In Review
Welcome to In Review! Check out the latest reviews across film, TV, theatre and so much more…
Film Review - Pillion
Pillion bizarrely retrofits Adam Mars-Jones tragicomic novella Box Hill within the structure of a rom-com, defanging the complex sexual politics of the original text in favour of a highly marketable premise.
Film Review - Crime 101
Overall, Crime 101 is a welcome surprise, and a must watch for fans of thoughtful, entertaining and intelligent crime-thrillers.
Film Review - “Wuthering Heights”
With all of the nuance of the story removed, all we are left with is a toxic romance between two hot Australian actors. It’s Bridgerton with world-class cinematography and a funky soundtrack by Charli XCX.
Film Review - Is This Thing On?
Is This Thing On? ultimately finds its strength in the emotional nuance of its central relationship, anchored by convincing performances from Arnett and Dern.
Film Review - 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is game-changing and glorious, making for the first great movie of 2026.
Film Review - Hamnet
Most apparently, Hamnet is a showcase for some incredibly committed performances.
Film Review - The Golden Spurtle
With its community-focused theme and beautiful village visuals, The Golden Spurtle documentary makes this legacy proud.
Film Review - Urchin
Urchin isn’t concerned with a film-like “happy” conclusion to its character’s problems; it lets you marinate in the idea that things might not actually get better - and that was refreshing.
Film Review - Sentimental Value
Ultimately, Sentimental Value tells a familiar story, but the humanity of its characters and use of form in telling its story means it transcends the tropes and cliches of both films about filmmaking and family melodramas.
Film Review - The History of Sound
The History of Sound ultimately succeeds as an elegy for bonds never granted room to flourish, and its quiet power lingers long after the frame cuts to black.
Film Review - Christmas Karma
Christmas Karma certainly isn’t boring, but not in the way you would want it to be.
British Film Fest 2025 Review - The Choral
If you’re into lighthearted WWI films, chorals, the beauty of Yorkshire, and Ralph Fiennes’s captivating performance then The Choral is the film for you.
Film Review - The Strangers: Chapter 2
If you’re absolutely craving a modern slasher, wait to stream it with friends, popcorn, and maybe a beer or two, but just don’t expect too much in the way of carnage or catharsis.
Film Review - The Roses
They say all is fair in love and war. But what happens when love is war? It’s Benedict Cumberbatch versus Olivia Colman in dark comedy The Roses.
MIFF 2025 Film Review - The End
Musicals and apocalyptic fiction don’t make for particularly common genre pairings, but in his debut fiction work, aptly titled The End (2024), Joshua Oppenheimer fuses the two to Frankensteinian effect.
Film Review - 28 Years Later
28 Years Later clearly wants to put brains back on the menu, even if it stumbles along the way.
Film Review - Clown in a Cornfield
Clornfield knows exactly what it is and isn't self conscious about it, playing out like an R-rated episode of Scooby Doo, complete with some lean and mean kills […]
Film Review - Tall Tales
Tall Tales might not be as grandiose as its title would suggest, but the real scale lies in its ambition.
Film Review - NT Live: Dr. Strangelove
Amarndo Iannacci and Sean Foley’s theatre adaptation of Dr. Strangelove is a fun but somewhat lacklustre spectacle.
Film Review - Warfare
Warfare does an incredible job of fulfilling what its creators set out to do: to present the SEALS in as authentic a way as possible, and simulate a real life combat scenario.