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As we swing toward the end of February, we’re getting some interesting films from interesting filmmakers. Below is my take on this week’s new movies. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

Cleaner (Theaters)
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Clive Owen, and Taz Skylar
Synopsis: When you see a movie starring Daisy Ridley and Clive Owen, directed by Martin Campbell (Goldeneye, Casino Royale), you don’t expect it to go under-the-radar. Yet, that’s the case with Cleaner, which opened in theaters this weekend. The film is set in London and is a solid action film with a good production team. We meet Joey (Ridley) as she’s running late and running into a bad day. The facility that houses her brother, Michael (Matthew Tuck), has kicked him out. She must take him along with her as she heads in late to work. She’s a window cleaner for an energy company in the heart of the city, and it’s the night of their shareholder gala. Unfortunately, Joey ends up having to work late. She ends up outside the building waiting to finish up when a group of ECO Terrorists spoil the party. Their leader (Owen) has a plan to expose the corruption of the company and its leaders. His No. 2 (Skylar) is more aggressive and has a plan all his own. When they butt heads, things spiral out of control. With her brother still a hostage inside, Joey must spring into action. Can she find a way into the building and spoil the terrorist plans before it’s too late? The film is directed by Campbell, who has a long track record of delivering interesting action films. He gets the most out of this plot and his cast here, too. Ridley makes for a solid lead in the film and believably handles the action sequences. I also enjoyed the setting and the quick pace, with a movie that clocks in just over 90 minutes. This isn’t a film with a big marketing plan and the cast is solid but not flashy. So, too, is the production. But if you’re looking for a straightforward story that’s executed well with some good action sequences in a tight package, this will work well for you.
Rating: Rated R for violence, language throughout, and brief drug use.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

The Monkey (Theaters)
Starring: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, and Colin O’Brien
Synopsis: When last we heard from Osgood Perkins, he was delivering one of the best thrillers of 2024 with Longlegs. Now, he’s back with a new horror comedy, this one based on a short story from Stephen King. But does it deliver? Yes, it does. The film feels completely different from his last outing in tone and style, but it’s just as creative and fun. We begin in 1999 with twins Bill and Hal (played by Christian Convery) who discover a grinder monkey that belonged to their father. Turns out, when you use the Monkey, bad things happen. After some unexpected deaths, they hide it away. Flash forward 25 years later and the Monkey is back, and more bad things are happening. Now Hal (James) and his son Petey (O’Brien) head to his old home in Maine to find the Monkey and end the reign of terror. This is a crisp film, clocking in at just over 90 minutes. It features a good look, and the plot moves at a good pace. There are plenty of gruesome deaths here that will thrill horror fans, but there’s also a lighter, black comedy tone that makes the film a heck of a ride. I enjoyed the creative death sequences and the fun cameos, including from Perkins himself. I loved James in the dual role, and Maslany is great as the boys’ mother in the early sequences. This film is a lot of fun and worth checking out for horror fans.
Rating: R for strong bloody violent content, gore, language throughout and some sexual references.
Verdict: Three and a half stars out of five