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Full disclosure, I found it hard to get invested in Netflix's "Witcher" TV-series as well; after watching "Sirens of the Deep" I conclude it most likely has to do with the overbearing somberness constantly displayed. "Sirens of the Deep" has more problems that the somberness however, mainly the writing. The plot is dull and generic; a toughened Gerald plays his usual role of the underdog hero once again. What is far worse though is the dialogue. My goodness, it's so cheesy, flaky, and wanna-be-epic-fantasy-quest-y, that it makes the writers of the "The Rings of Power" come across as splendidly talented. To summarize: this nicely animated feature is dragged into the abyss by the subpar writing.

Osgood Perkins' "Longlegs" is a nightmarish thriller, that efficiently ravels in its gore against a constantly gloomy backdrop. Balancing occultism and satanism on one side, and procedural drama on the other, Maika Monroe's grounded approach to her character similarly balances out Nicholas Cage's all-out performance. While Cage is close to being over-the-top, the characterization works due to the overall somber atmosphere of the film. Fundamentally a take on the Faustian bargain, "Longlegs" is Perkins' most captivating work yet, delivering a deeply unsettling, idiosyncratic film for the audience. "Longlegs" is one of the most original thrillers in a longtime.

When Anna Kendrick makes her directorial debut she takes on the Dating Game Killer. A surprising choice, but one she pulls off with style. "Woman of the Hour" balances comedic takes on gender roles with scenes of crimes committed by a criminal of the worst kind imaginable, through flashback scenes, without raveling in the most unsettling parts too graphically. While it takes a while to get into, Kendrick's measured direction is poignant enough to make a film immensely thrilling and rhythmically frightful. With a calculated strain performance by Zovatto combined with Kendrick's natural humor shining through, "Woman of the Hour" tells a the story of a killer who could've been stopped, had the reports about him been taken seriously, with integrity.