Sputnik (2020)

The lone survivor of an enigmatic spaceship incident hasn’t returned home alone – hiding inside his body is a dangerous creature.

My thoughts: A little too slow. A little too long. The Russian retro vibe and creature FX are great, but the whole feels all too reminiscent of what has come before.

3/5

The Power (2021)

In 1974 a young nurse is forced to work the night shift in a crumbling hospital as striking miners switch off the power across Britain. Inside the walls, a terrifying presence lurks.

My thoughts: This atmospheric period horror makes the most of its spooky hospital setting, but the story offers few surprises.

3/5

Cocaine Bear (2023)

An oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists and teens converge on a Georgia forest where a huge black bear goes on a murderous rampage after unintentionally ingesting cocaine.

My thoughts: The over-the-top humor and the grisly horror work at cross purposes. The best thing about this movie is the title.

2.5/5

The Hunt (2020)

Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don’t know where they are, or how they got there. They don’t know they’ve been chosen – for a very specific purpose – The Hunt.

My thoughts: Sure, the satire could be more clever, but there’s no denying this movie is a hell of a lot of fun. And Betty Gilpin is magnificent.

4/5

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav are vampires struggling with the mundane aspects of modern life, like paying rent, keeping up with the chore wheel, trying to get into nightclubs, and overcoming flatmate conflicts

My thoughts: Sometimes the gags feel a little easy but, overall, there’s great fun to be had.

4/5