Greetings again from the darkness. Director Lance Oppenheim (SOME KIND OF HEAVEN, 2020) and co-writers Luke Dittrich and Ajon Singh toss nearly two hours of psychology at us, leaving us to fend for ourselves on how best to define evil and acceptable boundaries of ethics and decency. It’s a bit of a mind twister that some may define as horror, while others cast it as satire. Regardless of your take, I found this to be a mesmerizing look at the things that make some people tick.
Robert Pattinson stars as Chris Hansen, whom you likely recall as the host of “To Catch a Predator”, a special offering which ran from 2004-08 on “Dateline NBC”. Hansen became renowned for his creepy voice and catchphrases, “Why don’t you have a seat” and “You see how this looks, right?” It wasn’t enough to catch the pedophiles … they needed to be humiliated on camera and then have the tape replayed on national television. Legalities caught up with show … entrapment being a topic, despite few having sympathy for those targeted. Those caught in compromising positions are shown here, but this film is ingenious in how it turns the camera on what was going on behind the scenes.
Pattinson captures a persona as Hansen that is difficult to describe, yet abnormal and a bit twisted is a start. The always great Merritt Weaver (CHRISTY, 2025) plays the show’s ambitious producer Andie Bender – one who would readily admit to not being cut out for rom-coms. She’s a master at manipulating a situation or person so that it makes her and the show look good. Proof of this is in how she handles “Decoy Dan” (a terrific Skyler Gisondo, SUPERMAN, 2025). Ambitious in his own right, Dan masters the innocent voice used to reel in the target, and does so for the purpose of obtaining his SAG card.
Yes, everyone is out for something here. Matthew Maher (THE BRIDE!, 2026) plays Xavier, the staffer charged with attracting the right kind with online banter. Xavier founded “Perverted Justice”, an organization committed to nailing pedophiles. The downfall of the show occurred with an incident in Murphy, Texas … shown here with Bokeem Woodbine as a strutting Texas sheriff, devoted to nailing ‘The Whale’ … an important local official. It’s the one target that Hansen never had the chance to confront with his own words.
The supporting cast in the film is deep and, in some cases, quite surprising. These actors include Phoebe Bridgers (musician), Anna Farris, Jessica Hecht, Jeff Zucker (former President of CNN), Jonathan Lipnicki (the kid from JERRY MCGUIRE), Alex Winter (BILL & TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE), Tony Revolori (THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL), and Creed Bratton (“The Office”, The Grass Roots).
In addition to the cast, director Oppenheim has put the band back together (from SOME KIND OF HEAVEN, 2020). This includes cinematographer David Bolen whose lighting and camera work deliver a unique atmosphere, composer Ari Balouzian whose musical notes match the feeling, and editor Daniel Garber who fits the pieces together in a way that the “Yuck” factor never overwhelms. The psychological aspects mentioned earlier are on full display throughout, and best of luck maintaining your own sanity as you attempt to figure out if any of these folks are ‘good’ or if that bar is simply unachievable.
Opens in theaters on September 25, 2026
Posted by David Ferguson 
Greetings again from the darkness. One of the most frightening things in existence is when mental illness blends with brilliance. Ted Kaczynski was a 16-year-old math prodigy at Harvard in 1958, and then arrested in 1996 after being identified as the Unabomber. His reign of terror covered 1978 through 1995, and his bombings were responsible for three murders and twenty-three injuries. The manhunt was the longest and most expensive in FBI history.
Greetings again from the darkness. It can be challenging to relate to an historical drama set in the 14th century, yet the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 in medieval England sometimes hits quite close to home. Writer-director Paul Greengrass directed three of the Jason Bourne movies, so we can expect the action sequences to be frenetic and thrilling … often relying too heavily on handheld cameras.
Greetings again from the darkness. I guess we were due for a “Cold War Buddy Comedy”. And who better to deliver than co-directors John Francis Daley and Johnathan Goldstein, the team behind GAME NIGHT (2018) and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES (2023). This time out, they deliver excellent visuals to go along with stellar comedic chemistry between first class wisecracker Ryan Reynolds and expert straight man (and Oscar winner) Kenneth Branagh.
Greetings again from the darkness. Circumstances. Fate. Luck. Determination. It’s been said that what we make of our lives is up to us. Still, it seems likely that these factors play a role- often a significant role. Writer-director Emmanuel Corcol and co-writers Irene Muscari, Oriane Bonduel, and Khaled Amara have delivered a film that’s touching, funny, and grounded in emotional sincerity. The film never moves too quickly or too slowly, instead allowing the characters to guide the pace.
Greetings again from the darkness. Writer-director Tessa Blake and screenwriter Jennifer Manocherian have adapted Lisa O’Donnell’s 2014 novel, “Closed Doors”, and set the story in small town Minnesota rather than Scotland. This relocation works beautifully thanks to the contrast of the wide-open natural spaces of Boundary Waters with the claustrophobic nature of family life. Parents are tasked with a balancing act: protecting kids with teaching them, while also maintaining our own peace of mind. Where is the line between being honest with kids and protecting them from situations that are beyond their age bracket?
Greetings again from the darkness. It has been quite a while since the last film adaptation of Albert Camus’ 1942 novel “L’Etranger”, and filmmaker Francois Ozon (behind one of my favorites, SWIMMING POOL, 2003) went to Albert’s daughter Catherine to get approval for this project. Previous adaptations include THE STRANGER (1967, Italy) and FATE (2001, Turkey). Ozone and Phillippe Piazzo collaborated on this updated screenplay (including some variations from the source material).
Greetings again from the darkness. “Break a leg.” The well-meaning phrase dates back many years as a way to avoid the dreaded ‘good luck’ for someone preparing to perform on stage. When high school sophomore Sophie explains this to her mother, the mom hugs her and offers how bad she would feel if her daughter actually broke her leg. Such is the love of a mother … this particular mother … in this heartfelt movie from director Julia Hart, who co-wrote the screenplay with her husband Jordan Horowitz and Laura Hankin. It’s based on Ms. Hankin’s own personal story.
Greetings again from the darkness. Olmo is like most fourteen-year-old boys. His visual fantasizing about the girl of his dreams requires nothing more than a toy car and a glimpse of her walking outside. Yet, Olmo is also different than most his age because he shares caregiving responsibilities for his disabled dad, who is stricken with Multiple Sclerosis. It’s been more than a decade since he last directed a feature film, and writer-director Fernando Eimbcke delivers one of his best. He and co-writer Vanesa Garnica also collaborated on this year’s FLIES, which is currently making the festival rounds (including Cannes).
Greetings again from the darkness. Most of us would do just about anything for a grieving loved one. Kepsuke (Daigo Yamamoto) proves this when he accompanies his wife Otone (Haruka Ayase) to a presentation at ReBirth, a company specializing in humanoids meant to replace a lost child. An accident two years ago cost this couple their 7-year-old son Kakeru (Rimu Kuwaki), and the husband, though skeptical of the whole thing, hopes this is what his wife needs to move on.
