This Week at the Movies
Reviews
Anemone
Anemone marks the directorial debut of Ronan Day-Lewis and the long-awaited return of his father, Daniel Day-Lewis, to the big screen, starring opposite Sean Bean. The film tells the story of Ray Stoker (Daniel Day-Lewis), a reclusive man drawn out of isolation when his estranged brother (Bean) arrives with the troubling news of Ray’s teenage son spiraling out of control. What follows is a tense family reckoning steeped in guilt, silence, and the fragile hope of redemption.
As debuts go, Ronan Day-Lewis certainly takes risks and he deserves credit for not playing it safe. Too many first-time directors lean toward forgettable caution, and Anemone swings for something ambitious. For me, however, those risks don’t fully pay off. There are flashes of promise, but the execution falls short of the film’s aspirations.
Unsurprisingly, Daniel Day-Lewis is magnetic in his return, commanding every scene he shares with Sean Bean. Together they elevate the material, and in their strongest moments, Anemone is gripping. But those performances can’t completely mask the weaknesses in the script. The story struggles to land any truly resonant emotional beats, leaving much of it feeling shallow despite the heavy subject matter.
The film also leans heavily on silence and visual stillness, but instead of conveying depth, many of these moments drag into monotony. At two hours, stretches of the runtime feel more like a slog than a meditation, which will likely test the patience of mainstream audiences.
In the end, Anemone is a bold but uneven debut. Ronan Day-Lewis shows ambition and flashes of talent, but the film’s impact rests almost entirely on the shoulders of its stars. Thanks to Daniel Day-Lewis and Sean Bean, it isn’t without merit, but as a whole, it ultimately falls short of the profound drama it aims to be.
Reviews
Bone Lake
Bone Lake is the latest horror sensation to splash onto cinema screens, and like many of 2025’s genre entries, it delivers a surprisingly entertaining ride despite how ludicrous it often gets.
The story follows Sage (Maddie Hasson) and Diego (Marco Pigossi), who plan a romantic getaway at a historic home by Bone Lake. But their retreat takes an unexpected turn when the rental turns out to be double-booked. Enter Will (Alex Roe) and Cin (Andra Nechita), another couple with their own baggage. What follows is a chaotic, erotic, and gloriously over-the-top horror tale full of entertaining twists and turns.
What makes Bone Lake work is that it knows exactly what it is. The film never takes itself too seriously, leaning into the absurdity with a wink. The result is a wild, darkly funny rollercoaster that mixes camp with shock in just the right doses.
The cast of four is uniformly excellent, each bringing a distinct energy that keeps the dynamic fresh as the twists pile up. And those twists? Most land with real impact, adding to the sense of gleeful unpredictability.
That said, the film isn’t without flaws. At times, the silliness crosses into eye-roll territory, and the dialogue occasionally falters. But the sheer commitment to excess makes these missteps easy to forgive.
In the end, Bone Lake is the kind of under-the-radar horror gem that sneaks up on you. It’s outrageous, messy, and knowingly ridiculous, but it’s also a riotously fun time at the movies.
Reviews
Good Boy
Good Boy is the latest horror movie taking the internet by storm. Told from the perspective of Indy, a devoted dog, it follows his move with his ailing owner Todd into a house that turns out to be haunted. As Todd’s health deteriorates, Indy senses danger as the paranormal forces closing in try to claim his owner.
Much will be said about the performance of Indy, and it truly cannot be overstated. Outside of the standout performances in Sinners and Weapons, this might be my favorite performance of the year in the horror genre. The way Indy conveys fear through his eyes rivals, and often surpasses, many of his human counterparts, it’s genuinely remarkable.
I was also pleasantly surprised that the film doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares. Instead, it steadily builds tension, making its brief 83-minute runtime feel gripping from start to finish. The camera work was another unexpected highlight. With the story shot almost entirely from Indy’s perspective, I expected shaky, hard-to-watch camerawork. Instead, the film delivers visually striking, well-composed shots that elevate the atmosphere.
That said, while Good Boy is an impressive entry, it doesn’t bring much new to the paranormal horror genre. Most of the supernatural elements feel familiar, and I personally wasn’t a fan of the ending. Still, those minor drawbacks don’t take away from the fact that Good Boy is a worthy and memorable addition to 2025’s growing list of strong horror films.
Reviews
The Smashing Machine
The Smashing Machine arrives with a wave of awards-season buzz and higher expectations than nearly any recent sports biopic. Yet, despite its ambition and the anticipation surrounding it, the film struggles to fully meet the towering hype it has generated.
The film follows Mark Kerr, a former wrestler turned early pioneer of mixed martial arts, whose rise helped propel the sport into the mainstream. Rather than attempting to cover his entire career, the film narrows its focus to a turbulent three-year stretch from 1997 to 2000.
Dwayne Johnson’s portrayal of Kerr is nothing short of sensational, easily the brightest spot in The Smashing Machine. Completely unrecognizable both physically and emotionally, Johnson earns every bit of the acclaim he’s received so far and likely more to come. Oscar talk might be a little premature, but if this performance is any indication of his range, I’d love to see him take on even bolder dramatic roles.
For all its strengths, The Smashing Machine is just as often frustrating, especially when it comes to the narrative. Kerr’s struggles with addiction had the potential to deliver real emotional weight, but those moments are glossed over. Instead, the film lingers too long on the relationship dynamics between Johnson and Emily Blunt’s characters, leaving the more compelling threads underdeveloped.
Overall, The Smashing Machine is a solid sports biopic, but it falls short of greatness. With sharper focus and a deeper exploration of its most powerful themes, it could have been something truly special.
