Journey_with_a_Cinephile

This was a film that went on my list of ones to check out for 2025. When it hit, there were things in the theater, so it went on the backburner. Now that I'm able to do a bit of catch up when compiling my end of year list, I didn't want to skip this one. My buddy Tony pointed out that the director, Brandon Christensen, had a movie hit at the Nightmares Film Festival this year, Bodycam. That intrigued me even more.

Synopsis: college student Deena (Jessica Clement) visits home and is roped into babysitting. The local sheriff is mailed a piece of evidence and is led on a scavenger hunt to reveal a serial killer.

Babysitter Emily Golding (Summer H. Howell) is watching Marina (Isla Spencer) and Mark (Huxley Fisher). Mark, afraid of a "Skinwalker" monster in his closet, is soothed when Emily convinces Marina to stay with him. Emily goes downstairs to sneak a smoke, a drink, and to dance until the garage door opens. When she checks, no one is there. She blames the strange movements on the children, unaware of a more terrifying presence.

We then shift into the future a bit. This is still taking place back in the 1980s. Deena is back in town like the synopsis said. Things are off with her family and it feels like she is avoiding going home. She does pick up medicine for her father's heart. She is then scared by Chad (Ben Cockell) when walking by a van. He's scolded by his friend, Willis Hanover (Bryn Samuel). Deena then goes to visit her friend, Haddie (Savannah Miller).

This then goes over to meeting the sheriff, Rodney Arnold (Ryan Robbins). What we'll learn is that fairly recently, his wife died in a car accident. He has a son, Max (Max Christensen), who Hadley is supposed to watch tonight. Rodney gets an odd item delivered to his house. It is a garage door opener. He's riding with a deputy, Butch Cassidy (Matty Finochio) and they learn it goes to the house from the cold open. This isn't the last package that gets found either.

The night then takes a turn when Hadley calls Deena, asking if she can watch Max. She has a stomach bug and is afraid that if Rodney finds someone else, she'll lose the job going forward. Deena isn't thrilled, but agrees to help her friend. Max and her do know each other. It also isn't a big deal to Rodney. The night goes smooth until Deena sees a figure outside. The more evidence Rodney finds, the more unhinged he gets, especially when it points out that his wife's death might not have been an accident. Not everything is as it seems.

That is where I'll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. The film's setting in the 1980s risks fatigue, though it's handled well here. Standard ad placement is included, along with a focus on corded phones. The VHS filter is an interesting stylistic choice. I was a fan, but it does cause a confusing element since the killer filmed their crimes. I paused because a camera's presence didn't logically follow the established setting, making me realize it is just the filter in those spots. Otherwise, the film successfully captures the period.

Now that I have that set up, I thought the cold open does well in setting the stage. It is that classic babysitter with the children motif. This is the first real crime that rocks the city. It is through investigation of the clues by Sheriff Arnold that there is more connected here. That thread feels underdeveloped. I understand why to an extent. I also might have missed something there as well.

Let's then look at our lead character, Deena. She is interesting as a character who got out of her small town. There are multiple characters who make references to it. Haddie is jealous. She doesn't necessarily seem to have ambition though. Chad is shocked. She might have had a history with Willis. The only thing I find odd here is that all these supporting characters seem like they're still in high school. It is plausible, but also just a bit odd. Regardless, I like how they establish Deena as being good enough to get out. Clement does well in bringing her character to life.

The more interesting character for most of this though is Sheriff Rodney Arnold. He seems like a good guy. I love that we get that baseline. These packages he's getting make him angrier as more evidence comes forward. He goes into a rage with one reveal and from there he's on a rampage. He's convinced that Chad and in turn, Willis are involved. Part of that being Chad always has a video camera on him. Robbins does a great job in his portrayal. I felt bad for his character, but flying off the handle like he is makes him reckless.

Where I'll then shift is that this story and how it unfolds isn't necessarily what I expected. I figured that this was going to be a slasher film. There are elements of that. It starts though with a variation on the babysitter urban legend. That shifts then into home invasion. There is more of an overarching mystery as Sheriff Arnold tries to solve the case while Deena is stalked. We then get a shift that I won't delve into farther to avoid spoilers.

Before I shift from the story, I did want to bring up just themes that weren't explicitly covered already. Revenge was brought up through Rodney. You will also see this with Deena later, which was good. Both are motivated through grief and trauma. There's an interesting byproduct there with Sheriff Arnold and his treatment of the two young men he believes are involved. I'll then bring up that this also has subversion of genre troupes, which I enjoyed. Nostalgia is a major factor here as well.

Let's then go over to discuss the rest of the acting performances. Clement and Robbins effectively carry the film as distinct characters with opposing approaches to the night's events, which I appreciated. Howell, Fisher, and Spencer perform well in the cold open. Keegan Connor Tracy is an interesting recurring presence. Finochio, Cockell, Samuel, and Miller all work in their roles. Little Max Christensen delivered what was needed, and special credit goes to David Feehan for being inside the Reaper costume.

All that is left then is filmmaking. I'll bring up that I don't love the VHS filter, but it also doesn't ruin things. It is a good touch though right after the cold open. I do think that the cinematography and framing were solid. The limited effects that we get were good. This is less of a slasher and more of a murder mystery, so that makes sense. Other than that, I do love the musical selections. It is of the era which helps bring that to life along with the product placements, technology and outfits used. Capturing the era isn't as good as others that do it, but it works.

In conclusion, this is a surprisingly effective film that subverts expectations by shifting from a traditional slasher setup to a compelling murder mystery anchored by strong performances from Clement and Robbins. While the stylistic choice of the VHS filter may be debatable, the movie successfully uses its 1980s setting to enhance themes of grief, trauma, and revenge. Christensen crafts a taut narrative with satisfying twists, making this more than just another nostalgic horror entry and a worthwhile watch for those who appreciate genre blending and character-driven suspense.

My Rating: 7 out of 10.

This was a film that I was intrigued to check out. I'm a fan of the series. Even ones that aren't as good, I still have enjoyed them. There is rich mythology that has stemmed from the series that intrigues me, but also I don't have the time to fully delve into it. I'll be honest, outside of knowing that our director did Prey, and having seen that one, I came into this blind, just knowing that people have issues. I consider these to be horror adjacent as well.

Synopsis: a young predator outcast from his clan finds an unlikely ally on his journey in search of the ultimate adversary.

We start this off by following a predator in its hunting attire. We'll learn that his name is Dek (Dimitrius Schuter-Kolomatangi). He goes into a cave where he faces off against his brother, Kwei (Michael Homick is the body in a suit with the voice done by Stefan Grube). What we'll learn through this encounter, Dek is the 'runt'. Their father wants him to be executed, as failure to be a great hunter isn't tolerated. Kwei shows weakness by not obeying, wanting his brother to make a kill to prove himself.

Dek makes his choice to hunt down a creature that even their father fears. It is thought that it cannot be killed. Their father shows up before Dek leaves though. He demands that Kwei do as ordered. This becomes a heartwrenching scene for Dek as he watches on. Kwei turns on the autopilot.

The ship deposits him on a lethal planet, one where everything is deadly. After his crash, Dek searches for his prey, the Kalisk. His journey leads him to a field of paralyzing, barb-firing plants, exploited by a flying creature. Nearby, Thia (Elle Fanning) is trapped. She offers Dek help in exchange for her freedom. Facing grave danger, he reluctantly agrees. What we'll then learn, she is a synthetic human, here to gather data. Her knowledge proves useful as he takes her along.

Now something else to point out is that this planet has a base for the Weyland-Yutani corporation. Tessa (Fanning) is the counterpart to Thia. She was the one who was supposed to go out to the field where Thia worked in the lab. There were issues and they were attacked by the animal that Dek is searching for. She is fixed and determined to complete her mission at any cost, much like Dek.

That is where I'll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. My knowledge of the Predator universe lore is limited to the films and the Alien crossovers. I know the species is called Yautja, and from films like Predator 2, I understand they hunt for sport and self-proving, a consistent theme. I appreciate the extended lore, specifically hearing them speak and learning about their hierarchy.

Let's then discuss our lead character of Dek. I appreciate the "runt" protagonist, Dek, as he is determined to prove himself against his father's harsh expectations (reminiscent of 300's Spartan ruthlessness). His ability to sway Kwei adds emotional depth and strengthens his resolve. This perspective is a fresh, welcomed change, as it deviates from the typical narrative where the predator is in control. We have one that is trying to prove himself. Credit here to Schuster-Koloamatangi's portrayal. It isn't easy in the suit and make-up like he is.

Where I'll then go would be the planet that he goes to. Genna is like Australia, in the fact that there are so many deadly things there. If Dek survives his mission, he truly earns it. I like how he encounters different plants, animals and monsters. What is great though is that there is a purpose aside from just showing us different things. That is something I'll give credit to the writing for. Something else is that I'll include here as a negative, Yautjas are supposed to do this alone where he gets aid from Thia, as well as other things.

The last aspect of the story that I want to bring up is something that is paramount for the films of the Alien franchise, capitalism. The moment I saw Weyland-Yutani, it made me smile as an easter egg to fans of the franchise. They sent a full team of synthetics to explore and take note of the wildlife. That makes sense. There are so many things that could help with the evolution of humanity. There is an overarching mission that Thia isn't privy to. Tessa is. That didn't come as a shock to me if I'm going to be honest.

There is an element that I've heard on podcasts that I wanted to include here. Now I haven't watched any of the Star Wars shows that are on Disney+. I have seen many of the Marvel ones as I work through that extended universe. There are similarities between the two, so I can get it. This seems to be drawing parallels, watering down the horror elements for more of an extended universe and finding oneself. I understand what they're getting. It doesn't bother me either way.

That should be enough for the story so let's go over to the acting performances. Schuster-Koloamatangi was solid, and Fanning handled double duty well. The synthetic character Thia is introduced, offering a more hopeful contrast to Tessa. Their duality and similarity were effective. Nayaran's motion capture for the creature Bud, who follows the group, was also good. Homick, Grube, De Jong, and Cameron Brown completed the cast as needed.

All that is left then are the filmmaking aspects. I'll credit the cinematography and framing to bring this alien world to life. That was something I had fun with, exploring and seeing the different fauna and animals. It builds tension when everything wants to kill you. I'd then say that the effects were good as well. They look like a combination of CGI and practical effects. No major issues there. Other than that, the soundtrack and design was good, especially with the language that our Yautjas speak. That's a good touch.

In conclusion, this proves to be a compelling and fresh addition to the franchise, primarily through the lens of Dek, the "runt" Yautja seeking validation. The film effectively blends Weyland-Yutani's corporate greed with the lethal environment of planet Genna. The dynamic between Dek and the synthetic Thia provides an unexpected twist to the traditional solitary hunt. Featuring strong performances, notably from Schuster-Koloamatangi and Fanning, and excellent technical execution, the movie is an enjoyable watch that meaningfully expands the Predator lore, despite a minor deviation from the Yautja's typical solo hunting code. Recommended for franchise fans and those seeking a solid sci-fi horror experience.

My Rating: 7 out of 10.

This is a film that I learned about when writer/director Andrew de Burgh reached out to see if I'd be interested in the screener. I had seen a previous film he did, The Seductress from Hell, and I enjoyed that. I agreed to check this one out. Now I'm including this on my 2025 list, since I saw it this year. This is getting a wide release in 2026.

Synopsis: a demonic succubus visits Earth to torment humans.

We start this out in the home of Jack (Xander Bailey) and Sarah (Bella Glanville). They're in a rough patch. He hates his job and takes it out on her. She's struggling to find work. We see that there is something stalking them while they sleep. It turns out to be the succubus from the synopsis. She wakes up Jack, puts Sarah in a trance and then has sex with him. He believes it is a dream. Sarah finds the sheets soiled and comes up with a plan of revenge on her husband.

Sarah then has an encounter with the demon. It ends up with the succubus killing her. She then does a ritual, calling Satan (Mark Pontarelli). She makes a request. Her work has caught the attention of her lord and she wants to do more. He makes her a deal; he gives her the option to change her appearance into anyone or look anyway she wants. There is also a human form. That is what she takes, taking on the name Charlotte (Sydney Culbertson).

It is from here that she goes out to a club and meets a couple of guys, Brad (Bruce Clifford) and Steve (Riley Nottingham). The former is turned off by her personality, but Steve and her hit it off. She also meets a couple from the neighborhood, Yagami (Akihiro Kitamura) and Tamara (Amelia Gotham). They invite her to dinner. Not everyone is as they seem and Charlotte does what she can to entice them, which is in her nature.

That is where I'll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. I went a bit briefer with my recap since this has a basic story. It is more about the characters developing themselves as they interact with Charlotte. This is almost a supernatural slasher of sorts as well where she entices different people, leads them back to her place and then kills them. I'd also say that it is a slow burn with the development of these as well.

Now that I've set that up, this is a character study of Charlotte. It is interesting that we don't truly meet her until after the initial couple. That is an interesting swerve, because she's there just in demonic form. Charlotte doesn't emerge until after. I'll say that Culbertson is attractive. She conveys a sassiness that I could see enticing certain men as well. I thought this worked. I believe that this creature in this form could lure men back to her place like she does.

The social commentary is overly heavy-handed. The opening scene, showing a couple's relationship struggles (Jack hates his job and taking it out on Sarah, who is unemployed and unappreciated), is relatable. However, Charlotte's encounter with two womanizers at a nightclub and her subsequent actions, though understandable to a degree (despite neither deserving death), are drawn out and bog down the runtime.

Then there's a couple of others. The Minaminos seem like nice neighbors but they're hiding a secret. Since this is a movie, I can roll with it. What this feels like is again trying to almost make Charlotte an anti-hero. There is then something else with Brad. He seeks out Detective Gerrard (Dallas Schaefer) when Steve has gone missing. This is a corrupt detective who digs up dirt to help Brad with deals. Neither deserves harm, but they're grey characters by doing illegal things.

Since I've already started into it, let's finish out with the filmmaking aspects. The cinematography and framing are solid, with creative nightclub scenes and interesting use of shadows. The demon design for the succubus and practical kill effects is effective. While CGI effects were present, the low budget makes it forgivable. Musical selections are good, and the distorted demon voices are a nice touch. Overall, the film is well-made.

Then the last thing to go into would be the acting performances. I've already said that I thought Culbertson was good in her role. I like how we see her in the start but we don't get to truly meet her until after the opening sequence. That is an interesting route to go. Glanville and Bailey help set the stage. Nottingham and Schaefer fit their roles. Then I like Kitamura, Gotham, Haruka Igarsahi, Pontarelli and the rest of the cast. They rounded this out for what was needed.

In conclusion, this offers an intriguing character study of its titular succubus, Charlotte, portrayed effectively by Culbertson. While the film's social commentary can be heavy-handed and some scenes drawn out, the overall filmmaking-including cinematography, practical effects, and musical selections-is solid, especially considering its budget. Despite some minor CGI issues, the performances from the cast round out a well-made horror film that I found enjoyable.

My Rating: 6 out of 10.