A bold, unsettling film that subverts genre tropes, Find Your Friends is a visceral, unforgettable viewing experience and a very difficult watch.

Find Your Friends is a difficult watch, which is potentially the whole point, but because of this it will alienate a lot of its audience. That said, surely some will enjoy it. Writer/director Izabel Pakzad’s first feature is a blend of a hangout flick and a brutal revenge thriller, inviting viewers to a party that, much like its characters, quickly takes a turn for the unsettling.

It follows group of friends – played by Helena Howard, Bella Thorne, Zión Moreno, Chloe Cherry, and Sophia Ali – who decide to escape Los Angeles for a weekend in Joshua Tree. While the thriller aspects of it actually work, that is about the only thing that does.

On the surface, the film’s premise feels familiar: a group of young people seeking a wild escape in an isolated location. However, Pakzad’s approach feels refreshingly different, as it unapologetically portrays a group of young women engaging in behavior often reserved for their male counterparts in cinema. They are loud, messy, and hedonistic, a refreshing departure from the usual archetypes of women in horror.

Despite this different approach, the film is a deeply difficult watch. This is primarily due to a profoundly unsettling assault at the start of the film (trigger warning) that is very hard to get past. This scene isn’t just an event; it’s a wound that lingers, making it incredibly difficult to settle into the carefree party atmosphere the film initially presents.

The director’s intimate, almost voyeuristic camera work puts the viewer uncomfortably close to the characters, and in doing so, it also forces them to confront the film’s darkest moments without distance. From that point on, a sense of deep-seated discomfort looms over every scene.

The horror isn’t just about jump scares; it’s a visceral, emotional reaction to a feeling that something is fundamentally wrong. This discomfort is the true engine of the film’s suspense, which escalates from the unsettling visit from the neighbor to a full-blown descent into a revenge thriller. While I wanted to enjoy every aspect of Find Your Friends, I found myself uncomfortable and uneasy throughout the majority of it.

In the end, Find Your Friends is a stylistically exciting and incredibly distinct film, but it is by no means an easy watch. It’s a film that succeeds in its intentions of making you feel uncomfortable – a testament to Pakzad’s direction and the cast’s raw performances.

Find Your Friends is certainly not for everyone, and I honestly have a hard time recommending it. There is an intriguing and interesting story in there somewhere, but it is hard to find within this muddled, multi-genred film. Still, I can appreciate what it was trying to do, even if I did not enjoy it.

About Find Your Friends

A group of girlfriends decide to escape LA, heading out to Joshua Tree for a weekend full of DJ sets, drugs, and hookups. Dead set on enjoying themselves, the women settle into their Airbnb and get the party started right away, but an ominous visit from a redneck neighbor immediately sets the tone: they aren’t welcome here, and they need to watch how they behave.

Like a Gen Z THE HILLS HAVE EYES by way of Harmony Korine, writer/director Izabel Pakzad’s exciting first feature has an incredibly distinct voice and style. Part hangout flick, part revenge thriller, Pakzad’s intimate filmmaking style invites you into the girl group immediately, taking you along for the terrifying ride.

Find Your Friends played at Fantastic Fest 2025.

NEXT: Our 10 Most Anticipated Fantastic Fest 2025 Films

With its sharp writing, great pacing, and excellent use of practical effects, Meat Kills is a thrilling and exciting watch from start to finish.

Meat Kills is not a film for the faint of heart. It’s a relentless, boundary-pushing horror movie that uses its intense and often gruesome violence not for cheap thrills, but to deliver a gut punch of a message. Director Martijn Smits crafts a terrifyingly effective piece of cinema that is as thought-provoking as it is bloody.

The plot follows a young woman who seeks to join a radical animal rights group, the ‘Animal Army,’ by infiltrating a pig farm. What begins as a mission to expose cruelty quickly spirals into a fight for survival, leaving viewers questioning not just their own dietary choices but the very nature of revenge and justice.

Right from the very start, Meat Kills establishes a tone of unflinching realism that serves its brutal agenda perfectly. The opening act is deliberately unsettling, but it only gets more insane from there.

One of my favorite parts of this movie is the dedication to practical effects, which is much appreciated. It is likely due to budget constraints, but it is effective nonetheless. Every drop of blood, every gruesome wound, feels authentic and earned, reinforcing the film’s core argument without ever feeling overly gratuitous. I love to eat meat, but this movie sure had me second-guessing my diet.

What sets Meat Kills apart from a standard slasher or creature feature is the underlying message and a sweet little subplot. While the violence is absolutely the biggest takeaway, a bit of a love story is woven into the chaos, providing a human anchor to the escalating madness. This subplot takes a backseat to the carnage, but I couldn’t help but root for it. It also provides moments of emotional connection, even though they are quickly shattered by horrific events time and time again.

Meat Kills‘ pacing is another of its major strengths. It hits the ground running and never slows down. It never lingers too long on any single moment before thrusting the audience into the next heart-pounding sequence. This brisk pace, combined with a strong, well-structured screenplay, makes for a wildly entertaining experience that just might make your head spin.

While the film’s gore and violence are the most memorable aspects, the writing includes several well-timed jump scares that are both surprising and genuinely frightening. Due to the nature of the film, there is a ton of tension as well, which keeps the audience on the edge of their seat. For those with a sensitive stomach, this is definitely a movie to be watched from behind your fingers, but the scares are worth it.

Ultimately, Meat Kills is a horror movie that is as thrilling as it is disturbing. It succeeds not only as a tense survival narrative but also as a powerful and provocative commentary on animal rights and human cruelty. Without spoilers, I have to mention the ending. It is one of the best parts of the movie, and honestly, I do not care what thinking that says about me.

With its sharp writing, great pacing, and excellent use of practical effects, Meat Kills is a thrilling and exciting watch from start to finish. It’s a must-see for horror fans and anyone who appreciates a film that dares to push boundaries.

About Meat Kills

A young woman is eager to join the ‘Animal Army,’ a group of radical activists dead set on ending the killing of animals for human consumption. To prove herself, she infiltrates a local pig farm, capturing footage of its incredibly cruel conditions. Galvanized, the group invites her to join them on a late-night rescue mission, but when they arrive, they realize they are too late.

Events spiral out of control when the activists decide to take revenge on the farmer and his family for their misdeeds and find themselves battling to survive the night.

Meat Kills played at Fantastic Fest 2025.

NEXT: Our 10 Most Anticipated Fantastic Fest 2025 Films

Bad Haircut is over-the-top and ridiculous, but also a whole lot of fun due to the incredible and unforgettable lead performances.

When reading the synopsis for Bad Haircut I knew that it was either going to be a really fun movie or a terrible one. A psychopathic barber holding a kid hostage has to be done just right, or the film as a whole simply will not work. Thankfully, due to great writing and two incredible lead performances, Bad Haircut is one of the funnest movies that I have watched in a while.

Frankie Ray portrays Mick, a barber who might have a screw loose, but can also be a big softy when he wants to be. Yes, he is eccentric and over-the-top, but it doesn’t take long for viewers to fall in love with him, even if they know something is wrong with him. I hate to compare performances, but I was instantly reminded of Tim Curry’s Frank-N-Furter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Frankie is completely unafraid to go there with his performance of Mick. He gives it his all, without a care in the world, which is what makes this character one of the most memorable ones I have ever seen.

Frankie Ray’s chemistry with Spencer Harrison Levin, who plays Billy, is one for the record books. Billy goes into Mick’s barbershop for a haircut and gets much more than he expected.

The two actors work extremely well off one another. While things are certainly awkward from the start, by the second act, I was having the best time watching the two of them together. They really impressed me. So much so that I somehow found myself rooting for both of them – which honestly was never going to work out.

Bad Haircut does feel a little bit long, and really doesn’t need the end bumper on it, as much as I enjoyed it. Without spoilers, there was a perfect note to end things on, so it did not need to flash forward in time.

A ridiculous movie like this can go either way. With an over-the-top “villain”, their dialogue and actions could lean too cheesy to land. Thankfully, largely in part due to the direction and Ray’s performance, everything about Mick works. The jokes land, and the uncomfortable moments make you want to crawl under a table, all while somehow not being able to pull your eyes away.

Bad Haircut has the makings of a cult classic. Fantastic Fest was the perfect place to play this movie because the audience truly enjoys a bizarre genre movie. I think a lot of people are going to fall in love with Mick, which is really all he ever wanted.

About Bad Haircut

Billy wants to change his look and decides to get the best haircut he’s ever had. His friends take him to the local barber shop run by Mick, a barber with a disturbing edge but an undeniable talent for crafting the perfect style using just a simple pair of scissors. When Billy’s turn in the chair arrives, he suddenly finds himself alone with the unhinged Mick. As the clippers buzz and the small talk dies down, it becomes clear this barbershop is more of a trap than a beauty parlor.

Tension mounts as Billy realizes Mick’s eccentricities hide a deeply troubled mind. Before he knows it, he finds himself trapped in Mick’s delusions, taken hostage in the shop’s basement while the barber rages like a madman. To survive, Billy must navigate this bizarre and terrifying ordeal and fight in order to make it out alive.

Bad Haircut played at Fantastic Fest 2025.

NEXT: Our 10 Most Anticipated Fantastic Fest 2025 Films

By blending the familiar with the modern, The Curse stands out as a unique and horrifying film that tackles the very real terrors of the internet age.

As a fan of the horror genre, it’s rare to find a film that truly gets under my skin and stays with me long after the credits roll. The Curse has done exactly that. Kenichi Ugana’s latest work is a terrifying and deeply unsettling film that had me watching the majority of it through my hands – no exaggeration.

It wasn’t just the jump scares, but a lingering sense of dread that came over me with nearly every frame. I never knew what was going to be lurking around the next corner, and the film’s masterful pacing kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It’s an effective horror film because it understands that what you don’t see can be far more terrifying than what you do.

What I found most compelling about The Curse is how it takes a familiar genre trope and updates it for our current reality. The film cleverly uses the framework of a typical curse movie, like The Ring or The Grudge, and modernizes it with themes centered on social media. The premise is that a cursed entity is spread through social media posts, or at least that is the best way to explain it without spoilers. As most can agree, I feel social media has become far too prevalent in this world. Which is strange to say as someone who is so chronically online for my job, I know.

The Curse taps into a very real anxiety. We have all been guilty of comparing ourselves to others based on what we see them post online, often forgetting that people are only sharing a curated version of their lives. The film serves as a chilling reminder that what we consume online, and the pressure it puts on us, can have dark and unseen consequences.

One of my favorite things about The Curse is the brilliant performance of Yukino Kaizu, who plays the protagonist, Riko. She is the one that the audience will connect with the most, and I certainly did. From the moment she decides to investigate her friend’s mysterious death, we are on this journey with her.

As we become more and more aware of the dangers she is in, Kaizu does a wonderful job of conveying both her fear and her determination. Her performance is the anchor of the film, and she carries the weight of the mystery and the terror with a quiet strength that makes her character’s journey feel both authentic and deeply personal. Without her, the film would not have been nearly as impactful.

As someone who is a big fan of Asian horror, I can say that The Curse truly goes there. It creates a horrifying environment without relying on excessive gore or gruesome scenes, which I appreciate. The terror comes from the atmosphere and the unsettling imagery. The director was also incredibly smart with how the central demonic figure is presented.

Although we get a lot of glimpses of her, the camera never focuses on her for too long. This creates an unsettling and deeply creepy effect, as each fleeting glimpse is more unnerving than the last. The unseen and half-seen are far more terrifying than a full reveal, and Ugana uses this principle to his full advantage.

The film also has some truly disgusting scenarios that are separate from the main demon. Hair is a big aspect, but not so much about it covering the face as in other films I have seen. Instead, it shows up in unexpected and stomach-churning places, like in food, which made me not want to eat for quite some time after watching.

The ending is particularly perfect. Without giving too much away, it is not at all what I expected, which is a rare and welcome surprise in a genre that can sometimes feel predictable. It leaves a lasting impression and provides a strong final note that makes me hopeful for the future of this world. I would definitely be seated day one for a sequel.

Overall, The Curse is a top-tier horror film that I would recommend to any genre fan. It’s creepy, smart, and genuinely scary. By blending the familiar with the modern, it stands out as a unique and horrifying film that tackles the very real terrors of the internet age. The strong lead performance, effective scares, and unique visual elements make it a must-watch.

About The Curse

After seeing her friend’s disturbing social media posts, Riko tries to intervene to help her but fails to prevent her from dying a mysterious, violent death. Convinced there is more to the story than a suicide, Riko dives into a world of memes, influencers, and posting for attention. As the pile of bodies grows, and Riko faces her own possible curse, she and her friends travel to Taiwan to find the source of this demonic social media killer.

Kenichi Ugana is a prolific Japanese genre director who first attended Fantastic Fest in 2023 with VISITORS. In the intervening time, he’s made four feature films, and his latest, THE CURSE, is about life in the internet age and the terrors hiding in addictive algorithms. With the structure of a typical curse movie like THE RING or THE GRUDGE, Ugana updates the formula for the age of Instagram and Twitter.

The Curse played at Fantastic Fest 2025.

NEXT: Our 10 Most Anticipated Fantastic Fest 2025 Films

Primate is hilarious, terrifying, and insanely bloody. It perfectly blends several genres to create an unforgettable theater experience.

When a big studio decides to show their film at a festival months before the slated theatrical release, it means that they have a lot of confidence in it. Paramount premiered Primate at Fantastic Fest in September of 2025, four months ahead of its release to theaters. And for very good reason because it is so much fun. This movie is going to get a lot of word of mouth that will help pack those theaters in January.

Johnny Sequoyah stars as Lucy, who comes with friends to visit family in Hawaii for the first time in a while. They have a pet chimp named Ben, whom they have raised. The film starts with information about rabies so it becomes instantly obvious where thngs are going. That said, it does not take away from any of the fun. It doesn’t take long for the first kill to happen and from that moment on, viewers will be screaming, laughing, and hiding behind their hands.

Sequoyah is incredible in this film. For a horror movie to work, really work, it needs to have a strong lead that will keep viewers rooting for them to get out of the craziest situations. Lucy is a complete badass, but she is also caring and protective of her younger sister (played by Gia Hunter). Johnny does a wonderful job of portraying all of these different aspects, showcasing just how versatile she is. She is a powerhouse and was the perfect casting choice for Lucy.

Another major standout of Primate is Troy Kotsur. I have always been a fan of his work so I was thrilled to see him in this, and he did not disappoint. There have not been a lot of Deaf actors in horror movies, and to say he impresses in this is an understatement. The way this is leaned into, and how viewers often step into his shoes and the movie falls silent, is brillaint. I really enjoyed these moments, especially as something crazy intense is happening behind him and he has no idea.

Going into this movie, it is very clear that it is about a “killer monkey”, which is terrifying because they are strong and formidable creatures that can absolutely kill a human in seconds if they wanted to. What I love so much about the character of Ben is the humor that co-writer and director Johannes Roberts wove into his scenes. He is hilarious at times, but in the most unsettling way. Many of the things he does will cause viewers to laugh because yes, they are funny, but it is also that nervous laughter as we truly do not know what this unhinged chimpanzee will do next.

Primate is one of those movies that begs to be seen in a theater setting, as do most horror movies. Seeing this film is an experience and best done in packed room, with many other people who have no idea what they are in for. This is a wild, bonkers, and ridiculously fun horror flick that is not soon forgotten. When I say they push the boundaries when it comes to the blood and gore, I mean it.

Do not miss out on Primate, you will regret it if you do.

About Primate

In PRIMATE, a group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival. 

Primate played at Fantastic Fest 2025 and comes to theaters January 9, 2026.

NEXT: If I Had Legs I’d Kick You Review: An Anxiety Filled Masterpiece

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You sends viewers on an anxiety ridden journey and boasts an incredible performance from Rose Byrne.

Going into If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, I had no idea what I was in for. As a mother, who often finds herself stressed out and doing far too much, I related to this movie in ways that I never expected to. Due to the choice to film the majority of the movie as close up shots of lead Rose Byrne’s face, viewers will find themselves anxious from the start. We are put in her shoes and because of this, it is easy to find outselves on this journey with her, for better or worse.

The premise of the film is that Linda (Rose Byrne) has a lot on her plate. Her husband is away and she is left to care for their sick child all by herself. On top of that, she is a therapist so she is shouldering a lot of other people’s problems. When a disaster strikes their apartment, forcing them to move into a hotel while it gets fixed, she is pushed past her limits. What follows is her day to day struggle, a lot of looking inward, and dark secret confessions.

At one point in the film, Rose Byrne says something along the lines of that she knows she should be putting her oxygen mask on first, alluding to the fact that she needs to take care of herself in order to take care of her daughter. This line in particular hit me really hard. It is something I try to tell myself, and yet I struggle with it at times. I am always putting others, espeically my children, first, and that can lead you down a dangerous road.

One of the biggest surprises of If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is Conan O’Brien. He plays Linda’s therapist and honestly, I expected him to be providing the comedic relief of the film. While some of his scenes did make me chuckle, he really is giving a dramatic performance here, something we rarely, if ever, see from him. He is absolutey incredible in this and I hope to see him take on more roles like this.

There are some parts of the story being told that are on the stranger, more bizarre, side. While they never really took me out of the movie, I did find myself wondering if they were necessary. I get the metaphor, which is hard to talk about without spoilers, and appreciate it, but just going through life with Linda was enough to have me all the way in on this one, so the supernatural type parts were not needed.

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is sure to cause anxiety in everyone watching. Because of that I can absolutely understand why it is not for everyone. At the same time, those who are not parents might not fully grasp all that it is trying to say.

For me, this movie really did a number on me. Rose Byrne needed to carry it from start to finish, because the focus is so much on her, and she does a phenomenal job. Even though my stress is not to the same level that she is dealing with, I have never felt more seen. What that says about me? I don’t know. But I do know I love this movie.

About If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

With her life crashing down around her, Linda (Rose Byrne) attempts to navigate her child’s mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist.

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You comes to theaters October 10th.

NEXT: One Battle After Another Review

One Battle After Another is an incredible genre-blending film that, despite its long runtime, flies by. The entire cast absolutely shines.

One Battle After Another might clock in at nearly three hours, but it surprisingly flies by. It is pure adrenaline from the very start and never, ever slows down. This film feels like several different genres mashed together and is not at all what you expect to watch from the trailer. It is easily one of the best movies that has graced the big screen in a long while.

Candidly, Paul Thomas Anderson movies are hit or miss for me. Because of that, I was not overly excited for One Battle After Another. I adore the cast and thought the premise sounded interesting, especially as a parent, but my expectations were on the lower side. I can confidently say that those expectations were completely blown out of the water. I left the theater actively counting down the moments until I could watch this movie again.

Teyana Taylor immediately captivates in One Battle After Another. She is most certainly the main character at the start of the film, but due to the events of the story, she takes quite the backseat later on. That said, even when she is not on camera, her character, Perfidia, is a key part of what is happening. Because of the impact that she has on viewers at the start of the movie, it is easy for us to keep thinking about her, even when we don’t see her.

To probably no one’s surprise, Leonardo DiCaprio delivers an unforgettable, truly incredible performance. He plays a man named Bob who is in search of his daughter. As a parent who would do anything for my children, I immediately related to the urgency that he puts forth in tracking her down. Throughout the entire movie, he brings the comedy when he needs to, but also the drama. He is an extremely talented actor, and he once again proves that in every single scene of this movie.

Benicio del Toro’s character, Sensei Sergio, also has a smaller role in terms of the length of the movie, but when he is on screen, he steals every scene. He is hilarious, perfectly delivering every single joke so that it lands. Without spoilers, he has a little dance number that will make anyone chuckle whenever they think about it.

I had never seen Chase Infiniti in anything before watching her performance in this movie, but now I will actively seek out any projects that she is in. The girl is a powerhouse. She is strong and confident when she needs to be, but also offers up some more vulnerable moments that had me wanting to reach out and give her a hug. She plays Bob’s daughter, Willa, and her chemistry with Leonardo DiCaprio really shines.

But if we want to talk about the true standout of the movie, it has to be Sean Penn. He plays a terrible person, who is creepy and unsettling whenever we see him. His character takes a backseat every so often, but is always lingering behind the storyline. He is truly phenomenal in the most unexpected ways. I adore him as an actor, always have, and I have never seen him like this. Whenever I think about One Battle After Another, it is his character, Steven J. Lockjaw, that my mind will gravitate towards, before I shudder with discomfort.

What starts off as a gritty political movie turns into a thriller before turning into something that takes a page out of Taken. There are a lot of characters, but due to the runtime, we always get enough time with them to understand what they are going through and what their motivations are. One Battle After Another is a phenomenal watch.

About One Battle After Another

Bob is a washed-up revolutionary who lives in a state of stoned paranoia, surviving off-grid with his spirited and self-reliant daughter, Willa. When his evil nemesis resurfaces and Willa goes missing, the former radical scrambles to find her as both father and daughter battle the consequences of their pasts.

One Battle After Another comes to theaters September 26th.

NEXT: A Big Bold Beautiful Journey Review

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is visually stunning and leaves viewers with a lot to consider about themselves, despite some flaws.

Our past defines us. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey explores that exact theme, while also leaving viewers a lot to think about and consider by the time the credits start to roll. It certainly has its issues, but it is also a visually stunning, well-acted film.

When David (Colin Farrell) and Sarah (Margot Robbie) meet at a wedding, their journey home ends up being a lot more than they anticipated when they are sent on a “big bold beautiful” journey together. As they enter door after door, they revisit key moments from their past, sharing them with one another and discovering why they are the way they are.

One of the things that works best in this movie is the main cast. Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell are incredible together. They have instant chemistry, making it easy to root for them as a couple, despite their flaws. Robbie’s wit and humor are quite the match for Farrell’s charm. Even with a simple, predictable script, they are able to truly drive home the emotional beats that are the heart of the film.

Another one of the better parts of A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is the visuals. The film is filled with bright colors and a gorgeous aesthetic. The museum sequence, as well as the high school musical scene, offer whimsical and imaginative moments that are sure to stick with a lot of viewers.

A lot of what happens with these characters had me thinking about my own life. They explore their deepest regrets, as well as the moments that truly shaped their lives. The two of them work hard to break free of their ways that have left them single and alone. This is something that everyone can relate to, whether we admit it or not.

The script here leaves a lot to be desired. The dialogue is quite simple. Some would go so far as to say that it ruins the movie, and while I do not agree to that extent, I admit certain scenes would have been much more powerful with a better one. All that to say, there is a moment towards the end that really impacted me, and had me in tears.

Overall, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey boasts two incredible lead performances that do what they can with a less-than-stellar script. There are some truly gorgeous moments in the film, and an overarching message that will have many people reconsidering the decisions they have made in life.

While it did not cause me to want to go on a big bold beautiful journey myself, I can appreciate much of the film and the lessons that it is trying to portray. Even if we think there is no hope for us to change, it starts with looking inward if it is something we truly want to accomplish.

About A Big Bold Beautiful Journey

Some doors bring you to your past. Some doors lead you to your future. And some doors change everything. Sarah (Margot Robbie) and David (Colin Farrell) are single strangers who meet at a mutual friend’s wedding and soon, through a surprising twist of fate, find themselves on A Big Bold Beautiful Journey — a funny, fantastical, sweeping adventure together where they get to re-live important moments from their respective pasts, illuminating how they got to where they are in the present… and possibly getting a chance to alter their futures.

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey comes to theaters on September 19th.

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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle boasts stunning animation, emotional story lines, and epic action sequences.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is exactly what fans have been waiting for. After the series ended on a massive cliffhanger, it promises to be wrapped up with three films. The first of which is two and a half hours long, but never drags or feels its length. It almost flies by, offering up important backstories in between epic fight sequences.

The animation style, much like the series, is gorgeous. Of course, to be able to pull off looking impeccable on the big screen, it needs to be of the highest quality. And it is. Every single shot of this movie could be paused and printed out as a poster – it is that stunning.

One of the best things about Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is the fight sequences, of which there are many. It is always entertaining and exciting to see a demon slayer take on a demon, but they really raise the stakes in this film.

Without giving spoilers, the slayers are in danger of dying. Knowing that the story is wrapping up means that anyone is at risk of not making it to the end. The fights themselves are as brutal as they are beautiful.

Villains are almost always my favorite part of stories. Especially those that walk a gray line and are not the villain of their own story. Upper Three demon, Akaza, is exactly that. From the moment we started to explore his story, my heart dropped. I found myself drawn to him.

His story was easily the most compelling part of the entire film. The series often features sad backstories, and this one is no different. It makes it hard to root against them, and, without spoilers, Akaza’s story is the heart of this first Demon Slayer film.

For those who have never seen the series, you could potentially watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle and enjoy it. The animation is stunning, and the story is interesting; you just might feel like you are missing details along the way. That said, the film does a decent job of keeping things moving and explaining minor details that you need to follow the story.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is exactly what fans were hoping for. With stunning animation, a captivating story, and unforgettable action sequences, it is worth seeing over and over, as we all wait with bated breath for the next film.

About Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle

Tanjiro Kamado — a boy who joined an organization dedicated to hunting down demons called the Demon Slayer Corps after his younger sister Nezuko was turned into a demon. While growing stronger and deepening his friendships and bonds with fellow corps members, Tanjiro has battled many demons with his comrades — Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira.

Along the way, his journey has led him to fight alongside the Demon Slayer Corps’ highest-ranking swordsmen, the Hashira, including Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku aboard the Mugen Train, Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui within the Entertainment District, as well as Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito and Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji at the Swordsmith Village.

As the Demon Slayer Corps members and Hashira engaged in a group strength training program, the Hashira Training, in preparation for the forthcoming battle against the demons, Muzan Kibutsuji appears at the Ubuyashiki Mansion.

With the head of the Demon Corps in danger, Tanjiro and the Hashira rush to the headquarters but are plunged into a deep descent to a mysterious space by the hands of Muzan Kibutsuji. The destination of where Tanjiro and Demon Slayer Corps have fallen is the demons’ stronghold — the Infinity Castle. And so, the battleground is set as the final battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and the demons ignites.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is now playing in theaters.

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