There’s something about February that begs for dramatic movies. This month, I found myself reaching for films that ranged from emotionally jarring to straight-up weird.
Here’s a rundown of three very different films I watched this month, with my completely unscientific star ratings and some scattered thoughts from the couch. Slight spoilers ahead!
- The Substance — dir. Coralie Fargeat
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Wow. This movie was absolutely insane and took me on a full emotional rollercoaster. I watched it with my family… and let me just say: do not do that.
That said, I really appreciated the message behind the film. It follows Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), an aging actress rapidly losing opportunities. The men around her grow increasingly disinterested in her looks and her once-beloved aerobics show. She soon discovers they’ve already decided to end her career. In a desperate attempt to reclaim control, she turns to some truly bizarre, otherworldly technology.
I won’t spoil what happens next, but trust me—things spiral fast. The ending had me shaking, stressed, and honestly, a little nauseous. Proceed with caution!
Overall Rating: 4.1 / 5 stars
- Interstellar — dir. Christopher Nolan
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A rewatch—and one of many! I’ll never stop raving about this movie. Even if you’re not into science fiction, watch it.
Nolan never misses in my book, and Interstellar is full of brilliant hidden details. One of my favorites: on the water planet, the ticking sound you hear every 1.25 seconds? Each tick represents a full day passing on Earth. Chills.
I won’t get into the full plot here, but the combination of its gorgeous score, deep emotional core, and jaw-dropping visuals makes it unforgettable.
Overall Rating: 5 / 5 stars
- Nosferatu — dir. Robert Eggers
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This might be an unpopular opinion… but I was underwhelmed. Lily-Rose Depp did a great job, and the storyline is strong—but I expected more from Nosferatu himself.
When you cast Bill Skarsgård as your villain, you’ve got to let him be terrifying! I get that they were going for the original aesthetic, but the mustached, rotting vampire figure just didn’t scare me. At all.
Overall Rating: 3.5 / 5 stars
I enjoyed each film in its own way—some more bizarrely unique than others—but I’d still recommend giving them a watch if any catch your eye!
PRESS PLAY AND HAVE FUN!
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