Film reviews

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

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Writer and director Rian Johnson is back with another Knives Out and this one may be the best of them all. The clues, the people, the egos, and the matters all make these mystery thrillers so fanciful and wonderful. Especially with Daniel Craig reprising his role as Benoit Blanc bringing out the laid-back detective mannerisms. At the same time, he also projects the personality focused on solving the case and putting the pieces together one-by-one. The whole film is an exciting ride of questions filled with humor and fun set in a church this time around. The wrongdoings have a lot to do with faith and fate—but also involvement of the community comes into the question as well. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery involves a pattern of realizations created to blindside audiences with clever writing. Johnson is a genius.

Benoit Blanc meets Rev. Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a promising young priest. There is also Martha Dealcroix (Glenn Close), a lady employed by the church. The main head of the church is Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), who is at the top of the congregation. The film highlights a church family seen from various strange angles. Then a murder occurs and Blanc steps in. The others involved are Dr. Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), Vera Draven (a lawyer played by Kerry Washington), Lee Ross (a book author played by Andrew Scott), as well as Simone Vivane (a disabled former client played by Cailee Spaeny). Jud is trying to keep the peace while getting the case solved but not point fingers. At the same time, his words of wisdom are at stake.

The curious moving parts explore faith and other theories in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. The puzzling concept is that it all comes down to who has the most loyalty or jealousy. At the same time hierarchy plays a role and Jud wants to maintain his place in the hierarchy. Benoit must help him find the missing pieces to determine who, why, where, and what has caused a death involving the church. There are loads of curiosities and crazy dynamics. The puzzling factors in this popular franchise make audiences spin with joy while also being surprised by the many unexpected treasures in the stories. Johnson knows how to fill his mysteries with syrupy entertainment while also ensuring time passes quickly while audiences enjoy them. 

Since this film takes place in a religious setting, it opens many theories which have to do with commitment to a church. These theories give the roles of Brolin and Close purpose as they hold seniority in the church but also have fishy elements in their characterizations. Johnson keeps audiences wondering who is responsible for the harsh crime in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.

The levels of ego exhibited by those characters who feel entitled grabbed my attention during this film. In addition to the pastor who is trying to remain truthful to his faith, there is the detective trying to solve the crime. It takes two to tango while dealing with the ugly elements of surprise in this story. This movie is amasterpiece in which the game keeps spinning as the characterskeep playing the blame game. Be prepared for heads to roll. Four out of four stars for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.

Film reviews

Eternity Review

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There is a unique approach to life after death in Eternity. In this film, permanence exists in all forms and the world after one life is lost finds a place of purpose. The idea of happiness forever is where the debacle in this film’s narrative becomes exhilarating. The title carries meaning as the story explores themes of empathy, acceptance and reconciliation. It is just a matter of how people choose to move on. Written and directed by David Freyne, who co-wrote the film with writer and producer Patrick Cunnane. Together they bring the world a one-of-a-kind portrait of individuals who are looking for life in the universe after their passing. 

The main characters are Larry, Joan, and Luke. Larry is played by Miles Teller, Joan is played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Luke is played by Callum Turner. The setting is an afterlife setup where humans that have passed are given seven days to figure out where to spend their “eternity.” Joan is in the middle between Larry and Luke, because she was in love with Luke at one point and then Larry afterwards. One died before she fell in love with the other. Now that they are all in the place of life after death, all three are faced with tough decisions.

The film is vibrant with creativity. David Freyne creates a world that looks like a heavenly setting with resources and transportation. There are timetables with arrivals of new souls and lounge areas. A portrait is created of the happiness experienced after humans pass away. Eternity elicits empathy that is spellbinding. Considering the typical world where scenarios cannot be reversed, finding love in a new universe is mesmerizing.

As the film moves forward, there are scenes involving places in which Joan, Larry and Luke revisit the moments of their lives. This leads to some sadness when looking back causes meaningful revelations. Eternity paints a portrait of how to have a loving heart with those we feel connected to. Even when there are various resentments, there are still moments to forever cherish. The story has a carefully woven narrative that demonstrates the power of courage.

There is a realization in the storyline regarding the value of moderation. To provide context, the world of the afterlife has a setting where people can walk through and revisit past frames of their life. It is set up like an exhibit. The usher in the ticket booth reminds them that it may not be healthy to frequently revisit the exhibit because it may be triggering. Despite the sad setup, there minder to revisit the past in moderation holds value in Eternity. It combines with messages of well-being and healthy communication between all parties involved. Once people are there forever, they are not going back.

Eternity is compelling. The film’s writing has a form of clarity which prompts sympathy and understanding. I experienced deepappreciation while watching this wonderful and inspiring movie. The message is powerful …love is cherished forever. Four out of four stars for Eternity.

Film reviews

Rental Family Review

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From the mind of director Hikari comes a mesmerizing and diverse portrait where some unique connections are found in her latest film, Rental Family. The purpose here focuses on a character in a struggling career who decides to take a different path—one that requires having a heart. Brendan Fraser delivers one of the best performances of 2025, and ultimately one of the best of his career. Rental Family is a film that blends diversity and human connection to form parallel values of context that come out of hiding. 

Fraser plays Philip Vanderploeg, an actor for commercials, who finds himself not doing so great. His gigs are in Tokyo. His new opportunity is to take a job with an agency titled “rental family.” The purpose of it is to fill in roles for strangers. For example, if one is missing a father, one fulfills that role in the family. That is the role that Philip ends up filling. He does so for a young girl named Mia, played by Shannon Gorman. Moving forward, Philip tries to fill the father role, and as hard as it is, he finds himself in the stage of his life where the position becomes rewarding and meaningful in this role of a “stranger.”

Rental Family is mind-boggling in its ability to create curiosity for its audiences to wonder what it would be like to have someone stand in for a role in a family. It leads to many questions. What dynamics would it twist? What conversations would it confuse? How would the moving parts feel? A lot of those questions come and go in the film’s writing, but at the same time, empathy weaves throughout with a sense of style in Rental Family. The Tokyo setting brings in a lot of value and culture through the eyes of Philip and Mia amid the narrative.

A lot of thoughts revolving around the idea of a fake family come to mind when watching Rental Family. The subject of routine came around a lot for me, because the agency finds itself in hurdles with others outside of Philip’s life doing this process as well. It proves that not everyone has it right and that having a family that’s “rented” does not easily find common ground. It is, however, a door for connection and new beginnings to evolve.

There is the motion of a weaving narrative that is enchanting, while also questionable. However, Fraser is the savior of the film. He plays the one that works to have a heart, while also dealing with the realities of life in Tokyo. Being in a father role that he had not planned for is not easy, but his heart grows. The film will inspire, as Rental Family is unique, diverse, and brilliant. Also, it was quite amazing. I love how there is a side of being included while also trying to deal with a strange, newreality. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Rental Family.

Treating cinema in many forms of art!