Thriller – Matthew Liedke on Film

REVIEW: ‘Leviticus’ is an intriguing, compelling horror entry

“Leviticus,” AKA that part of the bible referenced by President Jed Bartlet when verbally taking down a homophobic radio host in “The West Wing.”

It’s also a 2026 horror flick written and directed by Adrian Chiarella. Set in rural Australia, the movie centers on Naim (Joe Bird), who relocates to a small factory town with his mother (Mia Wasikowska) after the death of the family patriarch. There he meets and starts a relationship with another boy in town, Ryan (Stacy Clausen).

However, when their relationship is uncovered by the rather religious community, both are sent to meet with a priest known for conducting rituals as a sort of conversion therapy. The results are frightening, as both begin encountering a dangerous entity hell bent on destroying each of them.

REVIEW: ‘Backrooms’ boasts good premise, but stumbles in execution

I’ve heard some horror stories about the retail space, but this one might take the cake.

In “Backrooms,” a film inspired by online horror stories, Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Clark, a furniture store owner whose career as an architect was completely derailed. Clark is also coming off a difficult divorce, which he discusses regularly with his therapist, Dr. Mary Kline (Renate Reinsve).

His furniture business isn’t going well, either, as sales have dried up. His latest round of bad luck comes when the electricity at his store starts going haywire. While looking into the issue, though, he discovers a doorway to a sprawling, labyrinth-like alternate realm. He soon becomes obsessed with the space, to the concern of those around him.

REVIEW: ‘Is God Is’ is pretty God damn good

What’s better than a roaring rampage of revenge? A roaring rampage of revenge with a two protagonists.

That’s what audiences can expect in “Is God Is.” The film is an adaptation of a play by the same name, penned by Aleshea Harris, who makes her feature film debut as the writer and director of the movie. The picture follows a pair of twins, Racine ( Kara Young) and Anaia (Mallori Johnson) who are on a mission.

As children, they were forced to witness their mother, Ruby, be burned in a murder attempt by their abusive father, known only as The Monster (Sterling K. Brown). They themselves were burned, too, and the Monster got off free in court. Because of her injuries, Ruby was unable to raise her kids, but now on her death bed, she asks her two daughters to get revenge.

REVIEW: ‘Obsession’ wastes interesting ‘Monkey’s Paw’ concept

I honestly wish I had just played “Yandere Simulator” for two hours instead.

For those unaware, yanderes are characters appearing in Japanese anime and manga who have a major obsession with their love interest, usually to a violent point. That sort of character is represented in Nikki over the course of “Obsession,” where she’s played by Inde Navarrette. However, the film centers on Baron “Bear” Bailey (Michael Johnston).

Bear has long been wanting to ask Nikki, his coworker at a music store, out on a date, but hasn’t worked up the courage. He finds a solution, though, in a small trinket that says it can grant any wish. He wishes for Nikki to fall completely in love with him, and expects it to do nothing. However, it works better than Bear could have imagined.

REVIEW: ‘Deep Water’ is a serviceable survival drama

Sharks. The Animal Kingdom’s gift to cinema that just keeps giving.

The latest film to feature the sharp-toothed creatures is “Deep Water,” which stars Golden Globe nominee Aaron Eckhart as Ben, the first officer of a flight going from Los Angeles to Shanghai. He is joined in the cockpit by the captain, Rich, played by Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley.

While it’s a long flight, everything seems routine. That is until a device in the bag of one of the passengers causes a fire, leading to an explosion, resulting in a crash landing in the ocean. The plane breaks apart in the process, leaving survivors clinging to wreckage. As the crew works to help passengers, they learn the waters they’re in is full of sharks.

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REVIEW: ‘The Bride’ is an abomination

First “Lisa Frankenstein,” and now this. Yeesh.

Written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, “The Bride” is a retelling of “Bride of Frankenstein.” However, rather than take place in the 1800s, this one is set in 1936 Chicago. The movie centers on Ida (Jessie Buckley), a young woman who is killed one night at a mob bar after she’s suddenly possessed by the spirit of Mary Shelley.

Meanwhile, Frankenstein (Christian Bale), the monster who took the name of his creator, has become exhausted from a century of loneliness and wants a significant other. With the help of a Chicago-based scientist, Dr. Euphronious (Annette Bening), they resurrect Ida, creating a wife for the monster. Their ensuing escapades result in havoc and chaos.

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REVIEW: Though fun, ‘Psycho Killer’ plays premise too straightforward

Slasher meets police procedural? Sure, why not.

That’s what’s offered up in “Psycho Killer,” where the film’s protagonist, Jane (Georgina Campbell), is hunting a murderer who’s slaying across the country. The latest in his rampage took the life of Jane’s husband and fellow Kansas state trooper. Vowing to bring him to justice, Jane launches a national endeavor of her own, trailing the suspect.

As she tracks down the man, known only as the Satanic Slasher for the symbols he leaves behind, the killer manages to find new victims. With a major deadly event planned by the killer to finalize his effort, the pressure is on Jane to stop him.

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REVIEW: Sam Raimi’s ‘Send Help’ is a zany good survival flick

If you thought Rachel McAdams was intense as Regina George, just wait until you see her in survival mode.

That’s the gear she shifts into in this film by director Sam Raimi, where she plays financial strategist Linda. While she’s a bit awkward in the office, she’s also a hard worker who’s an expert with the corporation’s fiscal data. Because of her knowledge, she’s expecting a big promotion.

However, the business’ new, crass CEO Bradley (Dylan O’Brien) chooses to promote his college buddy instead, though he does offer Linda an opportunity to move up in the company on a work trip. On the way there, their plane crashes with Bradley and Linda as the only survivors. Fortunately, Linda is also well versed in staying alive in rough situations.

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REVIEW: Gimme ‘Shelter’ at a matinee price and I’m good

Tell me, what’s a Beekeeper want with being a wickie?

I ask that question because Jason Statham, star of the 2024 action flick “The Beekeeper,” plays a man living in and upkeeping a lighthouse. However, the lighthouse, situated on an island off the coast of Scotland, isn’t actually active. The reason he’s there is because he wants to be completely off the grid at an undisclosed location.

Michael Mason is a former elite black operations soldier, and his only connection to the world is a commercial sailor and his niece who deliver supplies. However, after a tragic incident, the sailor is killed and in helping the girl, Mason is spotted by the government that now wants him eliminated to cover their tracks.

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REVIEW: After strong start, ‘The Secret Agent’ is largely unspectacular

Stories of political strife and resistance to authoritarianism often translate to good cinema, and “The Secret Agent” certainly does some things right. Unfortunately, this movie also feels insufficient in many areas.

Set in 1977 during the time of dictatorship by the military in Brazil, “The Secret Agent” centers on Armando, a former professor-turned refugee who goes by the alias Marcelo to avoid detection. Played by Wagner Moura, Armando is under threat both because of his refugee status, and due to someone having a vendetta against him.

The film follows how he tries to blend in by getting a job at a registration office, which brings him into a circle with a corrupt police chief, while he also attempts to reconnect with his son and plan an escape.

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