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I remember the comic by Riad Sattouf "One day you will be an Arab", where he processes his childhood experiences in the Syrian countryside. He describes the murder of a girl by her closest relatives as a punishment for an unacceptable love affair. The murderers became the most respected individuals in the local community and were presented as a moral example of society. Ali Abbasi didn't intend to make a regular thriller about a mentally disturbed sociopath. He was intrigued by the religious motive of purifying society from sin, which the perpetrator defended during his rampage in court, as well as the support of a significant part of the Iranian public that he enjoyed. Through his protagonist, the journalist Rahim, whom he confronts with the incompetence and prejudices of the local authorities, the director presents a bitter testimony of how the Iranian religious regime appears and operates. Abbasi, as an immigrant from the country where he spent his adolescence, understands and thanks to him, the Iranian realities look authentic, even though it was naturally filmed elsewhere. Audiences should not be surprised that it reveals more than usual in terms of both intimacy and violence, in order to create a compelling effect. The thriller element works smoothly thanks to the appropriate use of music and editing. The acting is flawless. Overall impression: 90%.

From time to time, a person unexpectedly comes across a gem of a series that takes unexplored paths and combines something you previously assumed couldn't be reconciled. At first glance, the town of Fortitude is a typical representative of the beloved Nordic noir genre. It boasts impressive shots of the desolate, harsh, and freezing landscape sparsely populated by people with complicated characters, whom fate has somehow brought there. It's not advisable to pry into their pasts, and it's better not to have any grand illusions about their motivations. When a shocking murder of one of the community members occurs, the darkness that was safely hidden deep within them begins to seep to the surface. In addition to the thriller aspect, gradually, a no less significant science fiction and horror element begins to make itself known. Its charm for me lies in the fact that it is seamlessly integrated into the series and gives off a believable civilian impression. Fortitude belongs to the series that don't rush and play with atmosphere. It explores the nature of individual characters, doesn't rely on gimmicks, and yet still manages to surprise. Superbly cast, written, and directed - what more can you ask for? Overall impression: 90%.

I have great respect for the social dramas of the Dardenne brothers, but there has always been something missing or excessive for me in their films. Yet this drama, set in a corporate environment, resonated with me so much that I accepted it without reservations and with enthusiasm. For me, this is the most crucial film by the sibling duo. The seemingly artificially created situation corresponds to the conflicts that unions and management resolve in collective bargaining in companies when they have to decide between preserving jobs or increasing wages. One of the world's best actresses in the lead role is just the icing on the cake. Overall impression: 90%.

"As long as I'm here, you won't get out." - "And as long as I'm here, you won't get out either." Daněk arranges his intimate drama as a complicated relationship between a prisoner and a jailer - both are mutually dependent and trapped in their own way. "No one can rely on anyone today. You know it best yourself - after all, you are also in charge," says the sad commander of the castle garrison when he decides between loyalty to the current lord and an offer of betrayal from a noble magnate who is currently out of favor. All of this takes place in a situation where he does not know who among his subordinates stands on this or that side. The film is shot in the austere setting of a decaying medieval castle, which gives the film a stamp of period authenticity, and stands on the excellent performances of the charismatic Macháček, Munzar as the uncertain priest, and above all Martin Růžek as the purgrave torn by doubts and squeezed by conflicting interests and threats. Although historical facts do not speak in favor of the honor of Lord Henry of Lipá, Daňek's sense of dialogue, interesting characters, and moral conflicts make the film not an easily digestible, but for me a valuable and attractive spectacle. Overall impression: 90%.

My relationship with Leviathan is best characterized by the fact that I did not have the courage to watch it for over 3 years, even though it was stored on my computer. I was simply scared of the darkness that emanated from the story. Zvyagintsev's film perfectly characterizes Russia as unchanging over time. The combination of the crown, the sword, and the altar, along with the disdain for ordinary people, creates a very hostile environment in Russian society where the individual means nothing and bows to absolute power. The actions of the church officials are reminiscent of the current patriarch Kirill, who gets along so well with the authorities in the Kremlin. Zvyagintsev hit the nail on the head with the conditions that led to the war in Ukraine. A chilling film and unfortunately very true. Overall impression: 95%.

For the creation of The Sinner, viewers can thank Jessica Biel's desire to prove that she can handle more challenging character roles. However, those who are familiar with the previous seasons of the show know well that the key character and the reason for the continuation is the character of Detective Harry Ambrose. His ability to sense shadows where others have clarity, his empathy towards all involved parties, and above all, his drive to delve deep into understanding why things happened the way they did, make him a character capable of succeeding where teams of professionals with powerful institutions behind them fail. I consider the fourth season to be the most successful and mature. This is also due to the skillfully executed mysterious storyline, which has become somewhat of a trademark for The Sinner. However, the viewer must be prepared for a slower pace and a journey filled with sadness and human tragedies hidden behind the seemingly harmonious facade of the local community. Bill Pullman is brilliant as usual. Overall impression: 90%.

London at the beginning of the 19th century, as the capital of a flourishing empire where the sun never sets, has its best days ahead. However, even then, it is perceived as a center of intrigue, determining the state of the world, despite temporary difficulties caused by the Napoleonic Wars. At the same time, it is a place where no one has just one master. Except for James Delaney, who serves only himself, his revenge, and his path to success. His fate can be understood as the story of a deprived nobleman, stripped of nobility, similar to the Count of Monte Cristo. Delaney is an adventurer with a dirty past, present, and future, who has no issues crossing the boundaries of the law and the moral standards of the time. He is surrounded by allies from the lower classes, who are comfortable with such morals. The series can be criticized for focusing on a cool style and effects, but at the same time, it presents such an interesting mix of conflicts, with a plot full of twists and such intriguing characters, both outwardly and inwardly dirty, that I gladly overlook these flaws. The cast is luxurious, and Tom Hardy's performance as a tough guy who goes after what he wants is perfectly fitting and is one of the significant roles of his career. I had a great time with it, and I would love to see a meaningful continuation of this project. Overall impression: 90%.

The Lighthouse is a film where atmosphere is everything and the story is nothing. After the interesting and successful The Witch, Eggers had a free hand and he took advantage of it in his own way. He mocks the popcorn audience with their ideas of horror full of jumpscares and ghosts. Eggers is perhaps the only director who not only heard of Lovecraft and read something from him, but also thought about his work and was inspired by his theoretical foundations. Sartre already knew that hell is not devils, but other people. Put two ultimate sociopaths on a deserted island, give one an illusion of power, and expose the other to humiliation and the result will arrive soon enough. There is nothing, only loneliness, and boredom spiced up by memories of the sound of crushing human bones and failed relationships. Sexual frustration, bitterness, and rising levels of hatred supported by the distillate in the blood. The raging water element invigorates the imagination, just like a superstitious sailor's tales. Eggers impressively works with mythological references, with image and sound, and cleverly avoids literalness. Both actors reward him with excellent acting, the kind you don't see often. All in all, The Lighthouse is one of the most impressive horror films I have had the opportunity to see. Overall impression: 95%.

An engaging, incredibly intense film filled with emotions and energy, and the most interesting premiere of 2021 for me. A luxurious dessert served by a team of British actors led by Stephen Graham. His performance in Boiling Point and his role as a prison guard in the miniseries Time made me consider placing him among my favorite creators. During one hectic evening, the long-standing personal crisis of the chef and restaurant owner culminates, and things start happening... Philip Barantini, without much directorial experience and with a modest budget, managed to shoot a great action film in the space of a restaurant, in which I couldn't find any significant weaknesses. However, if I had to highlight something besides the acting, it would definitely be Lewis's brilliant cinematography; 90 minutes in one shot is not something you see every day. I wish all film enthusiasts Bon Appétit while watching Boiling Point. Overall impression: 90%.

Growing up is not easy, and if your father is in prison, it's twice as hard. Your hormones are working full throttle, the desire to seek missing role models clashes with the need to assert oneself against their surroundings. A small smuggling deal threatens to turn into a big disaster with unforeseen consequences, and a meeting with the father on parole brings disillusionment and further complications. I don't trust bloated film co-productions, but this collaboration of Latin American and European filmmakers worked perfectly. It's a film full of energy, tension, believable conflicts, and emotions, and it is not half-hearted and leaves a lot to its characters and audience. In just 24 hours, the teenager Cambra accomplishes a lot and takes a big step forward on the path to adulthood. Karnawal is not an interchangeable film product. South American temperament, deeply-rooted machismo, the exoticism of carnival rhythms, and the difficult social reality of South American society are abundantly present in the film. I would also highlight the authentic performances and appropriate duration. All in all, I have no reason to give it less than 5 stars and a 90% overall impression.