Tag Archives: Focus Features

Beyond Chicago 2026, Capsule Reviews, Film reviews

Obsession-Beyond Chicago 2026-Movies with Tarek

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Bizarre and one-of-a-kind—Obsession makes one wonder if a relationship may need some restructuring or a makeover. It presents a unique approach with many comedic vibes which also have the intentions of being creepy or eerie. The film executes it with spellbinding direction. Obsession is one of the most creative and crazy flicks I have seen this year. The concept of relationship struggles is a subject that has always made me curious. Questions spiraled through my mind with a lot of who, why, and where. Those three W’s felt like a melody throughout this wild ride. Written and directed by Curry Barker, he creates a wish concept with nightmares that unravel in kooky ways.  

The film’s main character is Bear, and he is played by Michael Johnston. He seeks relief from his loneliness and attempts to break it by making a wish under a secret strategy called, “One Wish Willow.” Once he does that his wishes do come true, but in a way he was not anticipating. He meets Nikki, plated by Inde Navarrette. She has a cute and caring vibe, but the sinister side rumbles underneath it all.

Nikki starts out as a girl that is quiet and reserved. As socializing between Bear and Nikki moves forward, it becomes a bit of a nightmare for Bear. Nikki becomes more aggressive with her voice. There are also elements of dishonesty. She does everything to get attention. The direction of Barker looping in addictive personality adds a surreal light that is a treat of overwhelming suspense.

Can Bear handle Nikki? That question came up in my mind repeatedly with Obsession. Especially when there is a lovely lady like Nikki banging her head for attention. The bipolar sides of Obsession are unmistakable. There is a component of a tragedy that works hard to feel the reality of love under the circumstances. Obsession knows how to make wishes become a true nightmare. It does so in a fanciful light.

There are many ways to describe this movie. I am going to say that it is melancholy with a stirring pot to make its audience laugh and be shocked with the recipe of a wish going wrong.  It is utterly brilliant in portraying this concept. Bear wants to feel like there is someone to love him, and he gets it. He cannot get away from the dangerous Nikki. There is a lot to say about Obsession, as it takes the audience on a trip of non-stop ups and downs. It is mesmerizing though. A most vivid portrait of comedy and terror. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

 

Film reviews

Hamnet Review

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This is a powerful, transformative movie about the world of Shakespeare. Political themes play out in a medieval era filled with dynamics of power, love, and loss all performed on a stage. This is Hamnet, a thought-provoking portrait of challenges and turmoil in situations that should be black and white. The conflict between good and evil leads to connections and brilliance on a stage. As one who loves theatricals, my mind was blown away by two things during this film. First, the chemistry between the main characters. Second, the effective portrayal of powerful emotions. Hamnet is well-written and demonstrates the humanistic value of sadness and grief.

The film’s love story takes place in the 16th century. The lovers names are Agnes and Will who are played by Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. In a time in which villages have restrictions, love is what matters in the eyes of the main characters. This film is a tale about the journey they are on as parents. It explores the moments they have with their living children as well as the ones they have lost. This portion of the film involves an emotional narrative and is spot-on with the way it utilizes the Shakespearean context to effectively fan the fire. My heart was pounding intensely as the various conflicts played themselves out. 

Agnes is the character telling the story so much of the focus tends to be on her. However, Will has many significant points as well during an era in which he is trying to create a play based on his life and what he has loved and lost. At the same time, he wants to bring his creation to fruition for audiences. The world is hoping for magic to happen on the stage in Hamnet. Many of the disagreements in the film end up being rewarding scenes. Will has been raised in a household where he is frowned upon, and Agnes has been raised without a mother. The hardship in Hamnet is shown through the power of love and sacrifice. Writer and director Chloe Zhao paints this picture quite thoroughly and extremely well.

As the persistence of family and love contain diverse challenges for Agnes and Will, the times they’re living in also present several additional issues. Will’s dynamics continue to impact him, and all he knows how to do is utilize his hardship in his craft as a playwright. The difficult losses Agnes and Will face add meaning to their story. In their life, they are meant to experience happy moments even when things go awry. At the same time, they can pick each other up. Their persistence dazzles in a mesmerizing pattern. Buckley and Mescal burn up the screen. Their performances tell a story that unfolds with many revelations. The film is like a play that has transitions that allow audiences to take a moment and step back. When those moments occur, the deep feelings of acceptance and love shine through. Four out of four stars for Hamnet.

 

Film reviews

Anemone Review

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Daniel Day-Lewis once said he was done with acting after Phantom Thread. That is not the case with Anemone where he is back as an actor on top of his craft portraying someone with vengeance. The story’s writing has a foundation based on solitude and layers of underlying conflicts that go way back. The director is Daniel’s son Ronan Day-Lewis. Daniel wrote the film with his son. Anemone is a film about resentment, challenges, and acceptance. In a cinematic sense, it explores the question of when enough is enough. That question expands for seemingly endless miles in Anemone, across the unique landscapes, waters, and shores of Northern England. The vast landscapes weave all kinds of feelings through a dark and rugged terrain of cinematic wonders.

Daniel Day-Lewis plays Ray and Sean Bean plays Jem. Theirs is a brotherhood filled with hatred over many years and a dynamic that is completely thunderous with conflict. Much of this stems from the performance of Day-Lewis which is often rapid and petrifying. He always has a way to give emotion to humanistic characteristics when weaving in his character’s anger. Jem decides to try to make peace with Ray because he had an affair with Ray’s wife. A confusing dynamic is then created for Ray’s son Brian (Samuel Bottomley). Ray’s former lover Nessa (Samantha Morton) is now with Jem. She has tried countless times to reconnect with Ray, due to her concerns about Brian. Throughout this film, a bad past will simply not let go.

One of the most daring and egotistical portrayals I have seen from the talented Daniel Day-Lewis. He plays the role of wanting his vengeance to linger so well. He has that mind-boggling voice and twisted sense of humor that is not one to contend with. Sean Bean’s character keeps trying to make peace while also holding his anger. However, at the same time, the brotherhood connection remains strong. Elements of hate linger in cinematic qualities that are just beautiful yet monstrous. Daniel’s son, Ronan, has an effective eye for capturing humanistic qualities which explode given the anger although there are times when alternative outlets might be much healthier. 

The film is thought-provoking as it goes into uncharted territory that can chill audiences’ guts to the bone. The hatred in the performance of Daniel Day-Lewis, and the frustration in the performance of Sean Bean are both so pure. It is a brotherhood filled with jealousy fueled by masculinity which causes the film to hit a cinematic reel of glory. The story hits it so hard becausethese actors’ efforts to burn up the screen succeed. Anemone may be one of the best films of 2025, and another resurrection of Daniel Day-Lewis. His life as an actor will always include spell-binding performances. He has a unique ability to bring back sides of his artistic repertoire with even more aggressive and thought-provoking performances. He always shines brightest in the British landscape where there is a setting of solitude. Three-and-a-half stars for Anemone.