Christian Cusson

(Non-Spoiler Review) This religiously placed horror stars Nicole Kidman, a mother devoted to god whose children are photosensitive and must stay away from any windows. As the family settles into a new home during the WWII era, things start moving around, and sometimes breaking. While it’s alarming as is, Grace (Nicole Kidman) denies any forms of the fearful presence. She does so until it’s pushed to tenfold, for eventually at certain parts, sounds are heard from almost every angle. What is it, and what does it all mean? As the plot thickens, Grace tries to keep in mind her kids’ claims of speaking to a spirit. As well, the home’s staff trust the children's beliefs, but why is that?.. The Others will throw you for a loop, and make your mind think of many sorts of things and possibilities of what the ending could be. Ultimately, the resolution was eerie, bittersweet, and definitely one for the books to remember. I rate this film a 7/10.

(Non-Spoiler Review) This is such a good meta and fun high-school slasher that I almost don’t know where to start. I will by stating that the film really does build off of another good film, that being “Freaky Friday”. Freaky though, is a thrilling take on that original idea, for this time around our protagonist (Millie) switches bodies with this slasher’s killer. She only has one day to find the stolen body and switch them both back, and if she can't manage that, then they’ll be stuck in the wrong bodies forever. This film doesn’t hold back on the gore or scares whatsoever, which I’m honestly surprised at. While I (And most other horror film viewers) like to see a fair amount of gore, I will say that this film specifically could've used a bit less of it. There wasn’t too much necessarily, I just feel as if there would be a warmer charm/ aura that came with this movie if they had toned it down. Besides that, this film was actually great! I loved the story, both the horror and comedic aspects of it. I especially want to point out the amazing final fight scene that perfectly envelops the lesson of the film. It was both meaningful and well coordinated. I rate this film a 7/10.

(Non-Spoiler Review) Have you ever seen Groundhog Day? Did it freak you out, or make you feel off the entire film? Well this film pushes that to forefront, being a slasher about Tree (The main character), reliving her birthday over and over again, constantly being killed by an unknown individual. She has to figure out (With the help of others) who this masked assailant is, and how to stop them before she runs out of chances. This is a spunky and fun slasher that perfectly places a horror-like scenario in a college environment. It felt real and personable, while also being a joyous ride of thrill. It does hold out on some potential bloody moments, but I think that adds to the film’s charm, and the fact that she doesn’t necessarily die each night, she just restarts each day. Speaking of the main character, the actress (Jessica Rothe) does a phenomenal job at bringing the character to life. I don’t think any other actress could’ve pulled it off. Overall, this film is fun, scary, odd, and quite memorable. A classic to be in my opinion. I rate this film a 7.5/10.

(Non-Spoiler Review) Apocalyptic survival type films are usually never done right, and this film isn’t any different. What first seems to be a simple but effective type of horror turns into oddity and wretchedness that is nonsensical. A family that’s already falling apart (Due to their emotionally and physically abusive father) is trapped in their bathroom after a storm, and slowly but surely it all descends into terror and madness. While that itself sounds “okay” and at least “follows the basic formula”, the film quickly takes a weird turn, bringing out a case of witchery and seances which, as anyone would’ve guessed, is just genuinely unintelligent. They were telling two incomplete stories at once, in which neither were concluded correctly or at all plausible. To continue, this story as well has no climax, no turning point of the main passage (Or passages) at hand. It’s a flatline film, filled with random ticks and horror to keep people watching this blur of cinema. I will point out however that at certain points, this film was emotionally powerful, but those miniscule moments don't save this inconsistent film. I rate this film a 4.5/10

(Non-Spoiler Review) If you loved Happy Death Day and Back to the Future, boy do I have the movie for you. This quirky film was such a fun and thrilling watch that I’m already considering watching again later today. It’s spunky, silly, freaky, and doesn’t take itself too seriously in all the best ways. A masked assailant, deemed the “Sweet 16 Killer” chases our main character and unintentionally sends her back in time to 1987. Upon arrival, Jaime (The protagonist) ponders and questions that if she is able to stop the killer, would it revert all the crimes and murders the attacker committed? You’ll see little nods to the time of the 80’s, and it’s fun to see how a teenager from 2023 would react to the actions and words spoken in 1987. The comedy and horror of it is well balanced, and the climax is quite brazen with a prominent twist perfectly enveloping what this film sought out to be. I will point out however, that the opening scene of this film does seem a bit rushed. Not bad, just rushed- If they beefed that out a bit (Let’s say with an extra five minutes or so), it would’ve made it all the better. Besides that, I would genuinely say that this is a great film. Blumhouse strikes again with an entertaining and scary film to watch with a group of people, and has that rewatch value. Totally Killer is definitely a notable comedy/ slasher film, and it even throws in a sci-fi subgenre! What more could you ask for? I give this film a 7.5/10.

(Non-Spoiler Review) I went into this film knowing nothing (Without watching the trailer), and was happily surprised by how good this heart-racing sci-fi horror was. Brynn (The main character) is mourning the recent death of her mother, but is making the effort to try and recover. While this occurs, in the opening scene, her town oddly shuns, alienates, and harasses her (Which is reminiscent of the film’s story of being an invasion film). That, along with the fact that little words were spoken in the entire runtime makes this story feel so lonely and isolating. The silence left room for facial acting and viewer interpretation of many things said and done. I underwent so many emotional shifts from Kaitlyn Dever’s (Brynn) acting that I felt as if I was being dragged through this deep-seeded story of mental improvement , moving on, and readjustment. It scatters the true meaning of the film in pieces throughout the perplexing horror, ending with something truly unexpected. The structure and pace in this film constantly shifts and is ultimately quite different from other horror films. Overall, I enjoyed, sympathized with, and admired this different take on sci-fi horror. I rate this film 7/10.

(Non-Spoiler Review) The illustrious prequel to the film X pays homage to many classic films and their stereotypes. It’s more on the psychological and glamorous side of things than its successor. The main character is needed to aid her sick father while her putrid mother harasses her and dampens her dreams. This (In my eyes) is a darkened take on the Wizard of Oz. A small girl has big dreams, but things and people hold her back. In this version however, something dark brews in that small girl’s head in spite of the events. While the acting and writing are both better in Pearl than it is in X, I don’t think it holds up compared to the latter. This film is barely horror and is more confusing than psychological. The final monologue spoken holds no claim to this watered down story. We haven't a clue of what she was aiming to get out of it and who she was directly talking to. Overall, I think this film should be stripped of the horror title, and instead put into a historical drama type category. It was plain, simple, and at times perplexingly boring. I rate this film a 5/10.

(Non-Spoiler Review) There are very few television shows in which I call great, and unsurprisingly, this ended up being one of them. I had expectations for it, which were easily matched and surpassed with an enticing story that I enjoyed all the way through. Nothing felt filler, everything done and said felt purposeful to the immense story it was telling. It was a continuation of the animated show Star Wars Rebels, but as well giving us a new rejuvenating tale on Ahsoka’s present placement in the galaxy and beyond. As well, the acting is of course incredible, especially that of Ivanna Sakhno (The lady who plays Shin Hati). Her facial movements in the finale episode told so much, it told her character’s entire being and story, and she didn’t even utter a single word- That’s acting. In the end, after trial, I physically couldn’t find a “bad” moment in Ahsoka, for this is (In my opinion) what a Star Wars show is meant to look like. I will point out though that the first episode felt more pompous than its finale. Now that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just something to think about. Anyways, this show was so thematically and cinematically indulging, that I felt as if I was within the world itself. I give this show a 7/10.

(Non-Spoiler Review) Stephen King writing a PG-13 horror movie was not in my bingo card for 2023. This wild nail-biting movie will keep you tense and eagerly waiting for what will happen next. Despite its PG-13 rating, King delivers on his naturally masterful art of writing horror. It reinvents the old boogeyman story, and pushes it to ten fold. It centers around a father and two daughters, whose mother recently passed away. Sadie (The main character) goes through grief while her and her little sister start hearing and eventually seeing a terrifying being that haunts from the shadows. I would like to point out the incredible acting done by Vivien Lyra Blair, who plays Sawyer in this film. For someone as young as she is, her acting was pompous and powerful. I believed and felt even action performed and every word said by her. The film starts off strong and eerie with a freakish opening scene that truly stuns. It does slow down at parts, and contains some dull and useless characters that I’m surprised King didn’t kill off. But despite that, this film picks itself back up in the final act and has a truly destructive yet mesmerizing conclusion. This is a great film to watch in the dark, but it’ll give you a reason to never sit in thy dark again. I give this film a 6.5/10.

(Spoiler Review) Coming from someone that hasn't seen much analog or found footage type of horror, this film was a pleasant surprise and treat. It shows so little, yet tells so much. It’s such a dark tale enveloped as little clips not always cohesive, but that's what makes it great. This film purposely keeps its message loose for the reasoning of having your own personal opinions and beliefs of the tale to be added in. It radiates a tale of abuse, abandonment, hospitalization, falling to your mind, and so forth. These two toddlers are left alone at their home, with seemingly no escape. Is this in reality, a dream, in the head? It’s all subjective and hypothetical, keeping you and your brain at the edge of your seat. This was an experimental film, as stated by the director. While it wasn’t perfect, I will state that the risks taken in the filming of Skinamarink paid off and produced a wonderful terror to watch at night alone or with others. I’ll give this film a 7/10.