RUSSELL

I went in expecting a subversive Beauty and the Beast set against the backdrop of New York’s theater scene, but it ended up feeling more like Monsters, Inc.! Your Monster is mostly a lighthearted romcom about getting over a breakup and trying to move on, with a fantasy twist thrown in—a charming monster played by Tommy Dewey, who absolutely nails it. The monster makeup is fantastic, and his scenes are easily the best part of the film. What’s interesting is that his monstrous appearance isn’t really the focus. Once Laura gets used to him, it’s not even a factor—he just fills the role of the “perfect guy/rebound.” The main issue, though, is with Laura herself. Her character is so indecisive and prone to bad choices that it’s hard to root for her. Melissa Barrera plays the role well, but it’s tough to really like her or get behind her journey. Still, the film redeems itself with a surprisingly fun musical finale, complete with a little bloodshed for good measure. It took me a while to get on board with the movie and shake off my initial skepticism, but in the end, I have to admit—I enjoyed it more than I expected. Your Monster is an entertaining watch, likely to resonate most with a female audience.

A surprisingly well-crafted ghost story that stands out thanks to its focused direction and sharp cinematography—something you don’t always get in this genre. One of the film's best qualities is that it doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares. Instead, it builds tension with an unsettling atmosphere, where just someone standing in the background or suddenly appearing is enough to send chills down your spine. This approach was definitely my cup of tea. However, I had some issues with the storytelling. It focuses on two separate characters connected by a certain bond (no spoilers here), and while both storylines share common elements, they often feel like two different short films. I found the first part, centered on Andrea, much more engaging. It handled modern technology in a natural way (text messages filling the screen, realistic Googling, etc.), and Ester Expósito’s subtle performance kept it compelling. The second part, though, dragged a bit with a few unnecessary detours. Thankfully, it redeems itself with a strong, intense finale. If I had my way, I’d trim down some of the elevated horror elements and ramp up the tension and scares even more. The evil force at play is interesting, but not groundbreaking—it has some It Follows vibes—but it serves the story well enough. El llanto definitely rises above most films in the genre, but I couldn’t fully connect with it, leaving me feeling slightly let down. I’ll give it a second watch down the line because I suspect I might be underrating it, and I’d love to clear that up.

Frankie Freako completely drops the ball on what should have been its standout feature: the puppets. Don’t go in expecting Jim Henson-level magic here. Frankie himself is stiff and unremarkable, and his sidekicks are even more forgettable. Boink, with his repetitive and mind-numbing catchphrase "shabadoo," is probably the worst offender. The fact that the funniest character is Mr. Buechler (played by Adam Brooks) with his ongoing gag about shredding company documents—who then disappears after the first third of the film—says it all. It’s a harmless bit of nonsense, but unfortunately, not a very funny one. I expected more from this team.