DRAMA MYSTERY-THRILLER. “Send Help.” / “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle.” / “To Kill a Wolf.” / “Buckskin.” / “A Perfect Enemy.” / “Thoroughbreds.”

“Send Help” (2026, Hulu) survival horror thriller, directed by Sam Raimi. An employee and her boss become stranded on a desert island after a plane crash and attempt to survive while tension rises between them.


       Rotten Tomatoes gave this movie a 92 percent (of 295 reviews) positive rating. “A viciously clever script.” Hmmm. And adds: "Putting director Sam Raimi's penchant for diabolical mayhem to great use.” Sure, Mr Raimi has proven his effectiveness through the years but not with this one. 

       Aside from Rachel McAdams’ all-out zeal and unapologetic focus, I am not really moved by this movie. And I never liked Dylan O'Brien, anyway. 🎥💻📽


“The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” (2025, Hulu) psychological thriller. Reinterpretation of the 1992 original with a dark twist. A stressed attorney and mother hires a seemingly perfect nanny, only to discover they share a twisted, tragic history. 


       If you have seen Rebecca De Mornay in the previous movie, nothing would be remotely interesting in this new one. However, the two versions follow two different plotlines, other than there's a mother and there's a nanny.

Then, Annabella Sciorra and Ms De Mornay. In 2025, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Maika Monroe.

       It is difficult though to tell who had a better nanny performance: Rebecca or Maika. Both are exemplary. 🎥💻📽


“To Kill a Wolf” (2024, Fawesome) mystery drama. A moody, modern-day reimagining of the classic “Little Red Riding Hood” fairy tale. 


       I must say this little movie is intriguing. The treatment is far from stereotypical and the acting is not so bad, I mean, Maddison Brown and Ivan Martin.

       As writer/director, Kelsey Taylor is indeed imaginatively resourceful in the minimalist vein. I haven’t seen her other movies though. 🎥💻📽


“Buckskin” (2021, Filmrise) independent Western film. A Texan fur trapper navigates mysterious woods to save a lost boy while confronting demons from his past. 



       “Buckskin” is a fine film, actually. Craftily made, given its micro-budget of $20,000. Writer/director Brett Bentman focused on a minimalist sound design and crisp editing to deliver an engaging watch. 🎥💻📽


“A Perfect Enemy” (2020, Plex) Spanish-German-French (English language) psychological thriller about a famed architect whose airport encounter with a talkative stranger turns dark. Based on Amélie Nothomb's novel “The Enemy's Cosmetique.”



       This engaging psycho-thriller works, most of the way, regardless that the end game is pretty much transparent as we cross the second half. Trapped in an airport's waiting lounge with an annoyingly talkative (or wacko) stranger is a fine plot-point, especially that the pesky individual is the watchable imp Athena Strates as Texel Textor (a weird name as well). 

       A genre cliche but still an enjoyable ride. Kike Maillo's direction managed to keep the excitement minimal but the intrigue, high. 🎥💻📽


“Thoroughbreds” (2017, Amazon Prime) black comedy thriller. High school student Lily and her emotionless friend Amanda scheme to kill Lily's stepfather via a contract with a drug dealer. Stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke. 



       As expected of today's so-called critics, they praise this movie. Example: "Thoroughbreds juggles genres with panache, delivering a well-written and refreshingly unpredictable entry in the teen thriller genre." Really. 

       This uninventive predictability would be nothing but a dull and drained psycho-thriller cliche (sic) if not for the unfailing allure of Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke. Both though deserve a more interesting script other than this tired template. 🎥💻📽


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