Film Review

A collection of 685 posts

Kane Parsons

First impressions of Backrooms

Add this to the list of A24 films that are high on concept but low on substance.

The Sheep Detectives

First impressions of The Sheep Detectives

The Sheep Detectives, like Paddington — and like Babe, that masterpiece by which all talking-animal movies are measured — delights me, makes me laugh, and meaningfully moves me to the edge of tears.

Blue Heron

First impressions of Blue Heron

Busy week! So Overstreet's first impressions of Blue Heron are served up as a video instead of text.

Alfonso Cuarón

Children of Men (2006)

This review was originally published on Christmas Day 2006 at Christianity Today. It is reprinted here with permission.

The Christophers

First impressions of The Christophers

With The Christophers, Steven Soderbergh delivers one of his finest films, Ed Solomon achieves a personal best, and Ian McKellen is more magnificent than ever. But that's not all!

Ryan Gosling

First Impressions of Project Hail Mary

In which Overstreet finally gets around to sharing his take on the year's biggest sci-fi hit so far.

Film Review

First impressions of Hamlet (2026)

Thoughts on the latest feature film version of Shakespeare's masterpiece — the significance of all it erases, the intrigue of its timely revisions.

The Drama

First Impressions of The Drama

These are first impressions of the disruptive new romantic comedy from the director of Dream Scenario.

Film Review

Kate Hudson earns that nomination: first impressions of Song Sung Blue

This is a story that deserved a decent movie, and it got one. It might’ve become by-the-numbers melodrama, but cut through my cynicism and made me believe.

Tricia Cooke

Wish I hadn’t: first (and last) impressions of Honey Don’t!

I wish I’d trusted the reviews I got from friends and favorite critics who saw Honey Don’t! in the theater. Or maybe I just should’ve trusted the title’s imperative.

Pierre Creton

7 Walks with Mark Brown: a brilliant way to start a new year of movies

[Streaming on Hoopla.] Today, I listened to a podcast in which Father James Martin talks about how to begin 2026 with a “spiritual reset.” Then, I went home and watched 7 Walks with Mark Brown. And I experienced a spiritual reset.

Ryan Coogler

First (and second) impressions of Sinners

Sinners is a film of two halves: daytime and nighttime. The first half is colorful, epic, and full of surprises; the second is shadowy, violent . . . and disappointing.

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

First impressions of Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

In a year that hasn't been particularly exciting for animation, Little Amélie is a memorable standout.

Knives Out

Wake Up Dead Man — a review in progress

Rian Johnson's third film in the Knives Out series is not only my favorite of the series — it's one of the most provocative films about Christian faith I've seen in many years.

Film Review

Train Dreams (2025)

Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar (Sing Sing) collaborate on another enthralling film about men seeking meaning in hard times.

You Can Count On Me

You can still count on Lonergan

A few notes on revisiting You Can Count on Me as we approach its 25th anniversary.

Film Review

First impressions of If I Had Legs I'd Kick You

Rose Byrne lives up to the demands of her most intense role in Mary Bronstein’s exasperating, exhausting anxiety attack of a movie.

Film Review

First impressions of Anemone

It is often the case in Anemone that we see in profile the head of our grizzled, tormented, mysterious subject, a recluse named Ray Stoker, and his remarkably large ear is at the center of the frame. This is a meaningful and, I suspect, deliberate choice on the part of

Film Review

First impressions of A Big Bold Beautiful Journey

I approached the new Kogonada film with trepidation. I've learned to trust his artistry, but this trailer set off all kinds of alarms. Should you see it? Here's my recommendation.

Chad Hartigan

First impressions of The Threesome

Chad Hartigan's fourth feature finds him once again dodging genre conventions and finding something singular, as he plants intriguing characters in messy situations and chooses grace over ruin.

Boys Go to Jupiter

First impressions of Boys Go to Jupiter

In recent years, the highlights for me have been lower-budget, higher-creativity movies. Here's another one—a weird, hilarious, unpredictable musical running on a deep current of sadness.

Netflix

It's not too late: Ava DuVernay's 13th is shock treatment for America's conscience

From the Looking Closer Archives: Here's my original review of Ava Duvernay's astonishing Netflix documentary, which I originally wrote for Christianity Today.

Seth Worley

First impressions of Sketch

One of 2025's brightest surprises, bound to become a new family favorite, Seth Worley's film understands the dangers of suppressing imaginations, even those that disturb us.

Alex Garland

In 2003, 28 Days Later revitalized a genre, cautioned us about viruses and rage, and divided Christian film critics

From the archives at Looking Closer, here's my original review of 28 Days Later, along with reactions from critics I quoted in my Film Forum column at that time.

Eva Victor

First impressions of Sorry, Baby

In this free post, I urge everyone to call up a friend and make plans to see Sorry, Baby, while it's still in theaters. If it's too late, rent and stream it. It's one of 2025's best.