Tag: Thriller

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Movie Review

Mr. Monk’s Last Case (2023) Movie Review

Mr. Monk’s Last Case – Movie Review

Mr. Monk's Last Case revives the beloved detective as he solves his stepdaughter's fiancée's murder amidst personal challenges and pandemic struggles.

First Reaction – Mr. Monk’s Last Case is an enjoyable return of the great detective.

Watch Mr. Monk’s Last Case on Netflix now.

Director: Randy Zak

Writer: Andy Breckman (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Monk, a brilliant detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder, returns to solve one last case involving his stepdaughter Molly who’s a journalist preparing for her wedding.

Runtime: 1 Hour 37 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Mr. Monk’s Last Case starts as Adrian (Shalhoub) prepares for Molly’s (McGee) wedding. However, Covid hit, and he has sent him back into a series of problems again. Meanwhile, Natalie (Howard) and Randy (Gray-Stanford) return for the wedding and he isn’t happy they left him.

However, the day before Molly’s wedding, her fiancée Griffin (Scott) dies in a bungee jump accident. Adrian must solve the case and investigate the death, which has a connection to the richest man in the world, Rick Eden (Purefoy). He must solve the case to honour Trudy’s (Hardin) daughter’s wish.

Verdict on Mr. Monk’s Last Case

Recap

The movie brings the beloved detective back for another case. This time, his stepdaughter needs his help to solve the murder of her fiancée. However, the pandemic has sent him back to his former ways, and he must overcome his problems to solve the case.

Best Parts

It is delightful to see the old gang return, learning what has happened in their lives. The case focuses on Molly losing a loved one, in a similar manner as Adrian lost Trudy, giving him motivation to return to solving crimes.

Worst Parts

Some of the attempted comedy misses, and we get one of my biggest frustrations in stories, using COVID as a plot point. It struggles to give us much of a suspect pool, and leans more to finding the proof before time runs out.

Final Thoughts –Mr. Monk’s Last Case is a welcome return to our favourite detective.

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Movie Review

Bad Influence (2025) Movie Review

Bad Influence – Movie Review

Bad Influence is a typical romantic thriller featuring a pampered girl and an orphan uncovering secrets while battling a stalker.

First Reaction – Bad Influence is the by-the-book streamy thriller.

Watch Bad Influence on Netflix now.

Director: Chloe Wallace

Writer: Chloe Wallace, Diana Muro (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Alberto Olmo
  • Elea Rochera
  • Enrique Arce
  • Mirela Balic
  • Sara Arino

Plot: An orphan boy and a pampered rich-kid girl are trying to uncover secrets of the past to save their romance and their skin.

Runtime: 1 Hour 46 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Bad Influence starts when a pampered rich girl, Reese (Rochera) becomes the target of a stalker. Her family are concerned and turns to an orphaned boy, Eros (Olmo), to become an undercover bodyguard for her.

She is reluctant to begin with, but an unlikely friendship and romance start between them. It leads to more problems, and the stalker remains a big part of their lives.

Verdict on Bad Influence

Recap

The movie follows a troubled teenager who has become the target of a dangerous stalker. Her family looks to protect her and recruit a troubled orphan to protect her in places they can’t. However, they become closer than expected, leading to a romance and risking their friendship.

Best Parts

This does use the clash of worlds well, we get the pampered over protected girl who meets someone who has fought for everything. It shows people can find more in life once they see the other side. The performances are good throughout the movie too.

Worst Parts

This does show the different lives nicely. However, the problem is that is doesn’t do enough to focus on the stalker side of the story. Elsewhere, the dramatic difference is too generic between the two sides. It also doesn’t feel new and is a formula we have plenty of times before.

Final Thoughts –Bad Influence is a by-the-book romantic thriller.

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Movie Review

Conspiracy of Fear (2025) Movie Review

Conspiracy of Fear – Movie Review

Conspiracy of Fear is a disconnected slow thriller about a journalist challenging a corrupt leader in a post-apocalyptic world.

First Reaction – Conspiracy of Fear feels very disconnected between the stories.

Where to Watch

Conspiracy of Fear (VOD Release 5/13/25)

Director: Kayla Tabish

Writer: Kayla Tabish (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: In a dystopian future, a third world war unleashes an electromagnetic pulse that obliterates digital technology. Amid the chaos, a terrifying virus transforms people into “hybrids,” hunted mercilessly by both the state and shadowy corporations. A fearless journalist dares to challenge a ruthless pharmaceutical giant intent on exploiting public fear to enforce a life-altering drug.

Runtime: 1 Hour 27 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Conspiracy of Fear starts when we enter a world where technology has been eliminated. The trich have come together to save the world and the residents have been infected by a virus, creating hybrids. Evo (McDowell) plans on releasing the latest drug supplement to cure the world.

Fearless journalist Alice (Tabish) dares to challenge his research, leading to her getting into more trouble than expect. Elsewhere, Avery (Heaney) tracks down a missing teenager who has crossed a dangerous man.

Verdict on Conspiracy of Fear

Recap

The movie follows a fearless journalist trying to expose a corrupt leader. He wants to release a controlling drug, and she wants to prove the danger it has on society.

Best Parts

The world created is interesting, a post-apocalyptic non-technology world. It isn’t complete doom and gloom, more returned to an older fashioned way.

Worst Parts

The movie struggles to feel like there is any urgency behind the events. It can feel like a few stories are going on, but they always feel disconnected leaving it feeling flat for the most part.

Final Thoughts –Conspiracy of Fear is a slow thriller that lacks a connected feeling.

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Movie Review

Birdeater (2023) Movie Review

Birdeater – Movie Review

Birdeater is a chaotic film about a bachelor party exposing secrets, testing relationships, and highlighting dysfunctional friendships amidst tensions.

First Reaction – Birdeater is all tensions and shouting.

Where to Watch

Birdeater is in cinemas 9 May and on digital platforms 26 May from Blue Finch Film Releasing.

Director: Jack Clark, Jim Weir

Writer: Jack Clark, Jim Weir (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Mackenzie Fearnley (Operation Buffalo)
  • Shabana Azeez (Run Rabbit Run)
  • Ben Hunter
  • Jack Bannister
  • Clementine Anderson

Plot: A bride-to-be is invited to her fiancé’s bachelor party, but when uncomfortable details of their relationship are exposed, the night takes a feral turn.

Runtime: 1 Hour 53 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Birdeater starts when Louie (Fearnley) invites his fiancée Irene (Azeez) to his bachelor party. His friends Dylan (Hunter), Charlie (Bannister), Murph (Gledhill), Sam (Wilson) and Grace (Anderson) join the celebrations. After a few drinks are poured, uncomfortable details from their pasts come to life.

The night continues to expose secrets from the friends’ lives, causing an unexpected series of consequences. As the friends are tested, they must decide whether to regroup together or go their separate ways.

Verdict on Birdeater

Recap

The movie follows Louie inviting his fiancée to his bachelor party. However, things spiral out of control as the past comes to light. It tests people feelings and leaves them wondering if they want to move forward with their lives together.

Best Parts

The idea of a party away from the world and secrets coming out is interesting. We know how bachelor parties can spiral out of control.

Worst Parts

The might be the most dysfunctional group of friends I have ever seen, none of them feel like they have ever spent time with each other. It falls into the biggest extremes of drinks and drugs getting out of control, rather than anything feeling connected. The performances are not that strong is it mostly just yelling at each other.

Final Thoughts –Birdeater is a lot of yelling without much happening around it.

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Movie Review

Lanier (2023) Movie Review

Lanier – Movie Review

Lanier offers an intriguing mystery diminished by early revelations, showcasing a family's chilling experience at Lake Lanier's haunted past.

First Reaction – Lanier has a nice mystery, but gives away too much too early.

Where to Watch

On digital 5 May from Reel 2 Reel Films.

Director: William Eric Anderson, Cindy Estenfanie Kunz-Anderson

Writer: William Eric Anderson, Cindy Estenfanie Kunz-Anderson (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: A detective is forced to come to a realization of the dark truths hidden at the bottom of Lake Lanier.

Runtime: 1 Hour 13 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Lanier starts when James (Ashitgo) wins a competition to take his family, Jane (Lee) and daughter Kayla (Fuller) to Lake Lanier. They have been selected with other families while Daniel Wilson (Collins) hosts them with his family.

However, the history behind the lake comes to life and James must protect his family. Elsewhere, Daniel battles for control of his demons and the spirits of the lake search for more victims.

Verdict on Lanier

Recap

The movie follows a family who wins a prize for a weekend at a lake house holiday. However, they learn of a bigger secret happening in the area that causes bigger problems for the family and the people behind it.

Best Parts

There is a real-life mystery around the lake, which has a lot of historical tragedy. It keeps you wanting to know if there is more or not behind everything that is going on. The movie doesn’t hide any twists, giving us a clear message about what is planned throughout the vacation.

Worst Parts

The weaknesses come from having suspenseful moments that don’t work because we have already been told what is happening. It loses the mystery of who is behind the mask, only to use the who is behind the mask suspense concept. This doesn’t click, and we know there will be more to the showdown but nothing beforehand.

Final Thoughts –Lanier struggles to maintain the suspense.

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Movie Review

Earth and Blood (2020) Movie Review

Earth and Blood – Movie Review

"Earth and Blood is a fast-paced thriller about a sawmill owner facing danger after discovering hidden cocaine, jeopardizing his family's future."

First Reaction – Earth and Blood is an easy to watch thriller.

Watch Earth and Blood on Netflix.

ABC Film Challenge – World Cinema – E

Director: Julien Leclercq

Writer: Julien Leclercq, Jeremie Guez (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Saïd owns a sawmill deep in the woods, which he decides to sell. Little does he know that one of his apprentices was cornered by his brother and forced to hide a large amount of cocaine inside the factory.

Runtime: 1 Hour 20 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Earth and Blood starts when Said (Bouajila) faces an uncertain future and decides to sell his sawmill. He has a buyer and plans to leave his family something to have their future. However, one of his apprentices has been hiding cocaine in the factory.

When the drug lord Adama (Ebouaney) arrives to collect his product, Said must fight back and protect his loved ones, his sawmill and his daughter’s future.

Verdict on Earth and Blood

Recap

The movie follows a sawmill owner whose plans to sell turn into a nightmare. One of his employees has been hiding drugs on the mill and now the dealer has arrived to get back his product.

Best Parts

The tight runtime keeps the story contained and keeps the action fast-paced. It fills the gap of doing anything to protect one’s property and doing anything protecting loved ones. If you want a late-night thriller, this fits the market perfectly.

Worst Parts

While the runtime gives the movie a fast flow, it comes at the expensive of making the characters getting enough to make them standout.

Final Thoughts –Earth and Blood is a nice fast-paced thriller.

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Movie Review

Finding Nicole (2025) Movie Review

Finding Nicole – Movie Review

Finding Nicole is a gripping thriller about a woman's relentless struggle against domestic abuse, highlighting the importance of listening to victims' stories.

First Reaction – Finding Nicole is a tense disturbing thriller.

Where to Watch

The movie will be available to rent or own on all North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms, as well as on DVD, starting May 6, 2025.

Director: Harley Wallen

Writer: Nicole Beverly, Geoffrey D Calhoun, Harley Wallen (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Based on the true-life story of Nicole Beverly as seen on “Inside Evil with Chris Cuomo,” “Til Death Do Us Part,” and the top-selling book with the same title. Nicole and her children survive and overcome domestic violence.

Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Finding Nicole starts when Nicole (Wallen) meets Warren (G) in high school, leading to a romance in their adult life. It seems like things are going smoothly through the early years. However, Warren begins showing a darker side, which Nicole puts up with to begin with.

However, his darker side leads to abuse, assault and worse. Nicole wants protection and faces countless problems in her attempt to keep herself and her children safe. However, Warren gets off charges and stalks them, forcing her to find a new solution.

Verdict on Finding Nicole

Recap

The movie follows a woman who suffered decades of abuse from her partner. She tries to escape his control, but nobody will protect her family from his aggressive, abusive behaviour. It follows the incidents which forced her to look over her shoulder and a court case that doesn’t want to listen to the stories.

Best Parts

The movie does an excellent job of showing the difficulties a victim of abuse goes through. It shows how he has friends in high places who could help him, and it shows how helpless and voiceless the victim is. There is an important message about listening to the victims and understanding their stories, even if you are connected to the accused. This doesn’t back away from a sensitive subject and proves things need to change in the future. The movie continues to show Harley Wallen bringing to life subjects that other people would shy away from.

Final Thoughts –Finding Nicole is an excellent, disturbing and impactful story.

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Movie Review

Break (2019) Movie Review

Break – Movie Review

Discover the suspense and excitement of Break - a movie about five friends trapped in a gondola lift. Watch the thrilling fight for survival on Tubi.

First Reaction – Break has some suspense and a great contained environment.

Watch Break on Tubi.

ABC Film Challenge – World Cinema – B

Director: Tigran Sahakyan

Writer: Denis Kosyakov, Alexandr Nazarov, Olga Rud, Tigran Sahakyan (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Irina Antonenko (Taken from Rio Bravo)
  • Andrey Nazimov (Invasion)
  • Denis Kosyakov
  • Ingrid Olerinskaya
  • Mikhail Filippov

Plot: Five young adults, who want to celebrate New Years Eve on top of a mountain, one of them drops out, they get stuck in a gondola lift. What started out as an adventurous party, soon becomes a fight for survival.

Runtime: 1 Hour 25 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Break starts when five friends look to celebrate New Year’s Eve on a mountaintop. Katya (Antonenko), Denis (Kosyakov), Vika (Olerinskaya) and Roman (Filippov) take a gondola lift to the top. However, it breaks down leaving them stranded between two mountains.

The four try to make the most of the night but when morning comes and they are still trapped, they search for solutions. However, it starts to bring out the worst in them and they must battle against themselves.

Verdict on Break

Recap

The movie follows four friends who take a gondola lift to a New Year’s Eve party, only for it to get stuck between the mountains. They wait for rescue but when nothing comes, they start turning on each other.

Best Parts

This creates a good, contained environment for the movie. The conditions make things worse, and we are left wondering what they could do to escape.

Worst Parts

This movie does make some strange decisions, mostly regarding how quickly the friendship falls apart. It doesn’t make any sense why they turn on each other so quickly or how we end up going the direction we do. It is also strange that nobody checks on the equipment daily.

Final Thoughts –Break has a great idea but not enough suspense.

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Movie Review

Steel Sharks (1997) Movie Review

Steel Sharks – Movie Review

"Steel Sharks" is a late-night thriller about Navy Seals rescuing a captured chemist from terrorists aboard an enemy submarine.

First Reaction – Steel Sharks is a nice late night thriller.

Director: Rodney McDonald

Writer: Rodney McDonald, William C Martell (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: In this undersea thriller, a United States chemist is captured by terrorists. But a rescue attempt by an elite group of Navy Seals goes wrong when they are captured. Now they must wage a silent war beneath the waves.

Runtime: 1 Hour 34 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Steel Sharks starts when Commander Bill McKay (Busey) and Admiral Jim Perry (Williams) plan a rescue mission. Their team of navy seals must get behind enemy lines to rescue a scientist from terrorists. The fear is his information could start a new war and the seals must use their skills to complete the mission.

When the team gets captured, they must navigate the enemy submarine to escape. However, they are stranded underwater and their own country plans for the worst. It becomes a race against time to save the day and escape.

Verdict on Steel Sharks

Recap

The movie follows a team of Navy Seals who go on a rescue mission. They get captured on an enemy submarine and must use their skills to escape and rescue the hostage.

Best Parts

This tense thriller uses the tight submarine to show the problems the seals must overcome. For the runtime it does everything you need a late-night thriller to do.

Worst Parts

The weaknesses come from the bigger names that are only ordering the mission. While the actors in the seal roles are good, they lack the star power Gary Busey and Billy Dee Williams present.

Final Thoughts –Steel Sharks is a simple late-night thriller.