In this witty, new breed of mystery, George (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realise they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.

A Murder Mystery with Bite… and Bleat

Adapted from Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann, The Sheep Detectives introduces us to George Hardy (Hugh Jackman), a gentle shepherd who reads detective novels to his flock each night, blissfully assuming they don’t understand a word. He couldn’t be more wrong. When George dies under mysterious, and decidedly sinister, circumstances, his sheep, led by the sharp-witted Lily (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), take it upon themselves to solve the crime. And from there, the hijinks escalate in the best possible way.

An Ensemble That’s Anything But Sheepish

Director Kyle Balda leans fully into the film’s wonderfully bizarre premise, crafting a genre mash-up that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly original. At its centre, Jackman is pitch-perfect as George, a sincere, quietly principled man whose love for his flock gives the story its emotional backbone.

On the human side, Nicholas Braun earns laughs as Tim Derry, the well-meaning but hopelessly out-of-his-depth local policeman, while Molly Gordon adds intrigue as the enigmatic and mysterious Rebecca Hampstead, who shares a very personal connection to George. A late-game cameo from Emma Thompson as razor-tongued lawyer Lydia Harbottle is pure scene-stealing joy, and you’ll be giggling in delight when she pops up.

But make no mistake, the real stars here are the sheep. Louis-Dreyfus leads the flock brilliantly as Lily, bringing spark and determination, while Chris O’Dowd’s Mopple delivers both heart and humour. Patrick Stewart lends Shakespearean gravitas to Sir Richfield, while Regina Hall is gloriously ditzy as Cloud, and Bryan Cranston adds a gruff edge as the lone wolf, well, lone sheep, Sebastian. And yes, the irresistibly adorable Winter Lamb will absolutely melt your heart.

A Whodunnit That Keeps You Guessing

What makes The Sheep Detectives truly sing is its balance. The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, packed with red herrings and twists that keep you guessing right to the final reveal. While mixed into this is a superb dose of comedy that is unexpected, and delivers on the film’s barnyard slant, especially in relation to its livestock characters navigating a very human investigation.

Yet beneath the laughs and the film’s surprising, cheeky tone lies a surprisingly tender core. Themes of connection, loyalty and love run deep in The Sheep Detectives, and there are moments that will utterly melt your heart, bridging the human and animal worlds. By the time the final act rolls around, don’t be surprised if you’re reaching for a tissue.

Final Verdict: A Woolly Whodunnit That Charms, Surprises, and Steals Your Heart

Quirky, original and brimming with heart, The Sheep Detectives is a cinematic gem that delivers on every level. It’s funny, mysterious, deeply felt and utterly unique; proof that sometimes the most unexpected stories leave the biggest impression.

Image: Sony Pictures

The post ‘The Sheep Detectives’ – Fleece, Lies & Alibis in the Year’s Most Delightfully Offbeat Woolly Whodunnit – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

From the very first beat, Michael pulses with energy, charting Jackson’s journey from a difficult childhood through his meteoric rise with the Jackson 5, culminating in his world-conquering dominance following the release of Thriller. It’s a story we think we know — but Fuqua ensures it feels urgent, intimate, and alive.

The story of pop superstar Michael Jackson – from his extraordinary early days in the Jackson 5 to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fuels a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.

Behind the Glitter: Pain, Pressure, and Peter Pan Dreams

While Michael dazzles with its pitch-perfect recreation of Jackson’s superstardom, Fuqua is just as invested in the shadows behind the spotlight. The film digs deep into the emotional scars left by a harsh upbringing, particularly the impact of his domineering father, brought to life with chilling intensity by Colman Domingo.

Through this lens, Michael becomes more than a celebration — it’s a character study. Fuqua carefully explores Jackson’s longing for innocence, his fractured sense of self, and his lifelong attachment to the fantasy of Peter Pan. The result is a portrait of a man frozen between worlds: global icon and vulnerable child. It’s in these quieter, more introspective moments that Michael finds its emotional backbone.

Jaafar Jackson: A Star is Born

Stepping into the shoes, and the single glove, of a legend is no small feat, but Jaafar Jackson rises to the challenge with astonishing confidence. His performance is nothing short of transformative.

From the voice to the movement, the posture to the presence, Jaafar channels his uncle with uncanny precision. But more importantly, he brings humanity to the role. His portrayal captures both the exuberance and fragility of Jackson, delivering a performance that feels authentic rather than imitative. When he’s on stage, the film soars — and the audience goes right along with him.

A Family Drama with Impact

Opposite him, Domingo’s Joe Jackson is a force to be reckoned with. This isn’t a caricature, but a layered depiction of ambition turned toxic. Domingo plays him with a simmering intensity that never tips into parody, presenting a man driven by success at any cost.

The dynamic between father and son gives Michael its edge, grounding the film’s spectacle in something far more raw and confronting. It’s uncomfortable viewing at times — and all the better for it.

Pure Pop Cinema: Loud, Luminous, Unmissable

On a technical level, Michael is a feast for the senses. Fuqua leans into scale and spectacle, crafting a film that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible, preferably IMAX. The musical sequences are explosive, the choreography electric, and the sound design absolutely thumping.

This is cinema that moves — literally. It grooves, it glides, it moonwalks. And just when you think you’ve reached the peak, the film closes on the dawn of the Bad era, leaving you with one undeniable thought: this story isn’t finished yet.

Final Verdict: Feel the Rhythm

Michael is bold, vibrant, and emotionally resonant — a biopic that celebrates the genius of Michael Jackson while never shying away from the complexities that defined him. With powerhouse performances, kinetic direction, and a soundtrack that still slaps decades later, it’s an experience that will leave audiences energised and reflective in equal measure.

Image: Universal Pictures

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So ends Sgt. Haane, a stirring and deeply resonant war-drama documentary that brings to light the extraordinary story of Sergeant Haane “Jack” Te Rauawa Manahi—one of Aotearoa’s most revered yet under-recognised World War II heroes. Arriving in time for ANZAC Day, the film stands as both tribute and reckoning, honouring the legacy of the 28th Māori Battalion and ensuring their deeds are neither forgotten nor diminished.

Sgt. Haane tells the story of L. Sgt. Haane Manahi DCM (Te Arawa, Ngāti Raukawa), whose extraordinary courage during a 1943 World War II battle at Takrouna, Tunisia, secured a critical victory for the Allies. Blending dramatic re‑enactment with the voices of descendants, the film explores legacy, whakapapa and remembrance.

A Story That Demands to Be Told

Directed by Tearepa Kahi, Sgt. Haane centres on Manahi’s remarkable exploits during the assault on Takrouna in Tunisia in April 1943. Scaling what was considered an impregnable cliff face, he led members of B Company—many of them his own kin—to capture more than 300 Axis troops, securing a crucial Allied victory. Kahi blends dramatic re-enactments with testimony from descendants, crafting a narrative that moves seamlessly between past and present, action and memory.

Yet Sgt. Haane is as much about injustice as it is about heroism. Despite being recommended for the Victoria Cross by senior Allied commanders, including Bernard Freyberg and Bernard Montgomery, Manahi’s honour was controversially downgraded to a Distinguished Conduct Medal. This lingering injustice, still contested by his whānau, adds a powerful emotional undercurrent to the film.

Honour, Sacrifice and Legacy

Kahi approaches the material with reverence and urgency, foregrounding themes of whakapapa, sacrifice, and cultural identity. The re-enactments—shot with a textured, almost archival aesthetic—deliver immediacy and tension, while the contemporary interviews ground the story in lived experience and generational memory. The result is a film that feels both epic in scope and intimate in its emotional reach.

The significance of the narrative driving Sgt. Haane is also not lost on the young cast who assembled to tell this story, and headlining Haane’s narrative is Alex Tarrant, and he is exceptional in the strength, mana and warrior spirit that he displays as this soldier who goes beyond the call of duty to not only conquer the enemy, but to ensure that his whānau are protected to the utmost degree. Responsibility and discipline anchor his performance, and you get the full measure of him in the role of Haane.

Final Verdict: A Stirring ANZAC Day Tribute

With the voices of the greatest generation fading, Sgt. Haane emerges as a vital cinematic taonga. It not only restores Mana to a deserving soldier but also preserves the enduring spirit of the 28th Māori Battalion for future generations. This ANZAC Day, it stands as essential viewing—an unflinching reminder of courage, sacrifice, and the stories that must continue to be told.

Image: Rialto Distribution

The post ‘Sgt. Haane’ – A Taonga of Courage and the Legacy of the 28th Māori Battalion this ANZAC Day – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

The young daughter of a journalist disappears into the desert without a trace. Eight years later, the broken family is shocked when she’s returned to them. However, what should be a joyful reunion soon turns into a living nightmare as she starts to transform into something truly horrifying.

Not Your Childhood Mummy

Let’s be clear: this is not The Mummy. There’s no swashbuckling charm, no wisecracking adventurers, no pulp spectacle. Cronin’s take is something far more sinister — a possession horror steeped in ancient myth and existential terror.

The story follows journalist Charlie Cannon (Jack Reynor) and his wife, Larissa (Laia Costa), whose lives were shattered when their daughter Katie vanished in Cairo. Eight years later, the unthinkable happens: Katie is found — entombed within a 3,000-year-old sarcophagus… and somehow alive.

But relief quickly curdles into dread. Because whatever has come back isn’t their daughter.

From here, Cronin unspools a relentless nightmare; a story of possession, decay, and the horrifying consequences of disturbing what should have remained buried. It’s a narrative that grips tight and refuses to let go, dragging its characters (and audience) deeper into something ancient, cruel, and inescapable.

Flesh, Fear, and Family

Make no mistake: Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is brutal. Cronin leans hard into full body horror, delivering skin-crawling imagery that will test even seasoned genre fans (yes — there are moments here that will permanently ruin something as simple as a pedicure). But beneath the gore and grotesquery lies something more grounded: a story about family.

At its core, the film interrogates sacrifice, grief, and the terrifying lengths parents will go to protect their child. Cronin balances his shocks with genuine emotional weight, crafting a narrative where the horror isn’t just external, it’s deeply personal.

If you can keep your eyes open, there’s a surprisingly affecting drama unfolding beneath the carnage, one centred on a father trying desperately to hold his family together as everything collapses around him.

A Cast Possessed

Jack Reynor continues his ascent as one of horror’s most compelling leading men, delivering a raw, unravelling performance as Charlie. His portrayal of a man caught between rationality and rising terror gives the film a strong emotional anchor, while his investigative instincts add a compelling thread of mystery to the chaos.

May Calamawy brings intensity and gravitas as Detective Dalia Zaki, grounding the film with a procedural edge that deepens the central mystery.

And then there’s Katie. Young actress Natalie Grace delivers a truly unnerving performance — one that evokes the legacy of Linda Blair in The Exorcist. It’s a transformation that is equal parts tragic and terrifying, filled with a creeping, snarling menace that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Horror in the Harsh Light

One of Cronin’s smartest choices is flipping the visual language of horror on its head.

Set against the sun-scorched landscapes of New Mexico, much of The Mummy unfolds in broad daylight — all burnt oranges and glaring yellows. It’s a striking aesthetic that proves terror doesn’t need shadows to thrive. In fact, here, the light makes it worse. There’s nowhere to hide.

Cinematographer Dave Garbett captures this with a suffocating clarity, while the film’s editing and sound design — courtesy of Bryan Shaw and Peter Albrechtsen; weaponise every cut, every silence, every guttural sound. Layered over it all is Stephen McKeon’s ominous score, which seeps into your bones and refuses to let go.

Final Verdict: A Curse Worth Catching

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is not an easy watch — nor is it meant to be. It’s vicious, grotesque, and unflinchingly committed to its vision of horror. But for those willing to endure its more extreme moments, there’s a deeply compelling story beneath the surface — one punctuated by a genuinely effective (and earned) twist ending that lingers long after the film is over.

Lee Cronin hasn’t just reimagined a classic monster — he’s desecrated it, reshaped it, and turned it into something far more dangerous. This is horror with teeth. And once it bites, it doesn’t let go.

Image: Warner Bothers Pictures

The post ‘Lee Cronin’s The Mummy’ – Ancient Evil, Modern Horror — And No Way Out – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

As people in Iraq struggle to survive, 9-year-old Lamia has been selected to prepare a cake to celebrate the president’s birthday. In a landscape of fear and scarcity, she sets out on a journey through the big city in search of eggs, flour and sugar.

Power in the Everyday

What makes The President’s Cake so compelling is its refusal to sensationalise. Hadi, drawing on his own family history as an Iraqi, leans toward restraint, crafting a narrative that finds its power in the everyday. There are no grand speeches or explosive set pieces here; instead, the film thrives in the details: a glance held too long, a hushed conversation, the careful measuring of ingredients that may or may not be enough. It’s cinema that trusts its audience, and in doing so, rewards them with something deeply affecting.

A Performance Rooted in Truth

At the centre of it all is a quietly remarkable lead performance from Baneen Ahmad Nayyef as Lamia that anchors the film with a sense of authenticity and vulnerability. Nayyef’s turn as Lamia isn’t framed as a hero in the traditional sense, but rather as a child navigating a world that demands obedience while quietly yearning for something more. It’s in these contradictions that the film finds its emotional core, balancing innocence with the creeping awareness of the dangers that surround her.

A Stark and Intimate Visual Language

Visually, Hadi adopts a grounded, almost documentary-like approach. The camera lingers just enough to let moments breathe, capturing both the intimacy of domestic life and the looming presence of a regime that seeps into every corner of it. The muted colour palette reflects a world drained of vibrancy, yet within that, there are flickers of warmth; small reminders of humanity that refuse to be extinguished.

Tension in the Smallest Stakes

There’s also a subtle but effective use of tension that builds as the narrative progresses. What could have been a simple, linear story instead becomes a slow-burning exercise in suspense, and mirrors a desert-like fairy tale of discovery and curiosity. Will the ingredients be found? Will the cake be completed? Will Lamia find her way back to her grandmother? These questions hang over the film like a shadow, turning the mundane into something quietly nerve-wracking.

Final Verdict: A Story That Lingers With a Grand Sense of Humanity

Ultimately, The President’s Cake is a testament to the power of small stories told with precision and care. Hasan Hadi delivers a film that is both intimate and expansive, using a single, deceptively simple task to explore the complexities of life under authoritarian rule. It’s a quietly gripping piece of cinema; one that proves you don’t need bombast to make a statement, just a steady hand and a story worth telling.

The post ‘The President’s Cake’ – A Quiet Act of Defiance Baked Under Pressure – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) wakes up on a spaceship with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory slowly returns, he soon discovers he must solve the riddle behind a mysterious substance that’s causing the sun to die out. As details of the mission unravel, he calls on his scientific training and sheer ingenuity — but he may not have to do it alone.

Isolation, Intelligence, and Instinct

The premise behind Project Hail Mary is deceptively simple: lone astronaut Dr. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) wakes up aboard a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or how he got there. Slowly, and albeit painfully, the truth unravels; he is humanity’s last shot at stopping an extinction-level event.

From that moment on, Project Hail Mary locks into a tight, cerebral rhythm. This isn’t a bombastic, laser-blasting sci-fi spectacle (though it has its moments). Instead, it thrives on problem-solving, on the tension of equations scribbled in desperation, and the suffocating weight of isolation. That is until an intrepid first act surprise shows up, and directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller completely change up pace of this film wirh a jolt of rock star energy and the presence of first contact with Grace running into Rocky, a fellow astronaut of extraterrestial origin who like Grace is tyring to save his own race, and from their the race is on to save the comos.

Lord and Christopher genuinely raise the stakes at every level, and emotion and energy collide for a picture that takes you on an utter thrill ride, with every small victory leading to moments of fist-pumping adulation, and it makes for one wild trip into the unknown of space.

Gosling Carries the Void

Let’s be clear, Project Hail Mary rests on Ryan Gosling’s shoulders as Dr Ryland Grace, and he doesn’t just carry this monumental epic of vast cosmic sci-fi energy, he utterly owns every moment of it.

As a performer, Gosling represents a peak level of masculine cool, but throughout his tenure, there’s been a boyish goofiness to his performances, and here he gets to play out the notion of the everyman, accidental hero as Grace. At the centre of his performance is a stripped-back honesty, and he doesn’t play the astronaut as a superhero; instead, he’s a man constantly on the edge of panic, masking fear with logic and humour. It’s a balancing act that works beautifully, giving the film both emotional grounding and a surprising sense of levity.

His comedic timing, dry, almost self-deprecating, cuts through the tension at just the right moments. But when the moments get heavy, he unleashes a huge barrage of emotion, and we see a man who, when the going gets tough, has to outthink the impossible situation around him, and it’s here where Project Hail Mary finds its gravitas.

Science as Spectacle

Where Project Hail Mary truly distinguishes itself is in how it treats science, not as background dressing, but as the main event.

This is a film that respects its audience. It doesn’t dumb things down; it invites you in. Molecular structures, astrophysics, and experimental theory become tools of survival, and watching Grace piece together solutions feels as thrilling as any action set piece.

It echoes the DNA of The Martian, but where that film felt grounded and earthy, Project Hail Mary is a far more meditative, thought-provoking, and existential in its delivery. The stakes aren’t just survival; they’re the continuation of life itself.

A Story That Expands Beyond One Man

Without delving into spoilers, the film doesn’t remain confined to a simple “man vs. space” narrative. It evolves. It surprises. And in doing so, it introduces elements that shift the emotional and philosophical weight of the story in unexpected ways. And that surprise comes in the form of Grace’s fellow space companion, Rocky.

A fellow ‘astronaut’ from a species known as the Eridians, Rocky, named by Grace after Rocky Balboa, becomes his consistent companion and friend, and in watching the two of them seeking a solution to an intersetellar problem, audiences are able to explore a far richer narrative: one of connection, cooperation, and what the true nature of friendship, and indeed humanity really means. And it’s in these moments that the Project Hail Mary reveals its soul, and audiences will feel every single moment.

Final Verdict: Hope, Lit by the Fire of the Cosmos

Project Hail Mary is smart, tense, and a deeply human piece of science fiction; it is a total experience, trusting its audience to think, feel and contemplate on our own place in the universe and what it means to be human. It’s another reminder that sometimes the most compelling heroes aren’t the loudest; they’re the ones quietly refusing to give up when the universe says they should, and that travelling at the speed of light is always a better experience when you’ve got someone to share it with.

Image: Sony Pictures

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A happily engaged couple is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails.

Kristoffer Borgli’s Descent Into Beautiful Chaos

Following the surreal bite of Dream Scenario, filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli pivots into something even more volatile. The Drama sees Borgli sharpening his voice with a kinetic, almost anxiety-inducing style that thrives on discomfort. His direction is jagged and unpredictable, constantly keeping the audience off balance as he digs deep into his characters’ emotional fractures.

What begins as a familiar romantic setup quickly mutates into something far more chaotic. Borgli doesn’t just explore conflict; he weaponises it. The result is a film that feels alive with tension, its tone shifting between biting satire and outright psychological unease in the blink of an eye.

One Confession, Total Collapse

At the centre of The Drama are Emma Harwood (Zendaya), a marketing executive at a literary agency, and Charlie Thompson (Pattinson), a museum curator. They’re weeks away from their wedding, caught up in the whirlwind of tastings, rehearsals, and celebrations that define the lead-up to the big day.

But everything fractures during a seemingly harmless game: a cheeky dare to reveal the worst thing they’ve ever done. What follows is a confession so explosive that it detonates the very foundation of their relationship. From that moment on, The Drama shifts gears entirely, plunging into a spiralling descent of mistrust, paranoia, and emotional volatility.

What’s most striking is just how early this revelation lands. Borgli wastes no time pulling the rug out, setting the stage for a narrative that becomes increasingly twisted, unpredictable, and, at times, uncomfortably raw.

Chemistry Turned Combustible

Zendaya and Pattinson are magnetic together, bringing an effortless chemistry that initially grounds the film in something recognisable and intimate. But as the narrative fractures, so too does their dynamic. What begins as warmth and connection quickly mutates into suspicion, resentment, and emotional warfare.

Rather than delivering a conventional romance, The Drama becomes a jagged exploration of truth, trust, and identity. It asks a deeply unsettling question: how well do we really know the person we love? Both actors rise to the challenge with fearless performances, embracing the film’s tonal swings and pushing their characters into increasingly volatile territory.

Tension, Paranoia, and Pitch-Black Comedy

What makes The Drama so compelling is its relentless escalation. Borgli continuously tightens the screws, layering moment upon moment of unease until the tension becomes almost unbearable. And just when it feels like things can’t possibly get worse, they do.

Yet amidst the anxiety and emotional carnage, there’s a razor-sharp comedic edge. The film thrives on its ability to pivot from intense psychological confrontation to wildly inappropriate, laugh-out-loud moments. It’s this balance of shock and humour that gives The Drama its unique bite, making it as entertaining as it is unsettling.

Unpredictability is the film’s greatest weapon. Every scene feels like it could tip in any direction, keeping audiences locked in a state of constant anticipation.

Final Verdict: A Twisted Love Story That Leaves a Mark

For those seeking safe, traditional storytelling, The Drama is not that film. Instead, it’s a bold, boundary-pushing experience that dives headfirst into the darker edges of intimacy and human connection. It’s messy, volatile, and at times deeply uncomfortable, but that’s exactly the point.

With its fearless performances, razor-sharp direction, and an unflinching commitment to its chaotic vision, The Drama stands as another striking entry in A24’s ever-evolving catalogue. It’s a film that lingers, gnaws, and provokes long after the credits roll.

Image: A24 Films

The post ‘The Drama’ – Wedding Vows Turn Venomous in A24’s Boldest Mind Game Yet – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

At its core, the film follows John Davidson, a Scottish man living with severe Tourette’s syndrome, tracing his life from a misunderstood kid in the 1980s through to adulthood and advocacy. The structure itself is fairly familiar – it moves through the expected milestones – but what kept me engaged was how the film resists turning John into either a hero or a spectacle. It never feels like it’s trying to simplify him for the audience.

Finding Humanity in the Unpredictable

What really stood out to me is the tone. It’s emotional, but it doesn’t feel manipulative. It’s funny in places too, sometimes uncomfortably so, but it never crosses the line into cruelty. I found myself laughing and then immediately questioning that reaction, which feels intentional. The film puts you inside John’s experience – not in a heavy-handed way, but in a way that makes you sit with the unpredictability of it.

Robert Aramayo Delivers a Career-Defining Performance

But more than anything, this film lives and dies on Robert Aramayo – and he absolutely delivers. His performance isn’t just good, it’s kind of staggering. There’s a physical precision to it that could easily have felt studied or performative, but instead it feels completely internalised, like it’s coming from somewhere instinctive rather than rehearsed. Every interruption, every moment of frustration, every flicker of humour – it all lands with a level of authenticity that’s hard to shake.

What really elevates it, though, is the emotional range he brings underneath that physicality. He never lets John become defined by the condition alone. There’s wit, anger, vulnerability, resilience – often all in the same scene. It’s the kind of performance where you stop thinking about the actor very quickly, which is probably the highest compliment you can give.

Familiar Beats, But Still Effective

That said, I did feel the film slip into some familiar patterns, especially in the middle. Certain scenes start to echo each other, and the emotional rhythm becomes a bit predictable. You can sense where the story is heading before it gets there, and at times I wished it pushed itself a bit further or took more risks structurally.

But at the same time, that simplicity is part of what makes it work. It’s not trying to reinvent anything. It’s just trying to tell this story clearly and with empathy. And when it lands, it really lands. Some of the most affecting moments aren’t the big dramatic ones – they’re the smaller, quieter interactions that feel painfully real. The kind of everyday situations that most people move through without thinking twice, but that carry a completely different weight here.

Where the Real Conflict Lies

What I found most compelling is where the film places its tension. It’s not really about Tourette’s itself. It’s about the reactions to it – the confusion, the discomfort, the assumptions people make. That’s where the story opens up into something broader without ever feeling like it’s lecturing you. It just lets those moments play out and trusts you to sit with them.

The tone walks a bit of a tightrope. It’s heartfelt and occasionally uplifting, but it’s also awkward and messy in a way that feels deliberate. It doesn’t smooth over the rough edges, which I appreciated. There’s a kind of honesty to that approach, even when the film leans into more conventional storytelling beats.

Final Verdict: Earnest, Grounded, and Genuinely Moving

In the end, I Swear isn’t trying to be groundbreaking, and I don’t think it needs to be. It won me over gradually – through the performance, through the smaller details, through the sense that it genuinely cares about the person at the centre of the story.

Image: Transmission Films

The post ‘I Swear’ – A Quietly Powerful Portrait That Earns Every Emotion – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

A woman answers a cryptic ad for a housekeeping job at a luxurious yet foreboding New York City high-rise. Upon arrival, she discovers residents have vanished without a trace for decades, fuelling whispers of a satanic cult lurking in the shadows.

Kirill Sokolov Unleashed

Making his Hollywood debut, Russian filmmaker Kirill Sokolov wastes no time announcing himself. Known for his blistering, no-holds-barred style, Sokolov injects They Will Kill You with an Eastern European ferocity that gleefully ignores genre boundaries. This isn’t just action-horror, it’s a full-throttle assault on convention.

The premise alone sets the tone: one furious woman versus a satanic cult embedded within New York City’s elite ruling class. But this isn’t your standard “eat the rich” narrative. Here, it’s about carving them up: violently, creatively, and in spectacular fashion. Sokolov leans into excess at every turn, delivering geysers of gore, bone-crunching combat, and a devilish sense of humour that makes the carnage as entertaining as it is shocking.

Zazie Beetz Brings the Fire

At the centre of the chaos is Zazie Beetz, who delivers a blistering performance as Asia Reaves. A former prisoner turned avenging force of nature, Asia is driven by one mission: rescue her sister from the clutches of a sinister cult housed within the ominous Virgil Building; an elite hotel that doubles as a literal gateway to hell.

Beetz is magnetic in the role, bringing grit, swagger, and raw intensity to every frame. She doesn’t just play an action hero, she becomes one. Whether she’s wielding improvised weapons or slicing through enemies with cold precision, Asia is a whirlwind of vengeance. There’s a devil-may-care attitude to her performance that perfectly matches the film’s manic energy, making her both thrilling and dangerously unpredictable.

Villains Worthy of the Inferno

Standing in Asia’s way is Patricia Arquette as Lilith Woodhouse, the sinister superintendent of the Virgil. Arquette sinks her teeth into the role with wicked delight, crafting a villain who is equal parts composed and utterly malevolent. She embodies the cold authority of someone determined to maintain the status quo, no matter how many bodies it takes.

Supporting turns from Heather Graham and Tom Felton add an extra layer of unhinged fun. As members of the Virgil’s inner circle, they lean fully into the film’s twisted tone, delivering performances that are both grotesque and darkly hilarious. Their presence amplifies the film’s offbeat energy, ensuring that even its most horrifying moments carry a sharp, satirical edge.

Violence Dialled to the Extreme

If there’s one thing They Will Kill You doesn’t lack, it’s action, and Sokolov ensures every sequence hits with maximum impact. The film is packed with brutal, inventive set pieces that blend visceral combat with outright insanity. Sword fights, improvised weaponry, and full-blown massacres unfold with a raw, almost punk-rock intensity.

The violence is big, bold, and unapologetically excessive. It’s messy, chaotic, and at times gleefully outrageous. But it’s also meticulously choreographed, giving the film a kinetic rhythm that keeps audiences locked in. Layered on top of this is a streak of devilish horror: grotesque imagery, nightmarish visuals, and a constant sense of dread that reminds you this isn’t just a fight for survival, but a battle against something far darker.

Final Verdict: An Unhinged Cinematic Riot

They Will Kill You is not a film that plays it safe, and that’s exactly its strength. It’s wild, uncontrollable, and completely committed to pushing every boundary it can find. Sokolov has crafted a film that revels in its own madness, delivering a savage, blood-drenched ride that feels both rebellious and exhilarating.

Image: Warner Brothers Pictures

The post ‘They Will Kill You’ – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Set against the rugged beauty of Taranaki, this deeply personal documentary follows a group of young women from Southern and Clifton Rugby Clubs as they battle through a demanding season. Directed by Taranaki-born filmmaker Lisa Burd (The Pinkies Are Back), the film is both a love letter to the sport and an intimate portrait of the women who are reshaping it.

More Than Just a Game

Burd’s strength as a filmmaker lies in her empathy, and it’s on full display here. Across a multi-year journey, she embeds herself in the lives of players Kate Thomson, Maddison Davison, Mereana Anderson, and Phoenix Fraser. What emerges is a rich, emotionally grounded story about resilience, identity, and the drive to carve out space in a traditionally male-dominated arena.

Through candid interviews and unguarded moments, these women speak openly about their ambitions, struggles, and the balancing act between rugby and everyday life. The inclusion of former Sevens star Michaela Blyde adds further depth, offering a glimpse into the pathway from grassroots beginnings to elite competition.

The result is a documentary that feels raw and authentic—never staged, never forced. Just real people, telling real stories.

Raw Passion and Community

While the film thrives on its emotional honesty, it never forgets the physicality of the game. The rugby on display is fierce, fast, and uncompromising. These athletes don’t hold back, and Burd captures every crunching tackle and break for the line with an immediacy that pulls you straight onto the field.

But beyond the hits and highlights, No Tears on the Field also shines a light on the vital role rugby plays in provincial communities. In towns like those in Taranaki, the local club is more than just a place to play; it’s a hub of connection, support, and shared identity. Win or lose, the sense of belonging is undeniable.

Final Verdict: A Film for Every Kiwi

At its core, No Tears on the Field is about the women who live and breathe the game. Yet its appeal stretches far beyond the rugby pitch. This is a story of determination, camaraderie, and the quiet power of chasing something you love.

With its big heart and unflinching honesty, Burd’s documentary stands as a stirring tribute to the Kiwi women and girls redefining the sport. It’s inspiring, emotional, and unmistakably local, a film that will leave audiences proud, pumped, and ready to grab a ball and run. Simply put, this is grassroots rugby at its most powerful, and its most human.

Image: MadMan Films

The post ‘No Tears on the Field’ – A Roaring Tribute to Heart, Grit, and Grassroots Glory – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.