RalphRahal

I just finished Red Sonja and all I could think was: why? After sitting on a shelf for two years, this probably should have stayed there. It isn't the worst thing I've watched this year, but it's far from good. Honestly, the messy production drama was more entertaining than the actual film.

Matilda Lutz deserves some credit here. She really gave the role everything she had, carrying the movie with as much energy and commitment as anyone could. The problem is that the script gave her nothing to work with. Characters are flat, the plot is scattered, and the dialogue feels like it was scribbled down in a rush. It throws out ideas that never go anywhere, leaving the whole thing feeling unfinished.

To be fair, the movie isn't a total disaster on the technical side. For a low budget, the CGI looks surprisingly decent, the cinematography is solid, and the direction is steady enough. The real standout is the score. Sonya Belousova and Giona Ostinelli put together an epic, atmospheric soundtrack that tells the story better than the script.

At the end of the day, the biggest issue is the writing. With a limited budget, they should have leaned into what makes Red Sonja iconic, boobs, sexy outfit, and a whole lot of blood.

Some people might enjoy the matriarchal themes, but for fans of Red Sonja or sword-and-sorcery, this is going to be a disappointment.

Woo's signature style is the only reason this film isn't a complete flop. The action has that familiar flair, and outside of one shaky cam scene, the cinematography holds up well enough to keep things watchable.

Unfortunately, the rest is weighed down by a flat script that feels mechanical with dialogue that sounds like it was written by AI. Characters lack depth, and even Nathalie Emmanuel, who I wanted to connect with, could not rise above the poor material. Sam Worthington gave the most convincing performance but he was still given little to work with. Beltrami's score, usually a highlight in any project, felt inconsistent and forgettable here.

Effects were hit or miss, sometimes looking more like rushed CGI than practical. The little details like a cop shooting to kill instead of disarm, or a guy "peeing" with his belt still buckled, pulled me right out of the film. Over explanations in dialogue also drained the atmosphere from scenes that could have thrived in silence.

It is Woo, so the trademarks are there, but compared to his 1989 masterpiece this remake does not deserve to carry the same name.

Finally... A romance horror worth watching!

Together (2025) is a fresh mix of romance and horror that actually works. The first thing that stood out to me was how it plays with sound. There are moments where the audio does all the heavy lifting while the visuals pull back, and it makes your imagination fill in the blanks. It's such a smart move because it keeps things tense and uncomfortable in the best way. The story itself feels grounded, especially when it focuses on the couple, but outside of them the world feels a bit thin. There were multiple chances to dive deeper into the lore or side characters, and it just never happened.

Cinematography and editing were top-notch throughout. The camera work has a smooth flow with transitions that keep the tension alive, and the editing keeps the pace tight. What I also appreciated was the use of practical effects. Some of the moments really stood out because they didn't rely on CGI to cover up what could be done on set. It gave the film a rawer, more authentic vibe that you don't see often in modern horror.

Alison Brie and Dave Franco absolutely carried this film. Their chemistry feels real, their conversations feel lived in, and you actually believe in their relationship. That authenticity is what makes the horror side hit harder. Michael Shanks deserves credit for pulling out those performances and making the couple's arc feel natural. It's a shame the rest of the characters didn't get the same level of attention, but the core of the film is strong enough to make it worth watching. It's creative, unsettling, and definitely a horror romance I would recommend.