Young CriticConclave
The Vatican political thriller is gripping if at times melodramatic Vatican politics have long been a rich setting for drama, from Paolo Sorrentino’s The Young Pope (2016) and The New Pope (2020) to Fernando Meirelle
Reviews tagged: drama
Young Critic
Young CriticWe Live in Time
The romance's unconventional structure is a bold if risky bet Romance films have become cliches having staid and predictable structures. However, filmmakers have been trying to re-energize the genre, approaching it from
Young CriticAnora
Sean Baker's Palme D'Or winner is another complex character study Sean Baker is reminiscent of the revolutionary directors of the 1970s, filmmakers who reshaped cinema by telling stories from the fringes of American life
Young CriticThe Apprentice
The Donald Trump origin story works as an effective tragedy Despite Donald Trump’s ubiquitous presence in media and culture since his first presidential run in 2016, he has rarely been depicted in dramatic film or televi
Young CriticA Different Man
Adam Schimberg's film is an intriguing deconstruction of beauty standards Despite advancements in how society treats people who look different, physical attractiveness remains a valuable currency. This theme was central
Young CriticJoker: Folie a Deux
The follow-up is uninspired and stiff Despite publicly claiming that no sequel would be made, it was hard for director Todd Phillips and performer Joaquin Phoenix to escape studio demands after Joker (2019) made over $1
Young CriticMegalopolis
Francis Ford Coppola's latest is big on ambition, but short on substance Francis Ford Coppola is arguably one of the best directors in history. He’s a filmmaker with an unbridled ambition, and whose uncompromising nature
Young CriticSaturday Night
The SNL origin story is an immersive if shallow watch Saturday Night Live (1975-) has been a staple of New York and American culture since its inception. The show was created and is still run by Lorne Michaels, who has s
Young CriticDidi
Sean Wang's directorial debut is sweet if slightly scattered Coming-of-age stories are go-to material for first-time directors. It allows them to deliver an authenticity to their journey in becoming artists as well as us
Young CriticI Saw the TV Glow
Jane Schoenbrun's latest is a unique yet dense surrealist film A24 has curated a style and following comparable to cult filmmakers rather than a movie studio. It’s bet on auteur-driven projects has paid off with unique f
Young CriticBack to Black
The Amy Winehouse problematically santizes the dark elements of her life The music biopic is a genre that has not running out of steam despite oversaturating the market decades ago. Consumers’ obsession with fame and wan
Young CriticKingdom of the Planet of the Apes
The latest in this solid franchise is another worthy, transporting entry The recent Planet of the Apes films have been among the more contemplative blockbuster franchises in recent memory. What began as pure popcorn en
Young CriticChallengers
Luca Guadagnino's latest is another winning tangled romance Luca Guadagnino’s films range from the murder thriller A Bigger Splash (2015), the throwback 1970s summer fling Call Me By Your Name (2017), and the cannibal ho
Young CriticCivil War
Alex Garland's take on violent polarization is a chillingly effective watch The concept civil wars breaking out in Western democracies is becoming less a fantastical concept than a probable nightmare. Coups have already
Young CriticOrigin
Ava DuVernay's "impossible" adaptation of the academic text is profoundly moving Adapting an academic dissertation on the origin and roots of racism into a dramatic film can feel like quite the impossible task. Yet Ava D
Young CriticThe Zone of Interest
Jonathan Glazer's latest finds a fascinating new perspective on an oft-explored topic Holocaust and WWII movies have righteously been overdone in cinema; making sure the horrors and lessons of those dark periods of histo
Young CriticAll of Us Strangers
Andrew Haigh's searing take on loneliness is profoundly vulnerable The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated many people’s solitude and loneliness, not only due to quarantining measure, but also by forcing many to pause and take
Young CriticFerrari
Michael Mann's return to directing is sadly attached to a hopeless script Michael Mann is a director whose thrillers defined the 1990s and 2000s, from the likes of The Last of the Mohicans (1992) and Heat (1995) to Colla
Young CriticAmerican Fiction
The publishing satire is a comedic and dramatic triumph The Black experience has often been enclosed in a space of exploitation and trauma that seems to delight white audiences. Be it slave stories, crime, or other ways
Young CriticMaestro
Bradley Cooper's sophmore directing effort is a crowning achievement Despite being an action star, romantic lead, and celebrated performer, Bradley Cooper is quickly transitioning into becoming one of the most unique dir
Young CriticPoor Things
Emma Stone delivers a career high in Yorgos Lanthimos' latest Yorgos Lanthimos is a director that has quickly instituted a style of absurdism in his films; donning a mocking and goofy attitude in his narrative, yet havin
Young CriticDream Scenario
Nicolas Cage's latest delivers an intriguing and refreshingly original film Nicolas Cage has recently used his star power to shine the light on daring up and coming filmmakers, bringing truly original ideas to the screen
Young CriticMay December
Todd Haynes' latest brings a complicated exploration of guilt and exploitation Romantic age gaps have been exploited in film until very recently. Woody Allen was famous for placing himself or surrogate older characters a
Young CriticSaltburn
Emerald Fennell's sophomore film is boldly captivating With Emerald Fennel bursting onto the directing scene with Promising Young Woman (2020), it was inevitable for an immense anticipation for her sophomore follow-up to