Upon entering the gritty world of The Shadow Strays, I was buzzing with anticipation for what is touted as Timo Tjahjanto’s latest masterpiece in action crime thriller cinema. It’s been just over two hours of intense pulse-pounding sequences and layered storytelling that promise a visceral experience.
Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance” opens as if the screen itself was dipped in a hallucinogenic cocktail, one with an aftertaste of bile and eyeliner, and I found myself reeling, delighted, and (let’s not be coy) more than a little queasy. This is the promise and peril of modern body horror: when it’s any good, you come away not only a little sick to your stomach but a little troubled in your soul.
As I settled into my seat for Schindler’s List, I felt a mix of anticipation and trepidation. Knowing the film's historical context and the impact it had on cinema, I steeled myself for an emotional journey.