Watcher - Final Girls Berlin Film Festivals

 

American couple Julia and Francis move to Bucharest for Francis’ work. Their apartment has wide windows that face the opposite side to the same building where Julia notices there is always a man watching them. Setting off a chain of events where she believes she is being followed by this man, in the city there is a serial killer who decapitating women on the loose, could this be the same person? 

Despite being a simple story on the surface, the atmosphere is intense and mistrustful in Chloe Okuno directorial feature debut. Watcher is both a stalker horror and voyeuristic lowkey thriller that balances the paranoia Julia feels with the mundane but sweet moments she shares Francis.

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE.

Hellbender

 

With streaming platforms like Shudder dedicated to a particular genre, horror films have become a sort after commodity. Whether it’s the Hollywood franchises keeping the genre in the mainstream eye or the indies creating buzz and excitement, there is plenty of room for more variety of films and even delving deeper into sub-genre stories. But with variety comes the more diluted films, the low budget movies that slip through the cracks. Some might consider this to be a good thing, more filmmakers out there given opportunities to create new films, more horror fans. However not all will enjoy the homemade style of Hellbender.

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE.

Here Before - Final Girls Berlin Film Festival

 

It’s nothing new to mix a ghost story with that of a grieving family or person but where there is an element of the afterlife, there is usually a sound a sinister explanation. However, grief plays a hideous part in this would be supernaturally glazed film about a mother still feeling the loss of her daughter who believes the new little girl next door is the reincarnation of her dead child. Andrea Riseborough leads this quiet thriller with a steady hand making us believe that maybe the dead can return.

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE.

Watch List 2021

 

It’s been yet another strange year, in general and for film too. Having stopped posting my monthly watch lists, which I thought weren’t needed anymore, I didn’t want to miss out on the year round up or rather what I feel are my top films from the year. Unlike like every other year, I haven’t been able to get to the cinema as much as I usually do. Even during 2020 I managed to see the ‘big’ and festival films. This year however, with a mix of virtual and in person events, I haven’t seen all I wanted. Including not making it to all the festival films I wanted. This list comprises of those that were released this year. There are a few omitted because they are released in cinemas/online next year and will most likely appear on my list in December 2022. 

Having forced to be more select, due to availability and the films being on at the cinemas near me, I saw all these films online rather than a cinema. This also meant I missed out on more of the big blockbuster films which is why they don’t appear on my list. I absolutely loved The Suicide Squad but I felt that it wasn’t as good as the other titles on the list.

This was always going to end up on my best films of the year list, although I saw this in 2020, the film was officially released in 2021. The sheer brilliance and captivating character of Cassandra and her request for revenge is poured out HERE if you care to relive this film with me. 

Another early in the year favourite that had stuck with me throughout. A horror story with a thriller twist and fascinating character at the centre of it all. I got to talk to the director Jill Gevargizian which gave me more insight into the filmmaking and creation, which is maybe why I love this film more than other female fronted films this year. Interview in full HERE as well as the review HERE. 

As a very avid fan of Tove Jansson and her Moomin books, I was of course very excited to see a film about her life. A very specific part of her life is explored in the biopic and love hate relationship with her own creations as well as her broken heart over her first love affair. The review in full can be read HERE. 

I have been meaning to write a full post dedicated to this great film but I could never quite capture the glee and joy I had watching this film about female friendships as well as teenage rebellion that didn’t feel cliché. Plus, the use of zines and riot grrrl camaraderie was always going to be a win my eyes, personally. Directed by a favourite of mine, Amy Poehler so I knew this would have an edge to the other teen dramas before and this definitely stands out in the sea of lesser than films. 

Story aside, because who can resist a film set entirely at a wake where a young woman is trying to hide several lies, she’s told to several people, plus avoiding certain people and try to find out more about the older guy they’ve been sleeping with, all in a closed environment, its brilliantly executed but truly, it’s the soundtrack that gives this film the perfect horror like atmosphere. If you want to read more, full post is HERE. 

Based on a true story recounted on Twitter, enough said. This was either going to be a hard sell or the best film adapted from said Twitter story. There’s nothing quite like it. Read more about the film HERE. 

 

With the video nasties of the 80s as a backdrop to this sinister story about a censor who believes her long lost sister is in of these horror films, reality is blurred with hallucinations and dreams. It was great to be back in the cinema for a special event after such long time. The entire post can be read HERE. 

Having no clue what this film was about except that I had been very excited to watch it, this slow twist thriller was one that exceeding my expectations. My spoiler free as possible post is HERE. 

Like most films this was pushed back and there was a worry we wouldn’t even get this in the cinemas. A science fiction saga spectacle deserves space, especially such a story as this. Although the books by Frank Herbert have been adapted before, they hadn’t had the Denis Villeneuve treatment and going by his previous sci-fi films this was the right director to bring this story of spice, warmongering houses and chosen ones to the life. It was exciting to see such an epic back on the big screen again, perfectly timed it turned out to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring, the film that brought back the epic and changed the landscape of cinema. Dune feels like its going to be the start of something spectacular. 

 

I feel like I’ve been writing about this film for months (I actually have). The film that shook Cannes, the film that will shock you and all that PR jazz, this film is fantastic, do believe the hype. Read more about it HERE.

If anyone is interested, I have zines for PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN, THE BETA TEST and TITANE - message me on Twitter or Instagram (@shelikesmovies_)

The Stylist - Final Girls Berlin Film Festival

Horror is a genre that takes all shapes, sizes, fears and even desires. It’s a genre that homages what came before its (like most genres) but it also has one of the most dedicated fanbases. When watching a new film in this genre, the need to compare it to others is automatic, whether it is in praise or disappointment. To come across something incredibly unique is a rare and beautiful thing and that is exactly what The Stylist is, in all its elegant gory glory.

For the full review, head over to Filmhounds HERE.

Interview with director Jill Gevargizian - Final Girls Berlin Film Festival

 

After the success and acclaim of her short film, The Stylist, back in 2016, director Jill Gevargizian decided to transform the short into her feature film debut. Following the lonely hairstylist Claire, played by Najarra Townsend, as she becomes obsessed with her clients lives, wanting to connect with others but instead feeding her own disturbed desires. As well as directing the film, Gevargizian is also a co-writer, producer and even has a cameo. Ahead of the Final Girls Berlin festival this month, we caught up with Gevargizian to talk about how this elegant horror came into being. 

 

For the full interview head over to Filmhounds HERE.