Strangers in a Car Park will be available on digital and on demand on November 11, 2025. Photo: One Tree Entertainment, used with permission.
New Movie Spotlight: Strangers in a Car Park
🎬 Strangers in a Car Park
The truth will always come to light
Available On Digital and On Demand – November 11
Written and Directed by: Stuart McBratney
Starring: Brenton Prince (Home and Away, Underbelly), Lawrence Ola (Upright, Wellmania, face of STEP ONE underwear), and Arnijka Larcombe-Weate (Boy Swallows Universe)
When a cleaning lady spots a celebrated surfer being honored with a medal for heroism, her world comes crashing down. She recognizes him as the man who assaulted her years ago. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)
With only a streetwise courier by her side, she sets out to expose the truth, risking everything to confront the man who’s built his life on lies.
Strangers in a Car Park is an unflinching and unorthodox drama about memory, justice, and the lies we tell ourselves and others.
Release Date: November 11 Watch: On Digital & On Demand
Photo: One Tree Entertainment, used with permission.
Charlie, a notorious serial killer known as The Midnight Mangler, finds himself trapped reliving the same violent night over and over. At first, he embraces his grisly urges but as the cycle continues, desperation sets in. Haunted by his actions and unable to escape the endless nightmare, Charlie begins to unravel both mentally and morally. It is available for streaming for free on Amazon Prime and The Roku Channel and for rent/buy on Fandango at Home, Google Play Movies, among others.
Review
Kill Me Again is a gripping psychological horror-thriller that takes the “time loop” concept and twists it into something darkly original. The film follows the Midnight Mangler, a notorious serial killer who becomes trapped reliving the same brutal night again and again and forced to face his own monstrosity with each repetition. It starts off as a regular slasher movie but evolves into a chilling study of guilt, punishment, and the possibility of redemption.
Keith Jardine’s direction is sharp and atmospheric, using shadowy cinematography to mirror the killer’s descent into madness. Even the name of the café, The Killer Café, points to how everything centers around Charlie. Though uncomfortable to watch, Charlie’s initial encounter with Ana shows the depth of his depravity. Each repeated night peels back another layer of his past, revealing brief flashes of humanity beneath the horror. The pacing is relentless yet purposeful, balancing the gore with moments of eerie introspection. Jardine has a small but significant role that comes full circle at the end.
Brendan Fehr delivers a standout performance, menacing yet heartbreakingly human, as the Midnight Mangler. As the loops continue, his torment shifts from physical violence to existential dread. He begins to question his own identity and the meaning of his endless suffering. Towards the end, you can tell he wants to overcome his evil nature, but succumbs every time. The story becomes less about murder and more about moral reckoning.
Stylish, unsettling, and surprisingly introspective, Kill Me Again is a chilling exploration of the cyclical nature of evil and the nightmare of never escaping oneself. There’s plenty of violence and gore to please fans of slasher films, yet the overall message is more of a social commentary.
Miguel Huerta and Pasqual Gutierrez in Pasqual Gutierrez’ Serious People. Photo: Tribeca Films/Memory, used with permission.
🎬Serious People
“Life’s a Movie”
Written and Directed by: Pasqual Gutierrez & Ben Mullinkosson Produced by: Ryan Hahn, Laurel Thomson, Teddy Lee Starring: Pasqual Gutierrez, Christine Yuan, RJ Sanchez, Miguel Huerta
Official Selection:Sundance Film Festival 2025 In Theaters: November 14, 2025 On Demand: December 16, 2025 (all major platforms)
Tribeca Films x Memory Present Serious People
About the Film
Serious People follows successful music video director Pasqual Gutierrez, who faces a life-altering dilemma on the due date of his first child: accept the biggest music video project of his career or finally step back and focus on his family. (Emma Griffiths PR, 2025)
Frustrated by his lack of balance, Pasqual makes a bold decision, he casts a doppelgänger named Miguel to fill his shoes in his directing duo, Cliqua, while he takes paternity leave. But as he spends more time teaching Miguel how to inhabit his life, the line between real and replacement begins to blur.
The result is a sharp, funny, and emotionally charged look at ambition, identity, and the replaceability of people in clout-driven Los Angeles. The film ultimately asks: What does it mean to be a director, a parent, and, most of all, a real person?
Running Time: 86 minutes (USA, Feature Film)
Behind the Camera
Pasqual Gutierrez
An award-winning American filmmaker, Gutierrez is best known as one half of Cliqua, the powerhouse directing duo behind some of the biggest music videos of the past decade. Together with RJ Sanchez, he’s collaborated with Bad Bunny, Rosalia, J Balvin, Madonna, Travis Scott, and The Weeknd, among many others.
Gutierrez’ work has earned multiple nominations and an MTV VMA, and his debut short film Shut Up & Fish, now Oscar-qualified, has been making waves on the festival circuit. Serious People marks his first narrative feature film, which made its world premiere at Sundance 2025.
Ben Mullinkosson
Co-writer and co-director Ben Mullinkosson brings his documentary sensibility to Serious People, blending realism with dark humor. His 2023 documentary The Last Year of Darkness won the Special Jury Mention at CPH:DOX and was released by MUBI.
Mullinkosson’s earlier work includes Gnarly in Pink (Tribeca Film Festival, 2013), distributed by The New York Times Op-Docs, and a series of acclaimed shorts that have earned Vimeo Staff Picks and millions of online views.
Why Serious People Matters
Serious People is a reflection on modern creativity, work, and self-worth. It’s a satire of hustle culture wrapped in a heartfelt story about fatherhood and identity. The film captures what it feels like to be torn between personal meaning and professional validation, a tension many of us know all too well.
Opening in theaters on November 14, with a Video On Demand release on December 16, this debut feature promises to be one of the most talked-about indie films of the year.
Serious People poster. Photo: Tribeca Films/Memory, used with permission.
Mikaela Hoover and Ruby Modine in Dead Giveaway. Photo: VP Independent, used with permission.
🎬 Philadelphia Film Festival 2025: Celebrating the Best in Global Cinema
Every October, the Philadelphia Film Festival transforms the city into a global stage for cinematic storytelling — welcoming tens of thousands of film lovers, emerging talents, and celebrated filmmakers for an electrifying 11-day experience. (Philadelphia Film Society, 2025)
Curated by the Philadelphia Film Society’s expert programming team, who travel the world from Sundance to Cannes, Berlin to Toronto, the Festival delivers a handpicked lineup of the year’s most talked-about, award-winning, and visionary films. From bold debuts to international sensations, every screening is a chance to discover the next big thing in film.
This year’s Festival runs October 16–26, 2025, featuring 11 days of world-class cinema, exclusive events, and celebrations that bring the city’s film community together.
🌟 Spotlight Feature: Dead Giveaway
World Premiere | Section: Filmadelphia
One of the most anticipated screenings of the Festival is Ian Kimble’s Dead Giveaway, a wickedly funny horror-comedy making its world premiere right here in Philadelphia. (Emma Griffiths PR, 2025)
Jill (Ruby Modine) wakes up from a blackout night of drinking and partying to find herself covered in blood — and sharing her bed with a dead man. Hungry, hungover, horrified, and possibly a murderer, she scrambles to clean up before her roommate Sarah (Suzann Toni) notices.
When her best friend Lia (Mikaela Hoover) shows up, half-concerned, half-annoyed, she reluctantly agrees to help Jill figure out what happened, but only under one condition: they have to make it to brunch before 3 p.m.
What follows is a blood-soaked comedy of errors involving mistaken identities, suspicious visitors, and a very inconvenient corpse. Between hiding bodies, dodging questions, and keeping their mimosas on schedule, Jill and Lia stumble through a hangover-fueled nightmare where every fix only makes things worse.
With an endlessly creative script by Ian Kimble, Dead Giveaway delivers a sharp mix of horror and humor — and the irresistible chemistry between Ruby Modine and Mikaela Hoover keeps audiences laughing (and screaming) until the very end.
🎥 About the Filmmaker
Ian Kimble is a writer, producer, and director with a background in award-winning short films and independent features. Dead Giveaway marks his feature debut as writer, director, and producer — expanding on one of his original short films. With this project, Kimble cements his place as one of Philadelphia’s most exciting emerging filmmakers.
📅 Screening Schedule
Philadelphia Film Festival 2025 Official Screenings
World Premiere 📍 Friday, October 17 at 9:45 p.m. Location: Film Society Center 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Encore Screening 📍 Sunday, October 26 at 8:00 p.m. Location: Film Society East 125 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
Whether you’re a die-hard horror fan or just love a clever dark comedy, Dead Giveaway is a must-see at this year’s Philadelphia Film Festival, proof that the city’s film scene is as bold, fresh, and fearless as ever.
The new book to movie adaptation starring Glen Powell hits theaters on November 7. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Stephen King’s “The Running Man” Returns — and Hits the Big Screen
Originally published under King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman in 1982, The Running Man later appeared as part of The Bachman Books collection in 1985. Now, this dark, dystopian thriller is making its way to the big screen, with Paramount’s new adaptation set to premiere on November 7, 2025.
Ben Richards has lost everything—his job, his savings, and nearly his hope. With a sick daughter in need of urgent medical care, he takes a desperate gamble and signs up for the nation’s most popular (and brutal) reality show: The Running Man, where contestants are hunted for sport.
If Ben can stay alive for thirty days, he’ll win a billion dollars. The catch? No one has ever survived more than eight days. Pursued by a lethal strike force trained to kill, Richards must navigate a world where every step could be his last.
It’s a chilling story about desperation, power, and the lengths one man will go to save his family.
The Film Adaptation
The Running Man (2025) A man joins a game show where contestants can run anywhere in the world—while professional “hunters” track them down.
Director: Edgar Wright
Writers: Michael Bacall, Stephen King, Edgar Wright
Stars: Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, Josh Brolin
Genre: Dystopian Sci-Fi, Dark Comedy, Survival, Action Adventure
Running Time: 140 minutes
With Wright’s trademark style and a powerhouse cast, this adaptation promises to bring King’s high-stakes vision to thrilling, satirical life.
About the Author
Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent works include Never Flinch, You Like It Darker, Holly, Fairy Tale, Billy Summers, If It Bleeds, The Institute, Elevation, The Outsider, Sleeping Beauties (co-written with his son Owen King), and the Bill Hodges Trilogy: Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and End of Watch.
King is the recipient of numerous honors, including:
2020 Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award
2018 PEN America Literary Service Award
2014 National Medal of Arts
2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters
Rui Pedro Silva in Eugène Green’s The Tree of Knowledge. Photo: MoreThan Films, used with permission.
Fantastic Fest 2025: The Tree of Knowledge World Premiere
Fantastic Fest, held annually in Austin and known as the largest genre film festival in the U.S., is back at the Alamo Drafthouse from September 18–25, 2025. Celebrated for spotlighting fantasy, horror, science fiction, action, and cult films, this year’s lineup promises a hauntingly excellent collection of premieres.
One of the most anticipated titles is Eugène Green’s The Tree of Knowledge, having its World Premiere at this year’s festival. (Emma Griffiths PR, 2025)
In biblical terms, the “Tree of Knowledge” symbolizes free will and the ability to discern right from wrong. For filmmaker Eugène Green, it becomes a metaphor for spiritual awakening and renewal, set against the backdrop of Europe’s booming mass tourism.
The story follows Gaspard (Rui Pedro Silva), a Lisbon teenager who falls into the hands of the Ogre, a man who has struck a pact with the Devil. The Ogre uses Gaspard to lure tourists, transforming them into animals before killing them. Gaspard escapes with a donkey and a dog he has grown attached to, and in an enchanted manor, encounters the spirit of Queen D. Maria I of Portugal. Enraged, the Ogre sets off in pursuit—leading to a fantastical and allegorical journey of survival.
About the Director: Eugène Green
Born in New York City on June 28, 1947, Eugène Green is a French filmmaker, writer, theater director, and actor.
Studied literature and art history in Paris
Founded Le Théâtre de la Sapience in 1977, staging both contemporary poetic and baroque theater
Directed his first feature, Toutes les Nuits (1999, released 2001), winner of the Louis Delluc Prize for First Film
Has since directed 10+ feature films and 6 mini-films
His works have screened at Cannes, Locarno, Berlin, and other international festivals
In 2019, the Fundação Serralves in Porto hosted the first major exhibition dedicated to his cinema
✨ With The Tree of Knowledge, Green brings his signature poetic and philosophical style to Fantastic Fest, offering audiences a surreal and allegorical tale that blends dark comedy, folklore, and fantasy.
‘The Thursday Murder Club’ by Richard Osman is now a Netflix movie. Photo: Barnes & Noble
The Charm of Cozy Mysteries
Cozy mystery books offer readers a delightful escape into charming worlds filled with intrigue but softened by warmth and comfort. Unlike darker crime novels, cozies balance suspense with lighthearted settings—small towns, bookshops, bakeries, or quaint villages—where everyday life continues even amid mystery.
Their appeal lies in clever puzzles, quirky characters, and the absence of graphic violence, allowing readers to enjoy the thrill of solving a crime without the heaviness. Often featuring amateur sleuths, cozy mysteries invite readers to feel part of the investigation. They’re the perfect blend of relaxation and mental challenge, making them irresistible comfort reads.
Spotlight: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Four septuagenarians with a few tricks up their sleeves
A female cop tackling her first big case
A brutal murder
And a retirement village with secrets to spare
In a peaceful retirement community, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes. Together, they call themselves the Thursday Murder Club.
When a local developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph beside the body, the group suddenly finds themselves facing their first live case. As the bodies begin to pile up, the unorthodox but brilliant gang must race to catch the killer—before it’s too late.
From Page to Screen
The Thursday Murder Club is now a Netflix film, directed by Chris Columbus with a screenplay by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote. The star-studded cast includes Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie.
The story follows four irrepressible retirees who spend their days solving cold cases for fun, only to stumble into a real whodunit. With its blend of humor, heart, and suspense, the adaptation brings the cozy mystery spirit to life on screen.
About the Author
Richard Osman is an author, producer, and television presenter. The Thursday Murder Club was his debut novel, and it quickly became a New York Times bestseller.
Beyond writing, Osman is well known for his work on TV shows including Pointless and Richard Osman’s House of Games. As creative director of Endemol UK, he has worked on popular programs such as Deal or No Deal and 8 Out of 10 Cats. He is also a regular face on panel shows like Have I Got News for You, Would I Lie to You, and Taskmaster.
✨ Cozy mysteries like The Thursday Murder Club prove that crime-solving can be clever, funny, and comforting all at once. If you’re looking for a mystery that keeps you guessing while wrapping you in charm, this series is the perfect place to start.
Director: Harley Wallen Cast: Sean Whalen, Angelina Danielle Cama, Maria Olsen Genres: Horror, Drama, Thriller, Mystery
A Haunting Premise
The film opens in Scandinavia in 912 AD, where a man named Frey murders a young girl. The villagers capture him and bury him alive. Centuries later, we’re introduced to Julie (Angelina Danielle Cama), a foster child nearing her 18th birthday. Julie lives under the watch of foster parents Todd (Sean Whalen), a struggling gambler, and Janelle (Maria Olsen), whose kind facade quickly cracks.
When Julie discovers a mysterious Yggdrasil pendant in the woods, she unknowingly unleashes Frey—an ancient evil disguised as a wounded man. Out of compassion, she shelters him in a barn, only to realize his sinister nature as his power grows.
Mythology Meets Horror
Beneath Us All delivers a haunting twist on Norse mythology. The pendant and Frey’s dark origins add a folkloric depth that elevates the familiar “evil in the woods” setup. The film avoids cheap jump scares, instead relying on slow-building dread and an atmosphere of unease.
The cinematography captures the forest as a living threat—dark, still, and heavy with shadows. Every frame lingers with tension, making the setting a character in its own right.
Performances and Themes
Angelina Danielle Cama delivers a standout performance, balancing fear, compassion, and determination. Her protective nature toward the younger children raises the stakes, grounding the supernatural threat in raw human emotion.
Some dialogue feels clunky, and the middle act struggles with pacing, but the emotional weight of the final confrontation makes up for it. Themes of survival, found family, and temptation intertwine with the mythological horror, keeping the story compelling.
Final Thoughts
Beneath Us All is a chilling, myth-driven thriller that blends folklore with classic horror suspense. While some familiar tropes creep in, its Norse twist and atmospheric tension make it worth watching. It’s available for streaming on Tubi.
🎥 Recommended for fans of atmospheric horror and creature features.
“Look, Julie. I know you, okay? You’re a good person. No, they stomped it out of me a long time ago.”
The latest installment of The Conjuring movies is now in theaters. Photo: The Conjuring Movie
The Conjuring Movies: Why Fans Keep Coming Back for More
Few horror franchises have left as big a mark on modern cinema as The Conjuring series. Blending supernatural chills with the real-life paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, these films go beyond simple jump scares. One big difference is the human element, the Warrens’ deep bond as a couple. Their love, faith, and unshakable resilience ground the terrifying stories, making audiences feel invested not only in the hauntings, but also in the people fighting against them.
The gothic atmosphere, expertly timed scares, and “based on true events” tag keep moviegoers coming back for more, proving that fear feels a little more real when it’s rooted in history.
The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) – A Spine-Chilling Farewell
Released this week, The Conjuring: Last Ritescloses out the first phase of The Conjuring Universe with an emotional and terrifying send-off. As the sequel to The Devil Made Me Do It, it doesn’t just aim for scares, it aims for closure.
Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reprise their roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren, reminding us why they’ve become horror icons. Their chemistry elevates every scene, balancing tenderness with the heavy burden of confronting evil. This time, we also see the Warrens’ daughter Judy (Mia Tomlinson) and her boyfriend Tony (Ben Hardy) step into the story, which adds fresh family stakes.
At 2 hours and 15 minutes, the movie packs in plenty of eerie set pieces, bone-chilling encounters, and a sense of finality that longtime fans will appreciate. It’s less about reinvention and more about honoring the legacy of what came before, a fitting, if bittersweet, conclusion.
Genre: Horror Rating: R Runtime: 2 hr 15 min
A Look Back at The Conjuring Universe
Over the past decade, the franchise has delivered both hits and spin-offs, expanding into one of the most successful horror universes of all time:
The Conjuring
Annabelle
The Conjuring 2
Annabelle: Creation
The Nun
Annabelle Comes Home
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
The Nun II
The Conjuring: Last Rites
With Last Rites, the Warrens’ chapter may be closing, but the fear they’ve stirred on screen will linger for years. Are you a fan of these movies? Which one is your favorite?
The heartfelt comedy will be released digitally starting in the US and Canada on September 16. Photo: Blue Harbor Entertainment, used with permission.
The Compatriots Brings Heartfelt Humor and Immigration Stories to VOD This September
Release Date: September 16, 2025 (U.S. & Canada) Platform: VOD Nationwide (with international releases to follow)
Blue Harbor Entertainment has announced that its award-winning festival favorite The Compatriots will be available on Video on Demand across the U.S. and Canada beginning September 16, 2025. Additional VOD releases in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other territories are coming soon. (EG-PR, 2025)
The film’s release aligns with Citizen Day in the United States (Sept. 17), making its themes of immigration, identity, and belonging especially timely.
A Story of Friendship, Belonging, and Resilience
Marking the narrative feature directorial debut of Spencer Cohen, The Compatriots is a nuanced comedy-drama starring Rafael Silva (Javi) and Denis Shepherd (Hunter), alongside Dakota Lustic, Caroline Portu, Jaison Hunter, and Brandon Grimes.
The story follows Javi, an undocumented immigrant facing deportation, who unexpectedly reconnects with his estranged best friend Hunter, a charming bachelor yearning for deeper connections. Together, they embark on a heartfelt mission to keep Javi in the only country he has ever known.
Inspired by Cohen’s childhood best friend Alberto Sayan, a Dreamer from Peru, the film offers an intimate look at the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants—especially those brought to the U.S. as children and now facing deportation to countries they barely remember.
Festival Accolades
Since its premiere, The Compatriots has made an impressive run on the festival circuit, earning:
Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature – Woods Hole Film Festival
Emerging New England Filmmaker Award – Woods Hole Film Festival
Best LGBTQ Feature – Poppy Jasper Film Festival
Best Narrative Feature – San Antonio Film Festival
It has also been featured at the Maui, Ojai, Chelsea, and Fort Lauderdale Film Festivals.
Director’s Statement
“Dreamers are not an abstract concept; they are our neighbors, nurses, teachers—and in my case, my best friend Alberto,” says director Spencer Cohen. “They are integral parts of our communities, and they deserve to feel safe in the country they call home. I hope audiences will see Javi as their best friend and fight for policies that give permanent protection to millions like him.”
About Blue Harbor Entertainment
Founded in 2023 by Amanda Sherwin, Mike Messina, and Seth Needle, Blue Harbor Entertainment is a boutique distributor dedicated to empowering independent filmmakers. With decades of combined industry experience, the company offers full-scale distribution and marketing solutions for theatrical, digital, and television releases—providing a flexible, filmmaker-first approach in today’s evolving entertainment landscape.
Release Date Reminder:The Compatriots premieres on VOD September 16, 2025, in the U.S. and Canada.
Photo: Blue Harbor Entertainment, used with permission.
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