Capsule Reviews

Opus (2025) – Capsule Review

Considering the existence of recent films like Midsommar (2019) and The Menu (2022), this movie feels formulaic and unoriginal, falling short of its predecessors in several ways. Visually, it lacks the striking appeal of Midsommar, its exploration of the cult of personality is less profound than The Menu, and the tension it builds is weaker than in both.

Even the musical aspects fail to engage or leave a lasting impression. This is an unfortunate shortcoming, given that this should be the film’s strongest element, considering the central figure is a renowned pop star (played by a rather uninspired John Malkovich).

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Haenseomgaijeu (2024) – Capsule Review

This South Korean horror-comedy benefits from great characters and outstanding performances from its entire cast.

Its first two acts are fantastic, completely subverting expectations for a typical possession film. The second act deserves special mention, as the movie shifts into a hilarious and chaotic slapstick. The final act, in which our heroes must battle the incarnation of the devil, feels more conventional but remains enjoyable.

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Scared Shitless (2024) – Capsule Review

Short, direct, and entertaining. While it embraces familiar horror-comedy tropes (such as the confined setting, the growing, vicious, “blobby” monster, the love subplot, and the classic “gear-up for the mission” montage) it still manages to deliver solid laughs and some impressively gory effects.

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Hidden Face (2024) – Capsule Review

A pseudo-erotic thriller with an extremely rudimentary and predictable storyline (even if you weren’t aware that it’s a remake, as I initially wasn’t) paired with atrocious acting. One of the few redeeming qualities is its score, which effectively sets up a suspenseful mood and blends well with the classical pieces incorporated throughout.

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Dead by Dawn (2025) – Capsule Review

This Polish film thrives more on its experimental, artsy approach than on its horror elements, which ultimately fail to be genuinely frightening. While the killer’s costume is intriguing and some of the kills are enjoyably gory, the film never truly shocks or excites.

Its overly simplistic spiritual and philosophical themes, along with a weak overall plot and bland characters, make it difficult to feel emotionally invested in what is happening or in who it is happening to.

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