Mae Abdulbaki

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.

With an excellent ensemble cast and intense character dynamics, Knock at the Cabin is a high-stakes horror that delights in the doubt and confusion that arises.

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.

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.

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

The film makes up for some of the missed storytelling opportunities with its stylish, exciting action sequences, and its swift pacing, all of which combined make for a fun, overall enthralling time.

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.

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 brings the drama, but it’s never overdone and the performances from the cast elevate the material, adding dimensions to the characters’ lives.

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

Kiss of the Spider Woman is entertaining and invites us into its fantasy in a bid to forget reality for a while. And for the two hours I was watching, I did.

It’s heartwarming, the occasionally funny moments aren’t shoehorned in, and the story has a solid message that plays into the fact the main characters are sloths.

The dialogue-driven movie is genuinely funny and heartfelt, rarely, if ever, losing its momentum from start to finish. Conners is a confident director, bringing together a story that is personal while touching upon issues women face as they age with grace and care.

The film balances multiple storylines with intense action sequences and, despite pacing issues, packs a major punch that will keep audiences riveted.

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.

Diallo knows how to create a deeply disconcerting atmosphere.

Raiff captures how relationships can blossom through connection and how affecting they can be when the two people in question are both trying to take the next steps in their lives but are not quite sure how to do it. To that end, Cha Cha Real Smooth is a triumph in its exploration of its characters, and the honesty it brings to the forefront.

It’s a rousing horror with entrancing lore, an eco thriller with interesting themes, and a hostage drama that banks on gruesome and disorienting actions. Not everything comes together cohesively, but the story has a lot to offer and it’s grounded enough to leave a big and lasting impression.

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.

There’s Something in the Barn is a horror comedy that seems destined to be a cult classic. It ultimately delivers on its premise and has a whole lot of fun while doing so.

It’s a film like no other that you’ll see this year, and though not everything works, River is a time loop jaunt that isn’t easy to forget, bolstered by fantastic performances and a deep sense of fun.

Cyrano is a magnetic, musical romance that peels back the layers of its title character in new, exciting ways.

It may not be laugh-out-loud funny at every turn, but Quiz Lady, with an irresistible cast, is entertaining with just the right amount of heart and energy.

It strikes a good balance between heartfelt and fun, and the cast has great chemistry; their interactions are joyful and dynamic.

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.

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

Caught Stealing is a refreshing addition to Aronofsky’s filmography. It’s deliberately funny and macabre, but it asks us to take it seriously.

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.