the land.

Now that I have had time to think about it, “Backrooms” is not my favorite horror film. It is not bad. It has its moments, but if there is one thing about this film I am bound to remember more than anything else, one could argue it is the overall simplicity it delivers. While there are complicated elements throughout the film in terms of the story and characterization, there is a beautiful simplicity in the film’s sets, locations, and shots. I love a good film that reaches for the sky and offers tons of grand imagery, but that does not need to be the case every time, and “Backrooms” effectively shows why.

Having seen the marketing for this film, it does a really good job at succeeding where many other campaigns fail. Having seen a trailer or two, I had a sense of what this movie would be about, but the marketing splendidly hides so much material. It teases a lot, but it never gives a full picture. When it comes to the aspects involving the alternate dimension, I enjoyed unpacking more of what the film had to offer. That said, much of the film is about Clark’s (Ejiofor’s) journey in therapy, as well as his struggles with alcoholism and his marriage. I cannot quite put my finger on why I was not as attached as I could have been to the main character, but I wish I were a little more invested in his journey. That said, if I had to guess, part of it might be because the best character in the movie is not even a person. It is not even a living thing. One could argue it is the Backrooms themselves. Yes, we see Clark unravel the mystery of this alternate dimension and how such unraveling has an effect on his personal struggles in the real world, but despite a really solid performance on Ejiofor’s part, I did not find his journey outside the Backrooms as riveting as maybe the movie wanted me to. There are no “bad” scenes in the movie, but there are a handful of scenes in this film that I am going to remember more than others. Whether it is Clark discovering the backrooms for the first time, showing it off to other people, or the same character trying to keep himself together while making a commercial for a furniture store.

By the way, said furniture store is called Cap’n Clark’s Ottoman Empire. Whenever my dad and I would find ourselves in a furniture store, we would often utter the phrase “ottoman empire” as part of a joke. Fascinating to see we are not the only people with clever taste in furniture puns.

Not to beat a dead horse, but if I was not already clear enough, this movie took my “Backrooms” virginity. While I cannot quite say that this movie made me desperate to see more of the lore online, it did make me a fan of Kane Parsons, who clearly has a passion for the material he is showcasing. He also has a talent for directing by unleashing good performances out of his cast. Parsons proves that when it comes to making cinema, age is just a number. I have a feeling his next outing will be stronger than this, but I think “Backrooms” is a decent start.

In the end, “Backrooms” is an atmospherically pleasing horror film, but I am not going to pretend that it is the most riveting material I have ever seen. I like some of the characters, and the film for the most part is well-paced. But this film, despite being a connected story, feels like two movies in one where half the story is superior to the other. To my surprise, I was more interested in the Backrooms portion of the movie compared to the scenes involving Clark’s personal struggles. Even with its drawbacks, this movie made me a Kane Parsons fan. I wish nothing but the best for his future. I am going to give “Backrooms” a 6/10.

I do want to give a little disclaimer though about my experience watching this movie, as my reviews for the most part are based on first impressions, part of me does at some point want to give this movie a second viewing and see if my opinion changes. Because I did something at the cinema for this movie that I do not usually do. I walked out of it as it was playing and came back minutes later. For the record, I walked out because I was at a dine-in theater and they never gave me my cheeseburger and fries that I ordered prior to sitting down, which by the way, I already paid for. So, more than halfway through the film, I had to go deal with that. It is quite possible that my lackluster mood during the screening due to this incident may have played a factor in my verdict. Granted, it is a positive verdict, but on the low end. Part of me is surprised I am not rating this higher. I do not think I missed anything super important, but for all I know, I could have kept myself away from the best part of the movie. Who knows?

“Backrooms” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! As a reminder, the latest episode of Scene Before’s original web series Movie Requests is now online! I just posted it Saturday. If you missed the sixth episode of the series, it features comedian and television host Chris Hardwick, who suggested I should watch “Real Genius.” Be sure to check out the video, and if you enjoy it, leave a like and subscribe to my YouTube channel, that way you do not miss new episodes down the line.

Speaking of which, in the coming days, I am going to be revealing five more guests who are going to be featured in Movie Requests. I had a chance to hear their suggestions earlier this year, and I am excited to share them all with you. Right now, the guests are being referred to as “An Asgardian,” “A Ring-Bearer,” ” A Rose,” “A Ruiner,” and “A Tenderloin.” Who do you think they are? Take your guesses, and leave them in the comments section!

My next review is going to be for “Masters of the Universe!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Another World,” “The Breadwinner,” “Disclosure Day,” and “Toy Story 5!” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Backrooms?” What did you think about it? Or, are you familiar at all with the Backrooms lore? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Deep Water (2026): Plane Crashes and Sharks. What Could Go Wrong?

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Deep Water” is directed by Renny Harlin (Cutthroat Island, Deep Blue Sea) and stars Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight, Midway), Angus Sampson (Insidious, Mad Max: Fury Road), Ben Kingsley (Iron Man 3, Hugo), Lucy Barrett (Skincare, Charmed), and Molly Belle Wright (Omaha, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever). This film is about a group of people who are on a plane flying from Los Angeles to Shanghai, whose flight happens to go by the wayside as they crash in the middle of the ocean. As if things could not get any worse, the group is surrounded by sharks and must do what they can to survive.

It is now time to talk about “Deep Water,” not to be confused with the movie of the same name starring Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas, which is entirely different in premise and execution. Unlike that straight to streaming flick, this is a theatrically released thrill ride that involves a very simple, but intriguing premise.

Last year was the 50th anniversary of “Jaws,” which to this day, remains the best shark movie ever made by a clear mile. But just because “Jaws” is so great, does not mean that other shark movies do not have the potential to work. “Deep Water” is not quite a shark movie, but when the marketing showed sharks, I was sold. This looked eerie, intense, and entertaining. It is definitely a popcorn flick. Though I skipped the popcorn on this movie.

“Deep Water” does not reinvent the wheel when it comes to filmmaking or storytelling, but the film nevertheless delivers a satisfying package. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. But it does not change the fact that the film is worth watching at least once.

When it comes to the overall premise of the film, it keeps things simple. A bunch of people are on a flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai, then next things next, they make an emergency landing in the middle of the ocean. It is at this point where everyone must work together to survive. Although, getting everyone on the same page is not the easiest task.

This film contains a fairly sizable cast of characters, some of whom are played by well-known names. I am quite shocked that some of the names accepted their roles. Their paychecks must have been enormous. Although upon learning that this film had a $40 million budget, maybe not. Plus, this film is directed by Renny Harlin, who has helmed some well known films including “Cliffhanger” and “Die Hard 2.” Then again, he also directed “The Legend of Hercules,” a film so bad that I think it might as well have been better off staying a legend.

That said, while I remember some of the faces in this movie like Ben Kingsley, it is not as easy to remember the characters. Part of it is due to having so many of them, so the movie does what it can to allow everyone to have their moment, but only a particular few stand out. If you were to ask me if I am going to remember these characters in a year from now, I would probably guess not. Heck, I am having trouble recalling some of them even less than a month after seeing the movie. Do I have my favorite characters from the project? Sure.

Is this movie predictable? Perhaps. But I do not mind it being that way, because what it offers is undoubtedly entertaining. We get to know a bunch of people who are on a plane. Everyone from the crew to some of the core passengers, the plane makes an emergency landing in the ocean, and all of the characters who we got to know on the plane have some ongoing effect towards the story from here on out. Sharks appear every now and then, causing all kinds of trouble for the survivors, who realize their journey has only begun. Having said that now, it makes me appreciate this premise more. The only way this movie could have been crazier is if it went full “Snakes on a Plane” and decided to put the sharks on the plane as it was in the air. But as someone who likes logic, I am glad they did not go in that direction. It would just spawn bad memories of torturing myself while watching the “Sharknado” movies.

This movie combines two of my biggest apprehensions. Planes and sharks. For the record, I like planes. I really do. I find air travel fascinating, even if the modern air travel market is an overpriced scam. I do not fly super often, but I do take a plane one to a few times per year, and in the back of my mind I am always nervous about crashing. This movie reminds me of that fear. I always fly out of Boston, whose airport is right next to the Atlantic, a place that has sharks! Of course! Thanks, movie!

This film reminded me of another thing to be afraid of, and that happens to be lithium-ion batteries. They are everywhere. Like planes, I do not outright hate the concept of lithium-ion batteries. I understand their purpose, but the movie essentially kicks into gear because of something that happens to a lithium-ion battery. If you have ever seen a news story involving some kind of a device that contains a lithium-ion battery, I think you can imagine what that incident is. I am a little frightened as I write this review on my laptop, which I will remind you, has a lithium-ion battery inside of it that could blow up if I make one wrong move. There is a reason why people working at airports ask if you have anything with lithium-ion batteries on you before your flight!

Movies are experiences, and to say I experienced fear in “Deep Water” is an understatement. Is this the best movie of the year? No. The characters could be a little deeper (not literally), but it is never boring. It gives the bones of the characters and makes them likable enough. The shark action is sometimes fun to watch. It is not the best I have ever seen. It is not like I am watching “The Shallows” starring Blake Lively, which I still fondly remember about a decade after its release. That said, this film is not 100% camp. It has campy moments, but the plane crash, which goes on for more time than I was anticipating, felt rather dramatic. There happened to be a sense of stakes as the plane was falling down. You could feel the emotions and the nerves running through the characters, and those emotions and nerves stuck around as the sharks came out to play. This movie is thrilling, well-paced, and engaging.

© Arclight Films

In the end, “Deep Water” is a solid plane crash movie, on top of being a solid shark movie. It takes two disastrously bone-chilling scenarios and neatly combines them into one premise. This is not Shakespeare, but it is also not something that deserves to be tossed aside either. It is a decent movie that allows you to munch popcorn while watching tons of people figure out how not to die. Is this film the next “Jaws?” No. But it is a good watch. I am going to give “Deep Water” a 7/10.

“Deep Water” is now playing in select theaters. Tickets are available now!

Thanks for reading this review! I would like to take a moment to remind everyone that my next episode of Movie Requests is going to feature “Clerks” actor Brian O’Halloran! He has appeared in all three installments of Kevin Smith’s retail-based trilogy, and in the next couple of weeks, I will be reviewing his film of choice. That review is SUPPOSED TO BE HERE on Sunday June, 7th. If you have not done so already, please check out my review for “High Noon,” requested by “Battlestar Galactica” star Katee Sackhoff! If you want to see more reviews throughout the series as soon as they are uploaded, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel! I will also share them here, but subscribing to my channel is the fastest way you can check them out. Life is short, you know. Might as well spend your time wisely.

I have a buttload of written reviews coming soon! My next reviews are going to be for “Animal Farm,” “Mortal Kombat II,” “The Sheep Detectives,” “In the Grey, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” and “I Love Boosters.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Deep Water?” What did you think about it? Or, what is a movie that reminds you of some of your personal fears? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Exit 8 (2025): A Subway Snooze

Posted on by Jack Drees

© Neon

“Exit 8” is directed by Genki Kawamura (A Hundred Flowers, Duality) and stars Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters from Iwo Jima, Assassination Classroom), Yamato Kochi (Vivant, Brothers in Arms), Naru Asanuma (A Calm Sea and Beautiful Days with You, The Night After the Divorce), Kotone Hanase (Suzume, The Parades), and Nana Komatsu (Silence, The World of Kanako). This film follows a man who finds himself trapped in a subway station and must complete a puzzling mission in order to escape.

Turns out “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is not the only film coming out in April that is based on a video game, because “Exit 8” just so happens to originate from the same medium. The two games, and by extension, films, are quite different. “Mario” is much more family-friendly and adventurous, while “Exit 8” takes a more intimate and scarier route. The differences also happen to extend to my relationship with the games. While I have played many of “Mario’s” titles from different eras, I have not once sat down and played “The Exit 8.” To be fair though, the game is a somewhat recent indie title and way less popular than “Mario.”

Although my ability to enjoy a film should not be factored by how popular or recognizable the concept happens to be. As a wise woman from an ESurance commercial once said, “That’s not how it works. That’s not how any of this works.” Speaking of not working, I wish that were not the case for this movie, because it is one of the biggest bores I have seen all year.

I am not going to deny that “Exit 8” has potential. In fact, once I heard the concept, it gave me a weird sense of nostalgia. I am at the point now that I drive to work, partially due to the public transit in Boston not running overnight. But when I was in college, I took public transit everywhere, including the subway. As someone who has taken the subway so frequently, I appreciate the filmmakers’ intentions to make the concept scary. Because when I was taking it in Boston, it sometimes was. You are riding a germ-infested car with a bunch of strangers that sometimes squeaks like there is no tomorrow. Shoutout to the Green Line for reminding me of why I hate having sensitive ears, especially when it stops at Boylston and Government Center.

This movie, to my lack of surprise, dives into some common annoyances of riding the subway. The crowds… The occasional lack of cell service… The noise… The film starts in a clever way by showing the world through the protagonist’s eyes and ears. We see him riding the subway, and when he has his headphones off, he hears a baby crying, he does nothing about it. Though someone else, who is fed up with the noise, is telling the mother how annoyed he is. Of course, there is nothing the baby can do about it, and the mother, who has way more tact than she should, apologizes to the irritated rider.

The movie sometimes succeeds when it comes to atmosphere. The subway, despite extending quite far, does feel kind of otherworldly between the loud trains, strange halls, and depending on the case, large crowds. This movie occasionally goes beyond the everyday eeriness of the subway by implementing unusual characters, chilling sound effects, and some occasionally spooky effects. There is one moment involving eyes on posters that I will remember for some time.

That said, this movie becomes dull very easily. In a way, I almost felt as trapped as this film’s own protagonist. The film does a good job at showing how much the protagonist learns in a specific period of time, but it does not change the fact that the film feels as repetitive as can be. I think this could have been paced a lot better as a short film rather than a feature. There is a decent movie in here somewhere between the suspense and immersion factors, but very rarely did I find the story intriguing or the scares all that horrifying. When I watch a horror movie and I am not scared, that is a problem.

In fact, after watching this movie, I was searching its Wikipedia page, and I found out that the director, Genki Kawamura, ended up cutting a scene that he deemed too scary to show. I really want to see that scene now. At best, this movie is mildly eerie, but I cannot name a single moment during the runtime that had me pacing a just a little. I hate saying this, especially as someone who has taken the subway on a regular basis, so I have come across my share of interesting characters and sights. Although the more I think about it, I wonder if that is part of why I am not so scared by this movie. I have taken the subway so regularly back in the day, and I still take it sometimes today, to the point where what could have once been strange is now familiar or expected.

Granted, while this film does ground itself when it comes to showcasing the horrors of the subway, it also tries to blend in some more fantastical elements as well. I am not saying those could not have worked, but I do wish they were improved.

Also, I have no idea how many other people are going to complain about this, but the dialogue in this film irked me. I could only hear The Lost Man (Ninomaya) repeat the same things over and over so many times. I get that repeating his words is perhaps his way of understanding his surroundings, but as a viewer, it only makes every scene featuring said character feel almost the same as the last. If there is any variety to be found, it feels scarce. I found myself surprisingly frustrated with this character’s progression as he tries to escape.

“Exit 8” is kind of like “Groundhog Day” or “Edge of Tomorrow” as we constantly see the Lost Man doing the same things over and over and trying to complete a major task in the process. Maybe the movie was trying its best to suck me into the atmosphere of the subway, but if anything I found myself more annoyed that I had to go through various parts of the movie in real time. Or in this movie’s case, as real as time can be in its specific context. On the other hand, “Edge of Tomorrow” will sometimes trim out the fat while not removing anything essential from the story. If I found “Exit 8’s” short list of characters more intriguing, this would be moot. But I did not, so here I am, complaining like a madman. I wish I cared more about the Lost Man’s personal dilemma regarding his love interest. I wish I cared more about the Boy. I wish I cared more about everyone in this movie. Unfortunately, however, I cared so little to the point where I cannot see myself watching this movie ever again.

In the end, I am surprised to say this… If I were to recommend a video game-based movie to watch in theaters right now, I would shockingly pick “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.” Yes, I have complaints with the movie, but I feel like it did a slightly better job at accomplishing its goals, even with a lack of story. “Exit 8” has a story, but I cannot say it is the best story. Despite being a horror flick, I found nothing about it that scary. I did find it atmospheric. It did remind me of times when I would walk through long subway tunnels or find myself in a sea of people on the Orange Line riding through Boston. The acting is not bad either. I have no problem with the cast, but I wish they were given superior material to work with. I am probably in the minority when it comes to my opinion. Both critics and audiences seem to be raving about the film over on Rotten Tomatoes. This film is not a complete trainwreck, but if I were ever presented with the opportunity to watch “Exit 8” a second time, I could see myself going to the next stop. I am going to give “Exit 8” a 4/10.

“Exit 8” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! Special reminder that my next episode of Movie Requests drops Monday, May 4th! That is Star Wars Day! Therefore, it is only fitting that Katee Sackhoff, known for her work as Bo-Katan Kryze, will end up being the guest of the next episode! You can catch the episode here on Flicknerd.com, or you can subscribe to my YouTube channel to see it as soon as possible!

And if you want to check out my last episode of Movie Requests featuring “Avatar” actor Joel David Moore, you can click the link above and watch it for yourself. If you enjoy the video, leave a like! It helps me out!

My next review is going to be for “Normal.” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Lorne” and “Michael,” which sounds like a gigantic missed opportunity to form the next “Barbenheimer.” LORNE MICHAEL! Come on, guys! If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Exit 8?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite movie involving trains? If it is not “Spider-Man 2,” we need to talk. Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

They Will Kill You (2026): Cult Craziness Ensues in This Stylish Action Flick

Posted on by Jack Drees

“They Will Kill You” is directed by Kirill Sokolov (Why Don’t You Just Die!, No Looking Back) and stars Zazie Beatz (Deadpool 2, Joker), Myha’la (Swiped, Leave the World Behind), Paterson Joseph (Wonka, Timeless), Tom Felton (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Fackham Hall), Heather Graham (The Hangover, Boogie Nights), and Patricia Arquette (Boyhood, Severance). This film follows a woman named Asia, a recent hire at a high-rise in New York City, as she uncovers its ties to a Satanic cult and does what she can to survive against those who make up the place.

Part of me wonders what the heck Warner Brothers was thinking with the release of “They Will Kill You.” Not the fact that they put it out at all, but rather that they put it out when they did. As someone who loves the first “Ready or Not” movie to death, I figured it would be inevitable that “They Will Kill You” would end up reminding me of that absolute piece of cinema. But seriously, what prompted Warner Brothers to release this movie the week after “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come?” While these movies are not exactly the same, they have similar plots and vibes… Both films feature a woman who is forced to take on a mob of people who are trying to kill her. Oh, and that mob is connected to a cult.

Questionable release date aside, I was interested in “They Will KIll You.” Of course, with a title like that, how could I not be? The concept intrigued me, and the movie looked like an overall gory fun time. To me, that is exactly what this movie was. Is this film going to win any awards? Probably not. Though I would not start a debate if you thought this film should be recognized for its production design.

What makes this film great is more than just its style. And I say that realizing its style is quite pleasing. What makes everything work is the connection between Asia (Beatz) and Maria Reaves (Myha’la). The film starts with the younger versions of the two as they try to run from their abusive father. Asia shoots him and gets arrested, while Maria remains in his custody. The film then flashes forward a decade to where Asia becomes a housekeeper at a New York City high-rise. As she takes on the job, she learns more about the building’s history, as well as what could happen to her if she is not careful.

The progression of the story unveils the sisters’ backgrounds and capabilities. Asia is more than able to defend herself, and as the film’s action sequences reveal, she can look cool while doing it. Turns out Maria also made it into the high-rise. When Asia runs into her, we learn not only how she got there in the first place, but how she managed to stay for as long as she did. The backstory as to how Maria ended up surviving for so long makes for some meaty material. It added depth to her character, the high-rise itself, as well as the others inside it.

This is not the first time I have watched Zazie Beatz on screen. I enjoyed watching her supporting roles in “Deadpool 2” as well as “Joker.” That said, this is the first time I have seen her as a leading lady, and she carries this movie. After seeing her take on the leading role of “They Will Kill You,” I would not mind seeing another movie where Beatz plays the main character. She has proven herself to be a fine action star and carries a commanding presence.

When I talk about the things I enjoy in a movie, I will often go for the big guns and talk about performances, direction, writing, and so on. But at other times, there are films where “the little things” tend to stand out, and “They Will Kill You” is no exception. I will save the context for your viewing experience, but there is an important point of the story involving an eye. I thought what exactly they did with it was clever. The film also showcases what people in the high-rise like to do. We find out that there is an entire floor where groups of people could be in the same place having sex at the same time. For the record, the people living in this building are immortal, so they have to find things, or perhaps more accurately, people, to do, otherwise they might become bored.

This film cost $20 million to make, but each frame almost looks like a trillion bucks between the color palette, the action, and the sets. This film is directed by Kirill Sokolov. I had not seen any of his work prior to this movie. Having seen “They Will Kill You,” I was convinced that its style is what would happen if a Matthew Vaughn movie and a Guillermo del Toro movie had a baby. The movie is a perfect mix between fast-paced, boisterous action with a pinch of color to balance things out.

Not to digress from this movie, but having looked at Sokolov’s IMDb page, it mentions that one of his previous works, “Why Don’t You Just Die!,” is inspired by one of his favorite filmmakers, Quentin Tarantino. Filmmaking has been around for some time, so it is not surprising to know that newer filmmakers are copying older filmmakers that inspired them. This film reminds me of “Reservoir Dogs” or “Pulp Fiction” to a degree. These all have sick action scenes and are not afraid to show some blood and gore. It has been nearly seven years since a Quentin Tarantino-directed movie has hit theaters. If you are looking for a filmmaker that has a pinch of Tarantino’s DNA, then Sokolov seems to get the job done. Time will tell if Sokolov will have the career or name recognition of Tarantino, but if he keeps making good films like this one, that could end up being the case. Sokolov has a twisted mind, and his screenwriting efforts alongside Alex Litvak, who also has a story credit for the “Masters of the Universe” movie releasing later this year, prove to make for a solid hour and a half.

The film’s cast may be small, but its action sequences prove to feel giant. I am not in an immediate rush to watch “They Will Kill You” again. In fact, of the two big movies coming out within the span of a week that involve women surviving against cults, I would prefer to go back and watch “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” a second time. Maybe it is because I have an attachment to the 2019 original, so there could be some bias. Nevertheless, I recommend “They Will Kill You.” Give it a watch sometime.

In the end, “They Will Kill You” is killer fun. The film is fast-paced, never boring, and is packed with brilliant setpieces. When I watched the trailer for this movie, I was intrigued by how the action sequences presented themselves. Having seen the movie, they lived up to the trailer. I was not surprised. However, what did surprise me was the film’s ability to get me engaged towards the two sisters’ connection. The movie has a good hook featuring the duo and successfully builds upon that. Go check this flick out. I am going to give “They Will Kill You” a 7/10.

“They Will Kill You” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! If you want to see another review, I am dropping a new episode of Scene Before’s brand new series “Movie Requests” Sunday, April 19th. It is going to feature “Avatar” actor Joel David Moore. I look forward to talking about his suggestion. If you want to see this review as soon as it drops, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel!

© Cool Girl Productions

My next review is going to be for “You’re Dating a Narcissist!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” “The Drama,” and “Exit 8.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “They Will Kill You?” What did you think about it? Or, in the spirit of Tarantino, what is your favorite Quentin Tarantino movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (2026): The Sequel to My Favorite Film of 2019 is Finally Here… Was it Worth the Wait?

Posted on by Jack Drees

© 2026 SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES

“Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” is directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the same directing duo behind the original “Ready or Not” released in 2019. This film stars Samara Weaving (Bill & Ted Face the Music, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Kathryn Newton (Blockers, Freaky), Sarah Michelle Gellar (All My Children, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Shawn Hatosy (Animal Kingdom, Southland), David Cronenberg (The Fly, Scanners), and Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Grand Piano). This sequel once again follows Grace (Weaving), who just survived a nightmarish game of hide and seek against the Le Domas family. Now, she must face off against several elite families that make up the Council to play the same game with a twist.

“Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” is a movie I did not have on my bingo card. I say this as someone who loves the first film to death. “Ready or Not” remains my favorite film of 2019. Prior to watching this sequel, I took the opportunity to rewatch the original. It holds up tremendously. The ending is chef’s kiss. The simple utterance of “In-laws” is a top five final line in the history of cinema. It is up there with “Nobody’s perfect” from “Some Like it Hot.” I am not the most knowledgeable horror nut, but “Ready or Not” is an easy favorite of mine within the entire genre.

As much as I was looking forward to this movie, it had a lot to live up to. The original had a simple but fun concept. It contained a plethora of funny lines. It had a fantastic cast carried by Samara Weaving. If you know how the first movie went down, you would know that it would be impossible to bring most of that cast back. But to my delight, Weaving, once again, is leading this film and cooking up a killer performance with fire. She is one of the film’s many positives. Also, I know the term scream queen gets thrown around a lot amongst horror circles. To take that concept literally, Weaving’s screams are some of the most unique I have ever heard. It is to the point where I cannot imagine another soul playing her character.

Even you, Margot Robbie! I know you and Samara look so much alike, but I highly doubt your screams sound alike!

With this film being a sequel, it tends to follow the “bigger is better” cliche. Although if you are aware of my thoughts on various sequels over the years, you would know that I do not think they always live up to that phrase. “Ready or Not” is a beautifully simple movie that takes a childhood game as pure as hide and seek and turns it into an absolute nightmare. “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come,” puts its main character, Grace, in a situation where she has to play hide and seek against a ton of rich family members. Again. The before, during, and after, are a little different from the original. Although another similarity is that if these family members do not kill Grace by dawn, they die. The film does a fairly decent job at laying out some of the complications that make this experience different, and it also raises the stakes for the main character by bringing her sister Faith (Newton) into the mix and holding her captive. It also puts the elite family members in a situation where they have to do more than simply kill Grace. While doing so, they are competing for the Council’s “High Seat” now that the person who used to be associated with that position has died.

Bringing Faith into the picture does come as a bit of a surprise, as we learn a little bit about Grace’s backstory in the original movie, but not once does she mention she has a sister. Nevertheless, the sequel does a good job at making me believe these two are sisters. For starters, they look quite a bit alike between their blonde hair, big eyes, and expressive personalities. Also, knowing what we know about Grace from the original, I buy the fact that the two siblings had a bit of a falling out. It enhances that scene from the 2019 film where Grace talks about her family life, or lack thereof.

I enjoyed both “Ready or Not” and its sequel, but if you were to ask me which of these two movies I prefer, I would easily pick the original. The main reason is because Grace seems to go on a more personal journey. Sure, her sister is in the sequel, but as we get to the inciting incident of the first movie, it makes her rethink everything about her partner, her love life, her in-laws, whether she wants to be married… The first film was more interesting because it involved people she once trusted trying to kill her. The second film is an extension of that killer family, but without her partner, Grace is simply trying to defend herself against a group that held her captive.

So, the film may not be as memorable as the original, but to me, this could almost be the “Gladiator II” of the “Ready or Not” franchise. Is the story as exciting? Probably not, though it did keep my interest. But the action and humor more than make up for the film’s less intriguing plot. Every kill is terrifically done and the antagonistic family members come off with as much personality as those in the 2019 predecessor. The changes they made for how the game works were fun to see play out. It was also nifty to see Elijah Wood play a bad guy. Wood is not the first person I would associate with the term villain, but this film did make me reconsider. I was quite pleased with his quiet yet commanding performance. He reminded me of Grand Moff Tarkin in the original “Star Wars.” He does not have a big mouth, but every word that seems to come out of it sounds like it matters.

This sequel came out a little more than six and a half years following the original’s release date. As an avid fan of the original, I knew I was going to be in the cinema as soon as possible to see it. But even as a fan, I questioned if a sequel was the most sound idea. Judging by the fact that I liked the second movie, I could say it was. But even as someone who likes it, I recognize that the original is out of this film’s league. That said, I did dig the finale of the film. Much like the original, there were one or two out of left out of field moments that stuck the landing. I walked out of this film having a fun time. It added some exciting new material to the lore, maintained a good pace, and ended up having some genuine laugh out loud moments.

In the end, I really liked this film. It offers a lot of familiar aspects from the original. Sometimes expanding upon them. I prefer the first film’s simplicity and cast a bit more, but this new cast is by no means bad. They are actually quite fun to watch. That said, this film is directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the same duo behind the original, and it shows. The duo helm each scene with perfect timing, balance scares and humor fantastically, and refuse to compromise on blood and gore. Kathryn Newton, who previously worked with these two in the excellent horror-comedy “Abigail,” is a lovely addition to the cast, and so is Elijah Wood. This film came out the same weekend as “Project Hail Mary,” which is doing very well at the box office. If that film is sold out, then “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” is not a bad option to have as a backup as long as you are okay with violence and intense sequences. I am going to give “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” a 7/10.

“Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! As a reminder, Scene Before is now officially 10 years old, and I am doing a brand new video series by the name of Movie Requests in honor of the occasion. Feel to check out my latest episode featuring “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” actor Jason Mewes, who requested I should talk about “House Party.” If you want to see more episodes, leave a like on YouTube and subscribe to my channel so you can stay up to date!

I am also happy to remind everyone that the next guest in the Movie Requests series is going to be “Avatar” actor Joel David Moore. You can catch that episode Sunday, April 19th. I have yet to watch his movie of choice, but I look forward to checking it out and talking about it!

My next review is going to for “They Will Kill You.” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “You’re Dating a Narcissist!,” “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” “The Drama,” and “Exit 8.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come?” What did you think about it? Or, which of the two “Ready or Not” movies do you prefer? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

The Bride! (2026): Buckley and Bale Do Their Best with This Unexciting Cinematic Enigma

Posted on by Jack Drees

Photo by Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures – © Warner Bros. Pictures

“The Bride!” is written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight, White House Down) and stars Jessie Buckley (Hamnet, Women Talking), Christian Bale (Batman Begins, Thor: Love and Thunder), Peter Saarsgard (Shattered Glass, The Batman), Annette Bening (American Beauty, Nyad), Jake Gyllenhaal (Stronger, Spider-Man: Far from Home), and Penélope Cruz (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides). This film is set in 1930s Chicago, at which point Frankenstein’s monster, or Frank, asks Dr. Euphronius to create a companion. Once the companion is brought to life, the film follows both creatures as they go on a wild journey together in which they become romantically involved.

“The Bride!” was on my radar ever since I saw the trailer back in October in the best possible way… On a giant IMAX screen. Any movie that is shot in the coveted 1.43:1 format, even if it is digital, has my attention. Of course, having looked at the many shots the trailer had to offer, the film definitely would dazzle in scope widescreen if I were to see it that way too. The film had a dirty, rugged, sometimes sexy feel to it that felt unlike anything I would not recall witnessing before. Sure, in terms of vibe, this film did remind me a bit of “Joker” and its severely insulting sequel, especially considering some of the crew members on those films also work on this one. Some of the names attached to this film include cinematographer Lawrence Sher and composer Hildur Guðnadóttir. But “The Bride!” appeared to have its slight differences from “Joker.” “The Bride!” seemed to lean more towards the horror route rather than a pure drama route, though “Joker” did manage to insert an eerie moment or two.

Speaking of the “Joker” movies, if you are aware of how I scored them, you would know I did so on opposite sides of the spectrum. The first was pretty positive, while the second was highly negative. “The Bride!” falls somewhere between these two projects. Frankly, this movie is kind of a hot mess. If I had to compare “The Bride!” to any other film experience in my life, the “Joker” movies are an easy target because they do have similar tones and concepts. The movie takes familiar characters and puts an odd spin on them. As much as I do not mind odd movies, this experience felt too odd at times. It was odd to the point where I did not really feel any emotion in certain scenes. Overall, Maggie Gyllenhaal puts something together that is pleasing to the eye, but at times, it strikes a vibe that feels like “Dollar Tree Tim Burton.” That is almost unfair to say because this movie was by no means cheap. Variety reports the budget is a hefty $90 million. While the film looks nice, it does not really feel nice. It reminded me of “Jupiter Ascending,” which is one of the most beautiful looking pieces of crap that someone has the audacity to call a film. One moment after another, the movie sounded like it was trying to welcome me into its environment, but as a viewer, I was consistently hesitating on the film’s invitations.

The film is not all bad. It has a decent cast, and its two leads do a fantastic job despite the average at best material given to them.

Jessie Buckley is on a roll lately. Right alongside Timothee Chalemet in “Marty Supreme,” I think she gave the best performance captured on film in 2025 through her lead outing in “Hamnet.” While her lead role in “The Bride” is not as compelling, Buckley nevertheless manages to bring a performance that makes me think I am getting a five-star meal despite slumming it in the middle of a Buffalo Wild Wings. Buckley is diabolical as the titular character. I almost cannot imagine anyone else in her shoes.

Alongside her is Christian Bale as Frankenstein’s monster. Technically his character is credited as Frankenstein, even though he is not the scientist… Anyway… The timing of this film is interesting, as it was made around the same time as Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” which I thought was pretty good. Much like Jacob Elordi, who played the Creature in that movie, Bale is excellent here. Is he as strong as Elordi? Perhaps not. But I also feel that part of it is more the fault of the material given to Bale rather than his performance. Much like Buckley, Bale makes the most of what is given to him. This is not to say everything about his presence is bad. In fact, I really liked getting to see the two leads when they’re close as a couple. It brought out both of their wild sides and showed they have chemistry. That said, Bale’s performance did feel rather familiar. It almost reminded me of his portrayal of Gorr the God Butcher from “Thor: Love and Thunder.” It is a character who is mildly scary, odd-looking, but complicated beneath their wretched surface.

Technically speaking, this film is rather impressive. The cinematography is beautiful. The makeup work is stunning. The production design is off the charts. I bought into every location and set. When it comes to immersion, “The Bride!” really tries. Though I cannot say it always succeeds.

The color palette feels weirdly mute. Note my use of the word “weirdly.” I was convinced by the marketing that this film was going to be big and exciting. While it was definitely the former, I cannot say the same for the latter. The film looked oddly dry for something that simultaneously was trying to deliver something of utter extravagance. It is an enigma.

I am sure many people are familiar with the phrase “do not judge a book by its cover.” Bear with me as I go against this philosophy for a moment. If you look closely at the title for “The Bride!”, you would notice that it has an exclamation mark. “The Bride!” is not the first project to contain such a thing. You would notice this if you ever get a good look at the game show “Jeopardy!”, or the animated series “American Dad!”, or the movie “Airplane!”. In terms of punctuation, an exclamation mark is meant to signify an extreme. “Jeopardy!” is extremely fast-paced. “American Dad!” is extremely action-packed. “Airplane!” is extremely funny. Meanwhile, I find it difficult to come up with an extreme for “The Bride,” that is unless I were to resort to negatives. I could say the movie is extremely bland. I could say it is extremely wasted. On paper, “The Bride!” sounds like a project that should be a big ball of energy. But at times I am watching it and find myself surprised that I barely happen to be awake.

Chances are I am not going to remember much about “The Bride” by the end of the year. Part of it is because other than the visuals and the unique way of telling the story, there was nothing to write home about. Sure, the two leads are great, but never once did I feel captivated by anything the story had to offer. If I were presented the story in a pitch meeting, I think it would sell. If I saw the full picture, like what we got in this film, that is a different scenario. If anything, “The Bride!” does feel like a film that comes from a singular mind. I would have never have been able to come up with the vision that Maggie Gyllenhaal had intended. While I have one or two gripes about Warner Bros. Discovery since their merger three years ago, I will credit them for hiring filmmakers with unique visions, with Gyllenhaal being the latest example. I would love to see what other projects she has in mind, and sincerely hope they are better than what this one had to offer.

In the end, “The Bride!” is by no means the worst movie ever. In fact, part of me is glad I saw it because it has some great acting and setpieces. But from one moment to the next, I thought there was something missing. There was barely a sense of a wow factor. It is really sad I did not like this more. I was genuinely looking forward to “The Bride!”. I do not think Gyllenhaal should give up on her work behind the camera. I can see her knocking another project out of the park, but she struck out on this one. I am going to give “The Bride!” a 4/10.

“The Bride!” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Hoppers.” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Project Hail Mary” and “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come.”

Also, feel free to check out the new promo for the second episode of Movie Requests! The next guest on my list is actor Jason Mewes, who requested a movie he has watched in the past with his collaborator Kevin Smith. Make your guesses! The movie will be revealed this Saturday, March 28th! If you want to see me review whatever movie Jason Mewes asked me to talk about, subscribe to my YouTube channel and hit the notification bell that way you know exactly when the video drops! If you want to see more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “The Bride!”? What did you think about it? Or, what is the most disappointing movie you have seen recently? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Send Help (2026): See This Thrilling Survival Flick One Way or Another

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Send Help” is directed by Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) and stars Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls, Game Night), Dylan O’Brien (The Maze Runner, Teen Wolf), Edyll Ismail (La Brea, Ghosts), Xavier Samuel (Blonde, Tell Me Your Secrets), Chris Pang (As We See It, Blade of the 47 Ronin), and Dennis Haysbert (24, Now and Again). This film follows office employee Linda Liddle and her boss Bradley Preston as the two individuals, whose personalities and backgrounds could not be more different, do what they can to survive while stranded on an island.

Photo by 20th Century Studios/20TH CENTURY STUDIOS – © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Sam Raimi is a director who defined my love for movies and the art of filmmaking. Raimi directed Tobey Maguire in three “Spider-Man” movies, a trilogy that defined my childhood. Since then, I have gone on to enjoy some of his other works including “Evil Dead,” “Army of Darkness,” “Oz the Great and Powerful,” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” Raimi is a master storyteller whether he is doing something original or working with popular IPs. If there was any reason for me to be excited for “Send Help,” he was it. Not to say that the film lacked talent in front of the camera, as the film starred Rachel McAdams, who recently worked with Raimi in “Multiverse of Madness.” Alongside her is Dylan O’Brien, who I have grown to appreciate with each role he’s taken through the years.

Having talented people on your project is a great start. Though that does not guarantee the movie will be good. For example, I love me some Wes Anderson. But his last couple movies have been a bit too off the rails for me. Hopefully, that would not be the case with Sam Raimi’s latest flick. Thankfully, “Send Help” brings out the best in its cast and crew in just about every regard.

Given his past work, some would say Sam Raimi is a master of horror. “Send Help,” while not Raimi’s scariest film, undoubtedly taps into his horrific tendencies when it comes to showing the brutality of a plane crash or the adrenaline rush of hunting in the woods. One of my favorite scenes of the film is a one on one between Linda Liddle and a boar. Despite her clear obsession with the outdoors and nature, the scene does a good job at showing she is still afraid of the near inevitability of doom while in an unfamiliar environment.

As a master of horror, Sam Raimi also manages to implement perhaps one of the scariest concepts of all time… Office culture. The concept is probably a pinch scarier knowing that a woman is the protagonist. While the film is set inside the office, we come to realize that employees are sometimes punished for having lunch at their desk, even if time does not allow them to have it elsewhere. For people like Linda, it is difficult to achieve career growth. Part of this is because the higher-ups tend to maintain a bro culture, one of whom happens to be Bradley Preston, the son of Linda’s former boss.

The script for “Send Help” starts off fantastic and only becomes more compelling by the second. It is full of twists and turns, each of which made sense despite some colossal shock value. Everything feels very contained. There are not many characters in the film, which works in its favor as it allows each individual to stand out. The movie perfects the chemistry between Linda and Bradley. They are finely tuned frenemies. Throughout the movie, we learn about these characters’ pasts and personalities. Both are well written, and when it comes to Linda Liddle in particular, it is the little things that stand out like her passion for “Survivor,” the fact that she has cats, or her karaoke song of choice being Blondie’s “One Way or Another.” Is this a “Mean Girls” easter egg? Perhaps. Regardless of the reason the song is in the movie, it works perfectly.

For the record, Sam Raimi did not write this movie. Screenwriting duo Mark Swift and Damian Shannon handled those duties. Their previous work does not boast high confidence as their resume includes “Freddy vs. Jason” and 2009’s “Friday the 13th,” neither of which got the best reviews. They also did the 2017 adaptation of “Baywatch” starring Dwayne Johnson, which is one of the movies ever. I am proud to say though, “Send Help” is probably going to put both of these gentlemen on the map for me. Though it is worth noting, their screenplay was likely enhanced by the directing talents of Sam Raimi, who has an eye for great shots, brilliant timing, and chilling scares. That said, there is that saying that one is only as good as their last project. Swift and Shannon are now on my radar because this is a twisty movie that had me hooked from the very beginning. Although the beginning is not all to rave about in this film. This film’s ending is not only mind-blowing, but it is something I will be thinking about for a very long time. I could not think of a cooler ending to a movie like this if I tried.

Once again, Rachel McAdams plays Linda Liddle, a dorky cat lady who spends her time off work watching “Survivor.” In fact, she was even passionate enough to audition for the show. Seeing her journey play out, most particularly when the movie passes its inciting incident is riveting as can be. If you are looking for incredible character development, then put this movie on the top of your must-see list. McAdams proves she has talent as this film’s lead.

“Send Help” does a great job at showcasing Dylan O’Brien’s chops. While he may not be the first actor that I would call a thespian, the film proves he has skills. Also, despite his tendency to come off as a jerk, O’Brien, and perhaps by extension, filmmaker Sam Raimi, does a spectacular job at making Bradley look like a jerk, but also likable enough from the audience’s point of view.

On the technical side, “Send Help” sings. Sam Raimi has had an extended career and it is not surprising to see him surround himself with a crew he’s trusted over the years. You have composer Danny Elfman who assembles a marvelous score. There is Bill Pope, who continues to prove he is one of the best cinematographers working today. Editor Bob Murawski puts together some clean, perfectly timed scenes, and his choices enhance the movie’s occasional attempts at humor that rely on visuals or sound. There is one scene involving a boar’s head that had me dying. No spoilers, and you might know this moment when you see it, this film contains one of my favorite cuts in recent memory, and it involves a golf ball. That is all I will say.

Photo by 20th Century Studios/20TH CENTURY STUDIOS – © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

In the end, “Send Help” is another excellent film given by the directing god known as Sam Raimi. I can see this movie having quite a bit of replay value down the line. I read that Sam Raimi fought Sony, who did not end up distributing the final project, to keep this film from going straight to streaming. I am so glad he did that, because this is a film I think is best experienced with a crowd. It is scary, it is fun, it is why people go to the movies. The film contains a plethora of exciting scenes helmed by a master of his craft. It showcases the talents of two well cast leads doing their best to deliver a satisfying experience. This film is “Cast Away” with just the smallest pinch of “Office Space.” The story sucked me as it started, and refused to let me leave as it ended. Check this movie out if you can. I am going to give “Send Help” an 8/10.

“Send Help” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “The Bride!”. Stay tuned! Also, stay tuned for my thoughts on “Hoppers,” “Project Hail Mary,” and “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come.”

I am also pleased to announce some information about the ongoing film review series Movie Requests, which features special guests selecting films for me to review. The second episode, which will feature “Clerks” actor Jason Mewes, will be released Saturday, March 28th! If you want to see the episode as soon as it drops, subscribe to my YouTube channel! Also, if you have not done so already, be sure to check out the first episode of Movie Requests, featuring actress Bryce Dallas Howard.

If you want to see all these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Send Help?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite Sam Raimi movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!