Alison Locke wrote and directed this picture about a Mother, portrayed by Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad, Sully), still dealing with the traumatic loss of her daughter, twenty years after her disappearance. She’s preparing to be the “host” for the family Christmas dinner with the help of her neighbor, played by Janeane Garofalo (Wet Hot American Summer, Mystery Men), when she’s interrupted by a familiar face, Linus Roache (Batman Begins, Vikings).

To go more into detail would throw us into spoiler territory. By the way, it’s super freaking cool seeing Garofalo in a movie like this. She was one of my biggest crushes growing up (d’aw!) and has always been great in everything. Someone cast her and Sandra Bullock as sisters in a movie, please!

The film is shot and directed appropriately using dialogue scenes as it’s core strength. Great dialogue. So if you don’t like the talky talk, you might not wanna watchy watch. Prepare for a slow burn first act leading up to a more kinetic second. Totally worth it though. Additionally, I loved the sound design on this one!

Overall, I’d give this flick a solid “B” all around. It’s a good change of pace for what Shudder has been putting out. Now I can watch Scare Package 2: Rad Chad’s Revenge next week as my guilty pleasure.

The Apology hit Shudder and digital on December 16, just in time for Christmas, and features a 91-minute runtime.

The Apology Trailer

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It was obvious from the jump that the promotional materials, poster reveal and trailers were done very close to the vest in their efforts to keep us guessing what Nope was actually about. I will say that those on Reddit were, well…completely wrong, as was I.

I mean, at the core of this film, which stars the likes of Keke Palmer (Alice, Lightyear) and Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Black Panther), as a brother and sister team of Hollywood horse wranglers, is a love-letter to filmmakers, but most notably the crew behind the scenes.

If you’re in the business, or just a hobbyist, you will find that there is a care given to recognize the work and talent of people that might never get anything other than a small credit in a rolling scroll once the audience has left the theater. Nope focuses on these people, highlights their abilities and you celebrate the victories and you mourn the failures with them. Shout out to that crew member wearing a “Northern Exposure” hat. I see you.

I’m not going to get into too much detail, because if I was, it would heavily spoil the experience, of which this is exactly that. A blockbuster spectacle. Nope kept me guessing, kept me laughing and really intrigued me in the direction it went. For the average movie fan, you will love it or hate it, depending on how it hits you, but if you’re a critic or filmmaker, you will go in trying to analyze the picture. I will say that this film managed to make me forget about any analyzation while I was watching it and literally “sucked me into” the story.

Some great practical and digital fx (with this type of film, its unavoidable) and left enough on the table with questions that will offer up arguments and conversations for years to come with exactly what the subliminal meanings and undertones meant. A supporting cast that you fall in love with (nobody is annoying or meant to be) with my highlight being Michael Wincott (Along Came a Spider, Ghost in the Shell) with his gravel-like voice playing a seasoned cinematographer with one of the best moments in the entire film, *cue slow singing.*

Overall, I would have to say this is on par with Peele’s previous projects, if not raised a bit higher in its “mass appeal”. Nope might be my favorite of the three from a pure popcorn enjoyment factor. Tonal wise, less horror and more science fiction/comedy? If I had to pick two films it reminded me of in many ways, I’d say “Signs” meets “Jaws” and I loved every damn minute of it.

Before the spoilers get out, go see Nope for yourself. It’s totally worth it.

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I’m not going to speak too much on it, as not to give away certain plot points, but Derrickson hits it out of the park with the ever-evolving sense of dread and terror. Everything has its place, and every place has its method in the film. If you appreciated his film Sinister (2012) you will no doubt love this feature even more.

The original story was written by Bangor, Maine’s own Joe Hill and from interviews I have read, Derrickson includes every detail of that story and evolves it. The time period, music, wardrobe screamed the 70s without it being shoved down our throats. Not too little. Not too much. Just the right amount.

It goes without saying Ethan Hawke (Moon Knight, Training Day) is great in his role as “The Grabber” and so was Mason Thames (For All Mankind) as “Finney” but holy shit, the performance by Madeleine McGraw (American Sniper, Outcast) as “Gwen” absolutely blew me away. This young girl can act! One scene in particular chilled my bones. “My dreams are just dreams!” Wow. Powerful stuff.

I highly recommend this film, it’s the right amount of a horror and thriller combined without being over the top. Very interesting and original premise with some great (but not forced) jump scares.

The Black Phone was directed by Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange, Sinister) with a screenplay by Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill (Doctor Strange, Sinister) based on the short story by Joe Hill. The film was released into theaters on June 24, 2022.

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