REVIEW: Frankenstein (2025 film)- Starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz

 

Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 Frankenstein is a film that clearly comes from the heart, a labour of love for a story he has cherished for years. From the opening shots on the icebound Horisont Navy Ship, the film settles into a steady, assured rhythm. It frames Victor recounting his sins while the shadow of his creation looms, tapping into the soul of Mary Shelley’s novel with a devotion that feels lived-in rather than rigid. Tender moments sit alongside profound sorrow, giving the story an emotional depth that lingers.

Oscar Isaac delivers Victor with a cold, precise brilliance, capturing both his inflated sense of purpose and the weight of his descent from promising surgeon to broken fugitive. Every stage of the film is supported by extraordinary design work. Del Toro fills each frame with towering sets, rich colour, and layered textures that make even the bleakest landscapes strangely inviting. The world surrounding Victor and the Creature glows with a painterly, gothic beauty. When the story shifts to the Creature’s memories, the mood changes gently but powerfully: the forest scenes, the warmth of the blind man’s home, the eerie stillness of the Arctic, all staged with the confidence that has long cemented del Toro as a master of monsters.

Jacob Elordi’s Creature is a highlight, capturing pain, confusion, and fleeting hope with striking subtlety. His moments of learning and companionship are among the film’s most affecting. Physically, he never quite embodies the towering presence of the classic Frankenstein monster, which stands out during scenes emphasising the Creature’s terrifying strength, but it is a minor issue in an otherwise compelling performance.

At around two and a half hours, the film demands patience, though it never drags. The emotional weight accumulates steadily, and by the time Victor and the Creature reunite in the present, the journey resonates fully. Their final encounter is quiet, heart-wrenching, and entirely earned.

What impresses most is how del Toro reshapes a familiar tale without losing its essence. Life, death, grief, and responsibility remain at the core, but forgiveness takes a more central focus here. Some viewers might miss a touch of the Creature’s original fury, yet the sincerity behind this version is undeniable. Every frame feels crafted with care and love.

Among the many adaptations of Frankenstein, this stands out as perhaps the finest. It looks breathtaking, feels profoundly human, and marks a triumphant return for del Toro. A confident, resonant masterpiece, earning a 9 out of 10.

Out Now on Netflix - https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81507921

And in Select Cinemas

REVIEW: The Astronaut (2025 Film) - Starring Kate Mara and Laurence Fishburne

 

Jess Varley's The Astronaut is a compact and effective slice of sci-fi horror, shining brightest when it leans into mood and mystery. At first it feels familiar, but just when you think you have it figured out, the film pulls the rug from under you.

Kate Mara is the standout, giving Sam Walker real emotional depth. She captures both the resilience of an astronaut and the fragility of someone slowly unraveling. As Sam begins seeing impossible things and her body changes, Mara keeps it understated, letting the fear simmer quietly beneath the surface, which makes it all the more unsettling.

The story moves briskly. Clocking in at just under ninety minutes, it never outstays its welcome. From the moment Sam wakes in quarantine, the tension steadily builds, sliding from oddity to genuine terror. The twist lands perfectly, catching even seasoned viewers off guard in the most satisfying way.

Laurence Fishburne brings authority as General Harris, though it is a shame he appears so late. His presence adds weight and steadies the film where the early scenes feel slightly light. Gabriel Luna and Ivana Miličević provide solid support, but this is very much Mara’s story.

The title can be misleading. Despite being called The Astronaut, the film never leaves Earth, unfolding almost entirely around the isolated house where Sam is monitored. The confined setting heightens the tension but also makes the story feel smaller. Budget limitations show occasionally, with some effects and creature moments falling short.

Still, there is much to admire. Varley focuses on atmosphere rather than spectacle, using silence, shadows and suggestion to craft unease. The tone is pleasantly old-fashioned, leaning more towards The X-Files than Alien.

The Astronaut won’t redefine sci-fi horror, but it is a confident, tightly crafted film with a clever twist and a remarkable lead performance. A smart, tense, and surprisingly gripping story, earning a solid 7 out of 10.

Out Now - https://apple.co/47EgvuA

PREVIEWS: The R.I.P Man, The Vindicator & Inhabitants all arrive on UK digital Jan 2026

THE R.I.P MAN

A new horror villain is spawned as a terrifying, toothless ruthless killer wipes the smile off a quiet English town that holds a dark connection to his mysterious past, bringing brutal Brit slasher mayhem

Read your last rites as The R.I.P Man introduces a sinister new horror villain who drills onto the silver screen all gums blazing. 

From award-winning actor and filmmaker Jamie Langlands (The Cellar), comes a new nail-biting slasher in the vein of Scream meets One Missed Call. Following its award-winning run on the festival circuit, The R.I.P Man is set to haunt UK digital on 5 January 2026, courtesy of Reel2Reel Films.

Rest In Pain as The R.I.P Man brings a new lease of terror to British horror and with a sequel on the way, horror fans are guaranteed to be mouthing off about this tormented tooth fairy feature.

On digital 5 January from Reel2Reel Films

THE VINDICTAOR

An infamous serial killer disrupts a true crime podcast, challenging the curious hosts to deadly tasks that expose their darkest secrets in the pursuit of exposing the killer’s identity in a twisted new horror

The Vindicator, from directors Luca Patruno and Brandon Sherrill in their feature debut, pushes the pursuit of truth and justice to the very edge with deadly consequences in darkly disturbing new horror. Following its recent release in the US, the film is set to arrive on UK digital 19 January, courtesy of Miracle Media.

Tune in to The Vindicator for a grisly and gruesome horror where justice is deadly.

On digital 19 January from Miracle Media

INHABITANTS 

Punished for living in sin, a young man and his girlfriend are haunted by a malevolent paranormal entity from his past in spine-chilling new possession horror staring Josh Rivera and Anna Jacoby-Heron

‘Matt McClung manages to weave a riveting and terrifying story that finds a way to still feel original’ 7/10 Horror Buzz

‘A carefully orchestrated dose of religious horror… presents a unique vision of atmospheric horror’ Josh at the Movies

Say your prayers as Inhabitants is set to possess you when it arrives on UK digital 26 January 2026, courtesy of Miracle Media.

Exploring religious trauma through the haunted house horror sub-genre, Inhabitants is a suspenseful thriller from director Matt McClung (The Mad Whale) with a stellar cast including rising Hollywood star Josh Rivera (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, West Side Story), Anna Jacoby-Heron (Stranger Things, Contagion), Ana Auther (Sunset Beach, Days of Our Lives) and comedy icon Kevin Nealon (Saturday Night Live, Weeds).

Repent for your sins and invite Inhabitants in for a tense, spine-tingling supernatural chiller.

On digital 26 January from Miracle Media

NEWS: The Ford Brothers set to make long-awaited THE DEAD 3

 

Back in 2010, the Ford Brothers released The Dead and stirred up the zombie scene in a big way. They filmed in some genuinely risky parts of West Africa and brought back that slow, creeping style of zombie that builds tension in a quiet, unsettling way. It struck a chord with viewers across the world. They pushed things even further in 2013 with The Dead 2: India, taking their global collapse to a wider canvas.

Now, fifteen years on from the start, Jon and Howard Ford are stepping in once more for the final chapter of their trilogy. They are setting out to make it the most fierce and unflinching of the lot. It will arrive with a fresh angle while still keeping hold of the old school feel that made the series stand out in the first place.

Synopsis: 

With the world in chaos, a man, torn apart by the murder of his family, uncovers a global conspiracy which has brought the flesh hungry dead back to life. He will stop at nothing to battle his way across a deadly landscape to unleash a blood soaked, violent, revenge on the greedy, corporate, super rich, hiding in paradise, in secure island fortresses, waiting to inherit what remains, as the world burns in a fire of their own creation.

Jon Ford said today: "I wrote The Dead 3 with more terror, anger and rage coursing through my veins than any "sane" human being should ever know! This, the final and most important film of the trilogy is going to shock, outrage, and please, in equal measure ! It's been a long time coming..."

Howard Ford added: "I get asked almost every day if we are ever going to make The Dead 3 and given the challenges and real life near-death of both 1 and 2 on the incredibly arduous productions we've not yet jumped at it, but with Jon's fiery inspirations to dive back in with a killer script I feel 2026 is the now-or never for the third and final chapter!"

The film’s locations will be revealed at a later date.

Instagram: @thedead3movie

REVIEW: The Toxic Avenger (2025 film) - Starring Peter Dinklage

 

Macon Blair’s reboot of The Toxic Avenger delivers the kind of loud, grimy revival fans were hoping for. As the fifth entry in the series and a remake of the 1984 original, it fully embraces its identity as an ultra-violent, black comedy, blending cartoonish gore with broad satire and unexpected moments of heart. It will thrill those seeking shock value while leaving anyone expecting a conventional superhero story unsettled.

Peter Dinklage leads as Winston Gooze, a downtrodden janitor transformed after a disastrous toxic accident. He brings a grounded humanity to the role, making Winston more than a green-faced force of fury. When the film demands pathos, Dinklage delivers it. Jacob Tremblay shines as Wade, Winston’s stepson, providing the emotional core that anchors the chaos.

Taylour Paige brings spark as J.J. Doherty, the whistleblower whose actions drive much of the plot. Kevin Bacon is gleefully sleazy as the corrupt company boss Bob Garbinger, while Elijah Wood injects a twitchy, unpredictable energy as Fritz. Luisa Guerreiro, credited as the suit performer, commits fully to the physical demands of Toxic Avenger.

The story itself is simple, which works in its favour. A corrupt pharmaceutical company, thugs, mob ties, a whistleblower in peril and a threatened community provide the raw material for Blair to craft violent set-pieces, gross-out gags and darkly comic encounters. The film leans into parody rather than sincere reinvention. It is loud, filthy and frequently hilarious, yet punctuated with genuine moments of feeling that stop it from being purely a shock parade.

There are flaws, though. The plot is intentionally thin, and at times the film feels like a string of skits stitched together with blood and bile. Some jokes overstay their welcome, and the middle section occasionally drifts. At around 100 minutes, it feels a touch long for its material. Those seeking tight plotting and subtlety may be disappointed.

Still, these are minor complaints. Blair clearly knows his audience, keeping the tone anarchic while allowing the relationship between Winston and Wade to give the film heart. Some throwaway scenes land brilliantly, others less so, but the energy and commitment on screen maintain momentum. Performances are strong across the board, the satire hits often enough, and beneath the nastiness lies a strange affection.

The Toxic Avenger is not for everyone. It will offend, it will shock, and it revels in its own grotesque humour. For those willing to lean into that world, it is a raucous and surprisingly touching reboot that honours the original while staking its own claim. I give it 8 out of 10.

Out Now at https://apple.co/4ozVYwU

NEWS: The Nameless Ballad Begins Its Haunting Journey

Federico Zampaglione on location with THE NAMELESS BALLAD

Filming has kicked off in the quiet reaches of Fara, Sabina for The Nameless Ballad, the latest supernatural horror project from Federico Zampaglione. His previous film, The Well, travelled impressively across the globe, so there is a sense of momentum as he returns to the director’s chair to explore a story rooted in a world he knows inside out. Music sits at the heart of this new tale, although the version we see here is soaked in dread and heavy with unease.

Jamie Ward in THE NAMELESS BALLAD

Jamie Ward leads the film as Sam Gallo. He plays a young musician riding the high end of success, yet barely hanging on beneath it. His creative block, personal troubles and various addictions weigh on him, so he slips away to a remote villa in the hope of finding fresh inspiration. The retreat does not bring peace. Instead, the house begins to push against his frailties. Dark shapes seem to circle around him, feeding on his worry and fear. The more he tries to settle, the deeper he sinks into disturbing visions that blur the divide between reality and the stories he carries in his head. His partner Tania, played by Alana Boden, becomes entangled in the same nightmare, pulled along by the destructive tide that grips Sam.

Alana Boden in THE NAMELESS BALLAD

Zampaglione shaped the script with Barbara Baraldi, and together they guide the film along that fine thread that separates imagination from nightmare. The supporting cast is a sizeable one. Giglia Marra, Fabrizio Ferracane, Seumas Sargent, Reed Stokes, Mia Desando, Vincenzo De Michele and Sergio Ceglie all step into the unfolding chaos. Another cast member will be revealed soon, which is being teased as a pleasant surprise for fans of the genre.

Giglia Marra in THE NAMELESS BALLAD

The director has described this as his most personal work to date. The supernatural is firmly in place, although the emotional voltage comes from his lived experience as a musician. He hints at a world where every note can stir a ghost, and certain melodies seem to demand a price before they fade. It gives the film a slightly feverish musical pulse that runs beneath the horror.

The Nameless Ballad is produced by SOMIC FILM. Federico Zampaglione directs, with cinematography by Yuri Santurri. The film is heading towards a 2026 launch at major festivals, which leaves plenty of time for the anticipation to build.

MONSTER COMPETITION: Win The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Series 1 to 3, Tales of the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: Dead City Series 1 & 2, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire Series 1 & 2 and Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches Series 1 & 2

This Christmas we have a MONSTER sized Blu-ray Christmas Competition.

One lucky winner will receive The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Series 1 to 3, Tales of the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: Dead City Series 1 & 2, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire Series 1 & 2 and Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches Series 1 & 2 all on Blu-ray

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Series 1 to 3 - https://amzn.to/4pe6N8O

Following his departure from The Commonwealth, Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) washes ashore in France, raising the ire of a splintered but growing autocratic regime centred in Paris and endangering a young boy at the heart of a benevolent religious movement.

Daryl agrees to shepherd the child and his caretakers on their pilgrimage to The Nest, a sanctuary which promises safety, in return for the Union’s help securing him passage back to America.

Tales of the Walking Dead - https://amzn.to/48qeeTb

In the months and years following the apocalypse, Tales of the Walking Dead follows the unique lives of new and familiar characters.

A prepper (Terry Crewes) leaves his bunker and meets and unlikely ally (Olivia Munn); hostile co-workers (Parker Posey and Jillian Bell) try to escape Atlanta and each other; a mother (Samantha Morton) must revisit her violent past to protect her child; a settler (Poppy Lui) tries to convince a scientist (Anthony Edwards) that people need to take back the land from the dead; a man (Jessie T. Usher) wakes up with no memory, only to find he is accused of murder; and a traumatised couple (Danielle Pineda and Danny Ramirez) seek refuge in a secluded house.

The Walking Dead: Dead City Series 1 & 2 - https://amzn.to/4aoQWj1

Having teamed up in Season 1 to rescue Maggie’s son, Season 2 continues the intense saga of Maggie and Negan in post-apocalyptic New York, delving deeper into their strained relationship as they find themselves on opposite sides of a brutal conflict.

The plot thickens with the introduction of new factions and characters, including the New Babylon Federation, which adds layers of political intrigue and power struggles. Maggie and Negan must navigate the treacherous streets of Manhattan, now overrun by warring clans and even more vicious walkers.

Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire Series 1 & 2 - https://amzn.to/49KjTpp

Based on Anne Rice’s revolutionary novel, the series follows Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson), Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid) and Claudia's epic story of love, blood and the perils of immortality, as told to the journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian).

In season one, chafing at the limitations of life as a Black man in New Orleans in the early 1900s, Louis finds it impossible to resist the rakish Lestat de Lioncourt’s offer of the ultimate escape: joining him as his vampire companion. But Louis’s intoxicating new powers come with a violent price, and the introduction of Lestat’s newest fledgling, the child vampire Claudia, soon sets them on a decades-long path of revenge and atonement.

In season two, the timeless saga of love, betrayal, and the burden of immortality continues. Louis delves further into his interview, chronicling his ambitious escape with Claudia after their calculated murder of Lestat. The journey to rebuild their lives leads them to post-war Paris, where they uncover forgotten secrets while being lured into a mysterious vampire coven.

Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches Series 1 & 2 - https://amzn.to/4ope4kE

Rowan Fielding, an intuitive young neurosurgeon, discovers that she is the unlikely heir to a family of witches.

As she grapples with her newfound powers, she must contend with a sinister presence that has haunted her family for generations.

Enter now for a chance to win.

Can you name the actors who play Daryl Dixon, Negan, Louis de Pointe du Lac and Rowan Fielding in these series?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here

1. Closing date 15-12-25

2. No alternative prize is available

3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.

4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.