Grieving grandparents (Diane Lane and Kevin Costner) attempt to rescue their grandson and former daughter-in-law from her abusive new husband’s family in Thomas Bezucha’s modern-day Western. The film boasts accurate 1960s period detail and an introspective score by Michael Giacchino. Digital photography adeptly captures western vistas with a sense of awe, while color timing matches the character-driven narrative’s progressively darkening tone. Granted, some viewers may be irked by the inconsistent ways in which gratuitous violence interrupts the laconic pacing. See it for Costner and Lane’s performances, as well as Lesley Manville’s (Phantom Thread) devilish turn as the Weboy clan’s matriarch.

Is there anything creepier than being a fisherman on a New England island? Probably, but I always consider isolated places surrounded by large bodies of water to be horrifying. In The Block Island Sound, Harry is dealing with anger issues and his father's increasingly erratic behavior. What seems like run-of-the-mill alcoholism is something much more than that, and as things fall apart Harry begins to believe that something very sinister is afoot. With a tone similar to Dark Skies, a tense and heavy mood gives this film an unnerving aura. You'll think twice before discounting your local conspiracy theorist again.

Possessor embodies the definition of a mind fuck movie. It thoroughly dismantles preconceived notions about genre and eradicates the boundary between “low” and “high” art. Andrea Riseborough (Mandy) plays an agent who inhabits people’s bodies via brain-implant technology to commit assassinations. However, the longer she stays in a host increases her risk of permanent brain damage. Comparisons to his father’s work is inevitable, particularly eXistenZ, but Brandon Cronenberg’s vision is equally original and assured in execution. The film is layered with meaning and contains visually arresting in-camera practical effects. Not for the squeamish, Possessor is a transgressive work of art.

Road rage becomes revved to the max in this thrill ride about a man who terrorizes a mother and her son. Although plots points are fairly predictable, the story contains a few tense sequences, include a brutal murder at a diner. Caren Pistorius (Slow West) continues to exhibit range in a role that allows for vulnerability and ingenuity. But Russell Crowe is the main draw to see the film. His menacing performance and Ford truck render New Orleans claustrophobic—they always seem to be tailgating your bumper. Unhinged isn’t Duel or Speed, but it’ll keep you entertained for 90 minutes.

It’s a shame Dreamland most likely won’t reach a wider audience. Other critics have unfairly compared it to Bonnie and Clyde, but what Dreamland lacks in narrative cohesion and thrills—save for an intense dust storm sequence—it compensates with its interiorized character study. Lyle Vincent’s (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night) cinematography, Meredith Lippincott’s production design, and Patrick Higgins’ score perfectly capture Depression-era period detail. Most of all, the film is buoyed by Margot Robbie (who also served as a producer), whose performance as bank robber Allison Wells continues to exhibit her innate ability to inhabit compelling, characters.

Stephen Lang. William Sadler. Fred Williamson. Martin Kove. David Patrick Kelly. George Wendt. When’s the last time you’ve seen these actors have so much fun in a movie? VFW is a gory siege film with a pulsing Carpenter-esque score about war vets defending a young woman who’s stolen a gang’s cache of drugs. However, audiences won’t care for her unlikeable character. Harsh blue-red lighting and flat villains also affect overall enjoyment. Because of the charisma, natural dialogue, and camaraderie Lang and co. bring, I’m willing to overlook VFW’s flaws and go along for the ride. Because it’s still pretty badass.

A brother and sister on the run cross paths with William Bonney and Pat Garrett in Vincent D’Onofrio’s The Kid. Dane DeHaan and Ethan Hawke occupy supporting roles as the outlaw-lawman duo, imbuing their characters with depth. Although the film’s pace slackens and the third act contains a standard rescue plot, there is still plenty to admire. Cinematographer Matthew J. Lloyd’s adeptly captures New Mexico’s landscape, and Chris Pratt plays against type as a villain. More straightforward than revisionist, D’Onofrio’s Western may not add anything new to Billy the Kid’s legend, but it is an occasionally entertaining yarn.

The Dalton Gang literally gets caught with their pants down in a brothel run by witches. While I welcome more horror-westerns hybrids, The Pale Door shoots blanks from a double-barrel shotgun. An interesting concept is betrayed by poor writing and laughable situations, not to mention special effects that present witches as haggard burnt bodies. It’s nice to see Stan Shaw from The Monster Squad and other recognizable actors appearing in new projects, but their talents are wasted here. Distributed by RLJE Films and Shudder—which gave us Mandy, Color Out of Space, and Psycho Gorman—I expect better.

In the darkest realm of the universe, in the obsidian-black horror of the unknown, Hellraiser and Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy had a baby, which went on to have a baby with Terrorvision. That spawn of unholy coupling went on to mate with Masters of the Universe, which went on to beget every monster from that one scene in Neverending Story when they have to figure out who will save the Childlike Empress. From that lineage came a child that wanted to make a Troma movie, but with a budget. And thus, you have Psycho Goreman. It fucking rules.

Spontaneous is a movie that maybe flew under everyone's radar last year. Or maybe not. Who's to say? Last year was weird. Not as weird as students spontaneously combusting for no reason during their senior year, though. Regardless, this perfect blend of comedy and tragedy is well worth your time. Every performance is incredible, especially Katherine Langford, who was previously known to me as the "welcome to your tape" girl from 13 Reasons Why. Being a high schooler is hard, especially when everyone is exploding randomly, and she nails this role. Highly recommend by me, so go for it.

I was so happy to finally see Promising Young Woman after what seems like a billion years of Covid-related delays— it's on VOD, baby! I had high hopes for this "rape revenge" movie that shies away from the horroresque trope of showing a graphic assault before anything else, and the wait was worth it. Witty, brutal, a testament to best friendship, and an indictment of the ripple effect that often comes with a rape (but never quite seems to effect the rapist), PYW is pretty perfect, if not incredibly painful. Additionally, the soundtrack whips ass.