My Review of Forbidden Fruits (2026)

 

Written by Lily Houghton And Meredith Alloway

Directed by Meredith Alloway

Cherry: "Are we still best friends?"

Apple: "You know I don't believe in hierarchy in female relationships."

If Gen Z were ever going to get their own version of The Craft (1996), then I guess they couldn't do too shabbily with this one. It's a feminist take on sisterhood or a smackdown of performative sisterhood. I think it's ultimately both.

Set in a shopping mall, the Free Eden employees have mobilised their own after hours witchy femme cult. They're led by the dominating Apple (Lili Reinhart) but there's an opening for a new member to the ranks.

This was where newcomer Pumpkin (Lola Tung) found herself. She made an impression on Apple but also Fig (Alexandra Shipp) and Cherry (Victoria Pedretti). Following a few rituals and rules, Pumpkin got herself into Apple's little cult and she took little time in attempting to unravel it as well.

Pumpkin had an agenda for joining. She needed to get closer to Apple for later reasons that made enough sense. Pumpkin was also smart enough to exploit Cherry's sex addiction and Fig being involved with a man named Norman (Siddharth Sharma) to her advantage and then there was former member, Pickle (Emma Chamberlain).

Apple really hated the idea of her cult members being involved with men and resorted into performing hexes in order to deal with snakes. Pickle fell victim to two hexes with the latter killing her and then a hurricane really turned the group against each other.

These movies thrive on a final girl but what happened when it's the villain who actually survived? Yup, it's Apple that was the last "witch" standing. Both Cherry and Fig are given some rather grisly deaths and the half sister connection between Apple and Pumpkin (same father who Apple killed) didn't exactly save Pumpkin. Now you've got Apple on the loose and ready to form a new performative sisterhood.

- The movie's based on Lily Houghton's stage play Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die. That's an extremely long title.

- A mid credit scene revealed that Apple's boss, Sharon (Gabrielle Union) was an undercover detective, aware of Apple's antics.

- Standout music: Scantily Clad by Haute & Freddy.

- Chronology: Took place over the course of a month in Dallas, Texas. Apple fled to Arizona by the end of the film.

Forbidden Fruits started off as a bit of a slog with some really cringe Gen Z dialogue but as the movie progressed, I found it improved. The four leads are mostly great and there's some good ideas that are a little underdeveloped but overall, a breezy watch.

Rating: 6 out of 10 

My Review of Obsession (2026)

 

Written And Directed by Curry Barker 

Nikki (to Bear): "You wished for this."

Well, I got around to watching the most hyped horror film this year with a character that's now generated her own official Wikipedia page. Nikki Freeman (Inde Navarrette) your impact has emerged here.

Let's be honest, Nikki has been the character that has been very front and centre and given so many deep dives. Did anyone really think she was a villain? Yes, she did some truly shocking things in this movie but it's also clear from the start that she's more a victim than villain of the piece.

Nikki being a victim came down to a wish from her co-worker and friend, Baron "Bear" Bailey (Michael Johnston) wanting a romantic relationship with her and resorting to a supernatural toy in order to make it into a reality. It would be a wish that Bear wouldn't live to regret given the ending for this one.

If you ever happen to find something like the "One Wish Willow" before you snap it in half, maybe take a long think about the kind of wish you want to make. Bear thought that Nikki being in love with him would be a dream come true but it turned into a living nightmare for both.

Nikki became obsessed with Bear and despite being disturbed by her change in personality, Bear also dated her. This caused some tension with their friends Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) and Sara (Megan Lawless), neither of whom approved of Bear and Nikki being a couple. Both would also become collateral damage as a direct result.

If this movie could have an influenced Nikki lie about her father having cancer, kill two people, use cat remains in a sandwich and self harm herself but still underline that's she's a victim, why would anyone see her as a villain? I mean she's genuinely scary at times but there's also those glimpses of the old Nikki at times to remind audiences that her agency had been taken from her.

As for Bear, there are moments of sympathy and even attempts to undo the damage his wished had caused. You can feel almost a little bad for him while being appalled with the way his behaviour darkened. In the end, he did do the right thing to free Nikki of being obsessed with him but even his exit left Nikki in a horrible position.

- Nikki's screams were all down to Inde Navarrette. It's amazing how quickly certain scenes of Nikki have become viral.

- Curry Barker has another horror movie called, Milk & Serial. After watching this movie, I'll definitely look it up before Anything But Ghosts gets released.

- Nikki putting some of Bear's cat remains into his sandwich was by far the most disgusting thing in the film. Nikki had also been sleeping with Ian and Sara had a crush on Bear.

- Both Curry Barker and Andy Richter have small roles in the film.

- Standout music: Rock Burwell's Make Believe.

- Chronology: Present day Los Angeles. 

I'll admit, I was worried that Obsession might not have lived up to the huge hype that surrounded it but I'm pleased to say that it did. There's a Star making performance from Inde Navarrette undoubtedly but Michael Johnston also played his part brilliantly and the two of them together made for a brilliant and tragic look at one sided love.

Rating: 8 out of 10 

Doctor Who - Christmas 2026 Special Shelved? 30th Anniversary of TV Movie

I didn't think I'd be doing two Doctor Who blog posts this month but here we are. A part of this of course is celebrating a certain piece of the show's history but most of this will look at the show's future and in the latter case, I'm starting to worry.

On Monday, The Sun newspaper (yes that infernal rag) posted that the upcoming Christmas special could be delayed to Easter 2027, due to casting availability. On top of that, they've also claimed that the show is currently struggling cast an actor to succeed Ncuti Gatwa (who recently hosted the UK version of Saturday Night Live). Apparently the role has now become a poison chalice.

For months, most viewers/fans, etc naturally assumed that the upcoming special, written by Russell T. Davies would be lead by David Tennant and Billie Piper. There was also the possible chance of the actor cast as the 16th Doctor would likely factor at the end of the special. How naive we were?

We're about to head into the summer months and we're still none the wiser with what's going on. In the past the show could film close to time and get a Christmas special on the air. With rumours of a September filming, it's unlikely the special would be complete, post production wise to make the Christmas Day slot of old.

Adding to the frustration, when the Radio Times pressed the BBC for confirmation, they declined to comment on the matter. As much as I'd rather not be negative, I think the writings on the wall with this one. Until confirmed otherwise, I have a horrible feeling the special will be moved to Easter 2027 and that the show at the moment is struggling to find a new actor.

I was hoping with AMC+ recently acquiring the 2005-2022 era for their streaming service that maybe we were due a more positive announcement but alas, it wasn't meant to be for now.

On a brighter note, today marks the 30th anniversary of The TV Movie or The Enemy Within. It's been thirty years since we first met Paul McGann's Eighth Doctor and while the movie wasn't initially a fan favourite, it's something that's grown in love overtime. Eight things I loved about it.

• The actual interior of the TARDIS. It's gorgeous.
• Paul's performance as the Eighth Doctor. 
• Eric Roberts as the Master. This one took a while but I do love his take on the Doctor's best enemy.
• Daphne Ashbrook as Dr. Grace Holloway. 
• Setting the events over the course of New Year's Eve.
• I actually liked Chang Lee the more I've rewatched this film.
• The Eight/Grace romance was nicely handled.
• "I always dress for the occasion" - that line cracks me up.

I'll definitely be watching the movie over the weekend. I imagine many Doctor Who fans will be doing the same.

Hopefully answers surrounding the show's future will be confirmed soon because right now, I think we should all be a little concerned.

My Review of Heartbeats (2010)

 

Written And Directed by Xavier Dolan 

Francis: "I love you. I really want to kiss you. I don't know why I'm telling you this."

Last week, I finally watched I Killed My Mother and I thought it was an impressive debut from Canadian director, Xavier Dolan. This follow up certainly proved that he wasn't a one trick pony.

Once again, Dolan cast himself in a lead role and tbh, I kind of like that he's cast himself as characters that while not entirely likable, they can at least merit a decent amount of sympathy for them.

In this one, he's playing the role of Francis. Francis and his friend Marie (Monia Chokri) were at a dinner party with other friends when Nicolas (Niels Schneider) came into their orbit. Both Francis and Marie were taken by Nicolas and both were determined to get him.

There's a fun, passive aggressive way in which both Francis and Marie pursued Nicolas throughout the movie. Both tried to derail the other and both got their moments with the curly haired guy. Nicolas also seemed to be egging both Francis and Marie on as the movie progressed.

There's a whole segment where the three of them ended up at the vacation home of Nicolas's aunt. For a guy who was happy to make Francis eating a marshmallow into seduction play, even I was a tad surprised when Nicolas eventually spurned his advances. Oh and Marie didn't get lucky with him either.

I guess the lesson to be learned here would be that it's never a good idea to be friends with someone who shares the same taste in men. This however would be a lesson that both Francis and Marie would fail to learn if that last scene was anything to go by.

- Anne Dorval had a small but amusing role as Désirée. Louis Garrel also played the party guest that both Francis and Marie lusted for at the end of this movie.

- There's also a scene with a cherry that's more effective than the marshmallow one.

- Standout music: Dalida's Bang Bang was used effectively a few times here.

- Chronology: It took place over the course of a year in Montréal.

Heartbeats (2010) was definitely a strong second director outing for Xavier Dolan. A fun and slightly complicated love triangle that temporarily frayed a friendship between two characters. I found this rather entertaining.

Rating: 7 out of 10 

My Review of Crimes Of Passion (1984)

 

Written by Barry Sandler

Directed by Ken Russell

Rev. Shayne: "Don't fight me, child. I'm the messenger of God and I only want to heal you."

China: "Heal thyself, pimp shit!"

I watched this one a few years ago and it somewhat stuck with me, so I went back to watch it again late last night. This might be one of the most fucked up films I've seen. Well, just about.

Kathleen Turner gave one of the most daring performances in her career with this film. By day, she's Joanna Crane, a hardworking woman at a fashion house that's arpused the suspicions of her boss, Lou Bateman (Norman Burton). He doesn't trust anyone that hardworking.

That's where Bobby Grady (John Laughlin) factored into things. He was hired by Bateman to follow Joanna and catch whatever criminal activity she was involved in. Instead he got romantically involved with her as his marriage to Amy (Annie Potts) was falling apart.

Joanna's other life was that she was a prostitute named China Blue who specialised in fulfilling men's deepest fetishes. In this role she also attracted the attention of the hypocritical and hyper twitchy Reverend Peter Shayne (Anthony Perkins). She just couldn't get rid of the man.

The dynamic between China and Shayne drove the movie in a big way. He claimed he wanted to save her soul and hated himself for being sexually attracted to her. In some ways, Perkins was channelling a version of his most infamous role. There's even a scene involving crossdressing before Shayne's overzealous obsession came to a boiling point.

With the heavy amount of salacious antics going on in the movie, Grady somewhat served as a grounding force. His marriage breaking down got room to breathe and he's presented as a stabilising alternative to the hedonistic lifestyle that Joanna was experiencing as China. It's a believable enough love story among the craziness.

- Anthony Perkins was constantly sweating in this movie. Shayne was seen taking poppers multiple times and had an array of sex toys.

- China's clients included a man with a fetish for sexual assault, a dying man who didn't sleep with her and a rather obnoxious business couple that China lost her patience with.

- Standout music: Anthony Perkins performing a rather psychotic version of Get Happy during one particular scene.

- Chronology: 1980s America. 

Crimes Of Passion, I'll admit that I found this to be a rather fucked up movie. Kathleen Turner delighted in straddling dual identities, Anthony Perkins seemed completely off his gord and boundaries certainly got pushed. 

Rating: 8 out of 10 

My Review of Mother Mary (2026)

 

Written And Directed by David Lowery 

Sam: "There may be only one of us standing when this is over."

Mary: "I know."

I had such high hopes for this one. I genuinely thought it was going to end up being one of my favourites for 2026 but alas, I guess it wasn't meant to be.

A few years ago, Anne Hathaway played a woman in love with a pop singer. This time around she's the pop singer named Mother Mary and she's got something of a costume crisis. Enough of a crisis for her to hop on a plane and reunited with someone who she previously cut out of her life.

The person in question being costume designer and former friend Sam Anselm (Michaela Coel). The way this movie went, I sometimes wonder if Mary and Sam has a relationship that transcended friendship. They're written like an ex couple at times.

Now this was a very talkative movie and predominantly took place in one area of Sam's rundown home. If it was for a slew supporting characters in the present and flashbacks, this would've almost been a two hander between Hathway and Coel. They mostly keep this movie afloat.

Anyways, the tension between Mary and Sam was down to the former feeling like she was losing her identity in the latter's designs, so she wanted a break. There's also something involving a red fabric spirit being unleashed and some ritual with a fan named Imogen (FKA Twigs) that went horribly wrong.

I'll admit the flashbacks and anything that ventured properly into the horror side of things helped the movie. The music parts while fine were better handled in movies such as Trap (2024) and Smile 2. On the plus side, at least two estranged friends exorcised some past demons and forgave one another.

- Hunter Schafer had a few scenes as Sam's assistant Hilda. Kaia Gerber, Sian Clifford and Jessica Brown Findlay all had good supporting roles.

- Mary's mother died at some point. Sam did seem sympathetic during that reveal. Sam also broke her tooth at one of Mary's concerts.

- Standout music: All courtesy of Mary of course. Burial, Cut Ties, My Mouth Is Lonely For You and Holy Spirit.

- Chronology: Mary flew from LAX to land in thr English countryside to meet with Sam. That incident also took place in Dublin.

Mother Mary (2026) really should've been a winner because you've got both Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel giving it their all but for some reason, it just didn't come together. A shame.

Rating: 6 out of 10 

My Review of Half Man: "Episode 5"

 

Written by Richard Gadd 

Directed by Eshref Reybrouck

Niall: "Ava is pregnant."

Ruben: "Wow. Wow. Honestly that's amazing. I'm gonna be an uncle."

And yet, everything that followed from that little moment indicated that Ruben wasn't best pleased about Niall's potency. In fact it highlighted his own lack of potency and that led to some really tough scenes in this penultimate episode.

In flashbacks for the previous episode, both Niall and Ruben came to some sort of understanding. They were even having double date last with Mona and Ava respectively but issues of money, fatherhood and old insecurities reared their head once again.

Ruben can only mimic being normal for so long but his penchant for explosive rage resulted him having been unemployed for over a year and borrowing money to support both Niall and Mona respectively. His intense jealousy over both got extreme during this episode as well.

Mona wanting her own independence by teaching dance classes had Ruben convinced that she was sleeping with Benji (Gunnar Bjercke). Ruben was right but the way Niall confirmed his brother's worst fears just to save his own skin was awful. Congrats Niall, you just caused a man's death.

This episode sadly was Niall at his absolute worst. His indignant stance at having to pay Ruben back, borrowing money from Ava's father for conversion therapy that obviously didn't work and his refusal to accept his sexuality. For the first time, I actually found myself unsympathetic towards. Add to that, he also slept with Mona after being aware that Ruben's unable to father children.

Back in the current day, this did lead to Niall losing his rag with Ruben outside and the two of them heading into the shed. I'm glad there's one episode left because I don't think I could handle any more stress from this chaotic duo.

- Lori was right to point out that Niall was lying to himself about his sexuality. Even Ava knew he was gay but only ditched him after he slept with a male prostitute.

- Mona quickly realised that Cosmo in Niall's book was actually Ruben. Ruben spoke poorly of her during the episode.

- Did Ava keep the baby? I don't think we've seen them during the present day scenes.

- Yet again, Ruben made a play for Niall's cock as a reaction to Ava being pregnant.

- Standout music: Kylie Minogue's All The Lovers.

- Chronology: 2010 in the flashback. Ava mentioned having a geriatric pregnancy at 42. Anjli Mohindra is younger than Ava.

Although this one might be the weakest compared to what we've had, I did rather like it. I'm gonna give a shout out to both Anjli Mohindra and Amy Manson who were every bit as excellent as Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell have been.

Rating: 7 out of 10