It’s pure horror movie fun. Yet the relationships consistently raise the stakes and elevate the film from the “creature feature” label to the kind of thriller that becomes a fan favorite.

Enola Holmes is an engaging, exciting mystery that the entire family will enjoy. The direction is spot on, the acting is brilliant, the plot is intriguing, and the cinematography is fantastic. But the ending is a letdown, not trusting audiences to be content with Enola’s arc.

The comedy and drama balance each other well, while the varying styles create a wholly unique work of art that perfectly captures the uncertainty of the beginnings of quarantine.

Rub comes out of nowhere and reinforces your belief in the magic of independent filmmaking.

All That Breathes is a powerful documentary with a message that needs to be felt down deep in the lungs.

The heart of Return to Dust is centered on the married couple’s efforts to construct a new home by hand. It’s grueling work, but through Li’s stunning visuals and mastery of pacing, we become engrossed by the details not only of the labor but by their burgeoning love.

This Is Not A Story boasts stunning acting, fantastic music, a heartfelt plot, and impeccable directing.

The Changed is telling a story that has been told before. But, the writers have managed to create something compelling and different, thanks to the themes and excellent characterizations. Combine that with the stellar cast and fantastic ending, and you have a title to seek out as soon as possible.

The intense and fascinating vision and lens through which Guan Hu observes everything makes Black Dog unforgettable and haunting long after watching.

Kusijanovic’s feature-length debut is nothing short of revelatory. Murina is the perfect summer film. Beautiful scenery, nuanced performances, and canny filmmaking provide one of the most memorable coming-of-age stories of the 2020s so far.

The film is not just important but also entertaining to the core. Her first feature shows Innuksuk is already a master filmmaker who has made a kick-a*s genre picture with dead-on horror instincts.

At the risk of being hyperbolic, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die is a great movie. It offers laughs, thrills, and it’s a thinker; you will not be disappointed.

In a perfect world, Philibert’s film will serve as a wake-up call for reconfiguring how we approach the treatment of mental illness on a global level.

The perfect mix of thrilling action, compelling storytelling, memorable characters, comedic moments — and all of that works in tandem like an orchestra bellowing an epic score. Infinity War leaves audiences wanting more… and with a lot to think about.

While the material is right out of one of Herzog’s indigenous rainforest epics, it is lit like an Italian horror movie, with candy colored Bava-like blues and reds sprucing up that bush.

The Old Ways is a masterpiece that shows how great horror will be done in the future: swiftly paced, engrossing and terrifying.

Boy Erased is a poignant family drama that explores the importance of unconditional love and acceptance of oneself and each other. Edgerton solidifies his triple-threat status, artfully and intelligently crafting a film that resonates with viewers and facilitates much-needed conversation during these trying times.

The American Fiction cast is brilliant.

With these performances and Thom Mills’s confident direction, Luderdale plants its flag firmly in gangster movie territory. For fans of mob films, this is an instant classic. It’s stylish, gritty, and ends with a bang that will leave you face down in your pasta bowl, begging for more.

It is informative and inspiring, with Sill’s spirit summoned for all to see. It is a great piece of lost classic rock history that so many will relish. It’s the kind of film that buries itself in your ribcage and keeps glowing for days afterward.

Bloody Hell is possibly the best combination of horror and comedy I’ve ever seen.

Yadang: The Snitch is a highly engaging and tightly constructed action-thriller.

With Candy Land, Swab has delivered a historic flashpoint in the darker side of the film universe. It is a supernova of seediness. The flick is the true bastion of this under-utilized subgenre.

This mindful story, along with the wonderfully goofy script, over-the-top directing, and pitch-perfect acting, all meld for one manic ride worth getting on.

Exhuma is a masterpiece of art-horror and South Korean filmmaking, ensured to enthrall viewers into repeated viewings and deep dives into each chapter.

Most importantly, Introducing, Selma Blair is the story of a mother desperately trying to keep it together and be the best parents she can be to her son while dealing with a disease.

John Wick: Chapter 4 is the return to the greatness we associate with the franchise, particularly after the misstep that is Chapter 3. It is easily my favorite movie of 2023 so far and begs for repeat viewings.

This is not just another Beatles documentary. It is something in its own category. This is someone’s love story, a very beautiful one.