One Movie To Watch And One Not Watch

Companion

The death of a billionaire sets off a series of unexpected events for Iris and her friends during their stay at his luxurious estate. A clever thriller that tries to break away from the usual formula—and, to some extent, succeeds...

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• Sophia Thatcher is the standout of the film, especially in the more "inhuman" aspects of her performance.
• Original in execution, smart, and fast-paced.
• Plenty of twists (best to avoid the trailer 😅).
• Strong performances from the rest of the cast as well.
• Attempts to explore themes of patriarchal oppression and power dynamics.
• Delivers solid messages, with self-awareness being the most prominent.
• Doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is a big plus.

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• The outcome is a bit predictable.
• The tone lacks consistency from start to finish, likely due to blending multiple genres.
• The humor is welcome but doesn’t always land.
• If you’re expecting scares, you’ll be waiting in vain.

Parthenope

In bustling Naples, we witness the story of Parthenope—a force of nature whose journey begins in the post-war years and stretches to the present. I had heard a lot about this film. Did it win me over? Definitely not.

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• The visuals and Italian scenery are as mesmerizing as expected, with direction that enhances them.

• Though I didn’t like the lead actress’s performance, I have to admit she was quite photogenic.

• Surprisingly, I liked the ending, with the more mature version of Parthenope.
  Well-crafted cinematography.
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• Excessively long—I got bored in several parts.

• Definitely not a film for mainstream audiences.

• I don’t know if you’ll agree, but to me, the lead actress felt weak, bland, and lifeless in a role that theoretically should have been the complete opposite.

• Lots of philosophical musings but little action—mostly empty rambling that exposes the weak script.

• Plenty of allegories, but I think they lose their meaning.

• Pacing issues.

• Most of the characters feel decorative rather than essential.