Mae Abdulbaki

Petite Maman is the kind of film that lays itself bare without ever being over-the-top, shaping itself into a story that lingers in one’s memory for a while after it’s over.

It’s the little moments and details that turn it into something more profound and lovely.

Watching Tár is akin to listening to a symphony orchestra — it's moving, passionate, and will leave one wanting more long after the lights come up.

With a moving performance by Andrew Scott, the fantasy drama is compelling and captivating as it tackles grief, loneliness, and all that is lost to trauma and the inability to move on past loss.

Killers of the Flower Moon is immeasurably captivating and compelling; it’s chilling and emotional, and I doubt anyone will walk away from the film — especially considering the way its ending is set up — without feeling moved by what they’ve just witnessed.

Campion’s film is gorgeously crafted and detailed, emotionally effective, and layered in shades of meaning about masculinity. Mesmerizing in every way, The Power of the Dog is a triumph.

The Father dives deep into the mind, delivering an engaging film that is unsettling, achingly sad, and is strengthened by Zeller’s assured narrative.

All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt’s non-linear approach requires patience and its character development is a bit thin, but the film is stunning, thought-provoking, and poignant, with each frame lovingly executed.

Chevalier, about the violinist and composer Joseph Bologne, is magnetic, a historical fiction that elevates itself beyond the conventional biopic to deliver a memorable drama about its subject's life.

Nuanced, thoughtful, and deeply effective, Gyllenhaal’s movie is assuredly executed, uplifted by a strong, striking performance by Olivia Colman.

It’s a movie that will have a lasting impression on the audience as its themes, execution, and sharp, lustrous visuals fully take hold, leaving viewers with a lot to think about.

Black Bag is engaging and refreshing precisely because it is so personal, raising the stakes to the highest level without having to be extravagant in its set pieces.

There's an air of tranquility about it and Spielberg does well to balance a few comedic moments with a whole lot of heart. Even the more dramatic moments are depicted with patience and warmth. It's as if Spielberg is softly wading through his own memories, pulling open the doors to see each one with a lot of light and love in tow.

I’m Still Here is an evocative, nuanced portrait of family and the lasting imprint of politics.

I was taken to another place watching Sinners, and I have no doubt audiences will walk away having been moved and simultaneously entertained by this gripping, multifaceted story that deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible and, ideally, more than once.

Earth Mama is the kind of film that draws you in and keeps you hooked with its powerful storytelling and the layered intimacy within Nomore’s understated performance.

With an outstanding cast and compelling themes, In the Heights soars, bringing emotional beats together in a celebration of culture and community.

His Three Daughters is a balancing act. The characters are layered and the story is so simple yet thoroughly touching and, at times, painful to watch because of the flood of emotion that comes through.

Limbo handles its themes with enormous grace, balancing despair with levity and a realism that makes this drama emotionally intense and worthwhile.

The film is actress Regina King's directorial debut and it's a timely, wonderfully resplendent exploration of the men behind the renown, stripped of their titles while among friends and ready for the next stage in their lives.

Masterfully written and directed, Saint Maud is a captivating, compelling, and disquieting horror film that is distinct and incredibly intense.

Despite a weaker final act, Night of the Kings is spectacular, enthralling, and gripping. It's nearly poetic in its execution and that alone makes it well worth the watch.

Driven by the emotional drama that is constantly bubbling to the surface, the film handles the unsettling feelings of its characters and tension-building with ease, leaving the audience with a complex, compelling story.

Ghostlight bridges the gap between art and reality, blending a poignant narrative that aims to better understand a loved one and the expression of grief.

Self Reliance doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it’s exactly the kind of directorial debut one would expect from Johnson — and he certainly delivers a wild, energetic, funny story that still works despite a lukewarm ending.

while the film may meander some, von Horn and Langebek’s script never loses sight of the story, offering something that is deeply bleak but also worth thinking about.

It’s an exemplary film that strikes an emotional and thoughtful chord.

Mielants’ film does a lot with little dialogue, setting the stage for something rich and thought-provoking.

You’ll Never Find Me is an excellent, audacious entry to the horror genre. It’s disconcerting and thrilling, with an emotional center and something to say. Allen and Bell confidently craft an effective story that will stay with you long after it’s over.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out mystery is a strong and fulfilling sequel. It will leave fans wanting even more of the charismatic detective and the situations that bring him into the middle of enticing whodunits that put his mind to work. The cast, the writing, and the twists and turns the story takes will leave the audience intrigued right up until the very end.

While X could have dug a bit deeper into certain aspects of the story, the film’s twists, layered themes, and intriguing character dynamics blend together to make it one of the best horror films of the year so far.

Bolstered by fabulous performances by its lead cast, Passages delicately and intimately explores a love affair that goes awry because of one person’s decisions.

It’s a film that is certainly a must-see, complex and emotionally devastating in its exploration of power and hierarchy.

The film, directed by Peter Bebjak from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jozef Pastéka and Tomás Bombík, is urgent, effective, and also deeply painful.

It’s honest and willing to go to uncomfortable places without ever feeling exploitative. It’s a raw and real portrayal of how sexual assault can happen and the mental and emotional turmoil that comes after.

Bolstered by an incredible cast, the film offers commentary on filmmaking as an art and the lengths the characters will go to outshine each other.

It’s compelling and held my attention from start to finish. The amount of times I genuinely gasped is enough to recommend it. It’s the perfect summer horror and one that will keep you on your toes.

Bolstered by fantastic, memorable performances, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande is an understated, empowering, and charismatic film that does not disappoint.

Neville lingers long enough, painting a picture of a lost soul who brought so much of himself to the world while also wondering about his place in it.

Thanks to the writing, directing, and cast, The Humans makes for a disconcerting, haunting, and moving watch. It’s a Thanksgiving family drama that amplifies its characters’ relationships within an eerie, charged space to great effect.

Heartwarming, elegant, and often profound in its exploration of loneliness and human connection, I’m Your Man is exquisitely charming and smart.

It's gut-wrenching, emotional, and worth seeing, driven by a fantastic performance from Deadwyler that is sure to bring many to tears.

Filled with heartfelt moments and hardships amidst Grace’s growing young adulthood pains, Levack’s film plays like a new music album that is familiar yet exciting.

Elevated by phenomenal performances from its cast, the film tackles a difficult subject with thoughtful sensitivity, levity, and spirited discussion that will leave audiences thinking about the film and its central premise for a long time after it's over.

The film is grounded, avoiding sensationalism and empty indulgences.

The spectacle doesn’t mean there’s no heart at the story’s core, and it kept me watching despite being overlong.

With good pacing, writing, and a stellar cast, Barker has crafted a directorial horror debut that is deliciously dark, absurd, and eerie.

There aren’t many films that can capture a character’s feisty spirit while still contending with the struggles and feelings of growing older. To that end, Thelma is a breath of fresh air, a crowd-pleasing film that knows exactly what it is and what it’s trying to accomplish. It does so with style and grace.

Love Lies Bleeding is practically guttural, and the emotions that take hold of each character are raw and unfiltered. With action, crime, and romance mingling and building toward an explosive and engaging finale, the film is a thrilling ride from start to finish.

Kneecap is a film that shifts expectations. It’s chaotic in the best way, alive with buzzing energy and resistance.

Niasari carefully and assuredly handles an intense and emotional story with ease and vulnerability. With her work on Shayda, Niasari is a filmmaker whose work we should keep an eye out for.

I Carry You With Me poignantly captures the ache, the beauty of the characters’ love, and the pieces that get left behind in pursuit of something new.

I Am: Celion Dion is a compelling and engaging snapshot, a visceral experience that is worth watching, especially for fans.

While Super/Man touches upon the role, its impact on Reeve’s career and personal life, the documentary is more of a touching ode to the complicated, charming man behind the cape, and the perseverance he showed following his accident.

Flora and Son is energetic, easygoing, and charming. With a great cast, lovely musical numbers, and a stupendous lead performance by Hewson, Carney doesn’t disappoint.

Talk to Me is an assured directorial debut, serving up plenty of terror, gore, and emotional beats in a story that is well-developed and carefully crafted. Audiences will be hooked to the screen, impatiently awaiting what comes next in this unsettling, thrilling horror.

Heavy-handed and unnecessarily long, Spencer explores Diana as a prisoner of the royal family in heart-wrenching and beautifully haunting fashion.

Minor hiccups aside, The Woman King is a blockbuster with a lot of heart and a clear story that is tightly written; it’s well worth the watch.

The Fire Inside manages to accomplish a lot in its nearly two-hour runtime. It’s a sports drama that encapsulates the experience of living in Flint and a powerful, character-driven story that isn’t afraid to show the gritty aspects as they actually are.

Poignant in parts, sharp and thrilling in others, Emily the Criminal satisfyingly delivers on many levels.

A moving and well-acted film, Belfast explores the decisions families make in the wake of devastation and turmoil; it’s Branagh’s best film in years.

Bolstered by a fantastic lead performance by Priya Kansara, the film is an entertaining ride, one that is filled with love of sisterhood and energetic chaos.

It isn’t an exaggeration to say that Plan B is one of the funniest, most thoughtful films of the year and deserves all the love and attention it gets.

The result is a fun, exciting animation that keeps us hooked throughout. Yes, there is the occasional lull in the story, but it doesn’t linger before picking back up with some new story turn or action sequence.

Joy Ride is the kind of film that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. Bolstered by a fantastic ensemble cast, the road trip comedy isn’t afraid to get dirty, but it never forgets its heart in the process.

Dream Scenario is at its best when it’s centering Paul and his inner world, and how his actions and events affect his family.

It’s a harrowing, visceral, poignant biopic that will surely make you shed a tear or two regardless of whether you knew the Von Erich story.

Domont’s feature is occasionally uncomfortable to watch because of how things unravel, but it’s unnerving and utterly heart-pounding in all the best ways. An exceptionally strong feature debut from Domont.

The Fall Guy feels like it comes from an era of films where it was alright to be openly silly, embracing action, romance, and nonsense all in one fell swoop without ever missing a step.

Emotionally effective and often quite tender, the film boasts understated, powerful performances from Emilia Jones and Scoot McNairy.

It’s an imperfect film that is intriguing until the end.

7 Days is emotionally resonant, sweet, tender, and genuinely funny.

Piggy (Cerdita in Spanish) has a slow-burn intensity that culminates in a superb ending and, though the film could have had tighter writing and better pacing in places, it’s still a satisfying watch.

While introducing a few arcs it doesn’t fully explore, Candyman is replete with haunting imagery, disconcerting horror, and thought-provoking themes.

The film is infectiously exuberant, with kinetic energy that never lets up. Paired with its lighthearted tone, Honor Among Thieves is a wildly good time at the movies.

There’s a sincerity that underscores its central themes, and the performances, writing, and direction don’t cut corners to get to the end. And what we end up with is a comedy-drama that understands what a thoughtful exploration of a relationship can look like onscreen.

Anchored by strong performances from Daisy Ridley and Dave Merheje, the film has pacing issues, but it's emotionally resonant, humorous, and relatable.

With exhilarating action scenes, a layered story & poignant, in-depth characterization, The Batman is a worthy addition to the live-action DC slate.

Embedded in its humor is a sense of melancholy that heightens the emotions prevalent throughout the film, surprisingly tugging at our heartstrings.

Luca is a wonderful coming of age story with a nice message that balances deep emotions and a lot of adventurous fun.

Audiences may not have much of an appetite after watching the film, but the experience, like Slowik’s promise to his own guests, will be one they won’t soon forget.

Poignant and raw, the film is effective in all the ways it should be. While it does a better job engaging with its revenge-fueled storyline in lieu of a more familial exploration in the wake of the tragedy, the film still manages to land a heart wrenching blow.

Heretic knows exactly how to keep us mesmerized. It's a unique horror experience that's sure to have everyone talking.

No Way Home is Spider-Man’s most intriguing & fun story yet. Though the multiverse looms large, the film's thoughtful in its focus on Peter's journey.

Somewhat disorienting and riddled with deep-rooted anxiety, fear, and uncertainty that is expertly portrayed, All My Friends Hate Me is a standout.

The film has no easy answers for Celestina’s questions, but her journey throughout is all the more powerful because of it.

The film certainly delivers on the action set pieces, but it also scales back to lay the groundwork for the story so that the payoff is well worth it. Monkey Man isn’t some basic action thriller; it’s an underdog story about the power of the people.

Weird lives up to its name. It's utterly ridiculous, a satire of biopics in the best way. It exaggerates anything and everything that happens (and doesn't happen) in Yankovic's life to the point of being so over-the-top one can't help but laugh at its absurdity.

Blichfeldt pulls out all the stops for this film, giving us a cinematic experience that is ripe with depth and concise commentary, all wrapped in a grisly fairy tale world that is as immersive as it is intense

There is a lot of love put into the making of this film and it shows in every single scene. It’s one of the best romantic comedies in a while, and not one to miss.

It’s got everything — tense chase sequences, anxious and wary phone calls, and heart-to-hearts between Sarah and Ash that underscore their characters’ need for true connection. There have been so few exceptional thrillers in recent years, but Relay is certainly one of them.

Violation is trenchant and effective, deftly handling the emotional trauma at its core.

Censor is chilling, an assured horror that blurs the line of reality for its protagonist as she delves into that which makes her most vulnerable.

While the pacing dawdles just a bit in a few places, The Outside Story is an unexpectedly warm film that asks its audience to engage with their own surroundings in the hopes that they, like Charles, might find something worthwhile.

The film is earnest and full of yearning and intimacy, elevated by the performances of its lead actors who, even in the film’s most abrupt moments, have so much chemistry to keep audiences watching.

The film is a compelling moral character study and a breathtaking thriller that steps on the gas and never lets up. It’s a perfect addition to Anvari’s already robust work as a filmmaker.

Finding ‘Ohana continues the tradition of balancing heartwarming family bonding time with genuine humor and wondrously exciting escapades.

Pitch-perfect performances elevate this magnificent film that I can’t say enough good things about.