BUZZKILL (2026)

 

Directed By: Jem Garrard

Written By: Suzanne Kelly 

Editor: David Trevail

Cast: Siena Agudong, Brec Bassinger, Kealaboga Masango, Aliyahs Interlude, Angela Daytona Wu, Frances Sholto-Douglas, Aleesa Maria-Dione, Dean Goldblum.

Follows a group of sorority sisters who end up trapped with a murderer. Nora’s tipsy memories hold the clues to figuring out who is killing their friends, but she can only remember them when she’s drunk.

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This film is more of a comedy with horror elements. Kind of what some critics and audiences are accusing the latest RESIDENT EVIL movie of being I have a differing opinion. I feel like that’s more of a horror film with comedic elements.

As this film has more sense of humor about itself, it realizes that so it can play up more of the clichés well-being, just as guilty with them. Especially as a slasher film.

This is a to be original movie and one of the better ones as it is directed by one of their veterans Jem Garrard whose previous film TAKE OUT I enjoyed even though that phone was more of a thriller. This is a very glossy audience, pleasing film. As usual, this film was made in South Africa Africa look to make like any random American city or town

Mostly in one location, the film is fun though what really makes the film shine is a lead performance by actress Siena Agudong, who truly makes you feel for her dilemma is hilarious in the right spot and even as a screwup makes you really care about her character and believe in her through it all

The only truly gruesome parts of the film are the kill/death, which are pretty brutal and while they go along with the movie are a little bit quite shocking considering how light the film usually is up to that point.

The film has tried to put twist on the stereotypical nature of the characters while preserving them in that mode so while you feel sorry for some characters death, you don’t really feel too much out of just not wanting to see another human being die because we are never left to really get to know the characters that much. 

This is a film that is obviously made more for fun and enjoyment rather than having too much depth so this is definitely a film where you have to take it as it is

Now, if you’re looking for a cute little mysterious no-brainer movie that stays entertaining throughout, I would say this is the Film for you

Grade: C+

HAG (2024)

Written & Directed By: Sam Wineman 

Cinematography: Trevor A. Brown 

Editor: David Trevail 

Cast: Ryan De Villiers, Jane De Wet, Matthew Vey, Anja Taljaard, Adore Delano, Darron Meyer, Frances Sholto-Douglas, Magna Ngaiza 

After a decade apart, Rowan rents his spare room to Mag – a self-proclaimed “hag”- whose obsession with him grows into a life-or-death showdown.

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Now with the title like this, it could’ve easily been a tale of a witch which in her own way, the main character is, but it’s also an out of date politically incorrect term for usually a friend, a female friend or a female, who is obsessed with gay men which this film ends up being about as a kind of updated version of SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, only with a cisgender Caucasian female obsessed with a gay white man and Moore trying to be their ultimate partner, not necessarily their identity

Which is strange as it seems like her character tends to take over identities and those are her victims but here it’s a bit different as she generally seems to want to be a part of this man’s life, but wants no one else in there. So you start to wonder what is the ultimate plan that she has at least in this instance especially as it’s modern and everyone seems to have a cell phone it would be so easy to expose her even if she chooses to keep changing her identity I know I know too much thinking going on watching this film, but that show shows you how less of a distraction this film was.

In the film definitely has its audience as it has a cis gendered straight white woman as a villain. 

Have to say that it leaves the audience  disappointed by this movie. as it’s not as Campy or much fun as expected. It’s a little out there, but it also feels like it plays it safe kind of like a risqué lifetime thriller that is desperately trying to be hip and isn’t working. There is nonteal exploitation to try and make it titilating.

As the directing lacks the flair of what could’ve been especially when you have a willing cast and a script that goes but so far but seems to stop short, quite a few times when it could keep going in an building

The film is ultimately OK as long as you don’t take it too seriously

This is also another to be original that is filmed in South Africa in Maine to look like Los Angeles. It does a possible enough job, except for when you see the actor’s real names it kind of gives it away as an overseas production.

This is the first disappointing, modern Tubi channel original thriller/horror film. can say it’s uninspired, but was looking for it to be a little more wild and exciting.

Grade: C-