What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 19th March 2026

Unless you've been in hibernation in the very recent past, this years awards season pretty much concluded with the 98th Academy Awards, which took place on Sunday 15th March at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA, and were presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Comedian, television host and writer Conan O'Brien returned to host the show for the second consecutive time, after receiving acclaim for hosting last years event.

The winners, grinners and also rans in the main categories are as given below :-

* Best Picture - awarded to 'One Battle After Another', beating out 'Bugonia', 'F1', 'Frankenstein', 'Hamnet', 'Marty Supreme', 'The Secret Agent', 'Sentimental Value', 'Sinners' and 'Train Dreams'. 

* Best Director - awarded to Paul Thomas Anderson for 'One Battle After Another', beating out Chloe Zhao for 'Hamnet', Josh Safdie for 'Marty Supreme', Joachim Trier for 'Sentimental Value' and Ryan Coogler for 'Sinners'. 

* Best Actor in a Leading Role - presented to Michael B. Jordan for 'Sinners', beating out Timothee Chalamet for 'Marty Supreme', Leonardo DiCaprio for 'One Battle After Another', Ethan Hawke for 'Blue Moon' and Wagner Moura for 'The Secret Agent'.

* Best Actress in a Leading Role - awarded to Jessie Buckley for 'Hamnet', beating out Rose Byrne for 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You', Kate Hudson for 'Song Sung Blue', Renate Reinsve for 'Sentimental Value' and Emma Stone for 'Bugonia'. 

* Best Actor in a Supporting Role - presented to Sean Penn for 'One Battle After Another', beating out Benicio del Toro for 'One Battle After Another', Jacob Elordi for 'Frankenstein', Delroy Lindo for 'Sinners' and Stellan Skarsgard for 'Sentimental Value'. 

* Best Actress in a Supporting Role - presented to Amy Madigan for 'Weapons', beating out Elle Fanning for 'Sentimental Value', Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for 'Sentimental Value', Wunmi Mosaku for 'Sinners' and Teyana Taylor for 'One Battle After Another'. 

* Best Writing (Original Screenplay) - awarded to Ryan Coogler for 'Sinners', beating out 'Blue Moon', 'It Was Just an Accident', 'Marty Supreme' and 'Sentimental Value'. 

* Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - presented to Paul Thomas Anderson for 'One Battle After Another', beating out 'Bugonia', 'Frankenstein', 'Hamnet' and 'Train Dreams'.

* Best Animated Feature Film - awarded to 'KPop : Demon Hunters', beating out 'Arco', 'Elio', 'Little Amelie or the Character of Rain' and 'Zootopia 2'.

* Best International Feature Film - awarded to 'Sentimental Value' from Norway, beating out 'It Was Just an Accident' from France, 'The Secret Agent' from Brazil, 'Sirat' from Spain, and 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' from Tunisia. 

* Best Documentary Feature Film - presented to 'Mr Nobody Against Putin', beating out 'The Alabama Solution', 'Come See Me in the Good Light', 'Cutting Through Rocks' and 'The Perfect Neighbor'.

* Best Music (Original Score) - awarded to Ludwig Goransson for 'Sinners', beating out 'Bugonia', 'Frankenstein', 'Hamnet' and 'One Battle After Another'.  

* Best Sound - awarded to Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo, and Juan Peralta for 'F1', beating out 'Frankenstein', 'One Battle After Another', 'Sinners', and 'Sirat'.

* Best Casting - presented to Cassandra Kulukundis for 'One Battle After Another', beating out 'Hamnet', 'Marty Supreme', 'The Secret Agent' and 'Sinners'.

* Best Production Design - awarded to 'Frankenstein', beating out 'Hamnet', 'Marty Supreme', 'One Battle After Another' and 'Sinners'. 

* Best Cinematography - presented to Autumn Durald Arkapaw for 'Sinners', beating out 'Frankenstein', 'Marty Supreme', 'One Battle After Another' and 'Train Dreams'. 

* Best Makeup and Hairstyling - awarded to Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cliona Furey for 'Frankenstein' beating out 'Kokuho', 'Sinners', 'The Smashing Machine' and 'The Ugly Stepsister'. 

* Best Costume Design - presented to Kate Hawley for 'Frankenstein', beating out 'Avatar : Fire and Ash', 'Hamnet', 'Marty Supreme' and 'Sinners'.

* Best Film Editing - presented to Andy Jurgensen for 'One Battle After Another', beating out 'F1', 'Marty Supreme', 'Sentimental Value' and 'Sinners'. 

* Best Visual Effects - awarded to 'Avatar : Fire and Ash', beating out 'F1', 'Jurassic World Rebirth', 'The Lost Bus' and 'Sinners'. 

The Academy Honorary Awards were presented to Debbie Allen, Tom Cruise and Wynn Thomas with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award going to Dolly Parton. 

For the full low down on all the winners, the nominees and a whole lot of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : http://www.oscars.org

This week then we have five new movie offerings to tease you out to your local Odeon, kicking off with a Sci-Fi adventure that has a science teacher waking up alone on a spaceship light-years from Earth, and as his memory returns, he uncovers a mission to stop a mysterious substance killing the sun, and save Earth, with an unexpected friendship that might just be the key to his success. This is followed by a comedy horror in which after surviving one deadly game, Grace and her sister Faith must now outrun four rival families competing for a powerful throne and their respective family fortunes - winner takes all. Next up is an Aussie horror film that sees a grieving, recovering addict who returns to her hometown, rekindles a romance, and battles a demonic presence. Then we turn to an Italian drama where the widowed Italian President faces moral crises over euthanasia legislation and pardoning killers while grappling with his late wife's infidelity during his final months in office. And closing out the week we have another horror offering that has two codependent best friends become addicted to the heroin-like touch of an alien narcissist who may or may not be trying to take over the world.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the five latest release new films as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release or as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the coming week.

'PROJECT HAIL MARY' (Rated M) - this American Sci-Fi adventure film is Co-Produced and Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller whose previous Co-Directing credits are 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' in 2009, '21 Jump Street' in 2012, 'The Lego Movie' in 2014 and '22 Jump Street' also in 2014. The film is based on the 2021 novel of the same name by Andy Weir. It saw its Premiere showcasing in London earlier this month, and is released world wide this week, having garnered generally favourable critical reviews. The film cost US$200M net to produce. 

Science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling, who also Co-Produces here) wakes up on a spaceship light years from home, having been placed into a medically induced coma, with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory gradually returns, he begins to uncover his mission - solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. He must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction in about thirty years time, but an unexpected friendship means he may not have to do it alone. Also starring Sandra Huller, Ken Leung, Lionel Boyce, Liz Kingsman and Milana Vayntrub. 

'READY OR NOT : HERE I COME' (Rated MA15+) - is an American comedy horror film that serves as a direct sequel to 2019's 'Ready or Not' and is once again Directed by Matt Bittinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. The first film collected US$58M at the Box Office from a US$6M production budget and garnered positive critical reviews. Here then, Grace MacCaullay (Samara Weaving), the sole survivor of a brutal 'game' that resulted in the deaths of her husband and in-laws, learns that her victory came with a price, and now, the wealthiest and most influential families on Earth have to kill her in a new game - or risk losing their power and fortunes. Grace refuses to participate at first but is left with no choice when she learns that her estranged younger sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton), has also been marked for death and must protect her at all costs. Also starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, David Cronenberg, Elijah Wood and Kevin Durand. The film saw its Premiere at the SXSW Film & TV Festival last week before its release Stateside and here in Australia this week. It has generated positive critical press. 

'PROCLIVITAS' (Rated M) - this Australian horror thriller film is Written, Executive Produced and Directed by Miley Tunnecliffe in her debut feature film offering. Here, Clare (Rose Riley) is an addict in recovery when her mother's sudden death turns her carefully measured world upside down. Returning to her hometown, she reconnects with teenage sweetheart Jerry (George Mason). He's the one Clare could never stop thinking about. It's been fifteen years since a tragic accident tore them apart. Now they have a second chance at happiness. But as their love returns, so do the ghosts of the past, threatening Clare's sobriety and triggering a powerful demonic presence determined to control her. The film had its World Premiere screening at SXSW Sydney in October last year.

'LA GRAZIA' (Rated M) - is an Italian drama film Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Paolo Sorrentino, who made his feature film making debut in 2001 with 'One Man Up', and which he would follow up with the likes of 'Il divo' in 2009, 'The Great Beauty' in 2013, 'The Hand of God' in 2021 and 'Parthenope' in 2024. The film had its World Premiere showcasing as the opening film of last years Venice International Film Festival in late August, before its release in Italy in mid-January this year. Recently widowed President of Italy Mariano De Santis (Toni Servillo), a staunch Catholic and experienced jurist, begins his white semester (an Italian legislative term referring to the last six months of the President of Italy's seven-year term of office. According to the Italian Constitution, the President cannot dissolve the Italian Parliament and call a new election during the last six months of their term), and is conflicted about whether he should sign into law a bill legalising euthanasia, and at the same time has to consider the pardon petitions of two individuals who murdered their partners before the end of his term. The film has generated largely favourable critical reviews and has so far grossed US$3.2M.

'TOUCH ME' (Rated CTC) - this American Sci-Fi body horror comedy film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Addison Heimann in his second feature film offering following 'Hypochondriac' in 2022. Following a series of unfortunate events which leaves their house uninhabitable and stinking of shit, two co-dependent friends, Joey (Olivia Taylor Dudley) and Craig (Jordan Gavaris), find themselves homeless, lacking options and all out of luck. That's when Joey's mysterious ex resurfaces. He wants her back. Along with being hot, Brian (Lou Taylor Pucci) also happens to be an alien whose touch makes anxiety and depression disappear. The two venture to his compound for the weekend with the hope of being healed from past traumas, but underneath Brian’s veneer of healing is a sinister plot filled with murder, mayhem, and blood. The film has generated positive critical acclaim, and is released in the USA this week too. 

With five new release movie offerings this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere at your local Odeon in the week ahead.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

THE BRIDE ! : Tuesday 10th March 2026

I saw the MA15+ Rated 'THE BRIDE!' at my local independent movie theatre earlier this week, and this American Gothic romance film is Written for the screen, Co-Produced and Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal in only her second Directorial outing following 2021's 'The Lost Daughter', although she has acted in numerous film, television and theatre roles over the years, and has been recognised in many award wins and nominations too. The film draws inspiration from the 1935 film 'Bride of Frankenstein', which was based on Mary Shelley's 1818 novel 'Frankenstein'. The film had its World Premiere in London on 26th February and was released Stateside and here in Australia last week, having so far grossed US$15M at the Box Office from an US$85M production budget, and generating mixed or average critical reviews. 

The film opens with a black & white close-up of Mary Shelley (Jessie Buckley) speaking from the hereafter, saying she has a story she wanted to tell after publishing her book Frankenstein in 1818, but could not due to her death in 1851. To tell it, she possesses Ida (Jessie Buckley), a woman living in 1936 Chicago, who we are first introduced to in a very busy bar and restaurant, and who in her possessed state proceeds to shout out across the room to all the stunned diners the criminal activities of crime boss Lupino (Zlatko Buric) who is sat at the bar observing her closely. Lupino's henchmen Clyde (John Magaro) and James (Matthew Maher) discreetly kill her afterward, by pushing her down a flight of steps where she tumbles end over end breaking her neck and a leg in the process, and falling in a crumpled heap at the bottom. 

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Chicago, Frankenstein's monster, aka 'Frank' (Christian Bale), arrives at the house of scientist Dr. Cornelia Euphronius (Annette Bening). Having read about Euphronius' work on reanimation, he persuades her to create a companion for him after a century of abject loneliness. Euphronius and Frank dig up Ida's recently buried corpse from an unmarked cemetery grave, and successfully revive her, but she loses her memory in the process. Frank takes advantage of this and states that she is his Bride and lost her memory in an accident, which she accepts. She then coughs up an inky black substance that was part of the formula to reanimate her, which in turn permanently dyes her tongue, her cheek, her fingers and leaves long trail marks running down her arm and her breast.

Euphronius demands that the pair remain within the confines of her house, but Frank and the Bride have different plans. They go to the cinema to see a movie featuring Frank's favourite Actor Ronnie Reed (Jake Gyllenhaal) and then go dance in a club. The Bride dances provocatively with other clubbers while Frank sits at the bar and watches on. As they leave, two men harass the Bride and Frank. Frank attempts to diffuse the situation by ignoring their actions, but it all becomes too much for him to bear and he retaliates by repeatedly smashing ones head against a wall, and then stomping on the others head on the gutter, until his head is mush. He tells the Bride to leave him, but she says that she has no where to go and decides to live life as a runaway with him. 

They stow away in a train headed to New York City, killing a security officer who finds them as the train passes through Indiana. Meanwhile, Detective Jake Wiles (Peter Sarsgaard) and his assistant Myrna Malloy (Penelope Cruz) investigate the murders and eventually follow them to New York.

Frank and the Bride cause chaos at a screening of 'Revolt of the Zombies' and then seek refuge from the Police and an angry mob giving chase to the fleeing pair, at a high-class party. Frank notices Ronnie Reed as one of the guests and interrupts his conversation by expressing his adoration for the Actor, and his gratitude for giving him some modicum of purpose in his life, but is alas dismissed by Reed. Detective Wiles and the Police arrive at the party, but fall back when the Bride briefly holds Reed at gunpoint. Wiles recognises her real identity as Ida. The Bride shoots dead an advancing Police officer wielding a gun. The pair then hot-wire a car, and manage to flee the city.

The Bride and Frank's crime exploits generate much publicity, and Lupino recognises her in a newspaper article. While sat in a restaurant chomping down on freshly cooked lobster Lupino shoots James at point blank range in the head for failing to silence her, and sends of Clyde to kill her again, swearing vengeance on his family if he fails to do so. Meanwhile, Malloy makes a connection between reports of murders and sightings of the pair in cities where Reed's films were set. This prompts Malloy and Wiles to travel to Niagara Falls where they locate the pair just as Frank asks the Bride to marry him. Wiles confronts the Bride and tells her of her true identity as Ida. She shoots him in the lower leg in response. As Frank and the Bride flee, Frank admits that he wasn't entirely honest with her in the beginning and conveys that he actually did not know who she was before she died. She forgives him.

Wiles explains to Malloy that he and Ida were planning to take down Lupino and expresses guilt that his inaction led to her death. He decides to retire and promotes Malloy as his replacement. Malloy tracks Frank and the Bride to a drive-in cinema in Illinois. At the same time, Clyde arrives and fatally shoots Frank in the head. The Bride escapes with Frank's body and returns to Euphronius' laboratory, unaware that Malloy is following her. Euphronius declares that she is incapable of reviving Frank. Clyde breaks into the laboratory and shoots the Bride before leaving. The Police arrive en masse and all begin shooting at the Bride in a relentless hail of bullets. Malloy screams for them to stop, as the Bride's lifeless body slumps on top of Frank. She then orders them to search for Clyde seen exiting the building via the fire escape, leaving Euphronius with the Bride and Frank's corpses, saying 'take as long as you need'! Seemingly possessed by Shelley's spirit, Euphronius decides to revive the couple. Outside, the Police arrest Clyde who they have pinned to the ground, for killing the Bride and Frank. Malloy looks up at the building's upper most floor to see flashes of bright lights shine momentarily from the laboratory. Inside, the revived corpses hands are seen to be moving searching for each other, until they clasp together. 

During an end credits sequence, Lupino is seen to be apprehended by Wiles and the female rioters who were inspired by the Bride's rants, threatening to cut out his tongue, just as Lupino had done to all of his previous victims, and stored them in pickling jars on a shelf in his restaurant for all the world to see.

It's easy to see why 'The Bride' has polarised audiences and critics. On the one hand its good to see Maggie Gyllenhaal trying her hand at an age old story and giving it a bold new revisionist refresh that looks stylish, has high production values, is creative in its execution, has manic energy aplenty and is bolstered by exemplary performances from its two lead players in Buckley and Bale. Buckley's role here is about as far removed from that of Agnes Shakespeare in 'Hamnet' (reviewed last week) as you can get, but she steals the show here once again and proves her versatility and range as one of the most diverse Actors working today. But, on the other hand the screenplay is disjointed, with at times clunky dialogue, unfulfilled character arcs, and too many unrealised sub-plots, that ultimately all add up to a film that displays plenty of style, and less of substance. That said, if you're in the mood for a riff on 'Bonnie and Clyde', female empowerment, the feminist movement, and a reinvigorated look at a horror classic with a modern twist, then you could do worse.

'The Bride' merits three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 12th March 2026.

South by Southwest (SXSW) is an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences organised jointly that takes place in mid-March in Austin, Texas, USA. It began in 1987 and has continued growing in both scope and size every year. Celebrating its fortieth year this year, the festival runs from Thursday 12th March through until Wednesday 18th March. SXSW is 850+ total conference sessions, 600+ mentor and networking events, 4,400 musicians performing over 300 live showcases, 375+ film and TV show screenings, four nights of comedy, and 450 brands activating. Seven days in Austin to connect, discover, and create what’s next. 

In the feature film category, and in particular the Headliner strand, this section has big names, big talent, red carpet Premieres and gala film events with major and rising names in cinema, and takes in the following titles :-

* 'I Love Boosters' - Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Boots Riley and stars Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza Gonzalez, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter and Demi Moore. A crew of professional shoplifters take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. It’s like community service. World Premiere, and also the Opening Night Film presentation.

* 'Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice' - Written and Directed by BenDavid Grabinski, and starring Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, Eiza Gonzalez, Keith David, Jimmy Tatro, Stephen Root, Lewis Tan, Ben Schwartz, Emily Hampshire and Arturo Castro. Two gangsters and the woman they love try to survive the most dangerous night of their lives. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s one wild ingredient added to the mix - a time machine. World Premiere.

* 'Over Your Dead Body' - Directed by Jorma Taccone, and starring Samara Weaving, Jason Segel, Timothy Olyphant, Juliette Lewis, Paul Guilfoyle and Keith Jardine. A dysfunctional couple head to a remote cabin to supposedly reconnect, but each has secret plans to kill the other. World Premiere.

* 'Pretty Lethal' - Directed by Vicky Jewson, and starring Iris Apatow, Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds, Avantika, Maddie Ziegler and Uma Thurman. Five ballerinas, stranded in a remote forest, take shelter at an unsettling roadside inn. They must weaponise years of brutal training, turning grace, discipline, and even pointe ballet shoes into tools for survival. World Premiere.

* 'Ready or Not 2 : Here I Come' - Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, and starring Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, Nestor Carbonell, David Cronenberg and Elijah Wood. After surviving the Le Domas attack, Grace faces the next level of the deadly game – now with her estranged sister Faith. With four rival families hunting them, Grace must survive, protect her sister, and claim the High Seat that rules it all. World Premiere.

* 'They Will Kill You' - Co-Written and Directed by Kirill Sokolov, and starring Zazie Beetz, Myha’La, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham and Patricia Arquette. A woman must survive the night at the Virgil, a demonic cult’s mysterious, twisted death-trap, before becoming their next offering in a uniquely brazen battle of epic kills and wickedly dark humour. World Premiere.

For the film strands being showcased including the Narrative Feature Competition and the Documentary Feature Competition, plus the TV line-up, together with a whole bunch of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : http://www.sxsw.com

And so turning the attention then back on this weeks seven hot new release movies coming to your local Odeon, we kick off with a psychological drama film from a first time Director, starring his returning Dad, in which a troubled recluse whose estranged brother arrives to convince him to come home and reunite with his family. This is followed by a horror comedy that follows the attempts at containing a parasitic fungus that leaks out of an abandoned military base. Next up is a Canadian horror offering that has a podcaster caring for her dying mother who becomes haunted by ominous audio recordings. Then we have an American horror film where a young couple take a hike in the woods when they encounter a hulking, monstrous figure who abducts the girlfriend to raise her as his own child. Following on we have a psychological drama thriller where a socially awkward tween endures the ruthless hierarchy at a water polo camp, where his anxiety spirals into psychological turmoil over the Summer. Next we turn to a romantic drama film where after serving a seven year jail term, a woman attempts to reconnect with her young daughter but faces resistance from everyone except a bar owner with ties to her child; before closing out the week with an animated sports comedy film in which an anthropomorphic goat who aspires to become the greatest of all time at a basketball-like sport known as roarball.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the seven latest release new films as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release or as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the week ahead.

'ANEMONE' (Rated M) - this UK and US Co-Produced psychological drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Rowan Day-Lewis in his feature film making debut, and is Co-Written and stars his father Daniel Day-Lewis in his welcome return to acting since his 'retirement' after 'Phantom Thread' in 2017. The film had its World Premiere at the New York Film Festival in late September last year, was released wide in US movie theatres in mid-October, in the UK in early November and only now is it released here in Australia. It has garnered mixed or average critical reviews, and has so far grossed US$1M off the back of a US$14M production budget.

Here, looking to reunite with his brother Ray Stoker (Daniel Day-Lewis), Jem Stoker (Sean Bean) departs from his suburban life in Sheffield where he lives with his wife Nessa (Samantha Morton) and son Brian (Samuel Bottomley), and ventures deep into the Northern English woods. Burdened by past events that shook them both during their active duty in Northern Ireland during the 'Troubles', Ray now lives a reclusive life as a hermit in a forested shack detached from the outside world. As the pair reconnect, their shared history comes to the fore, igniting a delicate dance of accusations, secrecy, and a hope for redemption.

'COLD STORAGE' (Rated MA15+) - is a French and US Co-Produced horror comedy film Directed by Jonny Campbell, and is based on the 2019 novel of the same name Written by David Koepp who also wrote the Screenplay. Here Travis 'Teacake' Meachan (Joe Keery) and Naomi Williams (Georgina Campbell), two young employees of a self-storage company built on the site of an old US military base, have their wildest night shift ever when a parasitic fungus escapes from the lowest sub-level of the base, where it was sealed by the government decades before. As the temperature rises underground, this highly contagious and rapidly mutating microorganism multiplies and unleashes its brain-controlling, body-bursting terrors on the facility's inhabitants, human and otherwise. With time running out, it's down to Teacake and Naomi, with the help of a grizzled retired bioterror operative Robert Quinn (Liam Neeson), to contain the merciless menace and prevent the explosive extinction of all human kind. Also starring Lesley Manville, Vanessa Redgrave and Sosie Bacon. The film was released in the USA on 13th February, in the UK on 20th February and here in Australia and New Zealand this week, having garnered generally positive critical reviews and so far grossing US$2.2M. 

'UNDERTONE' (Rated CTC) - this Canadian horror film is Written and Directed by Ian Tuason in his feature film making debut. Here, Evy (Nina Kiri), a woman who hosts a paranormal podcast with her friend Justin (Adam DiMarco), where she is the skeptic to his believer. After Evy moves back home to become the caregiver to her dying mother (Michele Duquet), she and Justin are sent recordings by a married couple experiencing paranormal noises in their home, drawing Evy into fear and paranoia. The film saw its Premiere screening at the Fantasia International Film Festival in late July last year, where it won the gold audience award for Canadian films. It has generated largely positive critical reviews, cost US$500K to produce and is released this week too in the US.

'DOLLY' (Rated MA15+) - is an American horror film that is Written, Co-Produced, and Directed by Rod Blackhurst, and is based on his 2022 short film 'Babygirl'. His previous feature film output takes in 'Here Alone' in 2016, the crime documentary 'Amanda Knox' also in 2016, 'Blood for Dust' in 2023 and the 2024 documentary 'The Tennessee 11'. When Macy (Fabianne Therese) and Chase (Seann William Scott) become separated, Macy finds herself in Dolly's (Max the Impaler) lair at the whim of a psychotic killer. She must fight for survival after being abducted by a deranged, monster-like figure who wants to raise Macy as their child. Also starring Ethan Suplee. The film had its World Premiere at the Fantastic Fest on in mid-September last year and was released in the US last week, having garnered mixed or average reviews, and so far grossing US$474K. 

'THE PLAGUE' (Rated MA15+) - this US and Romanian psychological drama thriller film is Written and Directed by Charlie Polinger in his feature film making debut. In the summer of 2003, at an all-boys summer water polo camp, led by Coach 'Daddy Wags' (Joel Edgerton), socially anxious twelve-year-old Ben (Everett Blunck) struggles to fit in amidst a ruthless social hierarchy. When he befriends Eli (Kenny Rasmussen), a lonely, acne-ridden outcast shunned by the others for allegedly carrying a contagious 'plague', Ben becomes entangled in a cruel, escalating ritual of scapegoating and fear. As the lines between teasing and real harm blur, Ben is forced to confront his own complicity and the terrifying cost of belonging. The film had its World Premiere at last years Cannes Film Festival in mid-May in the Un Certain Regard section, was released Stateside in early January, has generated largely favourable critical reviews, has collected nine award wins and another thirty-two nominations from around the awards and festival circuit, and has so far grossed US$685K.

'REMINDERS OF HIM' (Rated M) - is an American romantic drama film Directed by Vanessa Caswill in only her second feature film Directorial outing following 'Love at First Sight' in 2023. This film is based on the 2022 novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover, who also Co-Wrote the Screenplay and has a Co-Producer credit too. Following a perfect outing with her boyfriend, Kenna Rowan (Maika Monroe) makes an unbearable mistake that sends her to prison. Seven years later, Kenna returns to her hometown in Wyoming, hoping to rebuild her life and earn the chance to reunite with her young daughter, Diem (Zoe Kosovic), whom she has never known. When Diem's custodial grandparents Grace and Patrick Landry (Lauren Graham and Bradley Whitford respectively) adamantly refuse Kenna's attempts to see her daughter, Kenna discovers unexpected compassion, and then something truer and deeper, with former NFL player and local bar owner Ledger Ward (Tyriq Withers). As their secret romance develops, so do the dangers for both of them, leading Kenna toward heartbreak and, ultimately, the hope for a second chance. The film is released in the US this week too.

'GOAT' (Rated PG) - this American animated sports comedy film is Directed by Tyree Dillihay in his feature film making debut. The story follows Will Harris (voiced by Caleb McLaughlin), a small goat with big dreams who gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros and play roarball, a high-intensity, co-ed, full-contact sport dominated by the fastest, fiercest animals in the world. Will's new teammates aren't thrilled about having a little goat on their roster, but Will is determined to revolutionise the sport and prove once and for all that 'smalls can ball'! Also starring the voice talents of Gabrielle Union, Aaron Pierre, David Harbour, Nick Kroll, Stephen Curry, Patton Oswalt, Jelly Roll and Jennifer Hudson amongst others. The film had its World Premiere screening in LA in early February, was released in the US in mid-February, has so far grossed US$147M off the back of a US$85M production budget and has generated largely positive critical reviews.

With seven new release movie offerings this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere at your local Odeon in the coming week.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

HAMNET : Tuesday 3rd March 2026

I finally got around to seeing the M Rated 'HAMNET' this week, some six weeks after its Australian release on 15th January. This biographical period film is Directed and Co-Edited by Chloe Zhao, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Maggie O'Farrell, and is based on the 2020 novel by O'Farrell. Chloe Zhao's previous feature film output takes in her 2015 debut with 'Songs My Brother Taught Me', which she would follow up with 'The Rider' in 2017, 'Nomadland' in 2020 and 'The Eternals' in 2021. The film had its World Premiere showcasing at the Telluride Film Festival on 29th August last year and received a limited cinema release in the USA and Canada at the end of November, before going wide on 5th December, and was released in the UK on 9th January this year. It has garnered widespread universal critical acclaim, has so far grossed US$93M from a US$35M production budget and has collected eighty-six award wins and a further 298 nominations from around the awards and festival circuit, with some of those award nods still pending a final outcome. The film is also Co-Produced by Steven Spielberg and Sam Mandes.

An opening card states that in Stratford, England in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries the names Hamnet and Hamlet were considered the same, and interchangeable. We then cut to the opening scene in which Agnes (Jessie Buckley) wakes from a slumber curled up in the root of a giant tree, under which appears to be mystery cave. She then rises to her feet and summons to a hawk from high up in the tree tops to come to her landing on her falconry gloved hand. She also gathers up herbs. 

Meanwhile, William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) works as a tutor to young children to help pay off family debts which his father John (David Wilmot) incurred. He leaves his students after seeing Agnes coming out of the forest and they share a brief moment of tenderness. William's mother, Mary (Emily Watson), tells him of rumours that Agnes is the daughter of a forest witch who taught her herbal lore, which Agnes later uses to heal a small cut to William's forehead. 

William later visits Agnes in the forest. Agnes foretells William of a successful future for him, and two children at her deathbed, by pressing down on the fleshy part of his hand between thumb and forefinger. The pair consummate their relationship, impregnating Agnes, leading her family to disown her and forcing her to move into the Shakespeare household. The two marry, and Agnes gives birth to Susanna in the woods.

Seeing William's frustration with what we would call today writers block, Agnes suggests to her brother Bartholomew (Joe Alwyn) to send him to London for a theatrical career, leaving her and Susanna (Bodhi Rae Breathnach) in Stratford. Later, a pregnant Agnes tries to go outside to give birth, but William's family restrain her in the house, where she gives birth to twins Hamnet and Judith, the latter at first appearing to be stillborn. Remembering being kept from her mother's deathbed, and despite the midwife (Laura Guest) wanting to take the infant away, Agnes demands to hold the baby, and Judith stirs and wakens.

Eleven years later, William has found success and fortune in London and returns intermittently while the children grow up very close. Agnes foretells that Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe), who wishes to join his father's theatre company, will flourish. Agnes's hawk dies and is buried in the forest, and she tells the children to make a wish to the hawk's spirit, who she says will carry them in its heart. Returning to London, William wanders the streets during an outbreak of bubonic plague. In Stratford, Judith (Olivia Lynes) falls gravely ill with the plague. Hamnet evokes the tale of the hawk to encourage her to get better, and lies beside her, proclaiming he wants to take her place, to trick death. Judith recovers, but Hamnet in turn falls gravely ill and dies a painful death in Agnes' arms. 

William rushes home and is ecstatic that Judith has seemingly made a full recovery, but that turns to despair when he sees Hamnet lying at rest. His continued absence places his marriage to Agnes under pressure as they cope with Hamnet's death in their own ways. William buys the largest house in Stratford and departs for London again. Agnes holds his hand and says she now sees nothing. William rehearses Hamlet in London, but is frustrated by his Actor's flat delivery. In despair, one night while out walking, he leans over the edge of a jetty on the River Thames, contemplating ending his life, and recites his 'To be, or not to be . . . that is the question' monologue from the play. 

Agnes's stepmother Joan (Justine Mitchell) shows her a playbill for a production of 'Tragedie of Hamlet' in London and chastises her for marrying William, but Agnes berates her. Agnes and Bartholomew travel to London to see William. Finding him absent from his modest attic residence, they decide to attend the first performance of Hamlet at the Globe Theatre. 

Making their way to the very front of the stage, when the production begins Agnes is initially offended, thinking her son's name is being taken in vain, however, upon seeing William as the ghost of Hamlet's father, she realises the play is a tribute to Hamnet, and is moved to tears by the scene involving Hamlet and his father. 

Backstage, William, having noticed Agnes, breaks down in tears while listening to the play unfold, and returns to see Agnes from the wings. The play progresses through scenes of sword-fighting, fulfilling Hamnet's dream of such a role. During Hamlet's (Noah Jupe) death scene, Agnes reaches forward for the actor's hand as she had held William's when they first met, and the rest of the audience reaches out toward him also. She sees her son Hamnet on the stage, seen earlier as his dying vision. He moves from sadness to a smile before disappearing into the backstage, through a doorway resembling the forest cave opening under the tree from where Agnes woke in the opening scene. For the first time since Hamnet's death, Agnes laughs and smiles.

Director and co-scribe Chloe Zhao has here delivered us a film for the ages, one that resonates with heartfelt emotion that is underpinned by a powerful screenplay, top notch cinematography, high end production values, and first rate performances by Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal and a young Jacobi Jupe. This is a film that serves as a testament to life and death, and to love and grief, in equal measure that culminates in a real tear jerker of an ending that will remain with you long after the end credits have rolled. See it on the big screen, you won't be disappointed. The film deserves all the accolades bestowed upon it. 

'Hamnet' merits five claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps. 

-Steve, at Odeon Online-