Let Me In: Warm Leftovers
Let Me In is an arousing remake that makes a cautionary tale more streamlined, romantic, and cathartic, three things it probably never intended to be.
Horror
Exorcist II: The Heretic – Horror as Anti-Horror
Despite its meandering awkwardness, one of the most hated horror films of all time features a compelling creative vision and the visuals of an epic.
Why Army of the Dead Should Not Be the Oscars Fan Favorite
Army of the Dead’s ruthless devotion to plagiarization is its most passionate aspect. Less effort was never spent on a film so casually praised.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022): Glossy Legacy
The new Texas Chainsaw Massacre film is exactly what you would expect from rebooting this dirty series into the glossed-up legacy sequel model.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) – Schlock and Awe
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake is far more willing to recreate its original than to understand it. The result is vile. And not in a good way.
Saint Maud: Timid Prophet
Saint Maud is a confident debut from a promising filmmaker, but its self-imposed genre tropes become limitations that hold it back from greatness.
The White Reindeer: A Myth of Innocence
The White Reindeer is equal parts history, horror, and fairytale – a myth of innocence, in a landscape of snow and terror.
Midsommar: The Director’s Cut – Empowerment Horror
Ari Aster’s Midsommar shows the dark side of empowerment, which is its main success. That so many consider it a self-help film is its main curiosity.
Alien: The Love of Sex Monsters
The horror in Alien is as disquietingly personal as any sci-fi epic ever made. This is the genre’s ultimate masterclass in turning style into story.
Sleepy Hollow: High Homage
Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow is an underappreciated throwback horror gem. Chilly, cheesy, and sometimes completely beautiful.
The Happening: Hitchcockian Plodder
The Happening was supposed to be Shyamalan’s take on Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The only thing that got snatched was more of his own appeal.
The Insignificance of Language in It (2017)
It is a movie with no individual voice and, appropriately enough, it treats language as an impediment to be renounced.