In an era of massive blockbusters, there are many films that are still able to convey effective narratives despite their limitations. While lack of funds can hinder certain projects, others are able to use all their resources to deliver truly distinctive experiences. Written, edited and directed by Damian Mc Carthy, Caveat delivers a chilling vision of suspenseful horror. Thriving in its simplicity, this is a release that proves that less is often far better than more.

Cinematic adaptations of video games have a history of poor quality. While we can hope that the tide will soon turn, it is hard to expect an improvement when the movies continue to be sub-standard. Directed by Josh Ruben, Werewolves Within is a new horror/comedy based on the VR game of the same name. Filled with annoying characters, the film struggles to combine its silly tone with the mystery that it wants us to be invested in. Despite having a likeable protagonist, this release is too quirky for its own good.

When it comes to a franchise, fans will frequently enter a sequel with certain expectations. Filmmakers are supposed to meet these by balancing proven techniques with some new flavour so that the series doesn’t become boring and stale. While some are able to straddle this line, others go too far in one direction. Directed by Michael Chaves, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It explores a variety of new ideas but fails to grasp the success of the entries that came before. Despite having an incredible leading duo, the movie mixes too many ingredients in an attempt to replace an already proven formula.

While English is still dominant in the world of cinema, there are many great releases from across Earth that come to us via other languages. The sad truth is, many viewers avoid these because of subtitles, a simple hurdle on the way towards some of the world’s best features. Written and directed by Anders Thomas Jensen, Riders of Justice is a Danish film that explores themes of masculinity, fatherhood and loss, all while incorporating some effective dark humour. Driven by a selection of layered characters, this movie is perhaps best described as simply superb.

Originating in 1932, and later popularised by George A. Romero, the zombie genre has been a horror staple for many years. While undead stories continue to be prevalent, history shows that they often sway wildly in terms of quality. Co-written and directed by Zack Snyder, Army of the Dead attempts to reanimate a classic concept by creating its own lore. Filled with flashes of great moments, the film’s poor pacing and underdeveloped characters mean that it is, for the most part, dead on arrival.