The Butcher’s Blade (2026) Review: Brutal Wuxia with Corruption & Betrayal

source: themoviedb.org

Synopsis:

The Butcher's Blade (2026), whose original title is 手遮天 / Shou Zhe Tian and directed by Liu Wenpu. It tells the story of Xue Buyi, a low-ranking constable who has been marginalized for 10 years because he is naive and not politically savvy. When he asks for a better job, he is instead assigned to guard a silver warehouse containing disaster relief funds for a flood. Unfortunately, that night a robbery occurs and the disaster relief funds go missing. Xue is immediately made a scapegoat and falsely accused of theft. His teacher, Huang, saves him and he reunites with his fellow apprentice, Li Zhen. But the deeper he investigates, the more he realizes: corruption and manipulation of the law are rotten to the core. Buyi is trapped and turned into a tool for a “secret squad” that only protects the rich who can afford to pay. Buyi has only two choices: remain an obedient dog of a system where money is worth more than honor, or raise his head and fight against everyone.

Critics praised Liu Fengchao’s acting as Xue Buyi, the “coward” who slowly experiences the bitterness of power. His performance shows a transformation from obedient to savage. The old-school vibe and classic theme: an honest policeman vs corruption, honor vs money. However, critics also criticized the very standard story: a plot about corruption, betrayal, and moral dilemmas, nothing new. The supporting characters are underdeveloped. The antagonist is evil simply because he is evil. The bureaucrats’ motivations are not explored enough.

This film stars: Liu Fengchao, Shanshan Chunyu, Fufu Yuan and more.

In my opinion:

Deep Water (2026) Review: Renny Harlin’s Shark Survival Thriller Delivers Pure Tension

source: flickdirect.com

Synopsis:

Deep Water (2026), directed by Renny Harlin, follows passengers of a commercial flight forced to survive after their plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean. Trapped on wreckage in shark-infested waters, they battle not only nature but also fear, human conflict, and moral dilemmas. With a vibe similar to Open Water and Flight but higher psychological tension, Harlin returns to survival thrillers with a claustrophobic setting that keeps viewers breathless.

Critics highlighted the film’s tense atmosphere on the plane wreckage and open sea. The shark effects feel more realistic than typical low-budget survival movies. While the pacing is fast with no filler, the plot is predictable and character development could be deeper.

This film stars: Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley, Angus Sampson, Li Wenhan, Molly Belle Wright and more.

In my opinion:

Wow, this is insane, this film is truly awesome. It starts with a disaster and then escalates into survival against vicious sharks. Everything is mixed neatly—there’s emotion, recklessness, situations, conflict, bad luck, and drama. I think many films present two main storylines, and this film connects them well. I was moved by the ending; I felt what Ben felt, and it felt real. Ben Kingsley is very charismatic, and Aaron Eckhart “leads” the film well—that’s exactly what a pilot should do during a disaster. This film is a complete package about survival.

The Passenger (2026) Review: 7/10 For This Claustrophobic Van Thriller

source: tv.lk21

Synopsis:

The Passenger (2026) is a psychological thriller film directed by Vadim Perelman. Hassan, a Somalian airport shuttle driver in Minneapolis, is struggling with financial problems. At the airport, he meets Lloyd, a young man who claims he needs to get to Chicago to visit his dying mother. Lloyd offers a large payment for Hassan to drive him there using Hassan’s van. Hassan takes the illegal job because he desperately needs the money. But midway through the journey, the secret is revealed: Lloyd is wearing a bomb vest and he is the one who bombed Minneapolis Airport, killing five people. At gunpoint, Hassan is trapped. He has to keep driving to Chicago while wrestling with a terrible dilemma: should he save himself or save others?

Critics have praised the acting showdown between Hounsou and Smit-McPhee. Hounsou’s performance is calm, emotional, and grounded as a desperate father. Smit-McPhee is the opposite: unpredictable with volatile energy. The premise is morally gray — not just a bomb thriller. It also tests moral boundaries: how far would you go for family or money? Hassan understands that if he saves himself, many more people will be killed.

However, critics also criticized the slow pacing because it is dominated by dialogue and threats, with minimal tension. The film is not new. The premise has been done before. Reviewers say the plot resembles other films, so don’t expect crazy plot twists. ScreenRant gave it a 7/10.

This film stars: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Djimon Hounsou, Leigh-Ann Rose and more.

In my opinion:

Seven Snipers (2026) Review: One Ranch, Seven Snipers, No Mercy

source: tv.lk21

Synopsis:

Seven Snipers (2026) is an 88-minute Australian action thriller released digitally on June 5, 2026, and directed by Sandra Sciberras. The film centers on Kris Hendricks, codenamed "Voodoo Child," a retired elite military sniper hiding on a remote Australian ranch with her daughter Anja.  Their quiet life ends when The Dragon, a ruthless legendary sniper from Kris’s past believed to be dead, tracks them down for revenge and to take Anja. To protect her daughter, Kris reassembles her old squad. She calls 9 snipers, but only 7 remain.  What follows is a tense 6 vs 1 cat-and-mouse battle across the ranch. The fight moves from behind trees and tractors to inside buildings.

Critics praised the film’s lean concept with minimal exposition and heavy focus on tension. Director Sandra Sciberras controls the pressure from frame one. The silence before each shot feels intense and deliberate. The cinematography is clean with a strong sense of geography. The ending delivers a cinematic payoff. The screenplay is intentionally simple and straight-forward, but some viewers will find it "thin" and not very cinematic. The tension also feels half-baked at times.

This film stars: Radha Mitchell, Tim Roth, Ioan Gruffudd, Annabel Wolfe and more.

In my opinion:

Jackie Fabulous: You Can Leave (2026) Review: A Brutally Honest Stand-Up Special on Hulu

source: justwatch.com

Jackie Fabulous: You Can Leave (2026), is a 1-hour stand-up comedy special by comedian Jackie Fabulous that premiered on February 4, 2026, on Hulu and Disney Bundle. The special was filmed at the Triad Theatre in New York City, directed by Charlie Fonville, and produced by Hartbeat, Kevin Hart’s production company. In this special, Jackie delivers unfiltered rants about ex-husbands, diet pills, menopause, and everyday habits that push people to the edge. Her style stays true to personal storytelling and observational humor that feels relatable.

Jacqueline J. Champagnie is one of the legends in stand-up comedy and this year she is 53 years old. Jackie is known for her bold stage energy, sharp comedic timing, and her ability to turn personal experiences into hilarious material. She truly hasn’t lost her touch — watching her feels like hanging out with a fun, no-filter friend. There seem to be no boundaries, and everything is open for discussion, which is exactly what makes Jackie Fabulous great. She talks openly about her ex-partners, her daily life, her sex life, and even her quirky habits. Although she’s had two failed marriages, it hasn’t stopped Jackie from staying positive about life. In fact, she says she wouldn’t turn down marriage again if the opportunity came up.

The Milwood Murders: Buried Truth (2026) Review: When "Buried Truth" Means a Town Full of Lies

source: tv.lk21

Synopsis:

The Milwood Murders: Buried Truth (2026) is a 1 hour 30 minute mystery drama film directed by David F. Mewa and released on January 25, 2026. The story follows prosecutor Shenae Griffiths, who once testified against her own husband and sent him to death row. She was convinced he was guilty of murdering two teenagers. But just days before the execution, her daughter vanishes after uncovering evidence that proves her father is innocent. Now, the mother and daughter must dig for the truth, fight the system, and hunt down the real killer who remains free.

Critics have praised the strong chemistry between the mother and daughter and their fight against the stigma of an entire town. The plot twist truly lives up to the title "Buried Truth" — what’s buried isn’t just a body, but the lies of the whole town. The central idea of wrongful conviction + family loyalty gives the film an emotional weight that keeps you watching. However, critics also pointed out weaknesses in the cinematography and locations. Most scenes are shot indoors, with dialogue set in houses or police stations. This makes the "small town of Milwood" vibe feel weak. It comes across as less cinematic compared to theatrical releases. The cast also feels thin — 90% of the focus is on the mother and daughter, while other characters are reduced to background extras. The plot twist is fairly predictable too, which lowers the overall tension of the film.

This film stars: LeToya Luckett, Shane Marriott, Amanda Thamage, Rainbow Sun Francks and more.

In my opinion:

Primate (2025) Review: A Chimp Got Infected With Rabies And The House Became Its Hunting Ground

source: tv.lk21

Synopsis:

Primate (2025) is a natural horror/thriller slasher that clocks in at 84–89 minutes. It’s directed by Johannes Roberts, the same guy behind 47 Meters Down, so yeah… expect people getting hunted. The story follows Lucy, a college student who heads back to Hawaii for a family vacation. At home, she’s got her deaf dad, Adam, her little sister Erin, and their family’s beloved pet: a chimpanzee named Ben. 

At first, it’s all sunshine and pool parties. But things go sideways fast when Ben gets bitten by a rabid mongoose while locked up. Rabies hits him hard, turning him hydrophilic and insanely aggressive. One minute he’s cute and cuddly, the next he’s a full-on killing machine. Lucy and her friends end up barricading themselves in the swimming pool, since Ben can’t swim. Now it’s a survival game: outsmart and kill a chimp that’s both strong and way too smart.

Critics actually gave props to the gore and practical effects. A lot of them called Ben’s portrayal the "best creature feature in years." They also liked that the film stays tense and doesn’t waste time dragging the story. But on the flip side, they called the plot thin. The characters make dumb decisions straight out of an 80s slasher playbook. And let’s be real, a lot of logic gets thrown out the window. Like… why is there even a wild rabid mongoose in Hawaii? And why is a chimp just roaming free around the house? The numbers don’t lie either: IMDb 5.8/10 from 27k votes, Rotten Tomatoes 78% positive, Metacritic 58/100 with a "mixed or average" tag.

This film stars: Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander, Troy Kotsur, Victoria Wyant and more.

In my opinion:

Hokum (2026) Review: A Small Town Secret Hides In The Walls And It’s Been Listening The Whole Time

source: tv.lk21

Synopsis:

Hokum (2026) is a Psychological Horror and Thriller film directed by Damian McCarthy. It was released on May 1, 2026, with a 107-minute runtime. The story follows Ohm Bauman, a successful horror novelist whose heart is completely shattered. He travels all the way to Ireland to scatter his parents’ ashes at the hotel where they once spent their honeymoon: the Bilberry Woods Hotel. Sounds sentimental, right? 

Here’s the catch. That isolated hotel comes with a dark legend: the “Cailleach,” an ancient witch rumored to still be lingering inside. At first, Ohm brushes it off as “hokum” - basically just bullshit. But the longer he stays, the weirder things get. Mysterious visions start creeping in, his nightmares feel way too real, and then a hotel staff member vanishes without a trace. Eventually, Ohm gets pulled into investigating the whole thing, and that’s when it cracks open his own buried trauma. So the big question is: is he actually being haunted by a ghost, or is it just his broken mental state reflecting back at him?

Critics have been praising the film’s atmosphere and the cast’s performances. The story itself feels classic, but it’s told in an elegant way - like if you mashed up The Shining with 1408. The downside, according to them, is that the structure is pretty conventional. Still, it scored 89% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

This film stars: Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh and more.

In my opinion:

Backrooms (2026) Review: One Wrong Turn Through A Door And You’re Trapped In The Yellow Rooms Forever

source: tv.lk21

Synopsis:

Backrooms (2026) is an sci-fi psychological horror film directed by Kane Parsons. This is his feature directorial debut and it was released on May 29, 2026. It is adapted from the viral YouTube series "Backrooms (Found Footage)" and the 2019 internet creepypasta. The story takes place in 1990. Clark is a furniture store owner whose life is a mess. His architecture career failed, his marriage fell apart, his store is not selling. While fixing an electrical problem in the basement of his store, he finds a wall that can be passed through. Behind it are endless yellow corridors, damp carpet, buzzing neon lights, and empty rooms. Clark manages to return to the real world, but his curiosity makes him invite 2 of his employees to explore again. At that point things start to go wrong, something attacks them.

Mary, Clark’s therapist, gets a strange message from the answering machine. She looks for Clark at that store and eventually ends up entering the Backrooms dimension as well. Inside, Mary has to face a “different” version of Clark who has gone insane and other “creatures”. The horror comes from the atmosphere of repetitive empty corridors, strange architecture, the feeling of being trapped forever and not from a monster chase film.

Critics praised the atmosphere and suspense of this film. The acting from Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve is also considered able to bring tension. Critics also said this is a good creepypasta adaptation. However, they also mentioned its shortcomings, starting from a minimal plot, odd and slow pacing, and an ambiguous ending. However score from Rotten Tomatoes: 88-90% Certified Fresh.

This film stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell and more.

In my opinion:

WWE Clash in Italy

Clash in Italy has arrived, and the feeling of revenge is very strong here. How could it not, Brock Lesnar still can’t accept his defeat to Oba Femi at Wrestlemania XLII and this time Brock will go all out to smash Oba. This event is held at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy on Sunday, May 31, 2026. Not only Brock vs Oba, this PPV presents 4 other important matches. Rhea Ripley vs Jade Cargill (WWE’s Woman Title), Roman Reigns vs Jacob Fatu (WWE’s World Heavy Weight Title), Cody Rhodes vs Gunther (WWE’s Undisputed Title) and Sol Ruca vs Becky Lynch (WWE Women’s Intercontinental Title).

Jade Cargill and Jacob Fatu got the chance for a rematch after their defeats at Wrestlemania XLII. Besides revenge, they feel their pride needs to be restored. Especially Jacob who challenged Roman in Tribal Combat where anything goes, no disqualification, pin anywhere and no rules at all except to finish off the opponent and pin him.

Cody Rhodes has to face the Career Killer, Gunther. The Ring General is very eager to take the Undisputed championship belt that belongs to Cody. Gunther wants to strengthen his legacy as a wrestler who can destroy anyone he wants, even end another wrestler’s career if he wishes. Gunther was previously threatened in his position as the number one contender. Royce Keys became his obstacle because Royce also wanted to be a champion. But fate still wanted to bring Cody and Gunther together, because Gunther succeeded in defeating Royce.