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Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
5 movies like 'Brick' but better
I'm a big fan of campy movies if the premise is interesting enough, but even I found "Brick" a total snooze fest. I'm honestly shocked to see it still holding strong in the Netflix top 10, but then again, the hook feels made in a lab to entice folks to hit "play." Netflix's latest psychological thriller debuted on July 10, and it has a claustrophobic, escape room-style setup with plenty of potential for mystery. A grieving couple mid-break-up suddenly gets trapped in their apartment building when an ominous brick wall entombs everything overnight — now that's intriguing. Frustratingly, while "Brick" manages to build an ominous atmosphere, the vibes aren't enough to outshine its laundry list of problems. Heavy-handed dialogue, undercooked characters, and plot beats that swing between predictable and nonsensical are pain points impossible to ignore. I'm not alone in my assessment. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, "Brick" has a pitiful 35% critics' score, and audiences enjoyed it even less (it's sitting at a 27% score on the Popcornmeter). If you're looking for a truly gripping or original thriller, "Brick" doesn't offer anything new or compelling. Thankfully, you can find plenty of better mystery thrillers across the best streaming services, the kind that keep you glued to the screen, trying to piece together what the hell is going on from start to finish. So, without further ado, here are some movies like "Brick" but better. What makes this sci-fi thriller so compelling is also what makes it hard to talk about (a common theme you'll find among most of the entries on this list). Giving away too much would risk spoiling some of its most surprising and rewarding reveals. Sophie Thatcher is proving to be a regular scream queen after starring in "Yellowjackets," "Heretic" and "Companion." She plays Iris, a young woman who sets off with her boyfriend Josh (Jack Quaid) and friends to a weekend getaway at a remote cabin owned by eccentric billionaire Sergey (Rupert Friend). However, their trip takes a disturbing turn when Iris appears one morning, drenched in blood. What begins as a relaxing retreat quickly spirals into something far more sinister. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I'm intentionally keeping things vague because this is one of those films that's best experienced with minimal context. It's a tightly wound mystery that unspools with twist after twist — and trust me, this is one film you'll want to go into with as little prior knowledge as possible. Watch it now on Max If you enjoyed "Brick's" claustrophobic atmosphere, get ready to really get your heart racing with "Buried." This single-location thriller sees Ryan Reynolds play Paul Conroy, a man stuck in a truly desperate situation. Our first introduction to Paul, an American truck driver working in Iraq, is when he wakes up disoriented, trapped in utter darkness. After fumbling for a lighter, he realizes he's been buried alive in a coffin. With no clear way out and only a limited supply of air, time is not on his side. His only lifeline to the outside world is his cellphone. He manages to contact a U.S. department that handles hostage negotiations and learns that those responsible for his situation are demanding a hefty price for his freedom. It becomes a race against time to try to escape his terrifying ordeal without losing his cool. Because the more he panics, the faster he'll burn through what precious little air he has left. Watch it now on Tubi Both "Brick" and "10 Cloverfield Lane" tap into themes of distrust, manipulation, and the uneasy overlap between protection and imprisonment. If you enjoyed "Brick's" slow-burn tension, this makes for an ideal follow-up. And no, you don't have to watch the first "Cloverfield" to follow along. After storming out of her New Orleans apartment over a fight with her fiancé, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) wakes up injured from a car crash and at the mercy of her rescuer-turned-captor, Howard (John Goodman). He insists that an alien invasion has made the outside world deadly. The only way to survive is to stay holed up in his bunker with her fellow captive Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.). But as cracks appear in Howard's story, Michelle and Emmett start digging for the truth. What they discover pushes them to plan a desperate escape, but the real nightmare doesn't begin until Michelle steps outside to face what's really waiting for her. Watch it now on Prime Video "His House" is one of the most affecting movies I've seen in years. While it definitely leans more toward horror than the other entries on this list, its character-led drama keeps you guessing every step of the way with a poignant twist on the haunted house trope. "His House" follows the plight of a young Sudanese couple, Bol (Sope Dirisu) and Rial (Wunmi Mosaku), who risked everything to flee to the UK. An accident at sea has them arriving on British shores grieving the loss of their daughter, and their troubles only multiply when they're finally granted asylum in a small English town. Facing hostility and racism in their new neighborhood, the couple struggles to settle into their new life. Tensions between them deepen as a supernatural presence in their home begins to surface, which seems tied to the trauma they thought they left behind. While Rial insists they need to leave, Bol fears that making waves could risk deportation. Left with no support, they must confront whatever's haunting their new home alone, unearthing painful secrets they wish would stay buried. Watch it now on Netflix A bit of an older pick, but the mystery at the heart of "Memento" is so fun to unravel, it's hard to resist being drawn to it again and again. Writer-director Christopher Nolan has gone on to win Oscars for "Inception," "Interstellar" and "Oppenheimer," but his breakthrough film kicked off his legacy with plenty of twists that blew audiences' minds. This ingeniously structured thriller stars Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, a man suffering from anterograde amnesia. He can't form new short-term memories, and the story unfolds out of order, so audiences share in his disorientation. By extension, nearly every scene functions like a twist, revealing information Leonard once knew but has since forgotten, with misleading clues or outright lies often muddying the waters further. Nolan plays with both style and structure throughout, weaving together black-and-white and color sequences as well as chronological and reverse-chronological order. Piecing together the fragmented narrative is deeply satisfying, but "Memento" remains gripping even when the truth is just out of reach. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Forbes
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Amazon's ‘Mr. And Mrs. Smith' Season 2 Lands Yellowjackets' Standout Star
Yellowjackets Amazon's Mr. and Mrs. Smith season 2 is spooling up, which is welcome news as the show only premiered in 2024, meaning it may not be an interminable wait for the next season. Now, it's finally secured its main couple. That would be Mark Eydelshteyn, recently of Best Picture Winner Anora and the standout star of Showtime's Yellowjackets, at least the one that's still alive, Sophie Thatcher (Ella Purnell is certainly the other). Thatcher is also the star of a number of praised horror movies in the last few years alone, including Heretic and Companion, with a small role in MaXXXine as well. She's a quickly rising star, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith is lucky to have her. Yes, she and Eydelshteyn are taking over for Donald Glover and Maya Erskine from season 1. That season ended on a cliffhanger where it was implied both may have been killed by rival Smiths, but that was never conclusive, and it's possible they may appear in season 2 in some capacity. Mr. and Mrs. Smith The show is going young, very young, with its central couple this time around. Eydelshteyn is just 23 and Thatcher is 24. I suppose that's not too young to get into the spy business, but that's about 15 years younger than Glove and Erskine were in their season. This is, in effect, something of an anthology, albeit obviously with a shared world. It's a much more grounded take on the concept than we saw from the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie version from 2005 (wow, was that seriously 20 years ago?). The first season of Mr. and Mrs. Smith reviewed quite well in 2024, with a 90% from critics. Its audience score was a decent amount lower, a 66%, and I find myself more in that camp. It had good performances, especially from Erskine, but in the grand landscape of TV, I didn't find that it stood out all that much. But I am very much looking forward to seeing what Thatcher does in this, and if Eydelshteyn being from Russia (and being very Russian in Anora) will be a key part of the story this time around. There's a large story in Deadline right now about how Mr. and Mrs. Smith was moving away from filming in New York and over to Los Angeles due to tax credits from that state. Presumably, the storyline will be based around that city, rather than pretending that locations in LA were actually New York, which would make little sense. Regardless, it's going to be very interesting to see how the show evolves here when it arrives some time in 2026. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
News18
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
From Heads Of State To Kaalidhar Laapata: 5 OTT Titles To Stream This Week
Last Updated: Discover 5 new Hindi and English OTT releases to stream from June 30–July 4. Includes Companion, Heads of State, Kaalidhar Laapata, and more must-watch titles. The first week of July is stacked with must-watch OTT releases across genres—from sci-fi and political thrillers to action-packed sequels and gripping Hindi dramas. Whether you're in the mood for high-stakes international comedy or intense real-life investigations, this list has something for everyone. Here are five Hindi and English titles dropping between June 30 and July 4 that deserve a spot on your watchlist: 1. Companion (English) This taut sci-fi thriller stars Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid in a chilling tale of artificial intimacy turned rogue. When a rented humanoid girlfriend gains sentience, she sets off on a chilling quest for revenge. With early critical acclaim and a Rotten Tomatoes rating hovering around 94%, Companion blends dystopian drama with emotional tension, making it a must-watch for genre lovers. 2. Heads of State (English) Streaming from July 2 on Amazon Prime Video What happens when two world leaders—played by Idris Elba and John Cena—are thrown into a high-octane international crisis? Heads of State delivers a riotous blend of action and comedy with political satire, explosive sequences, and witty banter. Perfect for fans of The Hitman's Bodyguard or Red Notice. 3. The Old Guard 2 (English) Streaming from July 2 on Netflix Charlize Theron returns in the much-anticipated sequel to The Old Guard, continuing the saga of immortal warriors caught between modern warfare and ancient loyalty. Expect stylized action, emotional depth, and more mythological revelations as the story expands its universe. 4. Kaalidhar Laapata (Hindi) Streaming from July 4 on Zee5 Abhishek Bachchan headlines this Hindi drama that explores identity, invisibility, and emotional survival. A remake of the Tamil film KD, Kaalidhar Laapata promises a deeply human story woven with wit, melancholy, and moments of unexpected warmth. 5. The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case (Hindi) Streaming from July 4 on SonyLIV Delving into one of the most pivotal and tragic events in Indian history, this true-crime docu-drama chronicles the covert operation to capture the perpetrators of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. Combining archival footage with dramatic reconstruction, The Hunt offers a gripping account of justice pursued at any cost. First Published:
CNET
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
11 of the Best Horror Movies to Stream on Max
Finished season 2 of The Last of Us on Max? If you like the series' post-apocalyptic horror, you should peruse Max's scary movies next. The streaming service hosts a variety of frightening flicks, from classics like Oscar winner The Silence of the Lambs to newer chillers like the Hugh Grant horror film Heretic. The options change often, so if you aren't feeling Max's spooky selection, it's worth swinging back by later. Max starts at $10 per month or $100 per year, and you can also get the streamer free with a Doordash DashPass annual plan. If you're ready for a horror movie, here are 11 excellent options. A24 Heretic (2024) The inclusion of Hugh Grant may draw you into this religious horror movie, but once you hit play, there's no escaping the creepiness of his character, Mr. Reed. Watch this one if you want to see if a pair of young missionaries are able to outwit their evil captor. Cara Howe/Warner Bros. Companion (2025) Companion is a scary movie you should boot up and watch without much pre-Googling. It's clever, unsettling and thrilling, with great performances from Sophie Thatcher of Yellowjackets and Jack Quaid of The Boys. Produced by the filmmakers behind 2022's Barbarian, Companion sets the bar high for 2025 horror films. A24 Pearl (2022) The Mia Goth-starring slasher Pearl is a prequel to Ti West's film X, centering on a younger version of the elderly villain in that flick. Max carries X, Pearl and a third film in the series, MaXXXine, but I recommend Pearl if you only have time for one movie. Orion Pictures The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Jodie Foster interviews Anthony Hopkins' evil Hannibal Lecter in this classic psychological thriller. Foster plays FBI agent Clarice Starling, who's determined to bring down a killer. It's the only horror movie ever to win a best picture Oscar, and it also won for best director, screenplay, actor (Hopkins) and actress (Foster) in 1992. Warner Bros. The Shining (1980) If you're still on the hunt for a horror movie, you can't go wrong with The Shining, the excellent Stanley Kubrick-directed movie starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall. In the film -- another Stephen King adaptation -- a writer (Nicholson) staying in a remote hotel with his family exhibits some troubling changes in behavior. This one will absolutely satisfy your horror cravings. Warner Bros. It (2017) When this adaptation of the classic Stephen King novel hit theaters in 2017, it had moviegoers like me looking twice at storm drains and dreading red balloons. With a cast of intrepid kids and a lot of heart, it makes a compelling case for more supernatural coming-of-age stories. And a strong case against clowns. Warner Bros. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) The 1988 horror comedy Beetlejuice may not be on Max, but you can catch Michael Keaton's ghost with the most in the 2024 sequel. Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara also reprise their roles in the spooky follow-up film. Red Bank Films Carrie (1976) It's more Stephen King, and you have to watch Sissy Spacek's Oscar-nominated portrayal of the prom queen at least once in your life. Why not now? Libra Films Eraserhead (1977) David Lynch's first feature-length film will make you feel like you're in a bizarre nightmare. The 90-minute black-and-white horror flick is packed with odd sounds and imagery, and the result is incredibly eerie. Don't even get me started on the main character's freakish, otherworldly looking "baby" (that's oddly still kind of cute?). There are messages about men and parenthood here, but even setting aside the bigger picture, Eraserhead's surreal world is absolutely worth a visit. Max/Screenshot by CNET Night of the Living Dead (1968) George Romero's first horror film is an easy recommendation. A group of survivors take refuge in a house while members of the undead swarm outside. The influential flick is often regarded as the first modern zombie movie, and while it may not offer Freddy Krueger-level frights, you'll be drawn in by the characters at the center of its story. You're going to want to leave the door open for this one (but in the case of an actual apocalypse, keep it very, very shut). Warner Bros. Evil Dead Rise (2023) A family accidentally unearths some unimaginable evils in this gory supernatural horror story. It's the fifth entry in the film franchise after The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II ('87), Army of Darkness ('92) and Evil Dead (2013).
Geek Girl Authority
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
Movie Review: COMPANION
by Ray Schillaci The Movie Guys Here is my conundrum – when reviewing a movie, one should avoid all trailers, reviews, and synopses…so you may be as completely caught off guard and thrilled as I was with Companion . Then there is the clever marketing ploy announcing that Companion was by the people that brought us the beloved romantic epic The Notebook and the evil minds that gave horror hounds something to howl about, Barbarian . This announcement had 'WTF' all over it, and writer/director Drew Hancock had me uttering that to myself as his film meticulously unraveled to an unexpected climax. It helps that our two leads Jack Quaid (The Boys, The Hunger Games) and Sophie Thatcher (Heretic, Yellowjackets) are so damn likable. Together they practically make the most romantic couple since When Harry Met Sally . But, when the two of them decide on a getaway with friends (at a remote cabin), you can't help but feel something could easily go awry. To say any more would be a disservice to the potential viewer. What can be said is that Sydney Sweeney may have her crown as the 'new It girl' handed over to the utterly charming Sophie Thatcher. After delivering a riveting, dramatic performance in Heretic , Thatcher proves her comedic skills (dark as they may be) in Companion . She easily caught me off guard with her unique smile and wholesome look, but there's a complex mindset she also brings to the table. RELATED: Movie Review: The Phoenician Scheme On the other hand, Jack Quaid easily slips into the role of the awkward and funny boyfriend until he demonstrates a darker side. His range goes from sympathetic to devious and pathetic. Kudos must go out to both leads for bringing everything they do to the table. It is within the chemistry of the two that writer/director Drew Hancock can work his magic. Hancock exudes romantic notions with such ease that anything going against this couple is jarring, to say the least. He not only plays the two leads as if they were masterful chess maneuvers, but also includes the other players as well, making the film both funny and shocking. Needless to say, once everything is revealed, the film bears repeat viewing, just to catch what you might have missed. Visually, this is a lovely 4K presentation with a great attention to detail. You have this beautiful house deep in the woods with a stunning view of the lake. Colors are vibrant on the outside. Inside, the color palette tends to be warm and inviting, which almost gives you a carefree feeling. For a fairly 'low-budget' movie, $10 million, the film has very few effects. The great part about that is writer/director Hancock relies on his storytelling and his actors rather than relying on CGI. RELATED: Movie Review: From the World of John Wick: Ballerina Sound-wise, this is a subtle mix with not a lot of bangs and whistles. But, there is a great foreboding sense within the remote area. The Dolby Atmos sound provides a great sense of tension during a few important scenes. This is not an action film, the dialogue is the key and it remains crystal clear. It's not a disc where you'd be referencing the advantages of what 4K can provide, but it suits its purpose. Where are the bonus features, Warner Home Video? We get less than fifteen minutes' worth sans a gag reel, which would have been a lot of fun. Aside from that bit of disappointment, the company has decided not to include a Blu-ray with the 4K or a Blu-ray with a DVD. Sad day for some physical medium fans. But a digital download is included. As far as the story itself, have I said too much? I hope not. Because, as mentioned, Companion should be enjoyed with as little knowledge about it as possible. The 'R' rating at least gives enough of a warning that this is not a family-friendly affair. But, it is a film I highly recommend watching with (discerning) family and friends. RELATED: Bring Her Back Spoiler Review Lowest price – 4K – $27.95, Blu-ray – $22.95 at Amazon & Walmart Companion is also available for streaming. Visit Ray's blog at Directed by: Drew Hancock Release Date: January 31, 2025 Run Time: 97 Minutes Rated: R Country: U.S.A. Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
