A musician on a tropical vacation with his family meets an ancient mythical creature who falls in love with him and demands his love in return, or else he faces deadly consequences.
Score: 4/10
Director / Writer:Frank Merle
Starring:Jamie Kennedy, Ash Tsai, Jason Markoff
Genre:horror, indie
Runtime:92 min
Release:2026
Excerpt
I’m not against a movie being made to facilitate a vacation, but the final story should justify the trip. Frank Merle’s Namaka (2026) is a thriller with a lot of potential but sometimes loses track of its own plot.
Namaka’s Siren Song
Ash Tsai as Namaka
I’m not against a movie being made to facilitate a vacation, but the final story should justify the trip. Frank Merle’s Namaka (2026) is a thriller with a lot of potential but sometimes loses track of its own plot. Set on one of the picturesque Hawaiian islands, Namaka serves as a cautionary tale though the underlying message is a bit unclear.
In the ruins of a burned-out church, a defeated and depressed musician debates existence with two irreverent puppet companions, while reliving the betrayal, artistic rejection, and failed romance that pushed him toward nihilism.
Score: 4/10
Director / Writer:Walter Santucci
Starring:Jack Grisham, Evelyn Vazquez, Tony Nittoli
Genre:experimental, short, indie, alternative
Runtime:66
Release:2026
Excerpt
I’m not sure that the viewer is supposed to see it as a metaphor of how depression can mess with memory and perspective. If I’m supposed to acknowledge the blinders Human has put around the situation, or am I supposed to believe him completely and be on his side. For a film so multilayered and unique production-wise, it feels like the same amount of care wasn’t paid to the story – if that’s what this actually is.
I Hate Myself and Want To Die
Human waxes
Puppeteering multihyphenate Walter Sanducci’s new film I’d Rather Be Turned Into Cat Food (2026) vacillates wildly between performance art, biopic, fever dream, therapy session and propaganda film. It’s unequal parts pleasure and pain wherein the pleasure of the film is the amazing soundtrack composed by Santucci, and artful editing, and the pain is… well first, let’s define pain. Sometimes sharp, sometimes dull, sometimes quick and other times lingering, pain is a universal feeling whose intensity and tolerance lies in the body of the beholder. This film is full of pain only it’s mistaken for self-awareness and introspection and the film may suffer because of it.
After receiving a devastating diagnosis, a severely depressed veteran who hides his pain through self-isolation and alcohol must accept the help of his famous cousin or risk becoming just another statistic.
Score: 6.5/10
Director / Writer:Ammie Masterson, Kevin Machate, Todd Rodgers
Starring:Kevin Machate, Beth Shea, Ammie Masterson, Barry Corbin, Gayland Williams
Genre:drama
Runtime:23
Release:2026
Excerpt
In a world plagued by social injustice, medical inequity and community initiatives that are less and less about actual community, movie watchers are learning towards escapism. So why is that Kevin Machate’s moody drama Worst Enemy (2026) works so well in a moment that’s made to resist it?
I’m a Hazard to Myself
Kevin Machate as “Shane” in Worst Enemy
In a world plagued by social injustice, medical inequity and community initiatives that are less and less about actual community, movie watchers are learning towards escapism. Many would rather ignore the harsh truths of life to settle into the blessed freedom of fantasy. So why is that Kevin Machate’s moody drama Worst Enemy (2026) works so well in a moment that’s made to resist it?
When Patricia approaches Ashley with a tailor-made project and is rejected, she gets a gun. Patricia breaks into Ashley’s home and takes her hostage. What ensues is a psychological cat-and-mouse game that culminates in a surprising and bloody climax.
Score: 7.5/10
Director / Writer:Ryan Moore
Starring:Cheyenne Perez, Grace Kaufman, Emily Hall, David Lengel
Genre:indie, psychological thriller
Runtime:84
Release:2023
Excerpt
At one point Ashley says, "You can’t just put a gun to someone’s head and force them to give up social media!" and while I laughed, I found myself feeling genuine concern. Her posting schedule is going to be really behind!
Why Don’t You Love Me?
“Grace Kaufman stars as Ashley in Ryan Moore’s Influence“
It’s unusual to have Béla Tarr’s 7.5 hour Criterion Collection epic Sátántangó feature as a set piece in an abduction thriller, but Ryan Moore’s Influence (2023) said, hold my beer! It’s a bold move from the young director, and one that has interesting dividends.
We follow writer/director Patricia (Cheyenne Perez) as she tries to sell her script in Hollywood. She’s hit with lovely rejection letters and promises of nothing. By day she edits footage for her boss – a jaded wellness ambassador named Melissa (Emily Hall), and by night she doom scrolls wellness influencers on Instagram. It’s a vicious cycle of faux inspiration and toxic positivity that sends Ashley even further into a depressive spiral.
