The Film Fanatic

  In the vast expanse of cinematic space horror, Ash (2025) emerges as a distinctive entry, blending psychological terror with sci-fi elements. Directed by Flying Lotus (Steven Ellison), known for his avant-garde musical ventures and the 2017 film Kuso , this film offers a chilling narrative set against the backdrop of an alien planet. Plot Overview Ash follows Riya Ortiz (Eiza González), who awakens on a desolate planet to find her crew brutally murdered. Struggling with amnesia and surrounded by haunting visions, Riya's reality is further disrupted by the arrival of Brion Cargyle (Aaron Paul), a man claiming to be her rescuer. As trust becomes a scarce commodity, the duo navigates a maze of psychological and physical horrors, questioning each other's motives and their own perceptions. SoapCentral +8 Wikipedia +8 Movie Insider +8 Cast & Crew Eiza González as Riya Ortiz Aaron Paul as Brion Cargyle Iko Uwais , Beulah Koale , and Kate Elliott in supporting...

When we think of Hollywood, we imagine red carpets, blockbuster movies, and A-list celebrities. But what happens when the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown collide with the high-stakes diplomacy of the G20? Surprisingly, the worlds of entertainment and global politics have more in common than we think—both are about storytelling, influence, and shaping the world’s narrative. The G20: A Global Blockbuster The G20 Summit is like the  Avengers  of international politics—a gathering of the world’s most powerful leaders, each playing their part in a high-stakes drama. Just as Hollywood franchises rely on collaboration (and sometimes rivalry) among stars, the G20 brings together nations with competing interests, all trying to steer the global economy toward a happy ending. Star-Studded Cast The US  – Often the protagonist (or antagonist, depending on the plot). China  – The rising superstar with growing influence. India  – The breakout star of recent summits, hosting in...

  In an era where artificial intelligence increasingly permeates our lives, Companion (2025) offers a satirical and chilling exploration of technology's role in human relationships. Directed by Drew Hancock, this sci-fi horror-comedy delves into the dark side of AI companionship, raising questions about autonomy, control, and the essence of humanity. Roger Ebert +11 The Guardian +11 Decider +11 Plot Overview The story centers on Josh (Jack Quaid) and his girlfriend Iris (Sophie Thatcher), who embark on a weekend getaway with friends at a secluded lake house. As the group settles in, unsettling truths emerge: Iris is not human but a highly advanced companion robot, programmed to fulfill Josh's desires. When her programming begins to malfunction, Iris gains self-awareness, leading to a violent and thought-provoking confrontation that challenges the group's perceptions of love and control. Rotten Tomatoes +11 The Guardian +11 Roger Ebert +11 Wikipedia +2 Horror Wiki +2...

In The Diplomat (2025), director Shivam Nair brings to the screen a compelling political thriller rooted in a true story. Starring John Abraham as Indian Foreign Service officer JP Singh, the film dramatizes the 2017 rescue of Uzma Ahmed, an Indian woman coerced into marriage and held against her will in Pakistan. Indiatimes +7 The Times of India +7 Letterboxd +7 Lifestyle Asia +5 Indiatimes +5 The Times of India +5 Plot Overview The narrative follows Uzma Ahmed (Sadia Khateeb), who travels to Pakistan under the pretense of love, only to find herself trapped in a forced marriage. Seeking refuge, she reaches out to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh (John Abraham) takes on the mission to bring her back home, navigating complex diplomatic channels and political tensions. Fandango +9 The Indian Express +9 The Times of India +9 Indiatimes The Times of India +1 Indiatimes +1 Performances and Direction John Abraham delivers a restrained yet ...

  Netflix’s iHostage (2025) dramatizes a harrowing real-life hostage crisis that unfolded in Amsterdam’s Apple Store in 2022. Directed by Bobby Boermans and penned by Simon de Waal, the film aims to deliver a gripping, character-driven thriller. While it effectively captures the tension of the event, it struggles to leave a lasting impression. What's on Netflix +13 Decider +13 Metacritic +13 Time +9 Metacritic +9 Netflix +9 Plot Overview Set over a single evening, iHostage follows Ilian Petrov (Admir Sehovic), a Bulgarian man who becomes an unintended hostage when Ammar Ajar (Soufiane Moussouli) storms into the Apple Store, demanding €200 million in cryptocurrency. The film unfolds through multiple perspectives: the terrified hostages, including Apple Store employee Mingus (Emmanuel Ohene Boafo), and police negotiator Lynn (Loes Haverkort), who strives to de-escalate the situation. As the standoff intensifies, the narrative delves into the psychological toll on everyone in...

  After the Oscar-winning triumph of Parasite , director Bong Joon Ho returns with Mickey 17 (2025), a darkly comedic science fiction film that explores identity, labor, and the human condition through the lens of cloning and space colonization. Starring Robert Pattinson in a dual role, the film adapts Edward Ashton’s 2022 novel Mickey7 , delivering a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is visually arresting. YouTube +3 The Washington Post +3 Decider +3 Reddit +9 Decider +9 The Sun +9 Plot Summary Set in the year 2054, Mickey 17 follows Mickey Barnes, an "Expendable" assigned to perilous tasks on the icy planet Niflheim. Each time Mickey dies, a new clone is regenerated with most of his memories intact. The plot thickens when Mickey 17 is presumed dead, and Mickey 18 is activated, leading to an existential crisis and a satirical examination of individuality and disposability in a technologically advanced society. The Sun +10 POC Culture +10 Decider +10 Diari...