Proving her immense talent with Saint Maud, Rose Glass has followed up her inaugural release with a film just as original and daring. Love Lies Bleeding is a powerful vision brought to life via a story dripping in sex, violence and love.

The vampire genre has been explored many times in movies. While some releases fail to provide original narratives, others ensure that their stories are unique enough to deliver enjoyable experiences. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Abigail is a bloody fun time. Although its first half is noticeably slow, this is a film that quickly puts a smile on your face when it kicks into gear.

Cinema has a history of glorifying war and violence in a variety of ways. In stark contrast to the morbid reality of conflict, the abundance of stories centred on military spectacle has allowed other filmmakers to approach the subject from a more grounded angle. Written and directed by Alex Garland, Civil War utilises a political background to deliver a human story in the foreground. This is a morbidly gorgeous portrait of war crafted through a unique science fiction vision.

The beauty of cinema is that stories can be crafted in many ways. While some narratives focus on character development, others embrace blockbuster spectacle to deliver a fun experience. Directed by Adam Wingard, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire offers a feast of bombastic action but little to chew on if you are craving a well-written story. Even so, this is an entertaining ride worth the price of admission.

Stylistic surrealism is an approach to horror cinema that can sometimes yield exceptional results. By playing with perceptions of reality, a talented filmmaker can successfully elevate the movie-watching experience. Written and directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes, Late Night with the Devil is a fusion of retro extravagance and shocking horror, resulting in a film that grabs onto your mind and doesn’t let go.