Wasteman (2026) Film Review

Follows parolee Taylor whose fresh start hopes are jeopardized by cellmate Dee’s arrival. As Dee takes Taylor under his wing, a vicious attack tests their bond, forcing Taylor to choose between protecting Dee and his own parole chances.

Wasteman is directed by Cal McMau which is his directorial debut. 

Wasteman is a film that I knew very little about going in and walking out of it, this ended up being one of the best films of 2026 so far. From the brilliant performances from David Jonsson and Tom Blyth, to the detailed and disturbing exploration of the UK prison system, finally the thrilling atmosphere that will keep you focused the whole way through. The film has it all in this 90 minute package that is truly a powerhouse. 

The performances from David Jonsson and Tom Blyth are what make this film and contribute to just how fantastic it really is. David Jonsson plays his character Taylor with such power and delivers an old soul type of performance, the whole story of Taylor seeking redemption is truly fascinating. Jonsson portrays Taylor as a character who is constantly wrestling with deep sorrow and the huge mental toll of trying to reconnect with his son. It’s a powerful and grounded performance that keeps building up as the film goes on, Jonsson has shown time and time again that he is one of the best actors of his generation and that is especially the case here. 

Tom Blyth plays Dee an incredibly unpredictable, chaotic and volatile cellmate who brings this incredibly tense atmosphere into the film. Dee is the direct opposite of Taylor which only leads to several fantastic on screen tension moments, Blyth does such a fascinating job of putting so much chaotic and unpredictable energy into the performance, he does this in a very grounded approach rather than a cartoonish one you might see in other prison dramas. Much like Jonsson, Blyth has shown he’s one of the best of his generation and that continues to show here. 

But what makes Jonsson and Blyth so fantastic in the film is them together, the back and forth dialogue, the constant tension in the room it’s all there that builds this incredibly thrilling atmosphere that strikes the viewer when they least expect it. The two are perfectly paired and go all out with their talent, the two’s chemistry is built on mistrust, necessity and this fragile sense of mutual survival. It’s truly some of the most effective chemistry from a film so far this year. 

The look into the UK prison system is quite interesting and at times disturbing. Such as the lack of funding for staff which allows the prisoners to run rampant, smuggle, assault or kill. The film’s bleak atmosphere really paints this disturbing picture of focusing less on rehabilitation and more of the system struggling to keep order. The film leans into realism by having the location be the Shepton Mallet Prison, an extra touch is that 50% to 80% of the extras and background actors were actual former prisoners. Which gives the film even more rawness both in its story and the atmosphere. 

Overall Wasteman is one of the best films so far this year. It’s a fascinating film from start to finish and truly paints this disturbing picture. The performances from Jonsson and Blyth alone are a reason why you should watch this one! 

Wasteman is available on all VOD platforms.

10/10 A+

Exit 8 (2026) Film Review

A man becomes increasingly desperate when he realizes he is trapped in a subway station, needing to complete a mission to get out.

Exit 8 is directed by Genki Kawamura director of A Hundred Flowers (2022). The film is based on the 2023 video game of the same name. 

Exit 8 is definitely an interesting one, very rarely do we get a video game adaption film that plays out and feels like a video game but that’s the case here. At times that can hurt the movie, but for a majority of the experience it benefits the film in a lot of ways. It also should be worth noting that I have never played the 2023 video game, I went into this one knowing very little about it. 

The performances are quite great our main character who is simply known as “The Lost Man” is played by Kazunari Ninomiya who does quite an excellent job of almost immediately capturing the atmosphere the film requires especially during the film’s first act. The way he interacts with the world around him and navigates through the tunnels is very thrilling and really brings the viewer up close to the action. 

I will say however the performance that really stood out to me was Yamato Kochi who plays a character simply known as “The Walking Man”, we see him early on as The Lost Man goes through the tunnels and they end up looping. We also do get a bit of a backstory to The Walking Man, it’s a simple yet effective backstory that does capture the film’s atmosphere. In fact from the moment Kochi enters the film the atmosphere definitely feels like it shifts into something more darker yet has this lonely feel. Kochi does the best job when it comes to capturing the atmosphere and going a little bit further with it, it’s almost like he’s putting this highlighter on it to bring your attention for the rest of the ride. 

The film’s themes of choosing fatherhood or the single salaryman lifestyle and how every small decision in life counts is incredibly on the nose, there are points where the film just flat out says its themes. However I do think they still work effectively here and tie into the film’s story decently well, there isn’t anything here that is going to blow your mind as these exact same themes have been done before in far better ways elsewhere. But you do grow to really appreciate these characters and their stories that you find this strange sort of charm. 

The technical aspects of Exit 8 is what brings this film together, the editing from Jimmy Liu is nice and sharp, the music from Yasutaka Nakata and Shohei Amimori starts off with a bang with opening theme and closes the film out incredibly well. Plus with the rest of the music throughout the experience matching the haunting atmosphere there truly is a lot to explore within. Finally there is the cinematography from cinematographer Keisuke Imamura who truly makes the experience of the film, every single turn from a corner or other angles brings this level of suspense to the atmosphere. There are some very clear references to The Shining (1980) and Imamura is able to make those his own by putting his own style into it. 

Overall Exit 8 might not exactly have a whole lot of depth when it comes to dialogue or a narrative. But I still do think it’s quite a great film that gives the viewer a very interesting and thrilling experience. 

Exit 8 is available on all VOD platforms.

8/10 B+

The Christophers (2026) Film Review

A once-celebrated artist’s children enlist a forger to access his unfinished canvases in a deceptive bid to secure their inheritance.

The Christophers is directed by Steven Soderbergh director of Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen, Magic Mike (2012) Logan Lucky (2017), Unsane (2018), Kimi (2022), Presence (2025), Black Bag (2025) and so many others. 

The Christophers is a much smaller scale film from Steven Soderbergh, even smaller than films such as Presence (2025). What we have here is mainly two people talking about art and the artistic creation and legacy of it all. Combined together, the film ends up being a quite interesting ride with a nice little mystery thrown in. 

The performances from the cast are incredibly strong here. Ian McKellen plays Julian Sklar an aging artist whose children are trying to gain access to his unfinished canvases so they can secure their inheritance. While Julian is boastful and unapologetic, McKellen infuses him with sadness wistfulness and vulnerability. There is points where the artist has to confront his legacy and its truly some of the film’s strong moments. McKellen also goes for this more theatrical performance like you would expect in a play, with monologues that capture the film’s focused atmosphere and his interactions with the rest of the cast truly do make this yet another fascinating performance from McKellen. 

Michaela Coel is the other half of what makes the film so great, she does a splendid job, her interactions with McKellen are investing. But I think what really pushes her to greatness is this silent performance, there are times where she spends sizing up the situation or listening. Those moments do all the talking and are able to convey what she is thinking or feeling without uttering a word, her character Lori Butler is calculated and waits to see how certain situations play out. Or how Julian is going to react. It’s this silent powerhouse performance that truly sticks to the viewer the whole way through the film. 

James Corden and Jessica Gunning provide for strong supporting roles, they don’t have much in the way of character moments. But they do give solid performances that help build the mystery of the film and have great interactions with McKellen and Coel.

The writing is quite strong, there is this whole theme of art ownership whether certain paintings were made by the author or the person who forged them. This question is asked quite a lot throughout the film and the film keeps the question going even after the credits role. Julian throughout the film talks about how the art world has reduced his body of work and all of the power he put into his work into a price, during these moments we can hear the pain in his voice and how much it’s deeply affected him. 

Overall The Christophers is a very interesting film, the pacing can definitely drag at times but I do think the rest of the film especially the performances make up for it almost immediately. 

The Christophers is available on all VOD platforms.

7/10 B

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) Film Review

Mario ventures into space, exploring cosmic worlds and tackling galactic challenges far from the familiar Mushroom Kingdom.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic both of which previously directed The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) and the former also directing Teen Titans Go! To The Movies (2018). The Super Mario Galaxy Movie serves as a sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). 

After The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) was a quick and easy success it was almost immediately announced that a sequel was being made and it would be based around Super Mario Galaxy an incredibly beloved video game for the Wii that I have plenty of fond memories of playing when the Nintendo Wii first came out. It’s a fantastic game that still holds up incredibly well to this day. Luckily the film isn’t all bad, but there are some very glaring flaws and a few parts that are on the very disappointing side of things. 

The voice cast does a pretty great job, particularly Donald Glover as Yoshi and Glen Powell as Fox McCloud. While yes Glover only ever says Yoshi or the typical Yoshi noises, I do think he brings the charm from the games to the big screen, this is one of those things where it’s sort of hard to really pin down. But if you watch the film and have played the games you will know exactly what I mean. Glen Powell’s voice just fits like a glove for Fox McCloud, he has the charisma and charm to back it up. He’s going for a Han Solo type of angle here and due to Powell’s smooth and strong delivery it works here. 

Chris Pratt notably does a better job as Mario, It does feel like he’s getting a lot more familiar with the role so he is slowly but surely growing into it. There are some hiccups here and there but for the most part he does great, Charlie Day as Luigi is great, Jack Black as Bowser is just as entertaining and Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach is solid. Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr. however is incredibly unfitting and does not work. I get what they were trying to go for here with this older sounding version of the character. But the dialogue and tone of the movie just doesn’t match here at all with Safdie’s voice. 

The animation is pretty solid here, if there is one thing this film does a very good job with it’s making it seem like you the viewer jumped into a video game and going on the adventure with Mario, Luigi and Yoshi. It’s much larger in scale than the previous film and that’s partly due to how detailed the animation really is, it’s a very well done recreation of a Super Mario video game. Everywhere you go there’s little sound effects, music bits or characters from this franchise’s history, it’s a huge celebration in that regard. 

The main problem comes in with the movie’s take on Super Mario Galaxy…it just does not really feel like a Galaxy movie. Sure the movie takes place largely in space, it has some of the very recognizable songs from the game and even has some of the characters. But Rosalina (played by Brie Larson) for example gets a very limited amount of screen time and is basically a damsel in destress for a majority of the movie. I understand that even in the source material Rosalina did not do a whole lot during Mario’s adventure, however the advertising and the way this movie was being presented would have you believe Rosalina would be given a whole lot more to do. It kind of just seems like a very odd choice to keep one of the source material’s most memorable parts on the bench, it’s a shame to because Brie Larson gives a great performance. 

Outside of Rosalina, the rest of the movie does have the DNA of the source material there. But never goes far enough with it, there is a lot of jumping around that is never fully able to have a strong grip on the atmosphere that Galaxy had. I do think the writing has its strong moments, but ultimately it is just very one note. It goes through way too many ideas in a short amount of time, there absolutely needed to be some breathing room for the movie. 

Overall The Super Mario Galaxy Movie isn’t bad, it’s a heavily flawed movie yet still a decent amount of fun. It is certainly a step down from its predecessor but I do think fans will get enough out of this one. 

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is available on all VOD platforms.

6/10 C+

Lightning Round: You, Me and Tuscany and Fuze (2026)


When a woman crashes at an empty Italian villa, posing as the owner’s fiancée, she discovers an unexpected romance that could transform her life.

You, Me & Tuscany is directed by Kat Coiro director of Life Happens (2011), And While We Were Here (2012), A Case Of You (2013) and Marry Me (2022). 

You, Me & Tuscany does not have a whole lot going on here, with that being said it is a decently fun romantic comedy that has its charm. 

The movie mainly works due to Halle Bailey, she’s charming and does a fantastic job at bringing the viewer into the film. The character moments have just the right amount of appearances to help build Anna as a character, the rest of the characters are easy to love as well. It’s a very fluffy movie that knows exactly what its audience wants and gives it to them proudly. 

The movie can be a bit too familiar for its own good, if you have seen any romantic comedy within the last 5-10 years you can probably make a pretty strong guess as to what is going to happen. You have the setup, the miscommunication and the third act declaration of love. It’s all there and despite being predictable the movie has just the right amount of fun, solid acting and atmosphere to push this one to the finish line. 

Not much else to say here, if you are a fan of romcoms this one will do the job. 

You, Me & Tuscany is available on all VOD platforms.

6/10 C+

An unexploded WWII bomb is discovered on a busy construction site in the centre of London. Chaos ensues as the military and police begin a mass evacuation against a ticking clock.

Fuze is directed by David Mackenzie director of Hell Or High Water (2016), Outlaw King (2018), Relay (2024) and a lot of others. 

Fuze suffers from the exact same problem as Mackenzie’s last film Relay did and it’s that the third act  throws a wrench into the movie and not in an interesting or good way. The twist could be seen coming a mile away but it still does break the movie. 

On the plus side you do get decent performances from Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and even Sam Worthington. They all really try the best with the script that’s given to them, there are some decently thrilling moments plus it has this atmosphere such as this whole “when is the bomb going to go off” type of one. 

The main problem here really comes down to the movie’s script, the characters are incredibly paper thin in terms of both development and personality. Sure there are moments of somewhat interesting dialogue between the characters. But unfortunately those are very far and few in between, the story is very typical heist movie affairs which would be fine enough if the third act was not a complete and total mess with a very unsatisfying conclusion. 

There really isn’t much else to be said here, Fuze luckily never leans into “bad” territory but this is certainly one that I really can’t give a recommendation. 

Fuze is available on all VOD platforms.

5/10 C

Project Hail Mary (2026) Film Review

A science teacher wakes up alone on a spaceship. As his memory returns, he uncovers a mission to stop a mysterious substance killing Earth’s sun, and realizes that an unexpected friendship may be the key.

Project Hail Mary is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller directors of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009), 21 Jump Street (2012), The Lego Movie (2014) and 22 Jump Street (2014). 

Project Hail Mary is an absolute beauty of a film, everything that should come together does. Whether it’s the powerful and raw performances, the atmosphere capturing both this sense of loneliness and togetherness or the film’s investing dialogue that brings the viewer along for the experience. 

Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace is one of the best performances so far this year, he captures the film’s atmosphere of loneliness and togetherness when the film requires it. Gosling’s charm undoubtedly brings the film together, especially during Ryland Grace’s interactions with Rocky. There’s this beautiful bond that is truly touching and filled to the brim with care, Gosling has shown time and time again how strong of an actor he really is and this time around he really reinforces that and truly goes all out. He’s able to balance the emotional heartbreak and the comedic moments expertly that brings this very human performance that almost anyone can latch onto. 

Sandra Hüller once again hits it out of the park, if there is one thing I did not expect going into this film it was Hüller singing Harry Styles’ “Sign of the Times” it is a unexpected yet powerful scene that is only made stronger due to Hüller’s beautiful singing voice. Outside of that, Hüller delivers this grounded cold government official that has this vulnerability attached. 

Finally there is James Oritz who voices Rocky who is basically a rock with legs, but do not let that fool you. The amount of character moments he gets is truly fascinating and each one of them only helps build the character, as I previously mentioned earlier, the moments between Ryland Grace and Rocky are truly some of the film’s best, it shows the abilities of both actors and builds their character’s bonds. Oritz much like Gosling is able to balance the emotional and comedic moments, Rocky is definitely a bit more on the comedic side than Ryland Grace is. But that does not stop him from being quite an effective character. 

The film’s writing is quite fantastic, the mixture of both loneliness and togetherness is what truly brings this film together for me. The loneliness is the ultimate catalyst of the mission but togetherness is what is needed to survive. We see this with Ryland Grace before going into space this sense of loneliness in the air, sure we see him talking to people but the atmosphere makes sure to highlight the loneliness in the air. The togetherness comes in with Rocky, both Grace and Rocky help each other survive and reach the end of the mission, there is also some flashbacks to when Grace was on earth where there were a few moments of togetherness despite the danger Earth is facing. 

Finally there is the film’s technical aspects, when you combine the film’s beautiful and effective score from Daniel Pemberton and the jaw dropping cinematography from cinematographer Greg Fraser who gives some of the best shots from a film so far this year. You get a truly wonderful experience that the film is sure to highlight incredibly well. 

Overall Project Hail Mary is a fantastic film that is truly worth the experience. While the film can go on for a bit too long in some areas, that is not nearly enough to stop the film from being quite excellent. 

Project Hail Mary is available on all VOD platforms.

9/10 A

Alpha (2026) Film Review

Alpha, a troubled 13-year-old, lives with her single mom. Their world collapses the day Alpha returns from school with a tattoo on her arm.

Alpha is directed by Julia Ducournau director of Raw (2016) and Titane (2021). 

Alpha is a pretty big departure from Ducournau’s previous work, where as Raw (2016) and Titane (2021) were much more on the horror side of things as well as being disturbing in their own ways. Alpha opts to go for a much more sadder and dramatic direction, that I do think benefits the film for the most part. Even if I do think this is a step back from Ducournau’s previous work, I definitely appreciate her going for something a bit different here even if not everything comes together. 

The performances are all around fantastic, Tahar Rahim’s performance as Amin who is Alpha’s addict uncle is an incredibly heartbreaking performance. He brings this tragic humanity element to this role that really goes into very raw directions that hit the viewer like a truck. Rahim is able to balance warmth and vulnerability with his character and becomes the film’s emotional anchor, Amin’s story is rough to listen to but it’s by far one of the film’s strongest areas due to just how real Rahim’s performance really feels. 

Golshifteh Farahani also gives an incredible performance, she plays a character simply known as Alpha’s mother which I do think in a strange yet effective way that works well with the story being told. Farahani does such a terrifying yet powerful job of portraying a traumatized mother who is doing everything to protect her child. She captures the chaotic elements of the film as well as the constant antagonizing fear of protecting a child. Her scenes with Rahim are easily some of the film’s best and truly help elevate the film’s material. Her performance much like Rahim’s is heartbreaking and will really pull the viewer into the experience. 

The film serves as an allegory for the AIDs crisis which for some people has some polarizing results, I will admit that not everything works here. But I do think there is a level of thoughtfulness that does shine through, that is perhaps due to the film’s performances and effectiveness on atmosphere. I do like the theme of bodies changing, cracking and let go, it’s devastating in its own right. 

The cinematography from cinematographer Ruben Impens is quite effective as it paints this world that looks like it breaks on the edges in every single way. Physically emotionally and spiritually, it’s quite a brutal look of when all three of these elements just break, what do we have left? What is there to do? It’s questions like these are quite haunting. 

I won’t say much else since I do think Alpha is the sort of film that you do have to really experience for yourself. Overall Alpha has its flaws, but I do think Ducournau sticks the landing. It might not be as great as her previous work, however I still think this is still a very strong film! 

Alpha is available on all VOD platforms.

8/10 B+

Lightning Round Reviews: They Will Kill You and Reminders Of Him!

A woman takes a job as a housekeeper in a NYC high-rise, unaware of the building’s history of disappearances. She soon realizes the community is shrouded in mystery.

They Will Kill You is directed by Kirill Sokolov director of Why Don’t You Just Die (2018) and No Looking Back (2021). 

They Will Kill You is a movie that I wish I had a lot more to say but this is definitely one of those cases where “what you see is what you get” rings completely true. I do not mean this in a bad way, while the story is a large mess it’s everything else that really helps push the movie to the finish line. 

Zazie Beetz is truly great here as it does seem like she was having the time of her life, even if some of the one-liners can come off as incredibly corny. Beetz is able to make the one-liners work decently well, she goes completely all out here especially during the film’s bizarre third act that actually compliments her performance. Myha’la, Patricia Arquette and James Remar are all great here as well, they contribute the right amount to leave an impact on the viewer. 

The film definitely borrows from Read Or Not (2019) and Kill Bill (2003) it’s very noticeable and unfortunately does lead to some moments that aren’t as impressive since they have been done multiple times before. However the film’s action scenes are still genuinely fun and they have the chaotic atmosphere to back them up. The gore is also quite fantastic as well, if you are fan of action films with a lot of gore this one will definitely do the trick. 

Finally there is the film’s bizarre third act which I actually think is the film’s strongest area, It’s incredibly campy and James Remar’s voice work is truly fascinating. What I do love about the third act is it’s not afraid to go all out, it unleashes all of the chaos that the film was building up to and stands by it. 

Overall They Will Kill You might not have a whole lot going on story wise, but I do think everything else combined together makes this one at least worth a watch. 

They Will Kill You is available on all VOD platforms.

6/10 C+

After prison, a woman attempts to reconnect with her young daughter but faces resistance from everyone except a bar owner with ties to her child. As they grow closer, she must confront her past mistakes to build a hopeful future.

Reminders Of Him is directed by Vanessa Caswill director of Love At First Sight (2023). 

Reminders Of Him is the third film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s books. I have only seen It Ends with Us (2024) which was terrible, I never got around to seeing Regretting You (2025) and looking at the reactions and reviews I’m probably going to keep it that way. 

I guess by the default Reminders Of Him is the best of the bunch but that is really not saying a whole lot, while there are some decently done dramatic moments which is mainly thanks to Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers. The movie almost immediately reminds you that you are watching a Colleen Hoover adaption and throws in some very poorly written dialogue that takes you out of the movie almost immediately. 

The movie is about as predictable as you can really get, it’s one of those cases where you are just waiting for certain events to happen so the next one can proceed with how you expect them to. The chemistry between Monroe and Withers is also just not there at all outside of a few decent moments. It’s a shame because these are two really great actors they just have the misfortune of being stuck with a shallow script. 

Overall there truly is not much else to say here, Reminders Of Him is a very forgettable movie that really overstays its welcome with a runtime of 114 minutes. Hadn’t it been for Monroe or Withers, the results would have looked far more ugly and terrible. 

Reminders Of Him is available on all VOD platforms.

4/10 D+

Nirvanna the band the show the Movie (2026) Film Review

When a convoluted, frantic plan to book a gig at Toronto’s Rivoli goes terribly wrong, creators Matthew Johnson and Jay McCarrol accidentally travel back in time to the year 2008.

Nirvanna the band the show the movie is directed by Matt Johnson director of The Dirties (2013), Operation Avalanche (2016) and Blackberry (2023). The film is based on the 2007-2009 web series and its 2017-2018 television adaption. 

A director who has quickly become an absolute force in Indie filmmaking is Matt Johnson, with every film he attempts something completely different and always brings something truly special to the table. That’s no exception here with Nirvanna the band the show the movie, this is a film that not only celebrates the fun of making a film. But it’s also a film that is genuinely hilarious, charming and just an absolute joy of a film. It is worth noting that I have not seen the web series or the television adaption but after watching this film, that is very likely to change. 

First and foremost, the reason why this film works is of course because of Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol. The two play fictionalized versions of themselves and they truly do such a fantastic job here, every single moment they are firing several jokes with some of the most cleanest and best comedic timing you could really ask for. The two’s chemistry is nothing short of fantastic, as I said before I haven’t seen the series the film is based on but this is just one of those moments you can just tell how excellent they are together. The two do such a fantastic job of bringing this film to life, whether it’s several 2008 references or Back To The Future (1985) references the humor always lands as well as their performances. 

The film’s writing is sharp and filled to the brim with clever references that really capture this time capsule like approach that truly feels special, incorporating a lot of ideas from Back To The Future (1985) made for some genuinely hilarious laughs as well as tying the film’s themes together. Usually throwing as many references as you can is a very risky move, however what Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol do here is excellent. There are moments of the film where you genuinely wonder “how on earth did this get made?” I won’t spoil anything here, but it is truly just a fun experience just to see what these two end up doing. 

Lastly there’s the films themes, the friendship between Johnson and McCarrol is truly beautiful and is the heart of the film. Two friends doing crazy and ridiculous things together, making a film that captures your friendship and this journey you share with the ones you truly love. The film executes this in such a hilarious and touching way that truly invests the viewer into it all. 

Overall Nirvanna the band the show the movie is one of the best films of the year, it’s a wonderful film that even if you are not familiar with the source material I still do recommend giving this one a go! 

Nirvanna the band the show the movie is available on all VOD platforms.

10/10 A+

Charliebird (2026) Film Review

When a music therapist begins working with a unique young patient, she is confronted with her past and what it means to live. Set in a small, rural town in Texas.

Charliebird is directed by Libby Ewing which is her directorial debut. 

Charliebird is certainly a sad one, while there might not be anything exactly new going on here. The way the film tells its story and brings the chemistry between its two main characters front and center is what makes the whole thing work. 

Samantha Smart who is also the film’s writer gives a strong performance and has a lot of star potential. It’s the type of performance that you fall in love with immediately, her performance as Al is truly touching and empathetic. The conversations she has around her are raw and quite investing to the viewer as well, similarly Gabriela Ochoa Perez who plays Charlie a terminally ill patient is excellent as well. We slowly start to see Charlie let people in and over the course of the film she melts into this beautiful bond with Al that is the film’s heart. 

Together, Smart and Perez truly make the film. The entire film is built around the two’s chemistry and the film only adds more and more to their bond, there are tons of character driven moments that keep the film fresh rather than resorting into melodrama and very cliched tropes about illness. 

The writing does have its moments of awkwardness but with the combined efforts of director Libby Ewing and writer Samantha Smart, what we get here is a pretty authentic look at medical and emotional care. We see Al and Charlie’s lives connect in this beautiful and genuine way. The themes of not getting attached and dealing with constant grief are beautifully done, what is a healthcare worker for terminally ill patients supposed to say or do with the advice “don’t get too attached?” that’s a question that this film asks and it does such a fantastic job of exploring it in great detail. 

Overall Charliebird is a very strong directorial debut from Libby Ewing, it’s a very beautifully told story that is very character driven and will no doubt reach the viewer’s heart. 

Charliebird is available on all VOD platforms.

8/10 B+