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It was a good week for a couple high-profile new releases. Below are my thoughts on all the weekend’s big films. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

Abigail (Theaters)
Starring: Dan Stevens, Melissa Barrera, Kathryn Newton, Alisha Weir, and Giancarlo Esposito
Synopsis: It was supposed to be a simple job. Six strangers brought together to kidnap a little girl. A ransom demand and 24-hours to pay. Then each of the conspirators walks away with millions of dollars. But when something seems too good to be true, it usually is. That’s the set up in Abigail, a new horror film from the team behind the past two Scream installments. The film has a good cast, a fun script, a great setting, and a new spin on a vampire tale. It’s a heck of a ride. Abigail (Weir) is a tiny ballerina who is snatched to be held for ransom. The job was organized by Lambert (Esposito), who leaves his team behind to watch the girl while he conducts negotiations. The team—all strangers—are meant to be anonymous, each getting a name drawn from the entertainment world, primarily the Rat Pack. Frank (Stevens) is something of the leader, Joey (Barrera) has medical skills and is the primary attendant to Abigail, Peter (Kevin Durand) is the muscle, Sammy (Newton) is the tech genius, Dean (Angus Cloud) is the wheel man, and Rickles (William Catlett) is the sharpshooter. Together, they just need to make it 24 hours. As the six start to get to know each other, despite the rules, it becomes clear something is afoot. Abigail is more than she seems, and the situation is more complicated than it appears. What was meant to be a simple job turns into a fight for survival. In some ways, the marketing campaign for Abigail does it no favors. The fact of what Abigail is—a vampire—is meant to be part of a reveal in the film, but it’s a major part of the marketing campaign. With a lesser film, that could be a critical blow. But it works here fine thanks to a strong script and a great production. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett have worked together on four consecutive horror features—Ready or Not, Scream, Scream VI, and Abigail. This might be their best yet. I enjoyed the script and the character development, the story, and the action. The final act, which features some big horror set pieces and plenty of bloody conflict, which makes it a heck of a ride. I also enjoyed the cast here. There are a lot of fun performances, starting with Weir. She has a complex role but has some great action scenes and some great line deliveries. Among the rest of the cast, Stevens and Barrera—who worked with the directors on the Scream films—stand out. Stevens brings a fun, chaotic energy. While Barrera, again, assumes the mantle of the central figure and the heroine in the story. This film moves at a good pace, delivers a story that crackles, and offers some good action. This is the best horror film I’ve seen so far in 2024, and one worth checking out for fans of the genre.
Rating: Rated R for strong bloody violence and gore throughout, pervasive language and brief drug use.
Verdict: Three and a half stars out of five

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (Theaters)
Starring: Henry Cavill, Eiza Gonzales, Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Henry Golding, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Babs Olusanmokun, Cary Elwes, and Rory Kinnear
Synopsis: This latest action adventure comes from Guy Ritchie, and it’s also based on a true story. In the midst of World War II, while trying to hold off the Germans, Winston Churchill (Kinnear) put in plan a secret group of warriors. Their existence—and missions—were revealed when his secret notebook was finally released a few years ago. Under the direction of a General named M (Elwes), Major Gus March-Phillips (Cavill) was sent on a mission in enemy territory. It was so secret that were they to be caught by the British, they’d be arrested. Were they to be caught by the Germans, they’d be killed. He recruited four warriors (Golding, Tiffin, Ritchson, and Pettyfer) along with two spies (Gonzales and Olusanmokun) to complete the mission and end the Germans’ dominance in the North Atlantic. It was the key to helping win the war. This film has a fun premise and a good cast. Ritchie is in his element, with some crackling dialogue, plenty of fun action, and some good set pieces. Til Schweiger has some fun as the villain, but this is about the group of seven warriors who took on this mission. It’s a good cast that seems to be having fun and the action pops here. This was a kick at the theaters and a movie that works beautifully on the big screen. For fans of the genre—and fans of Ritchie—this is worth checking out.
Rating: Rated R for strong violence throughout and some language.
Verdict: Three and a half stars out of five

Rebel Moon—Part 2: The Scargiver (Netflix)
Starring: Sofia Boutella, Michiel Huisman, Djimon, Hounsou, and Ed Skrein
Synopsis: This was meant to be Zack Snyder’s own version of Star Wars. We got Part 1 in December, with the follow up released Friday. The reports are he has ideas for three or for more parts. Will we get them? That remains unclear. What we do have is a follow up, at least, that seems to bring one part of the story to an end. We left with our band of heroes seemingly taking out the admiral (Skrein) who was stalking them. But he lived and decided to come attack again. This second film is nearly all battle, though we do learn a bit more about our protagonists. I enjoyed Boutella and Hounsou, who seem to take the lead here. The battle robot, voiced by Anthony Hopkins, gets its moment, too. This isn’t Star Wars. It’s not as good or as deep but it was a somewhat enjoyable action ride. I’m not sure I need a bunch more of these, but I liked this sequel moderately more than the first part.|
Rating: Rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, brief strong language and suicide.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five

Tiger/Tigers on the Rise (Disney+)
Synopsis: Just in time for Earth Day, Disney+ released its latest productions from Disney Nature. The pair are companion pieces, so I’m listing them together. The documentary feature is Tiger, which features narration from Priyanka Chopra. It follows a mother tiger and her cubs over the course of years, showing the dangers and struggles of life in the forests of India. The second is something of a making of documentary, talking to the filmmakers, and looking at the behind-the-scenes work happening in the country to help tigers thrive and survive along with the population. It’s a fascinating double-feature that gives a lot of background and insight to viewers. I found it engaging and fascinating, and it makes for a great watch for the whole family.
Rating: Rated PG for some thematic elements including unsettling images.
Verdict: Three stars out of five