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Latest by Alex Welch

Ben Affleck holds up a photograph in Hypnotic.

Hypnotic review: an overcomplicated sci-fi thriller

Director Robert Rodriguez's new sci-fi thriller, Hypnotic, is an overcomplicated mess. The Ben Affleck-led film hits theaters on Friday, May 12.
Jennifer Lopez wears a ski cap in The Mother.

The Mother review: a ridiculous thriller in every way

Netflix's new Jennifer Lopez thriller, The Mother, is a disappointing, poorly executed action flick. It premieres Friday, May 12 on the streaming service.
Neon-colored and psychedelic promo art of David Haller for Legion season 3.

5 years ago, FX’s Legion used the multiverse better than the MCU ever has

In 2018, one standout episode of Legion season 2 managed to explore the multiverse more effectively than the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever has.
Rebecca Ferguson holds onto a mechanical lever in Silo.

Silo review: a watchable, well-paced sci-fi thriller

Apple TV+'s Silo is an entertaining, often intriguing sci-fi thriller that's anchored by Rebecca Ferguson's capable and commanding lead performance.
The High Evolutionary stands up in a red-walled room in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 introduces Marvel’s best villain since Thanos

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 introduces Chukwudi Iwuji's The High Evolutionary, who already ranks as Marvel's best screen villain since Thanos.
A few of the characters from Star Wars Visions Vol. 2.

Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 review: a winning collection of adventures

Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 delivers another thrillingly original, visually vibrant batch of galactic adventures.
Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas look at each other on a train in Citadel.

Citadel review: a hollow spy thriller

Citadel is a zero-calorie spy thriller that somehow feels extremely expensive and shockingly cheap. Its first two episodes are now streaming on Prime Video.
T'Challa, Captain America, and Black Widow stand in front of the Wakandan army in "Avengers: Infinity War."

Can the MCU ever pull off another Avengers: Infinity War cliffhanger ending?

Five years ago, 2018's Avengers: Infinity War pulled off the greatest cliffhanger in the history of the MCU. Can Marvel do it again in Phase Five?
Mateo and Rafael stand up in a courtroom with Della and Perry in the Perry Mason season 2 finale.

Perry Mason season 2’s ending, explained

Here's everything that happens in the bittersweet season 2 finale of HBO's Perry Mason.
Dar Salim and Jake Gyllenhaal sit in a military Humvee together in The Covenant.

Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant review: a well-crafted military thriller

Guy Ritchie's The Covenant is a well-made, entertaining military thriller that features a star-making turn from Dar Salim. The film is now playing in theaters.
A woman wields a chainsaw in Evil Dead Rise.

Evil Dead Rise review: a gnarly nightmare

Evil Dead Rise is an intense and fun, if not extraordinary, addition to one of horror's most eccentric and enduring franchises. It is now playing in theaters.
Elliot and Beverly Mantle look at a baby together in Dead Ringers.

Dead Ringers review: a darkly funny sci-fi showcase for Rachel Weisz

Dead Ringers is an entertaining, darkly funny series that boasts two incredible performances from its star, Rachel Weisz. It premieres April 21 on Prime Video.
Joaquin Phoenix wears silk pajamas in "Beau is Afraid."

Beau is Afraid review: a self-indulgent odyssey

Beau is Afraid, the new film from Hereditary director Ari Aster, is a pointlessly punishing, overlong comedy. It hits theaters nationwide on April 21.
Bo-Katan holds up the Darksaber in The Mandalorian season 3 finale.

The Mandalorian season 3 finale gives the Star Wars series a much-needed reset

Here's how The Mandalorian season 3 finale puts the live-action Star Wars series back on track.
Tom Cruise wields a futuristic gun in Oblivion.

10 years later, Oblivion is still Tom Cruise’s most underrated blockbuster

10 years after its release, Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski's 2013 sci-fi film, Oblivion, ranks as Tom Cruise's most underrated blockbuster.
Nicolas Cage spins around in a red robe in Renfield.

Renfield review: a violent, forgettable horror comedy

Renfield is a cartoonishly violent horror comedy that is anchored by yet another standout performance from Nicolas Cage. The film is now playing in theaters.
Bo-Katan stands near her fellow Mandalorians in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 7.

5 questions we have after The Mandalorian season 3 episode 7

From the Shadow Council's plans to rumors of Grand Admiral Thrawn's return, here are 5 questions we have after The Mandalorian season 3's penultimate episode.
Bo-Katan holds the Darksaber while standing next to Din Djarin in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 6.

What the hell happened to The Mandalorian?

In its third season, Disney+'s The Mandalorian has struggled to justify its continued existence.
Ali Wong and Steven Yeun lean out of their car windows in Beef.

Beef review: Netflix’s first must-see show of 2023

Beef is one of the best and most original shows of the year so far. The Steven Yeun and Ali Wong-led series is now streaming on Netflix.
Mario and Luigi raise their fists together in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie review: a weightless adventure

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a visually stunning but ultimately forgettable animated adventure film. It is now playing in theaters.
Bo-Katan sits next to Baby Yoda in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 6.

5 questions we have after The Mandalorian season 3 episode 6

Jack Black and ... Lizzo?! Here are give questions we have after this week's truly silly episode of The Mandalorian.
Mario and Peach walk through a mushroom field in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s ending, explained

Here's what happens at the end of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and how the film's ending sets the stage for a potential sequel.
Mario, Peach, and Toad stand above the clouds together in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Does The Super Mario Bros. Movie have an end credits scene?

Is there a post-credits scene at the end of The Super Mario Bros. Movie? Here's what moviegoers should know.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves cast assembled on one of the film's posters.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves reveals what modern fantasy is missing

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a delightfully refreshing adventure film that reveals what so many other modern fantasy titles are missing.
Taron Egerton and Nikita Yefremov smile together in Tetris.

Tetris review: a crowd-pleasing, lightweight political thriller

Apple TV+'s Tetris is a breezy political thriller that's undeniably entertaining, if a bit shallow. The Taron Egerton-led film is streaming now.
Simon, Edgin, Doric, and Holga stand in the Underdark together in "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves."

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves review: a breath of fresh air

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is an immensely fun fantasy adventure. The Chris Pine and Hugh Grant-led blockbuster hits theaters Friday, March 31.
Simon, Doric, Edgin, and Holga stand in an arena in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ ending, explained

Here's everything that happens at the end of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, as well as how the film sets up a potential sequel.
Bo-Katan stands with her helmet off in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 5.

5 questions we have after The Mandalorian season 3 episode 5

Here are 5 burning questions we have after this week's action-packed episode of The Mandalorian.
Lottie faces Natalie in the snow in Yellowjackets Season 2.

Yellowjackets season 2 review: a bolder and messier follow-up

Christina Ricci, Juliette Lewis, Melanie Lynskey, and Tawny Cypress all return in Yellowjackets season 2, a bolder but messier season than the hit show's first.
Shauna carries a tray of meat into a cabin in Yellowjackets season 2 episode 1.

Yellowjackets season 2 episode 1’s shocking ending, explained

Here's what you should know about the shocking and disturbing ending of the Yellowjackets season 2 premiere, as well as how it sets up what's still to come.
Grogu sits inside his Jedi pod in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 4.

The return of Jar Jar Binks? 5 questions we have after The Mandalorian season 3 episode 4

Here are 5 questions we have after this week's revelatory episode of The Mandalorian, which is streaming now on Disney+.
A woman stands in a hallway in Boston Strangler.

Boston Strangler review: a middling true crime drama

Boston Strangler is a well-acted but ultimately mediocre true crime drama. The Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon-led film is streaming now on Hulu.
Willem Dafoe sits in front of a table in Inside.

Inside review: a dour, ill-conceived psychological drama

Not even another go-for-broke performance from Willem Dafoe can save his new psychological drama, Inside. The film is now playing in theaters.
Joel looks at Ellie in The Last of Us Part 2.

The Last of Us season 2 may fix The Last of Us Part II’s biggest flaw

The creators of The Last of Us suggested recently that the HBO series may be able to avoid The Last of Us Part II's biggest flaw with one simple trick.