Saw X

Director: Kevin Greutert

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21807222

Review: Could use some tightening up, particularly in its third act, but brings enough new angles and silly fun to justify itself.

Watch it if: You like Saw movies.

And if you liked: Saw, Saw II, Saw III, Saw IV, Saw V, Saw 3D

Stalker

Director: Andrei Tarkovsky

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079944

Review: Intriguing and haunting in its own way with a visual style that draws the eye in and a tone that stays with you.

Watch it if: You're ok with a slow slow burn.

And if you liked: Solaris, Annihilation, The Thing

Check this out: Roadside Picnic

The Game

Director: David Fincher

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119174

Review: Magnetic and compelling in a fun way that balances its ludicrous events with a hard edge that grounds it.

Watch it if: You want something that uses a slickness and prestige style to hide how deeply silly it is.

And if you liked: Total Recall, Would You Rather, Fight Club

Decision to Leave

Director: Park Chan-wook

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12477480

Review: Sumptuous in its visuals and sensual in its tone with a story that draws you in with its masterfully handled emotional tension.

Watch it if: You want something that never lands in an easy, untangled place.

And if you liked: Insomnia (2002), Vertigo, Joint Security Area

Haunted Mansion (2023)

Director: Justin Simien

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1695843

Review: A chunk too long and underuses a lot of its strong design with stiff blocking but still manages to deliver plenty of wit and even some emotional heft.

Watch it if: You're ok with a family film touching on some fairly dark themes.

And if you liked: The Haunted Mansion (2003), Beetlejuice, Casper

The Bob's Burgers Movie

Director: Loren Bouchard and Bernard Derriman

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7466442

Review: Fairly light in its touch but brings enough fun story and ideas to carry itself through.

Watch it if: You're ok with a musical that largely forgets it's a musical.

And if you liked: The Simpsons Movie

Bloodsport

Director: Newt Arnold

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092675

Review: Fairly straight forward in its narrative but absolutely bonkers in its tone and production.

Watch it if: You're happy to just roll with a film for what it is.

And if you liked: Big Trouble in Little China, Mad Max

Check this out: Frank Dux

The Handmaiden

Director: Park Chan-wook

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4016934

Review: Compelling and romantic with a story that keeps you guessing and curious right through.

Watch it if: You're ok with some fairly explicit sexual scenes.

And if you liked: Parasite, Secretary, Crimson Peak

Check this out: Fingersmith

The Flash

Director: Andy Muschietti

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0439572

Review: Unfathomably annoying from frame one with no emotional weight or character clarity whatsoever.

Watch it if: You've made it this far.

And if you liked: It: Chapter Two, Blue Beetle, Justice League, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Blue Beetle

Director: Angel Manuel Soto

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9362930

Review: Some vaguely compelling elements that get lost in wild tonal shifts that could be salvagable if not for one actor fully out of control.

Watch it if: You feel the need to tick off every superhero film on a list.

And if you liked: Steel, Spawn

Check this out: Blue Beetle